News

Universe Today • Mark Thompson

Assembly Theory: measuring atmospheric chemical complexity as a new biosignature

A team at Arizona State University proposes applying Assembly Theory to exoplanet atmospheres—measuring molecular complexity rather than hunting specific biosignature gases—to determine whether blind chemistry could plausibly produce observed compositions. If validated, the method would change target selection and interpretation for JWST, ELTs and future life‑detection missions.

2026-03-15T17:20:29.586890-07:00

Universe Today

JWST reveals widespread carbon dioxide on Europa, pointing to ocean–surface exchange

2026-03-15T17:34:32.555007-07:00

Universe Today

GRB 250702B: Seven‑hour repeating gamma‑ray burst points to star torn apart by intermediate‑mass black hole

2026-03-14T22:53:40.617644-07:00

Universe Today

DART Alters Didymos System’s Solar Orbit, Validates Kinetic-Impactor Planetary Defense

2026-03-14T14:53:34.901800-07:00

News Timeline

Universe Today

JWST reveals widespread carbon dioxide on Europa, pointing to ocean–surface exchange James Webb Space Telescope spectra show carbon dioxide is far more widespread on Europa's surface than previously recognized, appearing in lens-like patches across multiple geologic terrains. The distribution implies active exchange processes between the moon's subsurface ocean and the ice shell, reshaping habitability assessments and mission targets.

2026-03-15T17:34:32.555007-07:00

JWST reveals widespread carbon dioxide on Europa, pointing to ocean–surface exchange

Universe Today

Assembly Theory: measuring atmospheric chemical complexity as a new biosignature A team at Arizona State University proposes applying Assembly Theory to exoplanet atmospheres—measuring molecular complexity rather than hunting specific biosignature gases—to determine whether blind chemistry could plausibly produce observed compositions. If validated, the method would change target selection and interpretation for JWST, ELTs and future life‑detection missions.

2026-03-15T17:20:29.586890-07:00

Assembly Theory: measuring atmospheric chemical complexity as a new biosignature

Universe Today

GRB 250702B: Seven‑hour repeating gamma‑ray burst points to star torn apart by intermediate‑mass black hole On 2 July 2025 NASA's Fermi telescope recorded GRB 250702B, a repeating gamma‑ray burst that persisted for over seven hours and produced multiple distinct flares across a day — nearly double previous records. A new MNRAS paper argues the source is a star tidally disrupted by an intermediate‑mass black hole.

2026-03-14T22:53:40.617644-07:00

GRB 250702B: Seven‑hour repeating gamma‑ray burst points to star torn apart by intermediate‑mass black hole

Universe Today

❗️

DART Alters Didymos System’s Solar Orbit, Validates Kinetic-Impactor Planetary Defense NASA's DART mission deliberately altered the Didymos binary system's orbit around the Sun, demonstrating that a kinetic impactor can measurably change an asteroid's trajectory and serve as an effective planetary-defense tool for deflecting near-Earth objects. The result validates kinetic-impact techniques used in deflection planning.

2026-03-14T14:53:34.901800-07:00

DART Alters Didymos System’s Solar Orbit, Validates Kinetic-Impactor Planetary Defense

Ars Technica

❗️

Payload shortfalls and commercial competition cloud future of NASA’s SLS NASA has told employees it is struggling to find payloads that justify use of the Space Launch System, as program costs climb and commercial heavy‑lift alternatives mature. That manifest shortfall intensifies pressure on SLS's budget, schedule and its future role in Artemis and science missions.

2026-03-13T15:12:24.898341-07:00

Payload shortfalls and commercial competition cloud future of NASA’s SLS

NASA Spaceflight

❗️

SpaceX scales Starbase with Starfactory and GigaBay to mass‑produce Starship for Moon and Mars SpaceX has transformed its Starbase complex in Texas with a new Starfactory and GigaBay, expanding industrial capacity to accelerate Starship production. The build‑out is intended to raise manufacturing throughput and support the company’s push to enable human missions to the Moon and ultimately Mars.

2026-03-13T14:09:52.509740-07:00

SpaceX scales Starbase with Starfactory and GigaBay to mass‑produce Starship for Moon and Mars

NASA Spaceflight

❗️

Inside SpaceX’s Starfactory: From Steel Rolls to Starship Production As SpaceX accelerates its bid to send humans to the Moon and Mars, its Starfactory reveals how raw steel rolls are converted into Starship tanks, sections and flight hardware — an industrial-scale manufacturing push intended to raise build and flight cadence for orbital and lunar campaigns.

2026-03-13T14:00:29.258495-07:00

Inside SpaceX’s Starfactory: From Steel Rolls to Starship Production

Space.com

Russia targets 2036 Venera‑D Venus mission with orbiter, lander and balloon Russia has announced Venera‑D, a flagship Venus mission targeting a 2036 launch that would carry an orbiter, a surface lander and an atmospheric balloon. The plan frames Venera‑D as a strategic effort to revive Soviet‑era planetary exploration capabilities and national prestige.

2026-03-13T12:07:20.771853-07:00

Russia targets 2036 Venera‑D Venus mission with orbiter, lander and balloon

Menu

Space Exploration & Science Missions News

Assembly Theory: measuring atmospheric chemical complexity as a new biosignature

JWST reveals widespread carbon dioxide on Europa, pointing to ocean–surface exchange

GRB 250702B: Seven‑hour repeating gamma‑ray burst points to star torn apart by intermediate‑mass black hole

DART Alters Didymos System’s Solar Orbit, Validates Kinetic-Impactor Planetary Defense

News Timeline