Recently, some big shakeups have happened in NASA's Science Mission Directorate. Mark Clampin, the head of NASA's astrophysics division, is now filling in as the temporary second-in-command for the entire science division. This is because Sandra Connelly, who used to have that job, is retiring. Mark
Imagine a place where the future of space exploration is shaped—the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL). This hub, funded by NASA and managed by Caltech, has dodged the wrath of the wildfires plaguing Los Angeles. The Eaton fire, ravaging areas like Altadena near the San Gabriel Mountains, has fortunate
NASA is rethinking its strategy to bring samples from Mars to Earth. The original plan, with the European Space Agency, was too expensive and slow. Now, NASA has two new ideas. One uses the same method that landed the Perseverance rover. The other asks companies like SpaceX or Blue Origin for help.
NASA is planning to bring Martian rocks back to Earth, but they haven't finalized their plan yet. Instead, they're leaving the big decision up to the incoming President, Donald J. Trump. The mission, called Mars Sample Return, was initially estimated to cost up to $11 billion, but NASA has found way
Imagine this: a Senate bill is on the table, directing NASA to shift its focus towards commercial space stations and to tackle cost overruns in science missions. This bill, introduced by Senators Maria Cantwell (D-Wash. ) and Ted Cruz (R-Texas), looks to speed up the development of commercial space
Astronaut Suni Williams, 59, has been in space since June, and her return home has been delayed twice. Recently, NASA shared a photo of Williams and her colleague, astronaut Don Pettit, wearing Santa hats during the holidays. Many people expressed concern about their well-being, as Williams and her
In January, Firefly Aerospace's Blue Ghost lunar lander will set off for the moon, carrying a record number of NASA payloads. This mission, dubbed Ghost Riders in the Sky, is part of NASA's Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) program. It aims to explore the moon's surface and environment using
NASA just hit the pause button on its Interstellar Mapping and Acceleration Probe (IMAP) mission. The spacecraft, initially set for a spring 2025 launch, will now lift off no earlier than September. Why the delay? NASA needs more time to prep the flight systems. This isn't the first time IMAP's laun
Did you know that Axiom Space is shaking things up? They've changed their plan for building their commercial space station. By sending the modules in a new order, they can start using a free-flying platform as early as 2028! That's two years ahead of their original plan. Axiom Space has a deal with
Firefly Aerospace has scored a big deal with NASA. They're sending their Blue Ghost lander to the moon in 2028. This mission is special because it includes a rover and a cool destination: the Gruithuisen Domes. Scientists are excited about this area because it has rocks made from magma rich in silic
