Last week NASA astronaut Suni Williams completed 1st Triathlon, Astronomers observed a huge asteroid Vesta covered in hydrogen and private space travel got a big boost. See the top stories of the last week here.<br> FIRST STOP: Farthest Galaxy Revealed
The earliest known confirmed galaxy has been discovered with the help of cosmic lenses formed out of the warped fabric of space and time, researchers say. [<a href=http://www.space.com/17671-farthest-galaxy-discovery-gravitational-lens.html>Full Story</a>]<br> NEXT: Warp Drive May Be More Feasible Than Thought, Scientists Say
Faster than light travel may actually be possible using a warp drive to bend space around a starship. New calculations suggest such a vehicle would require less energy than once thought. [<a href=http://www.space.com/17628-warp-drive-possible-interstellar-spaceflight.html>Full Story</a>]<br> NEXT: Space Shuttle Endeavour Lands in L.A.
The last-ever space shuttle to take flight has made its final landing. Space shuttle Endeavour, mounted atop NASA's Shuttle Carrier Aircraft (SCA), a modified Boeing 747 jumbo jet, touched down at Los Angeles International Airport(LAX) in California Friday (Sept. 21), after three day, cross-country trip from Florida. [<a href=http://www.space.com/17718-space-shuttle-endeavour-lands-los-angeles.html>Full Story</a>]<br> NEXT: Touchdown! Soyuz Spacecraft Lands Safely
Three astronauts touched down safely on the steppes of Kazakhstan tonight, wrapping up their four-month mission to the International Space Station. [<a href=http://www.space.com/17627-touchdown-soyuz-spacecraft-lands-safely-with-russian-us-crew.html>Full Story</a>]<br> NEXT: Asteroid Vesta Covered in Hydrogen
Astronomers studying observations of the huge asteroid Vesta by NASA’s Dawn spacecraft have found that the space rock is a rich source of hydrogen, a new study reveals. [<a href=http://www.space.com/17680-giant-asteroid-vesta-hydrogen-dawn-spacecraft.html>Full Story</a>]<br> NEXT: Roots of Huge Solar Explosions May Lie in 'Coronal Cavities'
NASA’s fleet of sun-watching spacecraft is investigating the causes of huge solar blasts called coronal mass ejections. [<a href=http://www.space.com/17704-solar-storms-causes-coronal-cavities.html>Full Story</a>]<br> NEXT: Saturday's Fall Equinox Explained
The fall equinox occurs Saturday, Sept. 22. Here’s what exactly happens as the direct rays of the Sun slip south of the equator. [<a href=http://www.space.com/17710-fall-equinox-seasons-change-explained.html>Full Story</a>]<br> NEXT: Why Humans May Be the Biggest Hurdle for Interstellar Travel
The mission to mount a voyage to another star is officially on, with a new organization, the 100 Year Starship, spearheading the effort to muster the technologies needed within 100 years. [<a href=http://www.space.com/17703-interstellar-spaceflight-challenges-humanity.html>Full Story</a>]<br> NEXT: Private Space Travel Gets a Big Boost in California
As NASA's space shuttle Endeavour orbiter flew to its retirement home in sunny California today (Sept. 21), Gov. Edmund G. Brown Jr. signed legislation to bolster the commercial spaceflight sector in that state. [<a href=http://www.space.com/17720-private-spaceflight-liability-california-law.html>Full Story</a>]<br> NEXT: Private Spacecraft to Launch Space Station Cargo On Oct. 7
A private space capsule's first contracted cargo mission to the International Space Station is slated to launch Oct. 7, NASA officials announced today (Sept. 20). [<a href=http://www.space.com/17706-spacex-dragon-space-station-cargo-mission.html>Full Story</a>]<br> NEXT: US Scientists to Use Chinese Moon Lander for Space Research
A cooperative deal has been inked between a U.S. group and China to use that country’s moon lander to conduct astronomical imaging from the lunar surface. [<a href=http://www.space.com/17645-us-china-moon-lander-astronomy-deal.html>Full Story</a>]<br> NEXT: NASA Astronaut Completes 1st Triathlon in Space
NASA astronaut Suni Williams ran, biked and "swam" the Nautica Malibu Triathlon remotely from the International Space Station in orbit around Earth. [<a href=http://www.space.com/17643-space-triathlon-astronaut-sunita-williams.html>Full Story</a>]<br> NEXT: Newfound Alien Planet a Top Contender to Host Life
A new super-Earth has been found in the habitable zone of a star only 49 light-years from Earth, ranking fifth on the list of best objects of interest for life. [<a href=http://www.space.com/17684-alien-planet-gliese-163c-extraterrestrial-life.html>Full Story</a>]<br>