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NASA Plans Rescue Mission for Swift Observatory to Prevent Atmospheric Reentry

NASA Plans Rescue Mission for Swift Observatory to Prevent Atmospheric Reentry

NASA is preparing to launch a rescue mission for the Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory, which is at risk of reentering Earth's atmosphere due to its rapidly decreasing altitude. The mission involves the deployment of the LINK robotic servicing spacecraft, developed by Katalyst Space, a company based in Flagstaff, Arizona. The spacecraft will be launched aboard a Northrop Grumman Pegasus rocket from the Kwajalein Atoll in the Marshall Islands. The Swift Observatory, launched in 2004, is a space observatory designed to study gamma-ray bursts and their afterglows in X-ray and UV/visible light. Due to the lack of docking ports or grappling fixtures on Swift, the LINK spacecraft will utilize a custom-built robotic capture mechanism to attach to the observatory. The LINK spacecraft was tested at NASA Goddard in Maryland earlier this year and has since been transported to NASA Wallops in Virginia for final preparations.

NASA's Swift Observatory to Extend Mission with Atmospheric Boost

NASA's Swift Observatory to Extend Mission with Atmospheric Boost

NASA's Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory, a pivotal tool in astrophysics, is set to receive a boost to extend its operational life. Originally launched in 2004 as the Swift Gamma-ray Observatory, it was renamed in 2018 to honor Neil Gehrels. The spacecraft, built by Northrop Grumman, is renowned for its ability to rapidly observe cosmic phenomena across multiple wavelengths, including gamma-ray bursts. In January 2025, NASA identified that Swift would re-enter Earth's atmosphere by summer 2026. To prevent this and continue its scientific contributions, NASA plans to boost the observatory, showcasing a key capability for future space exploration and private spacecraft servicing.

NASA's Swift Observatory to Extend Mission with Atmospheric Re-entry Boost

NASA's Swift Observatory to Extend Mission with Atmospheric Re-entry Boost

NASA's Swift Observatory, originally launched in 2004 as the Swift Gamma-ray Observatory, is set to receive a boost to extend its mission. The spacecraft, which was renamed in 2018 in honor of Neil Gehrels, is a multiwavelength observatory designed to study gamma-ray bursts. It has been a key player in time-domain astronomy and multimessenger astronomy, contributing to the study of cosmic phenomena such as black holes and comets. In January 2025, NASA identified that Swift would re-enter Earth's atmosphere by summer 2026. To prevent this and extend its operational life, NASA plans to boost the observatory, demonstrating a key capability for future space exploration.

International Space Station Crew Advances Health Research with Cartilage Printing and Plant Harvesting

International Space Station Crew Advances Health Research with Cartilage Printing and Plant Harvesting

The crew aboard the International Space Station (ISS) has initiated a series of experiments aimed at advancing health and promoting self-sustainable space missions. The Expedition 74 team, including members from NASA, ESA, and Roscosmos, is engaged in bioprinting human cartilage tissue and harvesting alfalfa plants. These activities are part of ongoing research to understand the effects of space on biology and physics. The bioprinting experiment involves creating viable cartilage tissues in microgravity, which could lead to on-demand implants using a patient's own cells. Concurrently, the team is conducting plant growth experiments to develop methods for sustainable food production in space. Additionally, the crew is retrieving materials exposed to the space environment to test their durability, which is crucial for developing robust technologies for space and Earth applications.

NASA's Artemis III Mission to Test Lunar Landers in Earth Orbit with New Crew

NASA's Artemis III Mission to Test Lunar Landers in Earth Orbit with New Crew

NASA has announced the crew for the Artemis III mission, which will conduct comprehensive testing of lunar landers in Earth orbit. The mission, scheduled for 2027, will involve astronauts Randy Bresnik, Frank Rubio, Andre Douglas, and European Space Agency astronaut Luca Parmitano. Originally intended to be the first crewed mission to land on the Moon since 1972, the mission's focus has shifted to testing the docking and systems of lunar landers from SpaceX and Blue Origin. This change in mission plan was announced by NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman in February 2026. The crew will perform tests on propulsion, life support, and communication systems, and may also evaluate new spacesuits designed for lunar surface use. This approach mirrors NASA's Apollo 9 mission, which tested the lunar module in orbit before the Apollo 11 Moon landing.

