Space Exploration

NASA's Stennis Space Center and Sidus Space Collaborate on Autonomous Systems Software Mission Main Ideas: NASA's Stennis Space Center and Sidus Space, Inc. have achieved a significant milestone by launching the Center's first-ever in-flight autonomous systems software mission. The mission involved deploying the ASTRA (Autonomous Satellite Technology for Resilient Applications) software on the Sidus Space LizzieSatTM small satellite. ASTRA's software enables autonomous decision-making capabilities for satellites and helps them to operate more efficiently and resiliently in space. The successful collaboration brings NASA a step closer to deploying the ASTRA software in space. Author's take: This collaboration between NASA's Stennis Space Center and Sidus Space, Inc. marks an important mil...

NASA and ESA Logos Painted on Orion Spacecraft's Crew Module Adapter Summary: The iconic "worm" logo of NASA and the insignia of ESA (European Space Agency) have been painted on the crew module adapter of the Orion spacecraft. The adapter houses electronic equipment for communications, power, and control, as well as an umbilical connector that bridges the electrical, data, and fluid systems between the main modules. The logos were painted in February 2024, and this move highlights the collaboration between NASA and ESA. Click here for the original article.

NASA's SLS Rocket Progresses in Artemis Moon Mission Main Ideas: The liquid oxygen tank of NASA's Space Launch System (SLS) rocket has been fully welded. This is a significant step forward in NASA's Artemis campaign to return astronauts to the Moon. The SLS rocket will be responsible for launching astronauts on their journey to the Moon. All the major structures needed for the SLS rocket are now in place, paving the way for the completion of its construction. Author's Take: The fully welded liquid oxygen tank for NASA's SLS rocket marks an important milestone in the agency's Artemis mission to land humans on the Moon. With all the major structures in place, the SLS rocket is inching closer to completion. This progress brings NASA one step closer to achieving its goal of r...

Uruguay firma Acuerdos de Artemis con la NASA Principales puntos: Uruguay se convierte en el trigésimo sexto país en firmar los Acuerdos de Artemis en una ceremonia celebrada en la sede de la NASA en Washington el jueves 15 de febrero. El administrador de la NASA, Bill Nelson, estuvo presente en la ceremonia de firma por parte de la agencia, mientras que el ministro de Relaciones Exteriores de Uruguay, Francisco Bustillo, representó al país. Los Acuerdos de Artemis son una serie de principios y compromisos que los países firmantes aceptan en el marco del programa Artemis de la NASA, que busca llevar a la primera mujer y al próximo hombre a la Luna para el año 2024. Mediante la firma de estos acuerdos, Uruguay se une a la colaboración internacional en la exploración espacia...

NASA Seeks Applicants for Simulated Mars Surface Mission Main ideas: NASA is looking for applicants to participate in its next simulated one-year Mars surface mission, called CHAPEA. The purpose of the mission is to gather data and inform NASA's plans for human exploration of Mars. It is the second of three planned ground-based missions. The mission is set to begin in the spring of 2025. Participants will undergo various tests and evaluations to assess crew health and performance in a Mars-like environment. Author's take: NASA is taking another step towards its goal of sending humans to Mars by seeking applicants for a simulated Mars surface mission. By conducting these ground-based missions, NASA can gather valuable data to help plan for the challenges of human exploration on the Red Pl...

Main Ideas: Project Vanguard, initiated in 1955 by the Naval Research Laboratory (NRL), aimed to launch the first American satellite into Earth orbit as part of the International Geophysical Year. The Vanguard program faced numerous technical challenges and setbacks. The Soviet Union's successful launch of Sputnik 1 in October 1957 further intensified the pressure on the Vanguard team. The Vanguard TV3 satellite, launched on December 6, 1957, experienced a catastrophic failure. The Vanguard TV3BU satellite, launched on March 17, 1958, also failed to reach orbit. Despite these setbacks, the Vanguard program eventually succeeded with the successful launch of Vanguard 1 on March 17, 1958. Author's Take: The article highlights the challenges and setbacks faced by the Vanguard program, initi...

NASA Manager Leads Crowdsourcing Activities for Earth Science Applications Main Ideas: Shobhana Gupta is the Open Innovation and Community Applications manager at NASA. She manages crowdsourcing activities, including prize competitions, to engage talents outside of NASA for Earth observation applications. Her role involves identifying challenges and soliciting solutions from the public. Gupta's goal is to foster collaboration and innovation in developing applications of Earth observations for decision-making. Author's Take: Shobhana Gupta's role as a manager at NASA involves leveraging crowdsourcing and prize competitions to tap into the expertise of individuals outside of the agency. By doing so, Gupta aims to cultivate collaboration and innovation in developing applications of Earth ob...

NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope Captures Vibrant Star-Forming Region in Scorpius Main Ideas: The Hubble Space Telescope captures a vibrant and colorful image of the star-forming region IRAS 16562-3959 in the constellation Scorpius. IRAS 16562-3959 is located about 5,900 light-years away from Earth in the Milky Way galaxy. The image is composed of observations made by Hubble's Wide Field Camera 3, resulting in a detailed and vibrant portrayal of the region's colors and activity. Author's Take: The Hubble Space Telescope never fails to mesmerize with its stunning images of the cosmos. This recent image featuring the star-forming region IRAS 16562-3959 in Scorpius is no exception. The vibrant colors and intricate details captured by Hubble's Wide Field Camera 3 provide a breathtaking view o...

Summary: Jovian Vortex Hunter project successfully completed Main ideas/facts: The Jovian Vortex Hunter project, launched in June 2022, has run out of data. The project involved over 6,000 registered volunteers who worked with images from NASA's JunoCam instrument to study the swirling clouds in Jupiter's atmosphere. Volunteers used a computer mouse to draw on the images and contributed over a million markings. This citizen science project provided valuable data to researchers studying Jupiter's atmospheric vortices and helped to improve our understanding of the giant planet. Author's take: The Jovian Vortex Hunter project has successfully engaged thousands of volunteers in analyzing images of Jupiter's atmosphere, contributing to our understanding of this giant planet. The project's com...

NASA's Artemis Astronauts to Wear New Spacesuits on the Moon Main Ideas: NASA is planning to land astronauts on the lunar surface during Artemis III to establish a long-term human presence on the Moon. The Artemis astronauts will be equipped with new spacesuits called the Exploration Extravehicular Mobility Unit (xEMU). The xEMU is an upgraded version of the previous Extravehicular Mobility Unit (EMU) used during the Apollo missions. The new spacesuits are designed to withstand the harsh conditions of the Moon's surface and provide enhanced mobility for the astronauts. NASA is conducting rigorous testing and evaluation of the xEMU to ensure its safety and functionality before the Artemis mission. Author's take: NASA's Artemis mission aims to establish a sustainable human presence on the ...