Sarah Wells
Latest articles by Sarah Wells
![An image of one of Accion's small electric-propulsion systems.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/uGAiVfK8JEMyXRFSmdXqm9-320-80.jpg)
Accion raises $11 million to refine its dime-size spacecraft thrusters
By Sarah Wells last updated
Ion propulsion company Accion Systems has raised $11 million in its latest funding round and has launches and contracts planned this year with NASA, the DoD and academic institutions.
![The 2010s marked the decade NASA's space shuttles stopped flying, retiring to museums after thirty years of service.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/LSBkLRYiDn2yQ4itVBDux8-320-80.jpg)
The Decade in Spaceflight: NASA Shuttles Retired as Private Spaceships Took Flight in the 2010s
By Sarah Wells published
As the 2010s come to a close, it's time to revisit how some of the biggest space science stories shaped the decade.
![An artist's depiction of exoplanets.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/x9VrPDMSQbPdBeXBK8C9TM-320-80.jpg)
The Biggest Alien Planet Discoveries of 2019
By Sarah Wells last updated
From a world with three suns in its sky to lots of possibly habitable real estate, the past year has seen some incredible exoplanet discoveries. Here are 10 of the most memorable.
![Artist's illustration of a black hole.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/mt5ZVcUtZ8ShSrRLCVFFob-320-80.jpg)
The Decade in Astronomy: These Space Discoveries Shaped the 2010s
By Sarah Wells published
As the 2010s come to a close, it's time to revisit how some of the biggest space science stories shaped the decade.
![Artist's illustration of HD 21749c, the first Earth-size planet found by NASA's Transiting Exoplanets Survey Satellite, as well as its sibling, HD 21749b, a warm sub-Neptune-sized world.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/LFq3F72EYNqZCoA5Ckw26o-320-80.jpg)
Beyond TESS: How Future Exoplanet-Hunters Will Seek Out Strange New Worlds
By Sarah Wells published
Ground and space telescope missions plan to further explore exoplanets discovered by NASA's TESS spacecraft.
![Artist's illustration of NASA's Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS).](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/HqeYsM3dhKyoCX7dnL5RUS-320-80.jpg)
Citizen Scientists Are Helping Find Alien Planets in NASA's TESS Data
By Sarah Wells published
When it comes to finding exoplanets, more computing power isn't always the answer.
![An artist's illustration of the potentially habitable exoplanet GJ 357 d.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/xDxCxXNW49tGWXnfzoBLa5-320-80.jpg)
E.T. Hunt Shouldn't Be Limited to Earth-like Life, Scientists Say
By Sarah Wells published
Assuming that alien life will be similar to what evolved here on Earth could severely limit the potential for big discoveries, researchers said.
![Artist's illustration of NASA's Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS).](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/HqeYsM3dhKyoCX7dnL5RUS-320-80.jpg)
NASA's TESS Exoplanet Hunter Goes Above and Beyond in Mission's 1st Year
By Sarah Wells published
TESS team members recently provided insight and updates about the mission's first year of science operations.
![Cosmonaut Nikolay Chub and astronauts Nicole Stott, Cady Coleman, Leland Melvin and Tony Antonelli (left to right) lead the Beyond the Cradle 2019 event finale on March 14, 2019.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/VYodX2MrcKtMStLdRubq7m-320-80.jpg)
Astronauts Hope to Share Space Experience with All Earthlings, Panel Says
By Sarah Wells published
Going to space is hard, but a panel of astronauts say communication, community and art can make it a little bit easier.
![Virgin Galactic conducted a historic first supersonic test flight of SpaceShipTwo on April 29, 2013, in the Mojave Desert, CA.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/vP8KZcgWzUxyFSgJwcyQfm-320-80.jpg)
Why Next-Generation Astronauts Will Need the 'New Right Stuff' for Space Travel
By Sarah Wells published
Space is going to ask more from us than brains and brawn.