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NASA is inviting U.S. companies to collaborate on the Volatiles Investigating Polar Exploration Rover (VIPER), a mission initially halted due to budget constraints. Designed to search for water ice near the lunar south pole, VIPER was originally planned as a $450 million project. The agency had cancelled the mission in July 2024, citing cost-saving measures. Now, a fresh call has been made to private firms willing to take on the challenge of delivering the rover to the Moon, conducting exploration, and sharing scientific data. A final decision is expected in the coming months.

VIPER’s Role in Lunar Exploration

According to NASA’s announcement, VIPER was designed to support Artemis program objectives by locating potential water ice deposits. These resources are crucial for future human missions and lunar surface operations. Initially set to launch aboard the Griffin lander by Astrobotic Technology, the mission was shelved before its deployment. Following interest from private firms, NASA has decided to explore new avenues for its deployment while ensuring that the scientific goals remain intact.

Proposals and Selection Process

NASA officials have confirmed that responses from interested companies must be submitted by February 20, 2025. Selected candidates will be invited to provide more detailed proposals, with final selections anticipated by mid-year. The agency has clarified that while VIPER will be handed over in its current state, modifications involving dismantling its instruments for use on other spacecraft will not be permitted. Companies will be required to manage landing operations, conduct scientific research, and ensure data dissemination as part of the agreement.

Potential Benefits for Private Firms

In a statement in an official press release by NASA, Joel Kearns, Deputy Associate Administrator for Exploration in NASA’s Science Mission Directorate, stated that the partnership would provide significant opportunities for private firms looking to advance their lunar surface capabilities. He emphasised that VIPER’s deployment could mark a critical step toward commercial involvement in lunar exploration, reinforcing NASA’s commitment to fostering public-private collaborations.

Future of Lunar Resource Exploration

As NASA continues to push for sustainable lunar exploration, the integration of private-sector capabilities is seen as a key element in reducing costs and expanding mission possibilities. With lunar resource utilisation playing a major role in future space endeavours, the agency remains focused on ensuring that scientific objectives are met while advancing commercial lunar operations. The final selection of partners for VIPER is expected to set the stage for upcoming exploration missions and resource prospecting efforts on the Moon.

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New Research Suggests Dark Energy Is Evolving, Challenging Cosmology Models

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March 26, 2025

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New Research Suggests Dark Energy Is Evolving, Challenging Cosmology Models

New research suggests that dark energy, the unknown force driving the accelerated expansion of the universe, may not be behaving as previously believed. Observations from a large-scale 3D map indicate that this force could be evolving over time, contradicting long-standing models of cosmology. The data, derived from extensive observations of millions of galaxies, provides fresh insights into the fundamental workings of the universe. Scientists are now questioning whether the standard model, which assumes a constant dark energy force, remains valid in explaining the cosmos.

Evidence from DESI’s 3D Mapping Project

According to the Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument (DESI), which operates from the Nicholas U. Mayall 4-Meter Telescope at Kitt Peak National Observatory, findings suggest that dark energy may not be a fixed force. The analysis is based on data collected over three years, covering nearly 15 million galaxies and quasars. DESI’s ability to simultaneously capture light from 5,000 galaxies allows researchers to examine large-scale cosmic structures and measure how the universe’s expansion rate has changed over time.

Comparisons with Other Cosmic Observations

As reported, inconsistencies arise when DESI’s findings are compared with measurements from the cosmic microwave background (CMB) and type Ia supernovae. The CMB consists of fossil light from the early universe, has been used to track the expansion history of the cosmos. Similar to thaf type Ia supernovae, often called “standard candles” for their uniform brightness, have provided key distance measurements. The DESI data suggests that dark energy’s influence may have weakened over time, a deviation from the accepted cosmological model that assumes it remains unchanged.

Implications for Future Research

Speaking in an official press release, DESI Project Scientist Arjun Dey stated that these findings could redefine humanity’s understanding of the universe. The instrument’s ongoing observations will continue to refine knowledge of dark energy’s role. Scientists anticipate that by the project’s conclusion, further data will offer a clearer picture of whether dark energy fluctuates, potentially reshaping existing theories of cosmic evolution.

