Space

Astronauts don't cry: Chris Hadfield shows tears in space

There's no crying in baseball, and there's no crying in space.

While zero gravity doesn't have an impact on tears forming, it has an effect on if they fall -- and they don't. The water that builds up in your eyes from crying will stay there until the bubble gets so big it moves to another spot on your face, or it's removed. It's not very pretty or graceful.

Watch how Canadian astronaut Chris Hadfield -- commander of the International Space Station and maker of all sorts of entertaining space videos -- demonstrates what … Read more

Blast your angry face into space to ward off alien invasions

While NASA has been busy sending friendly messages out into space, it's overlooked one important issue. What if the aliens aren't friendly? Haven't the folks at NASA watched the "Alien" movies? A Kickstarter project is aiming to counteract NASA's open-arms policy by blasting a satellite into space with a less likeable version of humanity onboard.

In the 1970s, NASA sent two Pioneer spacecraft out into the universe bearing plaques with directions to Earth and illustrations of naked humans to show what extraterrestrial visitors could expect upon arrival at our humble planet. Ridiculo.us, creators of the Your Face in Space Kickstarter, is more concerned about warding off hostile invasion forces from beyond our solar system.… Read more

NASA to 'lasso' an asteroid

There could be a sequel in the works to that absurd scene from 1998's "Armageddon" in which Ben Affleck and friends land on a threatening near-Earth asteroid. But this time around it's a real-world NASA mission to kidnap, rather than obliterate, a space rock.

Part of the idea is to conduct research to help prevent just such an "Armageddon" scenario from ever cropping up in real life, according to a mission overview obtained by CBS News last week. The space agency is hoping to lasso an asteroid, space cowboy style, and tow it close enough to Earth so that it can be visited by astronauts. The astronauts then will conduct research that could one day assist in a mission to Mars or save Earth from a catastrophic collision, should Mr. Affleck be unavailable. … Read more

Astronaut Chris Hadfield shows off his spacesuit waltz

Flying aboard the International Space Station isn't just fun and games; members of the crew have to examine their equipment to keep everything in ready-to-use condition. One of the most important pieces of equipment is the spacesuit worn by astronauts when they leave the ISS to go out into the universe.

Spacesuits are made to keep a human body alive in the harsh, anti-gravity environment of space, but they are also used inside a ship should there be a change of pressure.

They are often constructed to help keep the wearer comfortable, keeping in mind mobility and the need to collect solid and liquid waste, "Spacesuits are just really one person spaceships," ISS Commander Chris Hadfield explains in his video. … Read more

NASA puts Mars rover on a month-long hiatus

For the first time since its descent onto the red planet, the Mars rover Curiosity is getting a little alone time.

The rover and NASA scientists are having a communication breakdown, of sorts. But, not to worry, no hurt feelings are involved. The issue is that the sun has got in the way.

Once every 26 months, as the Earth and Mars rotate around the sun, the two planets end up on opposite sides of the star in an event called the Mars solar conjunction. Because of the sun's massive size, any communication sent between the two planets can … Read more

Feast your eyes on the Small Magellanic Cloud

Astronomers describe it as a "dwarf galaxy," but the Small Magellanic Cloud, which happens to be one of the Milky Way's closest neighbors, is entirely majestic.

This galactic region takes its name from Ferdinand Magellan, a 16th century explorer who reportedly referred to the cloud's placement in the sky to guide his ship on his worldwide journeys.

In this spectacular composite image released today by NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center, in Huntsville, Ala., scientists are reporting what they say is the presence of X-rays being emitted from young stars -- or "suns" -- … Read more

Watch: How to brush your teeth in space

For those of you who hate brushing your teeth under normal circumstances, think about how much harder it is to clean those pearly whites in space, with zero gravity and no sink to get water from or spit into afterwards.

In another in his series of entertaining how-to videos from space, International Space Station Commander Chris Hadfield shows how to take care of those chompers in space. Does the toothpaste go up your nose? How do you get the toothbrush wet in the first place?

Check out the below video in which Hadfield answers those questions and more. And here's a spoiler: he has a unique way of cleaning his toothbrush post usage. … Read more

Watch astronaut Chris Hadfield's zero-gravity workout

If you think your workout is reaching a plateau, don't complain to the men and women in space. They have to constantly work out to stave off the loss of muscle tissue.

People living in zero gravity can lose up to 5 percent muscle mass a week. Yikes! That's why working out isn't just something astronauts do because they had a double cheeseburger with onion rings for lunch. Curious about what a space workout looks like? … Read more

Smartphone powers Star Wars-inspired NASA robot

It's hard not to get freakishly excited when science fiction becomes scientific fact -- especially when the origins of that science are rooted in Star Wars.

Think back, young Jedis, to the scene where a fresh-off-Tatooine Luke Skywalker is honing his light saber skills under the tutelage of Obi-Wan Kenobi. A round, floating robot called a remote helps Luke practice his Force-finding mojo. Now, NASA is running experiments with miniature satellites, or nanosatellites, that were inspired by that fictional robot.

Roughly the size of a soccer ball, these robots that fly freely in space are called Spheres (which is … Read more