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New Study Reveals Role of Dust Storms in Mars's Water Loss

New Study Reveals Role of Dust Storms in Mars's Water Loss

A groundbreaking study has revealed that localized dust storms on Mars play a significant role in the planet's water loss. Previously underestimated, these smaller storms can transport water vapor to higher altitudes, where it is more likely to escape into space. The research, conducted by the Instituto de Astrofísica de Andalucía and the University of Tokyo, highlights the impact of these storms on Mars's climate evolution. The study observed an anomalous increase in water vapor during a dust storm in Martian year 37, suggesting that such events contribute significantly to the planet's long-term water loss.
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NASA's Perseverance Rover Achieves Milestone with AI-Piloted Mars Navigation

NASA's Perseverance Rover Achieves Milestone with AI-Piloted Mars Navigation

NASA's Perseverance Rover has successfully navigated 1,496 feet of the Martian surface using a route planned and executed by a generative AI model named Claude. This AI, developed by Anthropic, utilized imaging from the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter and other data to plot a safe path, avoiding potential hazards. The AI's involvement marks a significant step in automating complex planetary navigation, which traditionally requires careful planning by NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) team due to the 20-minute communication delay between Earth and Mars. The AI's route was verified through rigorous simulations before being executed by the rover, demonstrating the potential for AI to enhance mission efficiency and scientific return.
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NASA Prepares for SpaceX Crew-12 Mission with Space Physics and Human Research

NASA Prepares for SpaceX Crew-12 Mission with Space Physics and Human Research

NASA's Expedition 74 is concluding the week with preparations for the upcoming SpaceX Crew-12 mission. The crew aboard the International Space Station is involved in various activities, including space physics experiments and human research. NASA Flight Engineer Chris Williams is overseeing operations related to the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft, which involves transferring completed experiments and preparing for the arrival of the Crew-12 members. The mission is set to launch no earlier than February 11, 2026.
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NASA and SpaceX Prepare for Crew-12 Launch to International Space Station

NASA and SpaceX Prepare for Crew-12 Launch to International Space Station

NASA's SpaceX Crew-12 mission is set to launch to the International Space Station (ISS) on February 11, 2026. The crew, consisting of NASA astronauts Jessica Meir and Jack Hathaway, ESA astronaut Sophie Adenot, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Andrey Fedyaev, arrived at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida on February 6, 2026. They will remain in quarantine at the Astronaut Crew Quarters in the Neil A. Armstrong Operations and Checkout Building until the launch. The mission will lift off aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket and Dragon spacecraft from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station's Space Launch Complex 40. NASA, SpaceX, and international partners have completed a Flight Readiness Review, giving the green light for launch preparations. The event will be streamed live, covering prelaunch, launch, and docking activities.
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Aries Across Cultures: The Myths, Gods, and Symbols Behind the Ram

Aries Across Cultures: The Myths, Gods, and Symbols Behind the Ram

The Aries constellation, known for its representation as a ram, has been interpreted in various ways by different cultures throughout history. Each...
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AI Successfully Navigates NASA's Perseverance Rover Across Martian Terrain

AI Successfully Navigates NASA's Perseverance Rover Across Martian Terrain

NASA's Perseverance Rover has successfully traversed 1,496 feet of Martian terrain using a route planned and executed by a generative AI model. This AI, developed in collaboration with Anthropic, utilized data from the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter to plot a safe path for the rover, avoiding potential hazards. The AI's ability to autonomously navigate the rover marks a significant advancement in space exploration technology, allowing for more efficient operations on Mars. The use of AI in this context demonstrates its potential to enhance the capabilities of robotic missions, particularly in environments where real-time human control is not feasible due to communication delays.
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NASA Selects EDGE Satellite Mission for Enhanced Earth Observation

