Earth Observing–1 satellite is retired, leaving a legacy of spectacular imagery
Advanced Land Imager instrument developed at MIT Lincoln Laboratory helped NASA mission exceed expectations.
Scientists identify a black hole choking on stardust
Data suggest black holes swallow stellar debris in bursts.
3Q: Julien de Wit on the discovery of seven temperate, nearby worlds
Planets may harbor conditions suitable for sustaining liquid water — and thus life.
Study tracks “memory” of soil moisture
First year of data from SMAP satellite provides new insights for weather, agriculture, and climate.
Retracing the origins of a massive, multi-ring crater
Scientists reconstruct first hours after a giant impact created one of the largest craters on the moon.
3 Questions: Richard Binzel on what we've learned so far from New Horizons
Professor Richard Binzel, NASA New Horizons scientist, describes a year of discovery since the spacecraft's historic 2015 Pluto encounter.
Better views with smaller satellites
Batches of shoebox-sized satellites could improve estimates of Earth’s reflected energy.
Dead X-ray satellite reveals “quiet” center of massive galaxy cluster
Scientists find gas at center of Perseus cluster travels much more slowly than expected.
Scientists observe first signs of healing in the Antarctic ozone layer
September ozone hole has shrunk by 4 million square kilometers since 2000.
Researchers trace Mercury’s origins to rare meteorite
Experiments show planet cooled dramatically in half a billion years.
Ideas in orbit
From MIT to the moon, and on campus, senior Raichelle Aniceto builds new connections.
Bringing “the greatest show in the universe” to the people
MIT hosts national ScienceWriters2015 conference.
3 Questions: Lennon Rodgers on docking in space
System for locking satellites together, initially developed for master’s thesis, to get first space test.
MIT engineers hand “cognitive” control to underwater robots
With MIT-developed algorithms, robots plan underwater missions autonomously.
Electrospray thruster makes small satellites more capable
MIT spinout’s electric-propulsion system improves maneuverability of small satellites.