Best Space Stories of the Week Feb. 15, 2015

Europe launched a prototype minishuttle on its first space test, SpaceX lofted the DSCOVR space-weather satellite and scientists questioned whether dark matter is truly "dark." Here are Space.com's picks for the best space stories of the week:

Europe launches IXV minishuttle

The European Space Agency's robotic Intermediate Experimental Vehicle (IXV), a prototype designed to test out critical re-entry technologies, aced its first space test Wednesday (Feb. 11). Data gathered during the car-size IXV's suborbital flight could help Europe develop its own unmanned space plane. [Full Story: European Mini-Space Shuttle Aces 1st Test Flight]

SpaceX sends DSCOVR on its way

The Deep Space Climate Observatory (DSCOVR) launched atop a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket Wednesday. The $340 million DSCOVR mission, which will monitor powerful solar storms that could affect power grids and satellite operations, began its life in 1998 as the Triana Earth-observation effort. Triana was mothballed in 2001, then resurrected by NASA and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration in 2009 as DSCOVR. [Full Story: SpaceX Launches DSCOVR Space Weather Satellite, But No Rocket Landing]

Is dark matter completely dark?

Dark matter, which makes up more than 80 percent of the matter in the universe, is so named because scientists think it's impossible to observe directly. But if dark matter interacts even a little bit with light, it may create a "halo" around galaxies that currently operational telescopes could detect, a new study reports. [Full Story: Dark Matter Could Create Halos of Light Around Galaxies]

DARPA gearing up for 1st test of satellite-launching fighter jet

The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) is developing a cost-effective satellite-launching system that consists of an F-15 fighter jet with an expendable rocket attached to its belly. The system, known as ALASA (Airborne Launch Assist Space Access), should get its first flight test later this year, DARPA officials said. [Full Story: DARPA to Begin Testing Satellite-Launching Fighter Jet This Year]

Learning how to live on the moon

Go here to read the rest:
Best Space Stories of the Week Feb. 15, 2015