Monday Space News

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High-energy jets spew from at least some cosmic explosions called short gamma-ray bursts, a new study shows, rather than radiating symmetrically in all directions. The observations will pin down the bursts' energy, helping to reveal what causes them. Gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) are colossal volleys of very-high-energy photons that can originate from any direction in the sky and they come in two classes. "Long" bursts last from seconds to minutes and are thought to occur when massive stars explode and their cores collapse into black holes.

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Hale said the discussion about whether to alter the ice/frost ramps was so “interesting” because foam has been lost from the ramps in the past and would be expected to be lost during future flights. "It is not without risk to fly these ice/frost ramps as they exist," he told reporters. However, NASA officials think the risk is acceptable. And changing the design might add more uncertainty rather than reduce risk.