Explainer: Why a NASA spacecraft will crash into an asteroid
In the first-of-its kind, save-the-world experiment, NASA is about to clobber a small, harmless asteroid millions of miles away......»»
Warm Saturn-sized exoplanet discovered with TESS
Using NASA's Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS), an international team of astronomers has detected a new exoplanet orbiting a distant star. The newfound alien world, designated TOI-4994 b, is warm and slightly smaller than Saturn. The findi.....»»
NASA scientific balloon flights to lift off from Antarctica
NASA's Scientific Balloon Program has returned to Antarctica's icy expanse to kick off the annual Antarctic Long-Duration Balloon Campaign, where two balloon flights will carry a total of nine missions to near space. Launch operations will begin mid-.....»»
Chandra sees black hole jet stumble into something in the dark
Even matter ejected by black holes can run into objects in the dark. Using NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory, astronomers have found an unusual mark from a giant black hole's powerful jet striking an unidentified object in its path......»»
Pearl Young, the first woman to work in a technical role at NASA, overcame barriers and "raised hell"
Thirteen years before any other woman joined the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics—or the NACA, NASA's predecessor—in a technical role, a young lab assistant named Pearl Young was making waves in the agency. Her legacy as an outspoken a.....»»
NASA eyes launching SPHEREx sky-mapping mission in early 2025
NASA and SpaceX are targeting late February 2025 for the launch of the agency's next astrophysics observatory, SPHEREx. Short for Spectro-Photometer for the History of the Universe, Epoch of Reionization and Ices Explorer, SPHEREx will launch aboard.....»»
NASA astronaut Don Pettit talks photography from the space station
NASA astronaut Don Pettit is an exceptional space photographer, and he's just been talking about his work......»»
Astronaut’s photos from ISS make clouds look otherworldly
NASA astronaut Don Pettit has posted another set of stunning shots, this time showing clouds as you’ve never seen them before......»»
Saturday citations: The "donut effect"; basically immortal batteries; Neanderthals and H. sapiens
This week, researchers studying data from NASA's Dawn mission reported the identification of 11 sites on Ceres that suggest an internal reservoir of organic materials. A multidisciplinary team published an analysis of the dazzle camouflage patterns d.....»»
After critics decry Orion heat shield decision, NASA reviewer says agency is correct
"If this isn’t raising red flags out there, I don’t know what will." Within hours of NASA announcing its decision to fly the Artemis II mission aboard an Orion spacecraft with.....»»
Former flight director who reviewed Orion heat shield data says there was no dissent
"If this isn’t raising red flags out there, I don’t know what will." Within hours of NASA announcing its decision to fly the Artemis II mission aboard an Orion spacecraft with.....»»
NASA flights map critical minerals from skies above western US
On a crystal-clear afternoon above a desert ghost town, a NASA aircraft scoured the ground for minerals. The plane, a high-altitude ER-2 research aircraft, had taken off early that morning from NASA's Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, Cali.....»»
MAUVE: An ultraviolet astrophysics probe mission concept
For the past 30 years, NASA's Great Observatories—the Hubble, Spitzer, Compton, and Chandra space telescopes—have revealed some amazing things about the universe. In addition to some of the deepest views of the universe provided by the Hubble Dee.....»»
Rocket Report: NASA delays Artemis again; SpinLaunch spins a little cash
A report in which we read some tea leaves. Welcome to Edition 7.22 of the Rocket Report! The big news is the Trump administration's announcement that commercial astronaut Jared Is.....»»
NASA says Orion’s heat shield is good to go for Artemis II—but does it matter?
The Artemis II mission, as NASA currently envisions it, won't launch until April 2026. Two years ago next week, NASA's Orion spacecraft splashed down in the Pacific Ocean to wrap.....»»
Two European satellites launch on mission to blot out the Sun—for science
This will all happen nearly 40,000 miles above the Earth, so you won't need your eclipse glasses. Two spacecraft developed by the European Space Agency launched on top of an India.....»»
NASA pushes back its Artemis moon missions due to heat shield issues
NASA is delaying its Artemis II and Artemis III missions to 2026 and 2027 respectively due to issues with the Orion capsule's heat shield......»»
How did the CEO of an online payments firm become the nominee to lead NASA?
Expect significant changes for America's space agency. President-elect Donald Trump announced Wednesday his intent to nominate entrepreneur and commercial astronaut Jared Isaacman.....»»
Judge rejects Boeing plea deal that was opposed by families of crash victims
It appears the government's "attempt to ensure compliance failed," judge writes. A US judge today rejected a Boeing plea agreement that was opposed by families of crash victims wh.....»»
Hubble takes closest-ever look at a quasar
Astronomers have used the unique capabilities of NASA's Hubble Space Telescope to peer closer than ever into the throat of an energetic monster black hole powering a quasar. A quasar is a galactic center that glows brightly as the black hole consumes.....»»
NASA delays crewed lunar landing to 2027
The United States is pushing back its planned return to the moon from 2026 to "mid-2027" as it deals with heat shield issues and other troubles plaguing its Orion crew capsule, NASA officials said Thursday......»»