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NASA's Artemis Mission to Explore Moon's Largest Impact Crater for Scientific Insights

NASA's Artemis Mission to Explore Moon's Largest Impact Crater for Scientific Insights

A recent study suggests that NASA's Artemis mission may explore the South Pole–Aitken (SPA) basin, the Moon's largest impact crater, believed to be formed by a differentiated asteroid. This basin, over 1,200 miles wide, is located on the Moon's far side and may contain material from deep within the Moon's mantle. Researchers from Purdue University used high-resolution 3D simulations to propose that the basin's unique shape resulted from a 160-mile-wide asteroid with a dense iron core. The Artemis mission aims to land astronauts near the lunar south pole, potentially allowing them to collect samples that could reveal the Moon's geological history.

NASA Evaluates Training for Lunar Surface Operations in Artemis Missions

NASA Evaluates Training for Lunar Surface Operations in Artemis Missions

NASA is currently assessing training methods for lunar surface operations as part of the Artemis missions. This evaluation is taking place at the Neutral Buoyancy Lab located at the Johnson Space Center in Houston. The Artemis program aims to return humans to the Moon and establish a sustainable presence there by the end of the decade. The training involves simulating lunar conditions to prepare astronauts for the challenges they will face on the Moon's surface. This initiative is part of NASA's broader efforts to advance human space exploration and develop the necessary skills and technologies for future missions.

Chandrayaan-2 Radar Reveals Subsurface Ice in Lunar Craters

Chandrayaan-2 Radar Reveals Subsurface Ice in Lunar Craters

The Chandrayaan-2 mission has used its Dual Frequency Synthetic Aperture Radar to identify subsurface ice in doubly shadowed craters at the Moon's poles. These craters, located within permanently shadowed regions, provide ideal conditions for preserving ice due to their extremely low temperatures, reaching around 25 K. The radar data revealed circular polarization ratio values greater than 1 in four craters, indicating the presence of subsurface ice. This discovery is significant for future lunar exploration, as it suggests potential in situ resources for supporting crewed missions and establishing lunar outposts.

Astronomers get the best look yet at the surface of an exoplanet

Astronomers get the best look yet at the surface of an exoplanet

By Will Dunham WASHINGTON, May 8 (Reuters) - Astronomers have gotten their clearest look yet at the surface of an exoplanet - a planet beyond our solar system - thanks to NASA's James Webb Space Telescope.

NASA Welcomes Paraguay as 67th Artemis Accords Signatory, Expanding Global Space Cooperation

NASA Welcomes Paraguay as 67th Artemis Accords Signatory, Expanding Global Space Cooperation

The Republic of Paraguay has become the 67th nation to sign the Artemis Accords, a set of principles guiding civil space exploration. The signing ceremony took place in Asunción, with NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman highlighting Paraguay's commitment to peaceful and transparent space exploration. The Artemis Accords, established during President Trump's first term, aim to foster international cooperation in exploring the Moon, Mars, and beyond. Paraguay's involvement is seen as a significant step in strengthening its position within the global space community, opening new opportunities for research and innovation. The Paraguayan Space Agency, established in 2014, has been active in satellite technology and Earth observation, with plans to launch its second satellite, GuaraníSat-2, in collaboration with NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory.

NASA's Artemis II Mission Captures Stunning Image of Earth's Edge

NASA's Artemis II Mission Captures Stunning Image of Earth's Edge

NASA has released a striking image from the Artemis II mission, showcasing a thin sliver of Earth's edge illuminated against the vast darkness of space. This image, taken on April 3, 2026, highlights the mission's success as the first crewed flight in a series aimed at testing NASA's human deep space capabilities. Artemis II is a pivotal step in NASA's plans to conduct future lunar surface missions, marking a significant milestone in the agency's efforts to explore beyond Earth's orbit.

