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NASA Prepares for SpaceX Crew-12 Launch to International Space Station

NASA Prepares for SpaceX Crew-12 Launch to International Space Station

NASA is set to launch the SpaceX Crew-12 mission to the International Space Station (ISS) on February 11, 2026. The mission will include NASA astronauts Jessica Meir and Jack Hathaway, ESA astronaut Sophie Adenot, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Andrey Fedyaev. The launch will be streamed live on various platforms, including NASA's YouTube channel. This mission is part of NASA's Commercial Crew Program, which aims to provide safe and cost-effective transportation to the ISS. The Crew-12 mission will focus on studying adaptation to altered gravity, contributing to the understanding of human spaceflight.

Apollo 4: The Mission That Cleared the Way to the Moon

Apollo 4: The Mission That Cleared the Way to the Moon

Apollo 4, launched on November 9, 1967, marked a pivotal moment in the history of space exploration. As the first uncrewed test flight of the Satur...

UC San Diego Leads NASA Satellite Mission for Earth System Exploration

UC San Diego Leads NASA Satellite Mission for Earth System Exploration

NASA has selected a satellite mission led by the University of California San Diego for the Earth System Explorers (ESE) program. The Earth Dynamics Geodetic Explorer (EDGE) mission, led by Scripps Institution of Oceanography glaciologist Helen Amanda Fricker, aims to enhance understanding of Earth's systems and improve disaster mitigation capabilities. The mission will utilize laser altimetry to provide high-resolution, three-dimensional observations of terrestrial ecosystems and ice features, with a launch readiness date no earlier than 2030.

NASA's POES Project: A Legacy of Weather Satellite Innovation

NASA's POES Project: A Legacy of Weather Satellite Innovation

NASA's Polar Operational Environmental Satellite (POES) Project, in collaboration with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), has been a cornerstone of weather satellite technology since its inception. The project began with the launch of TIROS-1 in 1960, the world's first polar-orbiting weather satellite. Over the years, the program has evolved, incorporating new designs and sensors to improve weather forecasting and environmental monitoring. The final satellite in the series, NOAA-19, was launched in 2009, marking the end of an era for the POES Project.

NASA and University of Texas Forge New Research and Workforce Development Partnership

NASA and University of Texas Forge New Research and Workforce Development Partnership

NASA's Johnson Space Center and the University of Texas System have signed a Space Act Agreement to expand research and workforce development opportunities. This collaboration aims to enhance human spaceflight research and education, leveraging the unique capabilities of both institutions. The agreement builds on a long-standing partnership, focusing on developing next-generation talent and supporting NASA's exploration goals. The partnership will utilize Johnson's facilities and the UT System's resources across its 13 institutions.

How Apollo 6 Helped Qualify the Moon Rocket

How Apollo 6 Helped Qualify the Moon Rocket

Apollo 6, launched on April 4, 1968, was a pivotal mission in NASA's Apollo program. As the third uncrewed test flight of the Saturn V rocket, it a...

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.

Apollo 7: The Quiet Mission That Made the Moon Possible

Apollo 7: The Quiet Mission That Made the Moon Possible

Apollo 7 marked a pivotal moment in space exploration as NASA's first crewed Apollo mission. Launched on October 11, 1968, this mission was a cruci...

NASA's Juno Mission Reveals Jupiter's True Size, Prompting Textbook Revisions

NASA's Juno Mission Reveals Jupiter's True Size, Prompting Textbook Revisions

Recent measurements from NASA's Juno spacecraft have revealed that Jupiter is slightly smaller than previously thought. The new data indicates that Jupiter's equatorial diameter is about five miles shorter, and its polar diameter is about 15 miles shorter than earlier estimates. These measurements were obtained through Juno's elongated orbit, which allows it to pass behind Jupiter and send radio signals back to Earth. The bending of these signals by Jupiter's atmosphere provides detailed maps of the planet's temperature and density, offering a clearer picture of its shape and size. This new information challenges previous data collected by NASA's Pioneer and Voyager missions, which had fewer data points.

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.

Strong Solar Flares Erupt from Sun, Potential for Northern Lights

Strong Solar Flares Erupt from Sun, Potential for Northern Lights

The sun has recently emitted four strong solar flares, raising the possibility of northern lights displays and potential disruptions in satellite communications. According to NASA, these flares occurred on Sunday and Monday, with the most intense being an X8.1 flare, the strongest in several years. Solar flares are large eruptions of electromagnetic radiation from the sun, typically occurring in regions with strong magnetic fields associated with sunspots. These flares can lead to Coronal Mass Ejections (CMEs), which interact with Earth's atmosphere to produce auroras. The visibility of these auroras depends on the arrival and magnetic orientation of the CME, as well as local weather conditions. The sun's magnetic activity, which reached its solar maximum phase in October 2024, is expected to continue through 2026, according to NOAA.

NASA's Galileo Mission Uncovers Life-Friendly Molecules on Europa

NASA's Galileo Mission Uncovers Life-Friendly Molecules on Europa

NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory has revealed new findings from the Galileo mission, indicating the presence of ammonia-bearing compounds on Jupiter's moon Europa. The data, originally collected in 1997, was re-analyzed and showed faint signals of ammonia near cracks on Europa's icy surface. This discovery is significant as ammonia is a nitrogen-bearing molecule, essential for life as we know it. Europa, the fourth-largest moon of Jupiter, is believed to have a vast, salty ocean beneath its icy crust, making it a prime candidate for hosting extraterrestrial life. The ammonia may have originated from Europa's subsurface ocean or shallow subsurface, as it is quickly broken down by ultraviolet light and cosmic radiation.