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NASA's Expedition 74 Crew Prepares for Return to Earth

NASA's Expedition 74 Crew Prepares for Return to Earth

Three members of NASA's Expedition 74 are preparing to return to Earth after completing their mission aboard the International Space Station (ISS). NASA astronaut Chris Williams, along with Roscosmos cosmonauts Sergey Kud-Sverchkov and Sergei Mikaev, are set to undock from the Rassvet module in the Soyuz MS-28 spacecraft. Their mission, which began with a launch from Kazakhstan on November 27, 2025, is nearing its end as they prepare for a parachute-assisted landing in Kazakhstan. The crew has been involved in various research activities, including testing a lower body negative pressure suit designed to help astronauts adapt to Earth's gravity after extended periods in microgravity. Meanwhile, the new crew members, including NASA flight engineer Anil Menon, are transitioning to full-time research and lab maintenance aboard the ISS.

NASA Prepares for SpaceX Crew-13 Mission with Upcoming Briefings

NASA Prepares for SpaceX Crew-13 Mission with Upcoming Briefings

NASA is gearing up for the SpaceX Crew-13 mission to the International Space Station, with a series of briefings scheduled for August 3 at the Johnson Space Center in Houston. The mission will involve NASA astronauts Jessica Watkins and Luke Delaney, Canadian Space Agency astronaut Joshua Kutryk, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Sergey Teteryatnikov. The crew will launch aboard a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft on a Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral, Florida, no earlier than mid-September. The briefings will provide an overview of the mission and insights into the crew's training and preparations. This mission marks the second spaceflight for Watkins and the first for Delaney, Kutryk, and Teteryatnikov.

NASA Prepares for SpaceX Crew-13 Mission to International Space Station

NASA Prepares for SpaceX Crew-13 Mission to International Space Station

NASA is gearing up for the SpaceX Crew-13 mission, which will transport a team of astronauts to the International Space Station (ISS). The crew includes NASA astronauts Jessica Watkins and Luke Delaney, Canadian Space Agency astronaut Joshua Kutryk, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Sergey Teteryatnikov. They are scheduled to launch aboard a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft on a Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida, with the launch planned for no earlier than mid-September. NASA has organized a series of briefings to provide an overview of the mission and discuss the crew's training and preparations. These briefings will be held on August 3 at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston and will be streamed live online.

NASA and Canadian Space Agency Announce Media Events for SpaceX Crew-13 Mission

NASA and Canadian Space Agency Announce Media Events for SpaceX Crew-13 Mission

NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston will host media events on August 3, 2026, related to the upcoming SpaceX Crew-13 mission. The events will include a technical briefing by a panel of experts, featuring Mathieu Caron, Director of the Astronauts' Office at the Canadian Space Agency (CSA). The briefing will provide an overview of the mission, which is scheduled to launch from Florida no earlier than mid-September 2026. The mission will include CSA astronaut Joshua Kutryk, NASA astronauts Jessica Watkins and Luke Delaney, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Sergey Teteryatnikov, who will travel to the International Space Station for a long-duration mission. Media representatives are invited to attend the press conferences in person or virtually, with Canadian media required to RSVP by July 21, 2026.

SpaceX Reschedules Starship Flight 13 Test Launch for July 23 After Previous Abort

SpaceX Reschedules Starship Flight 13 Test Launch for July 23 After Previous Abort

SpaceX has announced a new target date for the launch of its Starship megarocket, now set for July 23. This follows an aborted attempt on July 16 due to a post-ignition anomaly. The launch will occur from SpaceX's Starbase site in South Texas, with a 90-minute window starting at 6:45 p.m. EDT. This mission, known as Flight 13, marks the second launch of Starship Version 3, which is designed to carry 20 upgraded Starlink V3 satellites. These satellites are part of SpaceX's plan to build a constellation of 100,000 Starlink V3 spacecraft in low Earth orbit. The mission is crucial for NASA's Artemis program, which aims to establish a permanent lunar base.

NASA's Spirit Rover Uncovers Ancient Martian Silica Deposits

NASA's Spirit Rover Uncovers Ancient Martian Silica Deposits

NASA's Spirit rover, which landed on Mars in January 2004, experienced a failure in its right-front wheel in March 2006. Despite this setback, engineers continued to operate the rover by driving it backwards, using the immobile wheel as an unplanned excavation tool. This method led to the accidental discovery of bright silica deposits in the Gusev Crater, suggesting the presence of ancient hydrothermal environments such as hot springs or steam vents. The discovery was made in March 2007 when the wheel exposed unusually bright soil near the volcanic plateau called Home Plate. Subsequent analysis revealed that the soil contained about 90% silica, indicating a significant geological finding that points to past water activity on Mars.

