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NASA Astronaut Jessica Meir Joins SpaceX Crew-12 Mission to ISS

NASA Astronaut Jessica Meir Joins SpaceX Crew-12 Mission to ISS

NASA astronaut Jessica Meir has been selected as part of the SpaceX Crew-12 mission to the International Space Station (ISS), which launched in February 2026. Meir, who was chosen by NASA in 2013, is known for her scientific work on the physiology of animals in extreme environments. She previously served as a flight engineer on the ISS for Expeditions 61 and 62, where she participated in the first all-female spacewalks. The Crew-12 mission also includes NASA astronaut Jack Hathaway, ESA astronaut Sophie Adenot, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Andrey Fedyaev. This mission continues NASA's collaboration with international partners and private companies to advance space exploration.
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European Space Agency Advances ExoMars 2028 Mission with Structural Model Testing

European Space Agency Advances ExoMars 2028 Mission with Structural Model Testing

The European Space Agency (ESA) has reached a significant milestone in the ExoMars 2028 mission, as the structural models of the mission's core elements have been integrated in Turin and transferred to Cannes for testing. This mission, a collaboration involving international partners including NASA, aims to search for signs of life beneath the Martian surface and to better understand the planet's environment. The structural models are crucial for validating the mechanical design before the completion of the flight hardware. They will undergo extensive testing to simulate the extreme conditions of the mission, from launch to landing on Mars. The mission is scheduled for launch in 2028, with an expected arrival on Mars in 2030.
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NASA Prepares for Busy Week with SpaceX Dragon Arrival and Spacewalk Preparations

NASA Prepares for Busy Week with SpaceX Dragon Arrival and Spacewalk Preparations

NASA is gearing up for a busy week aboard the International Space Station (ISS) with the upcoming arrival of the SpaceX CRS-34 cargo mission. Scheduled to launch from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, the uncrewed Dragon spacecraft will deliver approximately 6,500 pounds of science experiments, crew supplies, and lab hardware to the ISS. The Expedition 74 crew, including NASA's Jack Hathaway and ESA's Sophie Adenot, will oversee the Dragon's automated docking. The crew will also engage in various scientific and maintenance activities, including preparing for a Roscosmos spacewalk later this month.
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ExoMars 2028 Mission Advances with Structural Models Ready for Testing

ExoMars 2028 Mission Advances with Structural Models Ready for Testing

The ExoMars 2028 mission, a collaborative effort led by the European Space Agency (ESA) with contributions from NASA, has reached a significant milestone. The structural models of the mission's core elements have been integrated in Turin and transferred to Cannes for the first phase of testing and verification. This mission aims to search for signs of life beneath the Martian surface and to better understand the planet's environment. The structural models are crucial for validating the mechanical design before the completion of the flight hardware. They will undergo extensive testing, including vibration, acoustic, shock, and separation tests, to ensure the spacecraft can withstand the extreme conditions of the mission.
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NASA Investigates Bacterial Behavior in Space to Enhance Future Missions

NASA Investigates Bacterial Behavior in Space to Enhance Future Missions

NASA's ODYSSEY project is examining how bacteria behave in microgravity environments, with experiments conducted both aboard the International Space Station and in Earth-based microgravity simulators. The research focuses on two bacterial species to understand their growth, biofilm formation, and genetic material exchange in space. This study aims to improve the success of future space missions and develop strategies to control infections in hospitals on Earth. The project is led by Camilla Urbaniak from NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory.
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Weather Delays SpaceX Cargo Dragon Launch to ISS

Weather Delays SpaceX Cargo Dragon Launch to ISS

Unfavorable weather conditions have postponed SpaceX's 34th NASA-contracted resupply mission to the International Space Station (ISS). Originally scheduled for May 12, 2026, the launch has been rescheduled to May 13, 2026. The mission, known as CRS-34, involves a Falcon 9 rocket departing from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. The delay is attributed to adverse weather patterns that could compromise the safety and success of the launch. SpaceX and NASA are closely monitoring the situation to ensure optimal conditions for the resupply mission, which is critical for delivering scientific equipment and supplies to the ISS.
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NASA Advances Space Exploration with New High-Performance Spaceflight Processor

