Vote Now! Top Space Stories of the Week - Feb. 5, 2012

Early Universe May Have Abounded With Dark Matter-Powered Stars

NASA, ESA, and R. Massey (California Institute of Technology)

Some of the first stars may have taken some of their energy from dark matter, an inclusion that may have altered their properties. Though early stars are too distant to image directly with current telescopes, an examination of the extragalactic background light in a region may reveal the existence of such stars. [Full Story]

NEXT: Dizzyingly Fast-Spinning Stars Slow Down by Flying Apart

Dizzyingly Fast-Spinning Stars Slow Down by Flying Apart

NASA/GSFC

The spectacularly fast-whirling dead stars known as millisecond pulsars put the brakes on their spinning in large part by blasting pieces of themselves into space, a new model suggests. [Full Story]

NEXT: Damaged Russian Spaceship Forces Big Launch Delay for Next Station Crew

Damaged Russian Spaceship Forces Big Launch Delay for Next Station Crew

S.P. Korolev RSC "Energia"

A botched pressure test of a Russian space capsule slated to launch the next crew to the International Space Station has forced NASA and its partners to delay the planned liftoff for more than a month. [Full Story]

NEXT: 1st Private Spaceship Flight to Space Station May Slip to April: NASA

1st Private Spaceship Flight to Space Station May Slip to April: NASA

SpaceX

The launch of the first privately built spacecraft to the International Space Station is set to occur no earlier than late March, but the targeted date will most likely fall closer to April, NASA officials announced today. [Full Story]

NEXT: Wanted: Mock Astronauts for Mission to Mars ... in Hawaii

Wanted: Mock Astronauts for Mission to Mars ... in Hawaii

ESA/ IPMB

Scientists are seeking volunteers to pretend to be astronauts on an expedition to Mars to study how to keep them nourished during the mission. [Full Story]

NEXT: New Report Pinpoints NASA's 16 Biggest Space Tech Needs

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