Space NASA Adds a Day to Shuttle Mission July 31, 2005 • NASA has extended the Space Shuttle Discovery's mission by a day to provide more time to move supplies to the International Space Station. The move comes after NASA decided to ground the shuttle fleet after foam broke away from Discovery's external fuel tank during launch last week.
Space Spacewalk Finds Little Damage to Shuttle July 30, 2005 • Two astronauts aboard Discovery complete a seven-hour space walk, during which they tested tools aimed at repairing damage sustained by the orbiter during liftoff. NASA is adding a day to the mission.
Space Solar System Reveals a Whole New World July 30, 2005 • Is there a tenth planet orbiting our sun? Astronomers have found an object at least as big as Pluto that fits the description. But whether it's actually recognized as a planet may be a matter of semantic debate.
Space Saturn, Making Noise and Pleasing Researchers July 30, 2005 • The Cassini probe returns a wealth of sound from Saturn. Astrophysicist Donald Gurnett tells Christopher Joyce that it's especially helpful to hear Saturn, because the gas giant's cloudy atmosphere shields its surface from telescopes.
Space Discovery Spacewalkers Test Repair Tools July 30, 2005 • Discovery crew members begin the first of three space walks, a six-hour trip aimed at testing tools designed to repair damaged heat-shield tiles. Veteran spacewalker Dr. Scott Parazynski offers his insights on Saturday's exercise.
National Frist Clashes with Bush on Stem Cell Research July 29, 2005 • Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist announced Friday he will support legislation expanding federal funding for embryonic stem cell research. The new position by the senator, who is also a lauded medical doctor, contradicts that of President Bush and religious and social conservatives.
Politics Bob Graham: Energy Bill a Missed Opportunity July 29, 2005 • The Senate is expected to vote on the energy bill Friday. Commentator Bob Graham, a former Democratic senator, says the bill makes a critical mistake -- it would limit U.S. dependence on foreign oil by depleting domestic oil reserves. He challenges Americans to re-examine their lives and expand on resources that conserve oil use, like public transport.
Senate Ponders Several Stem-Cell Bills July 29, 2005 • In the wake of Senator Frist's comments on stem-cell research, Michele Norris talks with NPR's Julie Rovner about the specifics in each of the stem-cell bills being considered by the Senate.
Environment Exploring the Depths of the 'Hidden' Arctic Ocean July 29, 2005 • North of Alaska, the deepest part of the Arctic Ocean goes more than a mile down and is locked in ice. An international team of scientists is probing this so-called Hidden Ocean, from a U.S. Coast Guard icebreaker. NPR's Richard Harris sends an audio postcard from the expedition.
Space Tenth Planet Detected in Solar System July 29, 2005 • Astronomers say they've discovered a new planet in orbit around the sun. The planet is larger than Pluto, whose rank as a planet has sometimes been debated. The announcement was made Friday evening at the California Institute of Technology.
News Frist Defies Bush on Stem-Cell Funding July 29, 2005 • Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist says he supports a bill to expand federal funding for embryonic stem-cell research, in a break from President Bush's policy. Frist's support could push the measure closer to passage -- and a possible White House veto.
The Mission of Space Shuttle Discovery Foam Debris Surprises, Disappoints Shuttle Crew July 29, 2005 • The crew of the Space Shuttle Discovery was "very surprised" to learn that foam debris had come off the shuttle's external fuel tank during liftoff Tuesday, Commander Eileen Collins says. She and Mission Specialist Andrew Thomas speak with NPR's Michele Norris from space.
Opinion The Mission of Space Shuttle Discovery Q&A: What's Next for the Shuttle? July 29, 2005 • Space historian and Morning Edition commentator Andrew Chaikin answers questions about the challenges facing NASA and the shuttle program, and the future of manned spaceflight.
Opinion Putting NASA's Budget in Earthly Terms July 28, 2005 • John McCann offers a commentary on space exploration and how its funding might be spent down on Earth. McCann is a columnist for The Herald-Sun in Durham, N.C.
Environment Sahara Dust Cloud Heads to Florida July 28, 2005 • Southern Florida is about to be hit by a major dust cloud, blown across the Atlantic Ocean from storms scouring sand from the Sahara Desert. Madeleine Brand speaks with dust cloud expert Dr. Joseph Prospero, a professor of marine and atmospheric science at the University of Miami.