You are viewing the "Geoff Brumfiel | NPR" Archives
![](https://woub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/ap233224795901071-815280fda7e873e1f67875b6f7297a27792ef22f-scaled-e1700340371464-900x422.jpg)
A ‘successful failure’: SpaceX’s Starship achieves liftoff, loses contact mid-flight
By: Geoff Brumfiel | NPR
Posted on:
Updated November 18, 2023 at 10:40 AM ET Amid wild cheers and applause, SpaceX’s giant Starship rocket successfully lifted off around 8:03 a.m. ET from its launch pad in Texas…. Read More
![The visual representation of a black hole sucking in space matter.](https://woub.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/pia20027_updated_slide-b0569343188d285c369fea07d3ae2cb53e3bbebb-2-scaled-e1671664872472-900x422.jpg)
Researchers say time is an illusion. So why are we all obsessed with it?
By: Geoff Brumfiel | NPR
Posted on:
WASHINGTON, D.C. (NPR) — America’s official time is kept at a government laboratory in Boulder, Colo., and according to the clock at the entrance, I was seven minutes behind schedule…. Read More
![The multi-billion dollar National Ignition Facility](https://woub.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/2012-037864-lg-041b10ab25936420ced3632b1ff6e8229fd5e851-scaled-e1670949188370-900x422.jpg)
U.S. reaches a fusion power milestone. Will it be enough to save the planet?
By: Geoff Brumfiel | NPR
Posted on:
Updated December 13, 2022 at 9:59 AM ET WASHINGTON, D.C. (NPR) — Scientists with the U.S. Department of Energy have reached a breakthrough in nuclear fusion. For the first time… Read More
![Nearly a third of adults in the U.S. have gotten at least one shot of the COVID-19 vaccine so far, but researchers warn that vaccine refusal may keep the country from reaching herd immunity.](https://woub.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/covid-vaccine-99fdbcb9cb3d02f3228fc8acee5460d71feb6b02-e1617808320985-900x422.jpg)
Vaccine Refusal May Put Herd Immunity At Risk, Researchers Warn
By: Geoff Brumfiel | NPR
Posted on:
One in four Americans say they won’t get a coronavirus vaccine. Researchers say it could keep the nation from reaching a critical tipping point.
![Two astronauts will launch to the International Space Station aboard a new capsule built by the company SpaceX.](https://woub.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/39684490433_70337aa4e5_o-d72b64481646e81f538f934f1af66d2a2c50a505-scaled-e1590419737372-900x422.jpg)
Here’s How the Pandemic is Changing America’s Plans for its Newest Spaceship
By: Geoff Brumfiel | NPR
Posted on:
Later this week, NASA and SpaceX will launch the first rocket carrying astronauts from U.S. soil since the end of the space shuttle era. But COVID-19 has forced some changes to their plans.
![NASA's Dragonfly mission will hop across Saturn's moon Titan, taking samples and photos.](https://woub.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/home-banner-eafedcb2cb5a81bd2e22ee4af37cbb9b926f59d7-e1568729311247-900x422.jpg)
The Nuclear-Powered Self-Driving Drone NASA Is Sending To A Moon Of Saturn
By: Geoff Brumfiel | NPR
Posted on:
Almost everyone who learns about the project thinks it sounds “crazy,” admits one scientist. But the technology should work.
![Among the targets hit in the facility are apparently tanks used to hold flammable gas, and separation towers critical to its operation.](https://woub.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/saudi-strike-2-ap_19258692989788-4db733fce0ff52e2026f8a9de960e71776fb1dc7-e1568732042991-900x422.jpg)
Outside Experts See Iran’s Hand In Attack On Saudi Oil Facility
By: Geoff Brumfiel | NPR
Posted on:
Independent analysts say the evidence available suggests Iran played a role in the weekend attack. The question is how big that role might be.
![The spy satellite, known as USA 224 or NROL-49, was launched in 2011 from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California.](https://woub.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/26248165608_87b356a46f_o-2e7b90d27977123b947d08c855944664fc82680b-e1567519765790-900x422.jpg)
Amateurs Identify U.S. Spy Satellite Behind President Trump’s Tweet
By: Geoff Brumfiel | NPR
Posted on:
The satellite is believed to be among America’s most advanced. Some believe it’s as large as the Hubble Space Telescope.
![President Donald Trump takes questions from the media before boarding Maine One at the White House in Washington, Friday, Aug. 30, 2019, en route to Camp David in Maryland.](https://woub.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/AP_19242834496195-e1567266966157-900x422.jpg)
Trump Tweets Sensitive Surveillance Image Of Iran
By: Geoff Brumfiel | NPR
Posted on:
The Friday afternoon tweet had experts picking up their jaws from the floor when they saw a photo of an Iranian space facility.
![A missile carrying a dummy warhead was fired from Kwajalein Atoll in the Pacific. It was intercepted by two defensive missiles fired from the California coast.](https://woub.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/kwa4368-b5b96b71c6f58ef588687228e9ef1856e15c6f18-e1553620568540-900x422.jpg)
Missile Defense Agency Claims Successful Warhead Intercept
By: Geoff Brumfiel | NPR
Posted on:
Multiple interceptors tracked and destroyed a missile carrying a dummy warhead. Advocates claim the test proves the system can provide some defense against countries such as North Korea.
![The X-51A Waverider was a prototype hypersonic missile capable of flying at Mach 5.1 for hundreds of miles. The Air Force is stepping up its development of similar weapons.](https://woub.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/091209-f-6680c-108-d8c56bbcacd9177529ed8c6bfbf3504fbe270063-e1540306767210-900x422.jpg)
Nations Rush Ahead with Hypersonic Weapons Amid Arms Race Fear
By: Geoff Brumfiel | NPR
Posted on:
The U.S., China and Russia have stepped up efforts to develop hypersonic weapons, which are capable of speeds five times the speed of sound and could change the face of warfare.
![At a press conference on June 12, Trump said North Korea would dismantle a missile test site. But without further details, experts say it may not mean much.](https://woub.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/ap_18163303776719-3bc427fc691e2e3468f9760d3177c651e998d383-e1528835986818-900x422.jpg)
Trump Says North Korea Will Destroy Missile Site. But Which One?
By: Geoff Brumfiel | NPR
Posted on:
Trump boasted Tuesday of a bonus “favor” from Kim, but experts say it might not mean much without independent verification.