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No astronauts have launched from the US in 6 months. Crew-13 is next

No astronauts have launched from the US in 6 months. Crew-13 is next

Six months have elapsed since astronauts have reached space after a rocket launch from the US. That's due to change with a mission known as Crew-13.

The Corpus Christi Caller Times

Starship reaches orbit after Texas launch. What's next for SpaceX?

Starship reaches orbit after Texas launch. What's next for SpaceX?

After more than 3 years of flight tests from Starbase in Texas, SpaceX's Starship rocket reached orbit for the first time. Here's why that matters.

MBRSC Integrates RTx Payload onto Rashid Rover 2 for Lunar Exploration

MBRSC Integrates RTx Payload onto Rashid Rover 2 for Lunar Exploration

The Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC) in Dubai has successfully integrated the RTx ground-penetrating radar transmitter onto the Rashid Rover 2. This development marks a significant step forward for the Emirates Lunar Mission, which aims to send the rover to the far side of the Moon. The RTx payload will enable the rover to transmit radio signals capable of probing up to 100 meters below the lunar surface, offering scientists unprecedented insights into the Moon's subsurface composition. The Rashid Rover 2 is scheduled to launch aboard Firefly Aerospace's Blue Ghost Mission 2. Once on the lunar surface, the rover will study the Moon's terrain, surface composition, and thermal properties, as well as the interaction of different materials with the lunar environment and plasma activity near the surface. This mission follows the unsuccessful attempt of Rashid Rover 1, which crash-landed in April 2023.

4 astronauts due to head to space station. What to know about Crew-13

4 astronauts due to head to space station. What to know about Crew-13

A joint NASA and SpaceX mission will send four more astronauts to the International Space Station this week. Everything to know about Crew-13.

Starship reached orbit for 1st time. What's next for SpaceX's rocket?

Starship reached orbit for 1st time. What's next for SpaceX's rocket?

Following more than 3 years of flight tests from Texas, SpaceX's gargantuan Starship rocket reached orbit for the first time. Here's why that matters.

Firefly Aerospace Partners with Starcloud for Lunar AI Computing Demonstration

Firefly Aerospace Partners with Starcloud for Lunar AI Computing Demonstration

Firefly Aerospace Partners with Starcloud for Lunar AI Computing Demonstration

New York State Celebrates Over 30 Astronauts, Including Pioneering Women and Commercial Space Travelers

New York State Celebrates Over 30 Astronauts, Including Pioneering Women and Commercial Space Travelers

More than 30 individuals born in New York State have traveled to space, encompassing career astronauts and private citizens. This significant number highlights New York's deep connection to space exploration, spanning various eras of American spaceflight. Notable figures include Eileen Collins, born in Elmira, who became the first woman to pilot and command a Space Shuttle mission. Other prominent New Yorkers in space include Doug Wheelock from Binghamton, Doug Hurley from Endicott (who piloted the final Space Shuttle mission and commanded SpaceX Demo-2), Nicole Stott from Albany, Jeanette Epps from Syracuse (the second Black woman on a long-duration ISS crew), and Mary Cleave from Southampton. The state's contributions extend to major NASA missions like Skylab, Space Shuttle flights, and the International Space Station, as well as commercial space travel, with Dennis Tito and Gregory Olsen, both from New York, being among the first private citizens to visit space.

NASA Satellite Data Empowers Farmers with Advanced Decision-Making Tools

NASA Satellite Data Empowers Farmers with Advanced Decision-Making Tools

NASA is leveraging its satellite data to assist U.S. farmers in making more informed decisions regarding crop management, drought monitoring, and water stress through the Farm Action Toolkit (FAcT). This publicly available tool, developed by NASA scientists, bridges the gap between extensive satellite-collected agricultural information and the practical needs of farmers. FAcT integrates NASA satellite data, agronomy, local knowledge, and artificial intelligence to provide insights at individual field, state-wide, and national scales. Dr. Aparna Phalke, Lead Scientist for agriculture and hydrology at NASA EarthRISE, emphasizes that satellites can detect subtle changes in crop health, moisture, temperature, and stress by observing light and heat beyond human vision. This capability is particularly crucial for monitoring and planning for drought conditions, which have caused significant agricultural losses, such as over $300 million in Alabama in 2024. FAcT utilizes three types of satellite data: optical data...

AI's Role in Space Exploration: Current Capabilities and Future Prospects

AI's Role in Space Exploration: Current Capabilities and Future Prospects

Artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly being utilized by space agencies like NASA and the European Space Agency to enhance space exploration efforts. Current applications of AI in space include guiding Martian rovers, preventing satellite collisions, and training astronauts for spaceflight. However, these AI systems are primarily 'narrow AI,' meaning they excel at specific, repetitive, and predictable tasks, such as processing large amounts of data efficiently. For instance, Martian rovers like Perseverance use AI algorithms to scan minerals and assess rock samples, while Curiosity employs AI to target rocks with lasers based on their characteristics, all without human intervention. Researchers like Sanjoy Paul at Rice University are studying how AI can assist in space missions by cutting through vast datasets to highlight important details for human analysis. Daniele Gammelli at Stanford University emphasizes that current AI is more unpredictable and prone to errors than its fictional counterparts, ...

NASA ramps up support to get Boeing's astronaut capsule flying after Butch and Suni fiasco

NASA ramps up support to get Boeing's astronaut capsule flying after Butch and Suni fiasco

NASA is throwing extra support and money behind Boeing's troubled astronaut capsule to get it fixed and flying again as soon as possible

NASA Johnson Space Center's Dexterous Robotics Team Advances Human-Robot Collaboration for Space Exploration

NASA Johnson Space Center's Dexterous Robotics Team Advances Human-Robot Collaboration for Space Exploration

NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston is home to the Dexterous Robotics Team, which is actively developing robotic hardware and software to enhance human spaceflight. The team's primary goal is not to replace human explorers but to make human exploration safer and more sustainable by creating highly capable, reliable, and trustworthy robots for extreme environments. Shaun Azimi, the Dexterous Robotics Team lead, emphasizes that these robots will reduce risk and increase human effectiveness in space. The 16-member team, part of NASA's Robotic System Technology Branch, focuses on robots that can perform tasks requiring human-like dexterity. Their work builds upon the legacy of previous humanoid robots like Robonaut 2 and Valkyrie. The team supports various agency projects, including those related to building a Moon Base, and collaborates with private industry partners facing similar challenges in harsh environments. A major development is the Integrated Mobile Evaluation Testbed for Robotics Operations (iME...

Axiom Space Highlights Precision Sewing in Next-Generation Spacesuit Production for Artemis Missions

Axiom Space Highlights Precision Sewing in Next-Generation Spacesuit Production for Artemis Missions

Axiom Space is spotlighting the meticulous work of its Soft Goods Lab in Houston, where a team of sewing technicians is producing the Axiom Extravehicular Mobility Unit (AxEMU), the next-generation spacesuit for astronauts on future Artemis lunar missions. The company emphasizes the extreme precision required, with every step of the spacesuit component production adhering to strict written instructions and undergoing multiple checks before quality assurance. This process stands in stark contrast to other sewing specialties, demanding zero margin for error due to the life-support capabilities of the suits. The team comprises individuals from diverse backgrounds, including theater, marine trades, and NASA mission operations, all united by the critical standard of precision in their craft. Nikki Brazil, the Soft Goods Group Lead, plays a crucial role in translating technical specifications for the technicians, ensuring the highest standards are met for hardware designed to protect astronauts in the harsh envi...