Sunday Space Reads

Because we all need a little space when we've got the Sunday Scaries.

Astronomers fight to save NASA’s Chandra X-ray Observatory from getting the ax. Credit: Napoleon Dynamite/Fox Searchlight, Tess’ Microsoft Paint skills.

• It’s hard to pinpoint the most disgruntled department at NASA since the FY24 budget cuts and FY25 budget request, or as an agency director put it, a “challenging budget environment.” We pretty much imagine the whole planetary science department like this. But after reading this article, we may have to give first prize to the Chandra X-ray Observatory mission. Astronomers are going all out to save the decades-old mission after NASA excluded it from the FY25 request, citing its unique importance to astrophysics. Does anyone know where we can customize some VOTE FOR CHANDRA shirts?

• Not only would extending Chandra’s lifespan fuel discoveries in astrophysics, but it would also support sustainable space practices. This weekend, ahead of Earth Day, space sustainability is just as much a theme as it was at last week’s Space Symposium. This Forbes article explores how we can apply the same "reduce, reuse and remove" mentality ubiquitous with Earth Day to the Final Frontier.  

• There’s arguably no more exclusive place than the lunar south pole. Now, we don’t need to sneak into the luggage of the Artemis III astronauts to get there. As of last week, the European Space Agency launched Lunar Horizons, a 3D game you can play for free with Fortnite.