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Anson Mount Discusses New 'Star Trek' Season's Challenges and Success

Anson Mount Discusses New 'Star Trek' Season's Challenges and Success

Anson Mount Discusses New 'Star Trek' Season's Challenges and Success
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NASA's Psyche Mission Utilizes Mars Gravity Assist for Speed Boost

NASA's Psyche Mission Utilizes Mars Gravity Assist for Speed Boost

NASA's Psyche spacecraft recently completed a gravity assist maneuver using Mars, which occurred from May 2 to May 15, 2026. This maneuver involved the spacecraft flying by Mars to gain additional speed and adjust its trajectory slightly. The approach allowed the spacecraft to capture images of Mars as a crescent, due to the high phase angle of approach, with sunlight reflecting off the planet's surface. This gravity assist is a critical step in the mission's journey to the metal-rich asteroid Psyche, which the spacecraft is expected to reach in 2029. The flyby also served as a preparatory exercise for the scientific observations that will be conducted upon arrival at the asteroid.
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NASA Seeks Participants for Simulated Moon and Mars Mission to Aid Future Space Exploration

NASA Seeks Participants for Simulated Moon and Mars Mission to Aid Future Space Exploration

NASA is currently recruiting participants for the Moon and Mars Exploration Analog (MMEA), a simulated mission designed to prepare for future space exploration. This program will involve four primary participants and two alternates who will undergo a rigorous selection process similar to that of actual astronauts. The mission will simulate a journey to Mars, including living and working in a confined spacecraft environment for an extended period, without actually leaving Earth. The simulation combines elements from two previous NASA programs: the Human Exploration Research Analog (HERA) and the Crew Health and Performance Exploration Analog (CHAPEA). HERA focused on testing crew dynamics in a small spacecraft, while CHAPEA involved living in a model Martian habitat. The MMEA will integrate these experiences to simulate a complete mission to Mars, including the return journey.
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NASA Prepares for Crew Departure and Science Operations on ISS

NASA Prepares for Crew Departure and Science Operations on ISS

Three Expedition 74 crew members aboard the International Space Station (ISS) are preparing to return to Earth after an eight-month mission. NASA astronaut Chris Williams and Roscosmos cosmonauts Sergey Kud-Sverchkov and Sergei Mikaev will depart in the Soyuz MS-28 spacecraft, landing in Kazakhstan. Meanwhile, the remaining crew members are conducting scientific research and maintaining the station's systems. This includes setting up research incubators, processing biological samples, and testing spacesuits for future missions.
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NASA Develops Advanced Thermal Management for Lunar Operations

NASA Develops Advanced Thermal Management for Lunar Operations

NASA is advancing its lunar exploration capabilities with the development of a new thermal management system called the Variable Thermal Conductivity Metamaterial (VTCM). This system is designed to support small, mobile lunar infrastructure by passively regulating temperature without the need for external power sources. The VTCM uses a unique internal geometry and material selection to adjust thermal conductivity based on temperature changes, allowing devices to withstand the extreme lunar environment. This innovation aims to enhance the survivability and efficiency of autonomous surveyors on the moon, minimizing the need for additional size, weight, power, and cost.
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NASA Conducts Biomedical Research and Crew Swap on International Space Station

NASA Conducts Biomedical Research and Crew Swap on International Space Station

NASA's International Space Station (ISS) is currently hosting a series of biomedical research activities and crew swap operations. The Expedition 74 crew is engaged in various health studies, including blood pressure measurements, vein scans, and eye checks, to understand how the human body adapts to long-term spaceflight. These studies aim to provide insights that could lead to advanced treatments for both space-related and Earthbound health conditions. The Canadian Space Agency is testing its Bio-Monitor vest and headband for continuous health monitoring. Additionally, NASA flight engineer Anil Menon is acclimating to life aboard the ISS, while other crew members prepare for their return to Earth.
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NASA's Psyche Spacecraft Sends Back Stunning Mars Photos During Flyby

NASA's Psyche Spacecraft Sends Back Stunning Mars Photos During Flyby

NASA's Psyche spacecraft, on its mission to the asteroid belt, recently conducted a flyby of Mars, capturing a series of stunning images. The flyby, which occurred on May 15, was part of a gravity assist maneuver to alter the spacecraft's trajectory. During this time, the spacecraft's instruments collected data on Mars' atmosphere and surface, despite not being specifically designed for planetary study. The images, including a time-lapse of the flyby, reveal Mars' atmosphere glowing and provide a unique view of the planet. The mission's imaging team at Arizona State University highlighted the success of the instruments in capturing these rare views.
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International Space Station Crew Prepares for Departure and Continues Scientific Research

International Space Station Crew Prepares for Departure and Continues Scientific Research

As the Expedition 74 mission nears its conclusion, crew members aboard the International Space Station are preparing for their return to Earth. NASA astronaut Chris Williams and Roscosmos cosmonauts Sergey Kud-Sverchkov and Sergei Mikaev are set to depart on July 26, 2026, after an eight-month mission. They are currently packing cargo and assisting their replacements with station operations. Meanwhile, the new crew, including NASA's Anil Menon and Roscosmos' Pyotr Dubrov and Anna Kikina, are conducting scientific research and familiarizing themselves with the station's systems. Activities include setting up research incubators, processing biological samples, and maintaining station equipment.
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Star Trek: Strange New Worlds Season 4 Premieres with 'Valles Marineris'

Star Trek: Strange New Worlds Season 4 Premieres with 'Valles Marineris'

Star Trek: Strange New Worlds Season 4 Premieres with 'Valles Marineris'
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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.
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NASA Develops Quantum Wind Lidar for Enhanced Planetary and Earth Science Missions

NASA Develops Quantum Wind Lidar for Enhanced Planetary and Earth Science Missions

NASA is advancing a new concept for wind measurement using Quantum Wind Lidar technology, which employs compact photonic integrated chips (PICs) for space-based missions. This innovative approach utilizes phase-squeezed light sources and quantum interference phenomena to create a miniaturized, high-performance lidar receiver. The technology aims to provide precise high-altitude wind profiling of the Martian atmosphere, surpassing current ground-based methods. The project aligns with NASA's objectives in the Planetary Science and Astrobiology Decadal Survey and the Earth Science Decadal Survey, with applications extending to Mars atmospheric modeling, dust storm prediction, and climate monitoring on Earth.
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NASA's Psyche Spacecraft Captures Stunning Mars Flyby Video

NASA's Psyche Spacecraft Captures Stunning Mars Flyby Video

NASA has released a captivating video showcasing the Psyche spacecraft's flyby of Mars, which occurred in May 2026. The spacecraft, en route to the asteroid Psyche, captured detailed images of the Martian surface, including craters and the south polar ice cap. The flyby served as a gravity assist maneuver to conserve fuel and adjust the spacecraft's trajectory. It also provided an opportunity to test Psyche's scientific instruments, which performed well and delivered valuable data about Mars. The mission is part of a broader effort to study the asteroid Psyche, believed to be a metallic core of a planetesimal.