Explore

NASA Reevaluates Spacewalk Protocols After Grueling Gemini IX-A Mission

NASA Reevaluates Spacewalk Protocols After Grueling Gemini IX-A Mission

NASA's second spacewalk, conducted by astronaut Eugene Cernan during the Gemini IX-A mission, faced significant challenges that led to a reevaluation of spacewalk protocols. On June 5, 1966, Cernan embarked on a 167-minute extravehicular activity (EVA) but encountered difficulties due to the rigidity of his spacesuit, which made even simple movements exhausting. His helmet fogged up, and his heart rate soared to 180 beats per minute, prompting concerns about his safety. The EVA was cut short after two hours and eight minutes. Upon returning to Earth, it was discovered that Cernan had lost 13 pounds, mostly due to water loss during the mission. These challenges prompted NASA to improve training methods, refine EVA procedures, and advance spacesuit design, laying the groundwork for future lunar missions.

NASA orders astronauts on evacuation alert as space station air leak worsens

NASA orders astronauts on evacuation alert as space station air leak worsens

By Joey Roulette WASHINGTON, June 5 (Reuters) - Five astronauts aboard the International Space Station (ISS) were ordered by NASA to shelter in their spacecraft and prepare for potential evacuation on Friday as a Russian crew attempted to fix a worsening air leak on its portion of the orbital

NASA and Roscosmos Address ISS Leak with Temporary Safe Haven Procedures

NASA and Roscosmos Address ISS Leak with Temporary Safe Haven Procedures

NASA and Roscosmos have been addressing a leak in the Zvezda service module of the International Space Station (ISS). The leak prompted temporary safe haven procedures, requiring crew members to take refuge in the Dragon spacecraft. NASA's Public Affairs Office reported that Roscosmos paused structural repair efforts inside the Zvezda service module transfer tunnel, known as PrK, to assess more measurements and data. Following this development, NASA instructed the crew to end the safe haven procedures and return to planned operations aboard the ISS. The agencies are collaborating to address the leaks effectively.

NASA Ceases Efforts to Recover MAVEN Spacecraft After Loss of Signal

NASA Ceases Efforts to Recover MAVEN Spacecraft After Loss of Signal

NASA has announced the cessation of efforts to recover the Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution (MAVEN) spacecraft after it lost contact with Earth. The spacecraft, which had been orbiting Mars since 2014, was expected to re-establish communication after a routine occultation on December 6, 2025. However, the signal was never regained, prompting NASA to initiate contingency plans to restore contact. Despite these efforts, the mission was declared over, and decommissioning activities have begun. MAVEN was launched in 2013 to study the interaction between the Martian atmosphere and solar wind, and it exceeded its expected mission duration by several years. The exact cause of the communication failure remains unknown, though engineers have managed to recover some telemetry data that might provide insights into the spacecraft's final moments.

NASA Prepares for Artemis III Mission with Final SLS Booster Segments En Route to Kennedy Space Center

NASA Prepares for Artemis III Mission with Final SLS Booster Segments En Route to Kennedy Space Center

NASA is advancing its Artemis III mission with the shipment of the final booster motor segments for the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket. These segments, manufactured by Northrop Grumman, are being transported from Utah to NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The SLS rocket, equipped with twin solid rocket boosters and the core stage's RS-25 engines, will generate over 8.8 million pounds of thrust. Artemis III aims to launch four astronauts aboard the Orion spacecraft, testing critical capabilities for future lunar missions. This mission is a key step in NASA's plan to return humans to the Moon.

Kennedy Space Center Showcases World's Largest Rocket and Space Shuttle Atlantis

Kennedy Space Center Showcases World's Largest Rocket and Space Shuttle Atlantis

The Kennedy Space Center in Florida is home to the Saturn V rocket, the largest rocket ever built, and the Space Shuttle Atlantis. The Saturn V, displayed horizontally, allows visitors to appreciate its massive size and historical significance in space exploration. The Space Shuttle Atlantis exhibition offers an up-close view of a spacecraft that has completed 33 missions. The center also features interactive displays and a shuttle launch simulator, providing an immersive experience for visitors. These exhibits highlight the achievements of NASA and the ongoing interest in space exploration.