NASA Selects EDGE Satellite Mission for Enhanced Earth Observation

NASA has selected the Earth Dynamics Geodetic Explorer (EDGE) mission as part of its Earth System Explorers program. Led by the University of California San Diego, this mission aims to improve understanding of Earth's systems and enhance capabilities to predict environmental events and mitigate disasters. The EDGE mission will utilize advanced laser altimetry technology to provide high-resolution, three-dimensional observations of terrestrial ecosystems, ice sheets, and sea ice. The mission is expected to offer unprecedented detail in mapping Earth's surface, aiding in national security, global transportation, and environmental policy-making. The mission is set for a NASA confirmation review in 2027, with a potential launch no earlier than 2030.
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Curiosity Rover Resumes Mars Exploration After Solar Conjunction

Curiosity Rover Resumes Mars Exploration After Solar Conjunction

NASA's Mars rover Curiosity has resumed its scientific activities on Mars following a period of solar conjunction, during which communication with Earth was limited. The rover is preparing for a new drilling operation near the 'Nevado Sajama' site, where it previously conducted experiments. The upcoming drill will involve a rare experiment using the rover's last container of tetramethylammonium hydroxide (TMAH) to identify organic molecules. This marks a significant step in the ongoing Mars Science Laboratory mission, as the team aims to gather more data on the Martian surface and its potential for past life.
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NASA Seeks Public Input on Space Technology Shortfalls to Guide Future Investments

NASA Seeks Public Input on Space Technology Shortfalls to Guide Future Investments

NASA is actively seeking input from industry, academia, government partners, and the public to address 32 identified technology shortfalls critical to future space exploration and missions. These shortfalls represent areas where current technological capabilities are insufficient to meet the demands of future exploration, science, and mission needs. The agency's Space Technology Mission Directorate has consolidated these shortfalls into a comprehensive list, which includes advanced propulsion for deep-space missions, autonomous systems for space operations, and high-bandwidth space communications systems, among others. This initiative builds on NASA's previous efforts to identify and rank technology needs, with the current call for feedback open until February 20, 2026.
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Sun Emits Strong Solar Flare Captured by NASA's Observatory

Sun Emits Strong Solar Flare Captured by NASA's Observatory

NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory has captured a strong solar flare emitted by the Sun, peaking at 7:13 a.m. ET on February 4. The flare, classified as an X4.2, represents one of the most intense types of solar flares. Solar flares are powerful bursts of energy that can impact radio communications, electric power grids, navigation signals, and pose risks to spacecraft and astronauts. NASA continues to monitor the Sun's activity and its effects on the space environment.
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NASA's SpaceX Crew-12 Mission to Investigate Astronauts' Adaptation to Low-Gravity

NASA's SpaceX Crew-12 Mission to Investigate Astronauts' Adaptation to Low-Gravity

NASA's SpaceX Crew-12 mission is set to embark on a long-duration science mission aboard the International Space Station (ISS). The mission will focus on human health studies to understand how astronauts' bodies adapt to the low-gravity environment of space. Key experiments include the Venous Flow study, which examines changes in blood flow and the risk of blood clots in microgravity. This study is crucial as blood clots can pose serious health risks, such as strokes. Additionally, the Manual Piloting study will assess astronauts' ability to perform simulated lunar landings, evaluating their piloting and decision-making skills during gravitational transitions. These studies aim to prepare astronauts for future long-duration missions to the Moon and Mars.
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NASA and Weizmann Institute Discover Jupiter is Smaller and Flatter Than Previously Thought

NASA and Weizmann Institute Discover Jupiter is Smaller and Flatter Than Previously Thought

A collaborative study by NASA and the Weizmann Institute of Science has revealed that Jupiter is smaller and flatter than previously believed. The research, published in Nature Astronomy, found that Jupiter is about 8km less wide at the equator and 24km flatter at the poles. This discovery was made possible by analyzing radio signals from NASA's Juno spacecraft, which has been orbiting Jupiter since 2016. The study provides a more accurate model of Jupiter's interior by accounting for its powerful winds, which were not considered in earlier measurements.