China Launches Spacecraft to Moon and Back

by PISCES | Oct 27, 2014

China launched an experimental spacecraft to orbit the Moon and return to Earth Thursday (10/23/14) in preparation for its first lunar landing return mission in history.  The ‘Long March 3C’ rocket blasted off early in the morning from Xichang satellite launch center,...

Two Former PISCES Workers Selected for Next HI-SEAS Mission

by PISCES | Oct 6, 2014

Image of HI-SEAS Habitat on Mauna Loa.  Courtesy of Sian Proctor. The third and longest-yet HI-SEAS (Hawaii Space Exploration Analogue Simulation) mission will commence October 15th and includes two former PISCES workers.  Sophie Milam and Neil Scheibelhut will spend...

China to Return Lunar Samples from Moon

by PISCES | Sep 4, 2014

Photo taken of China’s Chang’e-3 Moon lander which made a historic lunar touchdown in December of 2013. Credit: CAS China has announced that it will attempt another historic feat in 2017, this time with the Chang’e-5’s mission to return lunar...

Rosetta Spacecraft Forges New Frontier in Space Exploration

by PISCES | Aug 27, 2014

Artist rendering of the Rosetta spacecraft deploying its ‘Philae’ lander to the surface of Comet 67P. Image Credit: ESA. The ESA’s (European Space Agency) Rosetta spacecraft has become the first in history to successfully lock into orbit with a comet.  And...

38 Years Ago ‘Luna 24’ Spacecraft Made History

by PISCES | Aug 25, 2014

The Soviet “Luna 24” three-stage spacecraft displayed in a museum. Credit: Roscosmos. Thirty-eight years ago, the Soviet “Luna 24” spacecraft successfully completed its mission to bring back samples of the lunar surface to Earth, returning 170 grams of...