International Space Station Crew Advances Bioprinting and Plant Growth Research

International Space Station Crew Advances Bioprinting and Plant Growth Research

The crew aboard the International Space Station (ISS) has commenced a week of scientific activities focused on bioprinting human cartilage and harvesting plants. NASA flight engineer Jessica Meir and her colleagues are utilizing the Kibo laboratory module's Life Science Glovebox to produce viable cartilage tissues, which could lead to on-demand implants for various health conditions. Concurrently, astronauts are harvesting alfalfa plants in the Columbus laboratory module to study plant growth in space, which is crucial for future long-duration missions. The crew is also conducting ultrasound vein scans to understand the effects of microgravity on human physiology.

Factbox-NASA's Artemis III crew: a test pilot, an Italian, a record-holder and a first-timer

Factbox-NASA's Artemis III crew: a test pilot, an Italian, a record-holder and a first-timer

June 9 (Reuters) - NASA on Tuesday named three U.S. astronauts and an Italian astronaut as the crew for its next Artemis mission, a docking demonstration involving three spacecraft in Earth's orbit and planned for next year.

NASA to Announce Artemis III Crew Amidst Senate Defense Discussions

NASA to Announce Artemis III Crew Amidst Senate Defense Discussions

This week, the ILA Berlin air show is set to attract approximately 100,000 visitors, featuring over 750 exhibitors and more than 100 aircraft displays. Concurrently, NASA's Johnson Space Center is preparing to announce the four-person crew for the upcoming Artemis III mission. This mission will focus on testing rendezvous and docking capabilities between the Orion spacecraft and commercial lunar landing systems in Earth's orbit. In Washington, the Senate Armed Services Committee is scheduled to mark up its version of the 2027 defense authorization, while Senate appropriators will conduct a U.S. Air Force/Space Force posture hearing. Additionally, Japan plans to launch six satellites aboard an H3 rocket from Tanegashima Space Center, and SpaceX is set to conduct a Starlink launch from Vandenberg Space Force Base.

NASA Decommissions MAVEN After Failed Contact Attempts

NASA Decommissions MAVEN After Failed Contact Attempts

NASA has officially decommissioned the Mars Atmosphere and Volatile EvolutioN (MAVEN) spacecraft after six months of unsuccessful attempts to reestablish contact. MAVEN, which had been studying Mars' atmosphere since 2014, went silent in December 2025. An anomaly review board determined that the spacecraft could not be recovered due to a spin that likely prevented its solar panels from charging. MAVEN's mission provided significant insights into Mars' atmospheric loss and contributed to over 800 scientific publications. Despite its decommissioning, MAVEN's data will continue to support future research.

NASA Names Artemis III Crew for 2027 Moon Mission Docking Test

NASA Names Artemis III Crew for 2027 Moon Mission Docking Test

NASA has announced the crew for the Artemis III mission, scheduled for 2027, which will include a docking demonstration in Earth's orbit. The crew consists of U.S. astronauts Andre Douglas, Frank Rubio, Randy Bresnik, and Italian astronaut Luca Parmitano. This mission will test moon landers from SpaceX and Blue Origin, marking a significant step in NASA's Artemis program aimed at returning humans to the Moon. The mission will involve complex docking procedures, setting the stage for future lunar landings.

NASA Announces Artemis 3 Crew for Upcoming Space Mission

NASA Announces Artemis 3 Crew for Upcoming Space Mission

NASA has revealed the astronaut crew for the Artemis 3 mission, set to launch in 2027. The crew includes NASA astronauts Randy Bresnik, Frank Rubio, and Andre Douglas, along with Luca Parmitano from the European Space Agency. The mission will not involve landing on the moon but will focus on testing docking procedures with lunar landers from SpaceX and Blue Origin while orbiting Earth. This mission is a critical step in NASA's plan to eventually return humans to the moon's surface, aiming for a lunar landing by 2028. The announcement follows the successful Artemis 2 mission, which set a new distance record for crewed spaceflights.

NASA's Artemis II Mission Achieves Historic Communication Milestone with ISS

NASA's Artemis II Mission Achieves Historic Communication Milestone with ISS

NASA's Artemis II mission has marked a significant milestone by completing the first-ever 'ship to ship' call between a human moon mission and the International Space Station (ISS). The crew aboard the Orion spacecraft, traveling near the Moon, communicated directly with astronauts on the ISS. This historic call involved Christina Koch on Artemis II speaking with Jessica Meir on the space station, both of whom had previously participated in the first all-female spacewalk in 2019. The mission, which set a new record for the farthest distance humans have traveled from Earth since Apollo 17, reached approximately 252,752 miles from Earth during a flyby of the Moon's far side. This surpassed the Apollo 13 record of 248,655 miles set in 1970. The Artemis II mission is a crucial step in NASA's plan for future lunar exploration, with the crew expected to return to Earth after a 10-day mission, splashing down near San Diego.