Here are today’s most important updates from the realm of Science and Space.
Astronaut's Heartwarming Chat Fuels a Week of Science in Orbit
Purple kefir in orbit — BioNutrients-3 is here. Science for exploration, one
bag at a time. pic.twitter.com/Bqcywbs9F5
— Col. Mike Fincke (@AstroIronMike) September 10, 2025
(@AstroIronMike/X)
It was another busy week 250 miles above Earth! Expedition 73’s crew blended groundbreaking science with heartfelt connection. NASA astronauts delved into how spaceflight affects vision and bone density, while also experimenting with producing vital nutrients from yogurt and yeast.
A highlight was astronaut Kimiya Yui’s special call with schoolchildren in Japan using amateur radio, a tradition since the 1980s. He said the joyful chat gave him a huge energy boost for his work.
The team also managed the comings and goings of cargo ships, keeping the orbital lab running smoothly. It's all part of life aboard the ISS, which has been home to a continuous human presence for nearly 25 years.
NASA's X-59: Flying Faster Than Sound, Quietly and Safely
NASA’s X-59 Set for Historic Quiet Supersonic Flight, Aiming to Revolutionize Air Travel https://t.co/IDK6WNGgTN pic.twitter.com/mVnXrAKE42
— Livio Andrea Acerbo (@AcerboLivio) September 12, 2025
(@AcerboLivio/X)
NASA’s revolutionary X-59 supersonic jet is almost ready for its first flight, and safety is the absolute priority. This isn't just about going fast—it's about pioneering quiet supersonic travel, replacing the disruptive sonic boom with a mere gentle thump.
Before it ever breaks the sound barrier, the aircraft will undergo meticulous flight tests. Engineers have built incredible layers of protection, from a vast network of sensors recording thousands of data points to backup systems for every critical function. An advanced flight computer and even an emergency engine restart system are all on board.
For test pilot Nils Larson, this extensive preparation builds immense trust. He knows an entire team of brilliant minds has his back, making him confident to take the controls of this extraordinary machine and make aviation history.
Robot Trio Aims to Unlock the Moon's Underground Secrets
(@AerialSkylightRobots/X)
The Moon is a brutal place. Astronauts face extreme radiation, wild temperature swings, and a constant pelting of micrometeorites. Their best hope for shelter? Vast, ancient lava tubes hiding beneath the surface.
To explore these dangerous caves, scientists have designed a clever team of three robots. They recently tested this system on Earth. One robot acts as an anchor on the surface, a second is lowered into the cave like a climber, and a third helps map the area.
Working together, this robotic tag team could safely scout these lunar caves, determining if they are the perfect ready-made bases for future astronauts, providing natural protection from the Moon’s harsh environment.
Astronomers Witness a Black Hole Hurled From Its Galactic Home
(@GIoHighEnergyPhysics/X)
For the first time, astronomers have clocked the speed of a newborn black hole rocketing away from the site of its violent birth. Using the ripples in spacetime called gravitational waves, scientists measured the incredible "kick" it received from a cosmic collision.
This isn't a leisurely drift; the black hole is fleeing at a staggering 112,000 miles per hour. That’s fast enough to escape its home galaxy entirely!
This breakthrough lets us do more than just detect these events—we can now map the full, dramatic 3D motion of an object billions of light-years away, opening a thrilling new window into the most extreme events in the universe.
