NASA’s Curiosity rover hit an unexpected snag on Mars when a chunk of rock refused to let go after drilling. The stubborn slab, nicknamed Atacama, weighed about 30 pounds—roughly as heavy as a big dog—and stuck to the drill bit like glue. Engineers had to tilt, spin, and shake the drill for days bef
A NASA scientist recently shared stories from a groundbreaking moon mission at a university talk that left the audience buzzing. Instead of focusing on flashy space drama, she broke down how four astronauts spent ten days orbiting the moon, taking detailed notes and snapping photos to help scientist
Traveling long distances can leave people feeling wiped out, even after they’ve tried every trick known to humanity. A recent gathering of experts—an ex‑astronaut, a airline leader, a champion athlete, an app creator and a sleep scientist—offered fresh insights based on the science of our internal c
NASA just got a hand-me-down plane that used to fly thousands of passengers around the world. But this isn’t any ordinary jet—it’s now the biggest flying science lab in the agency’s fleet. After a year of heavy-duty upgrades in Texas, the former Japan Airlines Boeing 777 landed at NASA’s Langley Res
Going to the bathroom in space sounds like a basic need, but it turns out even that can cause big headaches. The Artemis II crew recently returned from a trip around the Moon, proving they could handle deep-space travel. Yet their shiny new space toilet, which cost millions to develop, had a tiny fl
Lawmakers from both parties say no to Trump’s plan to cut NASA’s budget by nearly a quarter in 2027. That’s not surprising—Congress already rejected similar cuts last year. Republican Rep. Brian Babin from Texas argued that the proposal won’t help NASA reach goals set by both the president and Congr
A top U. S. senator is pushing back against plans to trim NASA’s budget next year. This isn’t the first time officials have clashed over space spending. Last time cuts were proposed, lawmakers fought back and gave NASA nearly $24. 4 billion instead. Now, the same politician is promising to keep fund
NASA’s upcoming Artemis III mission isn’t just another spaceflight—it’s a critical stepping stone for humanity’s return to the Moon and beyond. Unlike earlier missions, this one focuses on testing new tech in real lunar conditions before astronauts attempt longer stays. The mission will push the lim
NASA’s space programs and the Star Wars universe share more than a fan base. The TIE fighter, famous for its sleek twin‑engine design and blue ion trails, actually reflects technologies NASA has tested. The name “TIE” is short for Twin Ion Engines, a concept that first appeared in 1990s jet‑propulsi
At just twelve years old, Naia Butler‑Craig dreamed of space after seeing Mae Jemison’s photo at her church in Orlando. Years later, she earned a PhD in aerospace engineering and met Victor Glover, the first Black man to orbit the moon. He told her, “Make the choice right, ” a message that stayed wi