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Pulsar Fusion’s Nuclear Fusion Rockets May Revolutionise Space Travel

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March 26, 2025

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Pulsar Fusion’s Nuclear Fusion Rockets May Revolutionise Space Travel

A UK-based company has announced plans for nuclear fusion-powered rockets that could reduce travel time across the solar system. Pulsar Fusion has been working on the project in secrecy for a decade and recently introduced the concept at the Space-Comm Expo in London. The company aims to test the technology this year and conduct an orbital demonstration by 2027. The rockets, called Sunbirds, are designed to propel spacecraft at high speeds using nuclear fusion. Experts believe that if the technology works, it could transform space exploration. However, some remain sceptical about its feasibility.

Technology Behind the Sunbird Rockets

As reported, the rockets will use a Duel Direct Fusion Drive (DDFD) engine. This system is designed to generate thrust by fusing deuterium and helium-3. Unlike conventional fusion reactors, the DDFD would produce charged particles that could be directly used for propulsion. The company claims that this technology could cut the journey to Mars in half and reduce the travel time to Pluto to just four years. However, the fusion process has not yet been successfully tested in space.

Challenges and Expert Opinions

In an interview with Live Science, Paulo Lozano, an astronautics professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, expressed doubts about the project. He stated that fusion technology remains complex and has not yet been mastered for compact systems like these rockets. Richard Dinan, CEO of Pulsar Fusion, responded by saying that fusion in space is easier to achieve because the vacuum eliminates many of the challenges faced on Earth. The company plans to test the propulsion system this year, though initial trials will use inert gases instead of helium-3 due to its high cost.

Future Plans and Potential Hurdles

Pulsar Fusion hopes to create a fleet of Sunbird rockets that can be reused multiple times. These rockets would be stationed in orbit and attach to spacecraft, helping them reach deep space. This approach could lower costs for long-distance missions. However, one of the biggest challenges is sourcing helium-3, which is rare and expensive. Some experts suggest that mining helium-3 from the Moon could be a solution, but no such plans are in place yet. The company has not set a timeline for when a fully functional Sunbird prototype will be ready.

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30,000-Year-Old Vulture Feathers Discovered, Uniquely Preserved in Volcanic Ash

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March 26, 2025

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30,000-Year-Old Vulture Feathers Discovered, Uniquely Preserved in Volcanic Ash

Fossilised feathers of a 30,000-year-old griffon vulture have been found in a remarkable state of preservation, with details unlike any previously recorded. The discovery, made in the Colli Albani volcanic complex near Rome, Italy, has intrigued scientists for decades. The remains, which include traces of the bird’s wing feathers and eyelids, were first unearthed in 1889. Until now, the preservation process remained unexplained. New research suggests that the feathers were encased in volcanic ash, later transforming into silicon-rich zeolite crystals, which retained the structure of the vulture’s delicate tissues. This marks the first instance of such preservation occurring in volcanic material.

Unprecedented Preservation Through Zeolite Crystals

According to the study published in Geology, an analysis using electron microscopes and chemical testing revealed that the feathers were fossilised in three-dimensional form. This contrasts with the usual fossilization process, where feathers leave two-dimensional carbon imprints. Previously, three-dimensional feather fossils had only been identified in amber. The research team, led by Valentina Rossi, a paleobiologist at University College Cork in Ireland, found that zeolite minerals had played a critical role in maintaining the feathers’ microscopic details. Speaking to Live Science, Rossi described the discovery as unique, highlighting that feathers preserved in volcanic ash had never been documented before.

Burial in Volcanic Ash Preserved Delicate Features

The fossil, initially discovered by a landowner in the foothills of Mount Tuscolo, had been noted for its unusual preservation in volcanic rock. Over time, much of the specimen was lost, leaving only part of one wing, the head, and the neck. Recent reanalysis identified even finer details, including the structure of the vulture’s eyelids and skin. According to Dawid Iurino, associate professor in vertebrate paleontology at the University of Milan, the bird was likely buried in a low-temperature pyroclastic deposit. He explained to Live Science that while volcanic environments typically destroy organic material, certain conditions allowed soft tissues to be fossilised at a cellular level.

Potential for More Fossil Discoveries in Volcanic Rock

The study suggests that the preservation process occurred within days, as the ash reacted with water and gradually formed zeolite crystals that replaced the biological structures. Maria McNamara, professor of paleontology at University College Cork, told Live Science that the findings could expand the scope of fossil research. She noted that delicate tissues had not previously been expected to survive in volcanic rock, opening new possibilities for similar discoveries in the future.

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