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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.

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...

Donn F. Eisele: A Journey from Air Force Pilot to Apollo Astronaut

Donn F. Eisele: A Journey from Air Force Pilot to Apollo Astronaut

Eisele was a key figure in the Apollo 7 mission, serving as the Command Module Pilot. His journey from a United States Air Force officer to a NASA ...

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...

How Apollo 4 Changed the Way NASA Tested Rockets

How Apollo 4 Changed the Way NASA Tested Rockets

Apollo 4, launched on November 9, 1967, was a groundbreaking mission that showcased NASA's innovative approach to testing and technological advance...

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...

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...

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'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 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 RHESSI Satellite: A Legacy of Solar Observations and Its Impact on Solar Science

NASA's RHESSI Satellite: A Legacy of Solar Observations and Its Impact on Solar Science

The Reuven Ramaty High-Energy Solar Spectroscopic Imager (RHESSI), launched on February 5, 2002, was a NASA mission dedicated to observing high-energy solar events, particularly solar flares. Over its 16-year operational period, RHESSI provided the first images of solar flares in X-ray and gamma-ray wavelengths using its imaging spectrometer. The satellite worked in conjunction with other missions like NOAA's GOES and the TRACE solar observatory, contributing significantly to the understanding of solar flares and coronal mass ejections. RHESSI was part of NASA's Small Explorer Program, which focused on cost-effective and frequent missions. The satellite was decommissioned in 2018 and reentered Earth's atmosphere in 2023 over the Sahara Desert.

NASA Permits Astronauts to Bring Smartphones on Space Missions, Enhancing Documentation

NASA Permits Astronauts to Bring Smartphones on Space Missions, Enhancing Documentation

NASA has announced a policy change allowing astronauts to bring smartphones on space missions, starting with the Crew-12 and Artemis II missions. This decision, revealed by NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman, aims to provide astronauts with modern tools to capture and share images and videos from space. The inclusion of smartphones is expected to enhance the documentation of space missions, allowing for more spontaneous and diverse content. This move is part of a broader effort to streamline NASA's processes and incorporate modern technology into spaceflight operations.