NASA Advances Space Exploration with New High-Performance Spaceflight Processor

NASA is testing a new High Performance Spaceflight Computing processor designed to significantly enhance the computational capabilities of spacecraft. This next-generation processor, developed in collaboration with Microchip Technology Inc., is intended to withstand the harsh conditions of space while providing up to 100 times the computational power of current technology. The processor is being tested at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern California, where it undergoes rigorous evaluations including radiation, thermal, and shock tests. The project is managed by NASA's Space Technology Mission Directorate's Game Changing Development program, aiming to support autonomous spacecraft and accelerate scientific discoveries.
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NASA's ODYSSEY Project Studies Bacteria in Space and Simulated Microgravity

NASA's ODYSSEY Project Studies Bacteria in Space and Simulated Microgravity

NASA's ODYSSEY project, led by Camilla Urbaniak at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, is investigating how bacteria behave in microgravity. The study focuses on two bacterial species to understand their growth, biofilm formation, and genetic material exchange in space. Experiments are conducted both on the International Space Station and in Earth-based microgravity simulators to compare results. This research aims to enhance the success of future space missions and develop strategies to control infections in hospitals on Earth.
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NASA's Next-Gen Space Processor Undergoes Testing to Enhance Space Missions

NASA's Next-Gen Space Processor Undergoes Testing to Enhance Space Missions

NASA, in collaboration with Microchip Technology Inc., is testing a new High Performance Spaceflight Computing processor designed to significantly boost the computational power of spacecraft. This next-generation processor, developed through a partnership with NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), aims to withstand the harsh conditions of space while providing up to 100 times the computational capacity of current spaceflight computers. The processor is being subjected to rigorous tests, including radiation, thermal, and shock evaluations, to ensure its durability in space environments. The technology is expected to enable autonomous spacecraft to use artificial intelligence for real-time responses to complex situations, thereby accelerating scientific discoveries and supporting future human missions to the Moon and Mars.
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NASA and U.S. Space Force Launch STORIE to Study Geomagnetic Storms

NASA and U.S. Space Force Launch STORIE to Study Geomagnetic Storms

NASA and the U.S. Space Force are deploying the STORIE instrument to the International Space Station to investigate the origins of geomagnetic storms. The instrument will help determine whether these storms are powered by solar particles or Earth's atmosphere. Understanding the source of these storms is crucial for managing their impact on satellites, power grids, and other infrastructure. STORIE will analyze the composition of the ring current, a key factor in storm intensity, to provide insights into the storm's origins.
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SpaceX Successfully Tests 33-Engine Starship Booster, Paving Way for Historic Launch

SpaceX Successfully Tests 33-Engine Starship Booster, Paving Way for Historic Launch

SpaceX has achieved a significant milestone in its space exploration efforts by successfully conducting a full static-fire test of its Super Heavy V3 booster. This test involved firing all 33 Raptor engines at full thrust and duration, marking a crucial step towards the company's goal of launching the most powerful rocket in history. The test took place at SpaceX's Starbase facility in Texas and is part of the preparations for a potential May 15 launch. The Starship system, which includes the Super Heavy booster and the Starship upper stage, is designed for long-duration space travel and is central to NASA's Artemis program. This program aims to return astronauts to the Moon and eventually send them to Mars. The successful test indicates that SpaceX is moving closer to refining the Starship system for future interplanetary travel.
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Cedars-Sinai Researchers Discover Microgravity Enhances Growth of Human Mini-Hearts

Cedars-Sinai Researchers Discover Microgravity Enhances Growth of Human Mini-Hearts

Researchers at Cedars-Sinai in the United States have discovered that microgravity conditions aboard the International Space Station (ISS) facilitate the growth of human cardiac organoids, small three-dimensional structures that mimic early heart tissue. These organoids were produced more efficiently in space than in Earth-based laboratories. The study, led by Arun Sharma, was presented at the International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation's annual meeting. The research highlights a contrast between the effects of microgravity on adult human hearts, which can lose muscle conditioning, and on developing cardiac cells, which seem to thrive in such conditions. This discovery could have implications for regenerative medicine, although the mini-hearts are not yet ready for clinical use.