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NASA Delays F.10 PRISM Step-2 Proposal Due Date to February 2026 for Lunar Science Missions

NASA Delays F.10 PRISM Step-2 Proposal Due Date to February 2026 for Lunar Science Missions

NASA has announced a delay in the due date for the F.10 PRISM Step-2 proposals, now set for February 27, 2026. This extension is part of the ROSES-2025 Amendment 45, which aims to provide additional time for proposers to adjust their proposals and budgets. The F.10 PRISM initiative focuses on the development and deployment of science-driven instruments and technology demonstration payloads for lunar missions. These payloads are intended to be delivered via Commercial Lunar Payload Services landers to various lunar destinations, including the South Pole region. The delay is intended to accommodate adjustments related to the period of performance for investigations targeting the lunar south polar region. The announcement was made on February 5, 2026, and further details are available on NASA's research opportunity homepage.

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...

Apollo 6: The Last Test Before the Moon

Apollo 6: The Last Test Before the Moon

Apollo 6, launched on April 4, 1968, was a crucial mission in the Apollo program, serving as the final uncrewed test of the Saturn V rocket. Despit...

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

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

NASA is gearing up for the launch of its SpaceX Crew-12 mission to the International Space Station (ISS), scheduled for no earlier than 6:01 a.m. EST on February 11. The mission will launch from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. The crew consists of NASA astronauts Jessica Meir and Jack Hathaway, ESA astronaut Sophie Adenot, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Andrey Fedyaev. This mission marks NASA's 12th crew rotation and the 13th human spaceflight mission to the ISS supported by the Dragon spacecraft since 2020. The mission is part of NASA's Commercial Crew Program, which aims to provide safe, reliable, and cost-effective transportation to and from the ISS through partnerships with American private industry.

NASA to Discuss Initial Results of Artemis II Wet Dress Rehearsal Impacting Future Lunar Missions

NASA to Discuss Initial Results of Artemis II Wet Dress Rehearsal Impacting Future Lunar Missions

NASA is set to discuss the early results of the Artemis II wet dress rehearsal, a critical test for the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket and Orion spacecraft, at a news conference. The SLS and Orion arrived at Launch Pad 39B at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida on January 17, where engineers have been conducting various tests. The wet dress rehearsal involves filling the rocket with 700,000 gallons of propellant, simulating a launch countdown. This rehearsal is crucial for ensuring the readiness of the Artemis II mission, which aims to pave the way for future crewed lunar missions. The news conference will feature key NASA officials, including Associate Administrator Amit Kshatriya and other leaders from the Exploration Systems Development Mission Directorate. The event will be streamed live on NASA's YouTube channel, allowing the public and media to follow the developments.

Exploring the Beehive Cluster: A Stellar Marvel in Cancer

Exploring the Beehive Cluster: A Stellar Marvel in Cancer

The Beehive Cluster, also known as Praesepe or M44, is a fascinating open cluster located in the constellation Cancer. Known since ancient times, t...

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...

NASA Implements Directive to Restore Core Competencies Amid Outsourcing Concerns

NASA Implements Directive to Restore Core Competencies Amid Outsourcing Concerns

NASA has announced a new workforce directive aimed at restoring its core competencies in engineering and operations, which have been increasingly outsourced in recent years. The directive, introduced by NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman, seeks to rebuild internal talent and reduce reliance on external vendors. This initiative comes as NASA faces challenges in maintaining technical autonomy and managing program costs. The directive outlines a plan to assess and bring back in-house critical technical roles within 30 days, followed by a rapid onboarding process to fill these positions. The move is part of a broader effort to align with national space policy and ensure the agency's leadership in space exploration.

NASA's Roman Coronagraph to Enhance Understanding of Planetary Systems

NASA's Roman Coronagraph to Enhance Understanding of Planetary Systems

NASA's Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope is set to advance the study of planetary systems through its Coronagraph Instrument. This instrument will enable multiwavelength total intensity and polarimetric observations of debris disks and planetary companions around nearby stars. The Roman Coronagraph aims to achieve a contrast of less than 10^-8, a significant milestone in astronomical observations. These observations are crucial for understanding the dust composition, structure, and properties of circumstellar debris disks, as well as the atmospheric composition of planetary companions. The Astro2020 decadal survey highlights the importance of detecting polarization signatures of disks and ocean glint from exoplanets, in addition to direct imaging. The mission may extend beyond its initial phase to explore unsupported modes, enhancing the scientific returns from the Roman Coronagraph.

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.

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.

NASA's James Webb Telescope Confirms Discovery of Ancient Galaxy MoM-z14, Challenging Early Universe Theories

NASA's James Webb Telescope Confirms Discovery of Ancient Galaxy MoM-z14, Challenging Early Universe Theories

NASA's James Webb Space Telescope has confirmed the existence of a galaxy, MoM-z14, which formed approximately 280 million years after the Big Bang. This discovery pushes the boundaries of observable space closer to the universe's inception. The galaxy's characteristics, including its brightness and chemical composition, are surprising scientists. MoM-z14 is enriched with heavy elements like nitrogen, which are not typically expected in such early galaxies. This finding challenges existing theories about the early universe, suggesting that the conditions and processes during that time may have been different than previously thought. The telescope's advanced capabilities allow astronomers to observe these distant galaxies, providing direct information about the universe's formative years.