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The Exploration Company Conducts Successful Nyx Drop Test in Mojave Desert

The Exploration Company Conducts Successful Nyx Drop Test in Mojave Desert

The Exploration Company Conducts Successful Nyx Drop Test in Mojave Desert
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NASA Declares MAVEN Spacecraft Unrecoverable, Ending Mars Mission

NASA Declares MAVEN Spacecraft Unrecoverable, Ending Mars Mission

NASA has officially declared the MAVEN spacecraft, a key asset in Mars exploration, as unrecoverable after losing contact with it six months ago. The spacecraft, which was launched in November 2013, was designed to study the Martian atmosphere and its evolution. It exceeded its expected one-year mission, operating for over 11 years. The last communication from MAVEN was received on December 6, 2025, before it went behind Mars and failed to reestablish contact. The spacecraft entered a high-speed spin, which drained its batteries and led to a loss of power in its communication system. Despite efforts to regain contact, including attempts to reboot its onboard computer, the spacecraft remains silent. An investigation into the cause of the malfunction is ongoing, with a final report expected later this year.
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Paralympian John McFall to Become First Astronaut with a Disability, Pioneering Inclusive Space Exploration

Paralympian John McFall to Become First Astronaut with a Disability, Pioneering Inclusive Space Exploration

British orthopedic surgeon and Paralympic champion John McFall is set to become the first person with a physical disability to live and work in Earth orbit. This historic mission is facilitated by a collaboration between the UK government and the American aerospace company Vast. McFall, who is part of the European Space Agency's astronaut pool, will conduct research on the effects of space environments on his body and prosthetic limbs. The mission, planned for 2027, will take place aboard the Haven-1 space station, launched by a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. McFall's journey is not only a personal achievement but also a significant step towards inclusive space exploration, challenging stereotypes about the capabilities of individuals with disabilities.
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NASA Launches Space Roboticist Challenge to Advance Robotic Arm Experiments

NASA Launches Space Roboticist Challenge to Advance Robotic Arm Experiments

NASA has announced the Space Roboticist Challenge, which aims to provide U.S. researchers with access to a robotic arm in low Earth orbit. The Fly Foundational Robots (FFR) mission will deploy a robotic arm with seven degrees of freedom, and NASA is inviting principal investigators, post-doctoral researchers, professors, and highly qualified graduate students to propose experiments utilizing this technology. Participants must complete an eligibility registration by September 23, 2026, and submit a white paper by October 2, 2026, outlining their proposed experiments. Up to 15 teams will advance to the next phase, which includes simulation and validation testing at the Goddard Space Flight Center. Successful teams will be awarded on-orbit experiment time on the FFR mission.
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NASA Concludes MAVEN Mission After 11 Years of Martian Exploration

NASA Concludes MAVEN Mission After 11 Years of Martian Exploration

NASA has officially ended the Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution (MAVEN) mission after more than 11 years of operation. The spacecraft, which was the first dedicated to studying the Martian atmosphere, lost contact with NASA's Deep Space Network on December 6, 2025, after passing behind Mars. An anomaly review board determined that the spacecraft is unrecoverable due to a high rotation rate that drained its batteries, leading to a loss of communication. MAVEN's mission, which began in November 2013, provided significant insights into the Martian atmosphere, including the effects of solar storms and atmospheric loss. The mission also played a crucial role in relaying data from Mars rovers to Earth.
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NASA Declares MAVEN Mars Orbiter Mission Over After Communication Loss

NASA Declares MAVEN Mars Orbiter Mission Over After Communication Loss

NASA has officially declared the Mars Atmosphere and Volatile EvolutioN (MAVEN) satellite mission over after months of unsuccessful attempts to reestablish contact. MAVEN, which launched in November 2013, was instrumental in studying Mars' atmosphere and its evolution. The last communication from MAVEN was received on December 6, 2025, before it went behind Mars and subsequently lost power due to an uncontrollable spin. Despite efforts to regain contact, the satellite remains unresponsive. MAVEN's mission, originally planned for one year, was extended for over a decade, contributing significantly to Mars research. The loss leaves NASA with two operational probes in Mars orbit: Mars Odyssey and Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter.
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SpaceX Starship Test Launch Captures Stunning Shockwaves in Slow Motion

SpaceX Starship Test Launch Captures Stunning Shockwaves in Slow Motion

SpaceX Starship Test Launch Captures Stunning Shockwaves in Slow Motion
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NASA's Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope Ready for Launch After Final Inspection

NASA's Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope Ready for Launch After Final Inspection

NASA's Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope has passed its final inspection and is ready for launch. The telescope, set to launch from Kennedy Space Center in Florida, underwent a thorough examination of its primary mirror, ensuring all components are in optimal condition. The Roman telescope, equipped with a 7.9-foot-wide primary mirror, is designed to collect and focus light from cosmic objects, promising to reveal new insights into the universe. The final inspection confirmed the telescope's readiness for its scheduled launch in late August.
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NASA's Dragonfly Mission Prepares for Titan with Successful Heat Shield Testing

NASA's Dragonfly Mission Prepares for Titan with Successful Heat Shield Testing

NASA's Dragonfly mission, aimed at exploring Saturn's largest moon, Titan, has successfully completed thermal-structural testing of its heat shield in the New Mexico desert. The testing was conducted by a team from NASA's Ames Research Center, the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory, and Lockheed Martin, in collaboration with Sandia National Laboratories. The heat shield, made from carbon fiber and a lightweight resin, was subjected to temperatures of around 4,500 degrees Fahrenheit to simulate the conditions expected during Dragonfly's entry into Titan's dense atmosphere. The tests confirmed the material's ability to withstand both mechanical and thermal stress, even when intentionally marred with defects. This testing is crucial for ensuring the rotorcraft's safe delivery to Titan, where it will conduct scientific research across multiple locations.
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NASA's Roman Space Telescope Completes Final Inspection, Prepares for Florida Launch

NASA's Roman Space Telescope Completes Final Inspection, Prepares for Florida Launch

NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center has completed the final inspection of the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope's primary mirror, a critical optical component responsible for gathering and concentrating light from cosmic objects. The inspection involved a high-resolution camera with a zoom lens to ensure no particles had settled on the mirrors and that the optical path and alignment remained intact. The telescope's primary mirror, coated with silver for strong reflectivity in near-infrared wavelengths, passed the inspection, keeping the mission on track for a potential launch in September. The Roman Space Telescope is managed at Goddard with contributions from various institutions, including NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory and Caltech/IPAC.
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SpaceX Receives Approval to Test Starfall Capsules for Space Manufacturing

SpaceX Receives Approval to Test Starfall Capsules for Space Manufacturing

SpaceX Receives Approval to Test Starfall Capsules for Space Manufacturing
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NASA Astronauts Monitor SpaceX Dragon Docking at International Space Station

NASA Astronauts Monitor SpaceX Dragon Docking at International Space Station

On May 17, 2026, astronauts Sophie Adenot of the European Space Agency (ESA) and Jack Hathaway of NASA, both serving as Expedition 74 flight engineers, observed the automated approach and docking of the SpaceX Dragon cargo spacecraft to the International Space Station (ISS). The event took place while the ISS was orbiting 259 miles above the Indian Ocean, west of the Maldives. This docking is part of ongoing efforts to supply the ISS with necessary equipment and materials for scientific research and station maintenance.