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NASA's SPHEREx Telescope Observes Comet 3I/ATLAS's Dramatic Flare-Up as It Exits Solar System

NASA's SPHEREx Telescope Observes Comet 3I/ATLAS's Dramatic Flare-Up as It Exits Solar System

NASA's SPHEREx space telescope has captured remarkable infrared observations of the interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS as it exits the solar system. In December 2025, the telescope recorded the comet releasing a significant surge of gas, dust, and complex molecules, providing scientists with an unprecedented chemical view of material formed around another star. This event occurred two months after the comet's closest approach to the sun, during which it unexpectedly brightened and developed a glowing coma rich in water vapor, carbon dioxide, and organic compounds. The comet, discovered in July 2025, is only the third confirmed interstellar object to pass through our solar system, following 1I/'Oumuamua and 2I/Borisov. Unlike its predecessors, 3I/ATLAS exhibited an extended chemical display, which SPHEREx was uniquely equipped to observe.

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...

Saturn I: NASA’s First Medium-Lift Launch Vehicle

Saturn I: NASA’s First Medium-Lift Launch Vehicle

The Saturn I rocket was a technological marvel of its time, representing a significant leap in rocket design and engineering. Developed by NASA, it...

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.

Saturn I and the Foundations of the Apollo Program

Saturn I and the Foundations of the Apollo Program

The Saturn I rocket holds a significant place in the history of space exploration as the United States' first medium-lift launch vehicle. Developed...

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.

Congress Considers New NASA Authorization Bill to Advance Space Exploration

Congress Considers New NASA Authorization Bill to Advance Space Exploration

Congress is once again considering a NASA authorization bill, known as the NASA Reauthorization Act of 2026 (HR 7273), introduced by Rep. Brian Babin. The bill aims to set priorities for NASA, including returning to the Moon under the Artemis program, addressing crew access to low Earth orbit, and investing in research and development for orbital debris and lunar communications. This legislative effort is part of an annual exercise to establish NASA's agenda, although past attempts have often stalled. The bill's introduction marks a renewed effort to codify NASA's missions and ensure continued support for space exploration initiatives.

NASA Seeks Public Input on Space Technology Shortfalls to Guide Future Investments

NASA Seeks Public Input on Space Technology Shortfalls to Guide Future Investments

NASA is actively seeking input from industry, academia, government partners, and the public to address 32 identified technology shortfalls critical to future space exploration and missions. These shortfalls represent areas where current technological capabilities are insufficient to meet the demands of future exploration, science, and mission needs. The agency's Space Technology Mission Directorate has consolidated these shortfalls into a comprehensive list, which includes advanced propulsion for deep-space missions, autonomous systems for space operations, and high-bandwidth space communications systems, among others. This initiative builds on NASA's previous efforts to identify and rank technology needs, with the current call for feedback open until February 20, 2026.

NASA's Juno Mission Reveals Jupiter's Smaller Size and Shape, Impacts Exoplanet Research

NASA's Juno Mission Reveals Jupiter's Smaller Size and Shape, Impacts Exoplanet Research

NASA's Juno mission has provided new insights into Jupiter's size and shape, revealing that the planet is slightly smaller and more 'squashed' than previously thought. The data, obtained through radio occultation during 13 flybys, shows that Jupiter is about 8 kilometers narrower at the equator and 24 kilometers flatter at the poles. This information updates previous measurements from the 1970s and is crucial for calibrating models of giant exoplanets. The findings were published in Nature Astronomy and are expected to enhance the understanding of planetary structures beyond our solar system.

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.