NASA Declares MAVEN Spacecraft Dead After Six Months of Silence

NASA Declares MAVEN Spacecraft Dead After Six Months of Silence

NASA has officially declared its MAVEN spacecraft, which was orbiting Mars, as dead after six months of radio silence. The spacecraft, launched in 2013, was designed to study the Martian atmosphere. It mysteriously stopped communicating in early December after passing behind Mars. Data suggested that MAVEN went into a fast spin, disrupting its orbit and depleting its batteries. A NASA review board concluded that the spacecraft is irrecoverable. Despite its loss, MAVEN is expected to remain in orbit for 50 to 100 years before eventually crashing into Mars. The spacecraft had been instrumental in studying Martian weather and relaying data from NASA's Curiosity and Perseverance rovers.

Astronauts on ISS ordered to shelter amid repairs to new leaks, NASA says

Astronauts on ISS ordered to shelter amid repairs to new leaks, NASA says

NASA astronauts are sheltering in a docked spacecraft as crews work to repair persistent air leaks on the space station.

NASA Declares Mars Orbiter Maven Mission Over After Six Months of Silence

NASA Declares Mars Orbiter Maven Mission Over After Six Months of Silence

NASA has officially declared the end of its Maven spacecraft mission around Mars after the orbiter fell silent for six months. Launched in 2013, Maven was tasked with studying the Martian atmosphere. The spacecraft stopped communicating in early December after passing behind Mars, and data suggested it went into a fast spin, disrupting its orbit and depleting its batteries. A review board concluded that the spacecraft is beyond recovery. Despite its current state, Maven is expected to remain in orbit for another 50 to 100 years before eventually crashing into Mars, posing no threat to other missions.

NASA Opens Public Comment on Astrobiology Research Strategy

NASA Opens Public Comment on Astrobiology Research Strategy

NASA has opened a public comment period for its draft Decadal Astrobiology Research and Exploration Strategy (NASA-DARES). This document outlines a broad range of topics relevant to astrobiology, aiming to capture diverse perspectives and insights. The strategy is not intended to dictate funding or policy but to gather input from individuals and organizations. Comments are accepted until July 2, 2026, and must be submitted via email, following specific guidelines.

NASA Concludes MAVEN Mars Mission After Communication Failure

NASA Concludes MAVEN Mars Mission After Communication Failure

NASA has officially ended the MAVEN mission after the spacecraft lost contact with Earth in December 2025. MAVEN, launched in 2013, was the first mission dedicated to studying the Martian atmosphere and its interactions with the Sun. The spacecraft entered an uncontrolled spin after passing behind Mars, which led to a loss of power and communication. Despite efforts to recover the spacecraft, it was deemed unrecoverable. The mission provided valuable data on Mars' atmospheric loss and its climate history, contributing significantly to our understanding of the planet's evolution and potential habitability.

NASA's Webb Telescope Detects Methane and Unusual Chemistry on Interstellar Comet 3I/ATLAS

NASA's Webb Telescope Detects Methane and Unusual Chemistry on Interstellar Comet 3I/ATLAS

NASA's James Webb Space Telescope has provided the first mid-infrared chemical fingerprint of the interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS, revealing significant findings about its composition. The telescope's Mid-Infrared Instrument (MIRI) detected methane gas on the comet, marking the first time methane has been directly identified on an interstellar object. This discovery suggests that the methane was likely buried beneath the comet's surface, protected from solar heating until it penetrated deeper into the icy layers. Additionally, the comet was found to release large amounts of carbon dioxide relative to water, a characteristic not commonly observed in solar system comets. These findings indicate that 3I/ATLAS may have formed in a different chemical environment than most comets originating from our solar system. The observations also noted a decline in gas production as the comet moved away from the Sun, with water showing the steepest decrease.