Blue Origin is getting closer to sending its New Glenn rocket on its second trip to space. This time, the rocket might be heading to Mars. The company has already tested the second stage of the rocket in April. Right now, the first stage is being prepped at their Florida base. The second launch was supposed to happen by August 15, but that's not likely anymore. Some...
The latest budget proposal from the White House for NASA's 2026 fiscal year has sparked controversy. It suggests a major shift in the agency's focus, with significant cuts to space science and other programs. The goal? A dramatic pivot towards sending humans to Mars. However, this plan is already facing serious criticism. The budget proposes a nearly 25% reduction i...
On February 28, 2025, a unique photo was snapped of the Curiosity rover. It was moving across the Martian surface. This was a first. The Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter took the picture. It used a special camera called HiRISE. This camera is known for its sharp images of the Red Planet's surface. The rover appeared as a tiny, dark dot. It was at the start of a long trail...
The U. S. Geological Survey's Astrogeology Science Center in Flagstaff, Arizona, is under pressure to slash its workforce by at least 20%. This news comes from insiders who are aware of the situation. The push for these cuts is part of a broader effort to trim costs across the federal government. The Department of Government Efficiency, led by billionaire Elon Musk,...
The future of space exploration is at a crossroads. A recent hearing brought to light some of the challenges and opportunities facing NASA. At the center of the discussion was Jared Isaacman, a prominent figure in the tech industry and a close associate of Elon Musk. Isaacman is known for his role as the CEO of Shift4 Payments, a leading payment processing company. H...
Mars is a dusty place. This dust is not like the stuff under your bed. It's super fine and packed with nasty chemicals. This means big trouble for anyone planning to visit. The tiny particles can sneak into lungs and cause serious health issues. Think about it: astronauts already face lung problems from space radiation. Adding Martian dust to the mix could make thing...
A spacecraft on an asteroid-chasing mission recently had a close encounter with Mars. It was a Wednesday when the European Space Agency's Hera spacecraft flew past the Red Planet. During this flyby, the spacecraft captured hundreds of stunning images of Mars and several detailed shots of Deimos, one of Mars' two small moons. The scientists and engineers at the Europ...
Elon Musk, the head of SpaceX, recently suggested that NASA should retire the International Space Station (ISS) much sooner than planned. He believes it should happen within the next two years, instead of 2030. This idea has sparked a lot of debate and confusion. Musk made this suggestion on social media, which is not the usual way to discuss such important topics. H...
Did you know that the plan to plant an American flag on Mars might lead to a brighter future for us all? President Trump hinted at this when he talked about sending astronauts to the red planet within the next decade. But before that can happen, NASA needs to solve some big problems, like how to keep astronauts fed, hydrated, and safe in space. This means our governm...
President Trump's second term kicked off with big plans for Mars but puzzling leadership at NASA. In his inaugural speech, Trump talked about sending astronauts to Mars, but there was confusion about who was in charge at NASA. Bill Nelson and Pam Melroy had just stepped down as administrator and deputy administrator, leaving the agency's top spot temporarily empty. ...