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Space Exploration

What Is Max-Q and Why Is It Important During Rocket Launches?

If you, like me, enjoy watching rocket launches, you might find yourself curious about the meaning of “Max-Q,” one of the critical phases often highlighted on the screen during launches. What is Max-Q, and why is it critical during a rocket launch?

Categories
Space Exploration Mars

Top 10 Tallest Rockets Ever Launched [2025 Update]

To be able to reach space, we need rockets. Rocket engines work by action and reaction (“To every action, there is always opposed an equal reaction”, see notes 1) and push rockets forward simply by expelling their exhaust in the opposite direction at high speed and can, therefore, work in the vacuum of space. Space rockets are usually enormous in size because the bigger the rocket is, the more thrust can be produced by its engine and can carry more weight into orbit. Here are the top 10 tallest rockets ever launched in the history of space exploration.

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History Places

Top 20 Countries with the most UNESCO World Heritage Sites [2024 Update With Photos]

There are a total of 1,223 UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the world (as of 2024: 952 Cultural, 231 Natural, and 40 Mixed) in 168 countries. Here are the top 20 countries having the most UNESCO World Heritage sites.

Categories
Animals Life on Earth

How Many Elephants are Left in the World? [2024 Update]

Have you ever wondered how many elephants are left in the world, as of 2024? Elephants are wonderful creatures for many reasons! They are intelligent and social animals that form close bonds with one another and live in complex family groups. They are also highly adaptable and can survive in a variety of different habitats, from the savannas of Africa to the rainforests of Asia.

In addition, they play important roles in their ecosystems as keystone species, meaning that their presence can have a significant impact on the overall health and balance of their habitats. Finally, elephants have unique and fascinating biology, including their large size, long lifespan, and remarkable memory.

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Earth from Space Space Exploration

First Footage of Earth from Space: 1946 V2 Rocket

On October 24, 1946, a V2 rocket (V2 #13) launched by a group of soldiers and scientists from White Sands Proving Ground (today known as White Sands Missile Range – WSMR), New Mexico (USA) returned the first footage of Earth from space. The missile carried a 35-mm camera aloft that snapped an image every second and a half.

Categories
Animals Life on Earth

The Largest Elephant Ever Recorded: Henry

Henry, sometimes referred to as the Fénykövi elephant after the Hungarian game hunter Josef J. Fénykövi who killed him, was the largest elephant ever recorded. Weighing approximately 11 tons and standing over 13 feet (3.96 meters) tall, Henry surpassed all known living elephants. He was shot in Angola in 1955, and his impressive body was donated to the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History in 1959. Henry’s extraordinary size captivated researchers and the public alike, serving as a crucial reminder of the importance of elephant conservation. His legacy not only highlights the majestic nature of these animals but also underscores the threats they face in their natural habitats today.

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Solar System

All Moons in Our Solar System [2024 Update]

As of June 2023, there are 290 confirmed moons in our solar system. A moon, also known as a natural satellite, is a celestial body that orbits planets, and asteroids. This number includes only the planetary moons (moons orbiting a planet) plus Pluto’s moons. Here is the list of the known planetary moons in the solar system.

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Space Exploration Astronomy Earth from Space Mars Solar System

Budget of NASA, Year by Year [1980-1989]

From 1980 to 1989, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) experienced one of its most eventful and transformative decades. During these years, NASA’s budget reflected the agency’s evolving priorities and the challenges it faced. This era was defined by significant milestones, including the launch and regular missions of the Space Shuttle program, which revolutionized space transportation. However, it was also marked by the tragic Challenger disaster in 1986. Through highs and lows, NASA’s funding patterns during this decade provide insights into the U.S. government’s commitment to space exploration and its response to unforeseen events. This article will detail the year-by-year budget of NASA throughout the 1980s, juxtaposed against the backdrop of its achievements and challenges.

Categories
Space Exploration Earth from Space Mars Moon Landing Solar System

Budget of NASA, Year by Year [1970-1979]

The budget of NASA from 1970 to 1979 marks a decade of transition and continued exploration in space science. Building on the success of the Moon landing, this period saw the development and execution of significant missions such as the Viking landings on Mars, the launch of Skylab, America’s first space station, and the inception of the Space Shuttle program. The funding during these years played a vital role in maintaining America’s leadership in space exploration and technology. In this article, we will examine the year-by-year budget of NASA that enabled these groundbreaking achievements and shaped the direction of human spaceflight and planetary exploration.

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Space Exploration Earth from Space Mars Moon Landing Solar System

Budget of NASA, Year by Year [1958-2024]

Have you ever wondered what is the budget of NASA? Charting the course of human history, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has turned science fiction into reality since its establishment on July 29, 1958. With an array of incredible feats, from Moon landings to Mars rovers, NASA has continually pushed the boundaries of space exploration. This journey hasn’t been without its costs, however, and the exploration of NASA’s annual budget from its inception to the present day offers a compelling insight into the financial fuel behind these momentous accomplishments. Here’s the budget of NASA, year by year between 1958 and 2024.