Space & Aeronautics

By ROKU GODA/ Staff Writer

Sugar found in a meteorite (Provided by Yoshihiro Furukawa, associate professor of Tohoku University)

Scientists have found sugar in meteorites dating back billions of years, which may turn out to explain the origins of life on Earth.

An international research team has observed the "death throes" of a massive star 4.5 billion light years away when it collapsed in a supernova explosion, forming a black hole.

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd. is looking to develop an upgraded version of Japan’s mainstay next-generation H3 rocket capable of delivering heavy payloads deeper into space, company officials said.

Japan’s Hayabusa2 probe will on Wednesday leave orbit around a distant asteroid and head for Earth after an unprecedented mission, carrying samples that could shed light on the origins of the solar system.

The salinity of water in an ancient lake on Mars was as mild as miso soup, a finding that raises the chances of discovering traces of life on the red planet, a Japanese research team said.

Japan will begin research on using artificial intelligence to bolster surveillance by naval patrol aircraft, as a changing national security environment forces the Self-Defense Forces to take on wider roles despite a personnel shortage.

A Japanese research team has found that water believed to have existed on Mars 3.5 billion years ago contained salt and minerals, providing conditions suited to life.

Male mice kept in outer space in special cages can retain their ability to breed, according to a study that could provide a sense of comfort to astronauts on extended stays far from Earth.

To find supernovas and more quickly detect asteroids on a collision course with Earth, researchers have started a new astronomical observation system of the night sky.

The Tokyo Motor Show kicks off on Thursday with a new format meant to make the traditional vehicle showcase into an expo that holds drone races, shows off a flying car and presents a future in which commuters move seamlessly between the road and sky.