Eric Berger
Eric Berger is a senior space editor at Ars Technica with expertise in astronomy, private space, and NASA policy. He holds an astronomy degree from the University of Texas and a master's in journalism from the University of Missouri. Previously, he worked at the Houston Chronicle for 17 years as part of a Pulitzer Prize finalist team covering Hurricane Ike. Berger is also certified as a meteorologist and founded Space City Weather and The Eyewall. He lives in Houston.
Biography:
https://arstechnica.com/author/ericberger/
90%
The Daily's Verdict
This author has a mixed reputation for journalistic standards. It is advisable to fact-check, scrutinize for bias, and check for conflicts of interest before relying on the author's reporting.
Bias
95%
Examples:
- The author expresses personal concerns and emotions about the vulnerability of NASA's Europa mission to radiation, implying a potential bias towards caution and risk aversion.
Conflicts of Interest
100%
Examples:
- The author mentions a company seeking to extract helium-3 from the lunar surface and return it to Earth for sale, potentially indicating a conflict of interest in reporting on this topic.
Contradictions
85%
Examples:
- The author presents contradictory information regarding the launch timeline and assumptions made by Maezawa when signing the contract with SpaceX for his lunar mission.
Deceptions
75%
Examples:
- The author uses sensationalism and exaggeration in some titles, such as 'Mining helium-3 on the Moon has been talked about forever–now a company will try'.
Recent Articles
NASA's Europa Clipper Mission Faces Challenges from Radiation-Vulnerable Transistors
Broke On: Thursday, 11 July 2024NASA's Europa Clipper mission, a $5 billion space exploration project set to launch in October, faces potential challenges due to the vulnerability of some transistors to radiation in Jupiter's environment. The issue could impact the probe's ability to assess Europa for signs of life and may delay or limit its objectives. 
NASA Reauthorization Bill: Affirming the SLS Rocket, New Asteroid Mission, and Budget Challenges
Broke On: Tuesday, 09 July 2024The NASA reauthorization bill passed through the House, affirming support for the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket and directing NASA to seek potential customers. The bill also calls for work on an asteroid mission and orbital debris inspection mission, while provisions remain for ongoing programs like new spacesuits development. However, the budget falls short of the White House's request, potentially impacting NASA's Deep Space Exploration account and Science Mission Directorate. 
SpaceX's Next Leap: Catching the Super Heavy Booster with Mechazilla's Chopstick Arms
Broke On: Monday, 01 July 2024SpaceX aims to catch the Super Heavy booster with Mechazilla's chopstick arms during Starship test flights in late July 2024, marking a significant step forward in reusable rocket technology and paving the way for future space exploration missions. The fifth test flight plans to separate the two stages successfully, with Mechazilla's mechanical arms providing better control during catching. Sources: Space.com, Ynetnews, Cleantechpower, Arstechnica. 
NASA Faces First Legal Claim for Space Debris Damages: Family Seeks Compensation after Home is Hit by Intact ISS Cargo Pallet
Broke On: Friday, 08 March 2024In March 2024, the Otero family of Naples, Florida filed the first legal claim against NASA for damages caused by space debris that fell through their roof. The incident involved a section of a cargo pallet carrying used batteries from the International Space Station that remained intact upon reentry and caused significant property damage. No injuries were reported, but the family seeks compensation for emotional distress, property damages, business interruptions, and assistance from third parties. NASA has six months to respond under the Federal Torts Claim Act; failure to do so could set a precedent for future space debris incidents. 
Hubble Space Telescope Transitions into One-Gyro Mode: New Challenges and Anticipated Discoveries
Broke On: Tuesday, 04 June 2024NASA announces Hubble Space Telescope's transition into one-gyro mode, allowing it to continue making scientific observations with some limitations despite the failure of multiple gyroscopes. Expected to resume science operations in mid-June and make new discoveries alongside other observatories for years. 
Japanese Billionaire Cancels Moon Flight Due to SpaceX's Starship Development Delays
Broke On: Saturday, 01 June 2024Japanese billionaire Yusaku Maezawa cancels his planned moon flight on SpaceX's Starship due to development uncertainties, leaving eight passengers including Elon Musk disappointed. The project aimed for the first private circumlunar mission but faced multiple setbacks and explosive test flights. 
SpaceX Targets June 5 for Starship Test Flight: Demonstrating Reusability and Addressing Filter Blockages
Broke On: Saturday, 25 May 2024SpaceX, led by Elon Musk, aims to test-launch Starship megarocket on June 5 from Texas. The primary objectives are executing a landing burn and soft splashdown with the Super Heavy booster, and achieving controlled entry of Starship. Following filter blockages in the third flight, SpaceX implements hardware changes and improves propellant filtration for future missions to orbit, Moon, Mars, and beyond. 
China's Chang'e-6 Mission: Exploring the Far Side of the Moon for Scientific Discovery
Broke On: Friday, 03 May 2024China's Chang'e-6 mission, launched on May 3, 2024, marks China's third successful lunar exploration in six years and the first to collect samples from the far side of the moon. The mission aims to bring back approximately 2 kg of rocks from this unexplored region with a thicker crust and more craters. China's largest rocket yet consists of an orbiter, lander, ascend vehicle, and return spacecraft named Chang'e-6. This scientific discovery highlights NASA's absence from lunar missions in recent decades and sets an example for international cooperation in space exploration. 
SpaceX's Historic Ninth Reusable Falcon 9 Launch and Landing: A Milestone in Spaceflight with 23 Starlink Satellites
Broke On: Tuesday, 23 April 2024SpaceX made history on April 23, 2024, with the ninth launch and landing of a reused Falcon 9 rocket carrying 23 Starlink satellites from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. This marked the 300th Falcon first stage touchdown. The launch was one of 41 this year for SpaceX and the 28th dedicated to building out its Starlink megaconstellation, currently consisting of nearly 5,800 operational satellites in low Earth orbit. Rocket Lab Electron also launched two satellites from New Zealand that day. 
Delta IV Heavy Completes Final Mission for National Reconnaissance Office
Broke On: Saturday, 13 April 2024The Delta IV Heavy rocket, developed by McDonnell Douglas and now owned by Boeing, completed its final mission for the National Reconnaissance Office on April 9th from Space Launch Complex-37 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. The NROL-70 satellite was successfully deployed into orbit after a liftoff of three common core boosters strapped together, with an initial phase completed under seven minutes and the outer boosters separating about four minutes after launch. ULA is planning to transition away from legacy vehicles like Delta IV Heavy to its next-generation Vulcan Centaur rocket powered by Blue Origin's BE-4 engines.
