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Franklin Chang’s VASIMR plasma engine readies for key test

The VASIMR engine being developed by Costa Rican physicist Franklin Chang Díaz is one step closer to proving itself the best technology for propelling the next generation of spacecraft.

Behind the scenes at NASA: meet Costa Rican space pioneers

You've heard of Franklin Chang and Sandra Cauffman, but Costa Rica has sent other talents to NASA as well. Listen in on our chat with three Tico rockstar scientists.

Crowdfunding campaign to orbit Costa Rica’s first satellite surpasses goal

Tico engineers will be responsible for the satellite's final assembly that will take place here during the second half of this year.

US Sen. Bill Nelson: Costa Rica has a place in the future of space flight

U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson talks with The Tico Times about where he thought NASA would be today 30 years after going into space and Costa Rica's goal of becoming a player in space exploration.

SpaceX postpones rocket launch until Monday

SpaceX postponed until Monday evening its first rocket launch since an explosion after liftoff destroyed its unmanned Dragon cargo ship bound for the International Space Station six months ago.

Costa Rican beetle headed for space

Costa Rican scientists want to send parts of the brilliant, metallic exoskeleton of jewel scarabs to the International Space Station to evaluate how they behave in space.

Ex-NASA astronaut Franklin Chang talks about ‘The Martian,’ Hollywood’s take on his VASIMR engine

NASA's Hall of Fame astronaut and the first Tico in space, Franklin Chang, on Tuesday attended a special screening of director Ridley Scott’s new movie “The Martian,” based on the 2011 bestseller novel of the same name by U.S. author Andy Weir. In "The Martian," the Ares 3 crew travels aboard a Hermes spacecraft powered by four of Chang’s VASIMR engines.

NASA: New photos reveal Pluto’s stunning geological diversity

New, high-resolution images of the surface of Pluto beamed from NASA's New Horizons spacecraft reveal unparalleled geographical variety - from soaring mountains to sand dunes to frozen ice floes, scientists said Saturday.
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Costa Rica to Launch Online Driver’s License Renewal Service in October

Starting October 2025, renewing or replacing a driver’s license in Costa Rica will be as simple as a few clicks, thanks to a new...

Veteran’s Failed Hijacking of Tropic Air Cessna in Belize

An United States citizen armed with a knife attempted to hijack a small plane in Belize this Thursday but was shot dead by a...

Easter Weekend in Costa Rica: Traditions, Beaches, and Pura Vida

As someone who is rooted in San José, I’ve watched Semana Santa bring Costa Rica to life each year, and this Easter Weekend is...