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NASA Faces Challenges with Atomic Oxygen Impact on Spacecraft Materials

NASA Faces Challenges with Atomic Oxygen Impact on Spacecraft Materials

NASA is addressing the challenges posed by atomic oxygen in low Earth orbit, which affects spacecraft materials. Atomic oxygen, a highly reactive form of oxygen, is prevalent in the thin atmosphere at altitudes where the International Space Station (ISS) operates. This environment, above the ozone layer, allows UV light to split O2 molecules into single oxygen atoms, which can degrade materials on spacecraft. Engineers have observed that materials facing the direction of travel suffer more damage. NASA has been testing various materials by exposing them to atomic oxygen to understand and mitigate its effects. Carbon-based polymers and composites are particularly vulnerable, leading to erosion and mass loss. To counteract this, materials are often over-designed or coated with less reactive substances like silicon dioxide or aluminum oxide.
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The Apollo-Era Rocket That Carried Humans Beyond Earth’s Atmosphere

The Apollo-Era Rocket That Carried Humans Beyond Earth’s Atmosphere

The Saturn V rocket, developed by NASA for the Apollo program, is widely regarded as one of the most significant technological achievements in the ...
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NASA Goddard Releases Draft Proposal for Landsat 10 Spacecraft, Continuing Earth Observation Legacy

NASA Goddard Releases Draft Proposal for Landsat 10 Spacecraft, Continuing Earth Observation Legacy

NASA Goddard has issued a Draft Request for Proposal (DRFP) for the Landsat 10 spacecraft, marking a significant step in the ongoing collaboration with the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) to capture and distribute multispectral imagery of Earth's landmasses and coastal regions. The DRFP, available for review on SAM.gov since May 18, 2026, invites potential offerors to comment by June 2, 2026. The final Request for Proposal is expected by the end of June 2026, with proposals due approximately 30 days later. Landsat 10, re-architected as a single-observatory mission, will operate in a sun-synchronous, near-polar orbit, ensuring data continuity with its predecessors. The spacecraft will feature advanced autonomy and fault management, supporting a maximum launch mass of 4,000 kilograms, and is designed for a minimum five-year operational life. Upon completion of its on-orbit checkout, operations will transition to the USGS.
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NASA Advances Lunar Base Plans with New Contracts for Rovers and Landers

NASA Advances Lunar Base Plans with New Contracts for Rovers and Landers

NASA is accelerating its plans for a lunar base at the Moon's South Pole by awarding new contracts for rovers and cargo landers. These contracts are part of a series of missions aimed at building infrastructure, reducing landing risks, and preparing for future Artemis astronaut landings. The first mission, Moon Base I, is set to launch in fall 2026 using Blue Origin's Blue Moon Mark 1 Endurance lander. Two additional missions, Moon Base II and III, will follow, utilizing landers from Astrobotic and Intuitive Machines. NASA has also awarded contracts for lunar terrain vehicles to Astrolab and Lunar Outpost, supporting mobility by 2028.
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NASA's Artemis II Crew Returns to Earth After Historic Lunar Mission

NASA's Artemis II Crew Returns to Earth After Historic Lunar Mission

The crew of NASA's Artemis II mission has successfully returned to Earth, marking a significant milestone in lunar exploration. The four astronauts, including Commander Reid Wiseman, pilot Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Canada's Jeremy Hansen, completed a 10-day mission that included a record-breaking lunar flyby. Their Orion capsule, named Integrity, splashed down in the Pacific Ocean after reentering Earth's atmosphere at speeds 33 times the speed of sound. This mission was notable for being the first human journey toward the moon in over 50 years and set a new record for the farthest distance traveled from Earth. The mission also marked the first use of NASA's Space Launch System rocket and the Orion spacecraft.
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This Day in History: An Apollo-Saturn Mission Successfully Reached Earth Orbit

This Day in History: An Apollo-Saturn Mission Successfully Reached Earth Orbit

The Saturn V rocket, developed by NASA for the Apollo program, left an indelible mark on the history of space exploration. As the most powerful roc...
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NASA's Psyche Spacecraft Captures Detailed Images of Mars During Flyby

NASA's Psyche Spacecraft Captures Detailed Images of Mars During Flyby

NASA's Psyche spacecraft successfully completed a close encounter with Mars on May 15, 2026, capturing detailed images of the planet's surface. The flyby, which brought the spacecraft within 2,900 miles of Mars, was part of a gravity assist maneuver designed to increase Psyche's velocity by approximately 1,000 mph. This maneuver is crucial for redirecting the spacecraft towards its ultimate destination, the asteroid 16 Psyche. During the flyby, mission controllers utilized the opportunity to photograph Mars from unique angles, revealing its polar ice caps, wind-carved surface features, and crater formations. The images serve not only as a visual record but also as a means to test and calibrate the spacecraft's scientific instruments before it reaches the asteroid in 2029.
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NASA's Earth Observations from Space Station Illuminate Urban Changes

NASA's Earth Observations from Space Station Illuminate Urban Changes

NASA has released a photograph taken from the International Space Station, showcasing the city of Chennai, India, illuminated by white LED streetlights. This image, captured on May 2, 2026, highlights the city's vibrant nightscape and is part of NASA's ongoing efforts to observe Earth's changes over time. These observations are crucial for understanding urban development and environmental changes, providing data that supports NASA's broader mission of exploring and sustaining human life on the Moon, Mars, and beyond.
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Artemis Program Advances With New Moon Base Hardware

Artemis Program Advances With New Moon Base Hardware

NASA has announced the first phase of its future moon base program, awarding contracts to four US companies for lunar landers, rovers and drones. Blue Origin will deliver landers carrying moon buggies built by Astrolab and Lunar Outpost, while Firefly Aerospace will send drones to the lunar surface. The equipment is expected to arrive before astronauts return to the Moon under the Artemis program, with the first landing targeted for 2028. NASA says the long-term goal is a permanent lunar base supporting science, exploration and future Mars missions.
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NASA Discovers New Lunar Material, Enhancing Moon Mission Capabilities

NASA Discovers New Lunar Material, Enhancing Moon Mission Capabilities

NASA has discovered a new material at the Glenn Research Center in Cleveland that could significantly aid future Moon missions. This material, formed by heating simulated lunar dust with scandium oxide, does not match any known substances in existing databases. It offers potential for reducing the weight of loads astronauts carry by utilizing lunar resources, such as extracting metals from Moon rocks for construction and producing oxygen for fuel and life support. This discovery supports a 'live off the land' approach, crucial for sustainable lunar exploration.
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Here's what NASA said about its permanent moon base plans

Here's what NASA said about its permanent moon base plans

NASA is launching uncrewed missions to transport lunar rovers and build a moon base at the lunar south pole before astronauts return to stay.