NASA and SpaceX Prepare for 34th Resupply Mission to International Space Station

NASA and SpaceX Prepare for 34th Resupply Mission to International Space Station

NASA and SpaceX are gearing up for the 34th commercial resupply mission to the International Space Station (ISS), scheduled for launch at 7:16 p.m. EDT on May 12. The mission will see a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft, carrying approximately 6,500 pounds of cargo, launched aboard a Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. The Dragon is set to dock autonomously with the ISS on May 14. The cargo includes scientific experiments, such as a project to test Earth-based simulators in microgravity, a bone scaffold for osteoporosis research, and equipment to study red blood cell and spleen changes in space. Additionally, the mission will deliver instruments to study charged particles around Earth and to measure sunlight reflected by Earth and the Moon. The Dragon spacecraft will remain at the ISS until mid-June before returning to Earth with time-sensitive research and cargo.

NASA Develops New Technology to Simulate Extreme Lunar Night Conditions

NASA Develops New Technology to Simulate Extreme Lunar Night Conditions

NASA's Glenn Research Center has developed the Lunar Environment Structural Test Rig (LESTR), a new technology designed to simulate the extreme cold conditions of the lunar night. This innovative test rig allows researchers to test materials, electronics, and other flight hardware at temperatures as low as 40 Kelvin, or about -388 degrees Fahrenheit. Unlike traditional methods that use liquid cryogens, LESTR operates in a completely dry vacuum, using a high-powered refrigerator to remove heat. This approach is safer, more affordable, and allows for testing at a wider range of temperatures.

International Space Station Visible from Earth: How to Spot It

International Space Station Visible from Earth: How to Spot It

The International Space Station (ISS) has been a fixture in Earth's orbit for over 25 years, serving as a hub for scientific research and international collaboration. The station orbits Earth every 90 minutes, making it visible to observers on the ground multiple times a day. The ISS is a joint project involving NASA, Roscosmos, the European Space Agency, the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, and the Canadian Space Agency. It has hosted over 290 astronauts from 26 countries, including 170 from the United States. The station is visible to the naked eye and can be tracked using NASA's 'Spot the Station' app, which provides notifications and real-time tracking data. The best times to view the ISS are shortly before sunrise or after sunset when it reflects sunlight.

NASA's Juno Mission Captures Detailed Image of Jupiter's Moon Thebe, Enhancing Understanding of Planetary Rings

NASA's Juno Mission Captures Detailed Image of Jupiter's Moon Thebe, Enhancing Understanding of Planetary Rings

NASA's Juno spacecraft has captured a detailed image of Thebe, one of Jupiter's inner moons, during a close flyby on May 1, 2026. This mission, managed by NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, aims to study Jupiter's atmosphere and composition. The image reveals Thebe's role in the formation of Jupiter's 'gossamer' ring, a faint ring system composed of small particles. The Stellar Reference Unit (SRU) on Juno, primarily used for navigation, provided the high-resolution image, offering new insights into the moon's surface and its contribution to the ring system.

NASA's Artemis II Mission Success Paves Way for Future Lunar Exploration

NASA's Artemis II Mission Success Paves Way for Future Lunar Exploration

NASA's Artemis II mission concluded with a successful splashdown, marking a significant milestone in the agency's efforts to return humans to the Moon. The mission involved the Orion spacecraft completing a 694,481-mile journey around the Moon before reentering Earth's atmosphere and landing in the Pacific Ocean. The spacecraft's heat shield performed as expected, with initial inspections showing no unusual issues. Engineers are now analyzing data from the mission to evaluate the performance of major systems, including the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket and ground infrastructure. The mission's success is seen as a crucial step towards future missions, including Artemis III and eventual human missions to Mars.

NASA Astronauts Conduct Health and Spacesuit Preparations for Upcoming Cargo Mission

NASA Astronauts Conduct Health and Spacesuit Preparations for Upcoming Cargo Mission

NASA astronauts aboard the International Space Station (ISS) are engaged in a series of health monitoring and spacesuit preparations in anticipation of an upcoming cargo mission. The crew, part of Expedition 74, is focusing on various tasks including health data collection and spacesuit maintenance. European Space Agency astronaut Sophie Adenot is participating in the PhysioTool technology demonstration, which involves attaching sensors to monitor her physiological responses during exercise. Meanwhile, NASA astronauts Jessica Meir and Jack Hathaway are servicing spacesuits, ensuring their readiness for future spacewalks. The team is also preparing for the NASA SpaceX CRS-34 cargo mission, scheduled to launch on May 12, which will deliver new science experiments and lab hardware to the ISS.