NASA Seeks Proposals to Address Venous Blood Clots in Space

NASA Seeks Proposals to Address Venous Blood Clots in Space

NASA's Translational Research Institute for Space Health (TRISH) is inviting proposals to study venous thromboembolism (VTE) in space. VTE, a condition involving blood clots in veins, poses significant health risks during spaceflight. The mechanisms of VTE in microgravity are not well understood, and current preventive measures are limited. TRISH aims to advance understanding of VTE pathophysiology in space and develop ground-based analogs to replicate these conditions. The initiative seeks innovative research to close knowledge gaps and support future space exploration missions. Proposals are open to U.S. institutions and companies, with a deadline of August 18, 2026.

International Space Station Astronauts Observe Thin Atmosphere from Orbit

International Space Station Astronauts Observe Thin Atmosphere from Orbit

Astronauts aboard the International Space Station (ISS) experience 16 sunrises and sunsets daily, providing a unique perspective on Earth's atmosphere. From orbit, the atmosphere appears as a thin blue line, highlighting its fragility. This visual is due to the scattering of blue light by atmospheric molecules, with the troposphere being the most visible layer. The troposphere, containing most of the atmosphere's mass and weather, appears as a narrow band compared to its vastness from the surface. The ISS orbits Earth approximately every 90 minutes, allowing astronauts to witness these rapid transitions between day and night.

NASA Seeks Proposals to Study Venous Blood Clots in Space for Future Missions

NASA Seeks Proposals to Study Venous Blood Clots in Space for Future Missions

NASA, through its Translational Research Institute for Space Health (TRISH), is inviting proposals to study venous thromboembolism (VTE) in space. VTE, which involves the formation of blood clots in veins, poses a significant health risk during spaceflight. The mechanisms behind VTE in microgravity are not well understood, and current preventive measures are limited. The research aims to explore the pathophysiology of VTE in space and develop ground-based analogs to simulate these conditions. This initiative is part of NASA's efforts to address health challenges associated with human space exploration. Proposals are open to U.S. institutions and companies, with a funding cap of $500,000 per project. The deadline for submissions is August 18, 2026.

NASA Captures Seattle's Glacial Legacy and Urban Transformation from Space

NASA Captures Seattle's Glacial Legacy and Urban Transformation from Space

An astronaut aboard the International Space Station captured a striking image of Seattle, Washington, on June 16, 2026. Known as the 'Emerald City,' Seattle's lush parks and tree-filled neighborhoods are highlighted in the photograph, which also shows the city's tall buildings and surrounding waterways. The city's landscape, shaped by glaciers during the last ice age, features drumlins and glacial erratics, remnants of the Puget lobe of the Cordilleran ice sheet. In recent history, human interventions have further altered the topography, including the leveling of Denny Hill and the creation of new land through tideflat filling. The image also showcases recent infrastructure developments, such as a new ferry dock and terminal, a rebuilt seawall, and a tunnel replacing an above-ground highway. These changes have enhanced public access to the waterfront, reflecting Seattle's ongoing urban evolution.

NASA Engineers Uncover Ancient Martian Silica Using Spirit Rover's Failed Wheel

NASA Engineers Uncover Ancient Martian Silica Using Spirit Rover's Failed Wheel

NASA's Spirit rover, which landed on Mars in January 2004, experienced a failure in its right-front wheel in March 2006. Engineers adapted by driving the rover backwards, using the immobile wheel as an excavation tool. This led to the accidental discovery of bright silica deposits near the volcanic plateau called Home Plate in Gusev Crater. The silica, identified as opaline, suggests ancient hydrothermal activity, possibly from hot springs or steam vents. The discovery required extensive follow-up analysis using various instruments, confirming the presence of silica concentrations up to 90% in some areas.

NASA's Roman Telescope to Explore Distant Black Holes and Dark Matter

NASA's Roman Telescope to Explore Distant Black Holes and Dark Matter

NASA is preparing for the launch of the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope, scheduled for no earlier than August 30, 2026. The telescope will be launched aboard a SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket from Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Named after NASA's first chief astronomer, the Roman Telescope is designed to provide a deep, panoramic view of the cosmos, focusing on dark matter, dark energy, and exoplanets. This mission aims to revolutionize our understanding of the universe by capturing unprecedented images and data. Additionally, NASA's SpaceX Crew-13 mission is set to launch in mid-September, carrying astronauts to the International Space Station for scientific research.