NASA SCIENCE MISSION DIRECTORATE

May 24 2026SCIENCE

Science Explained: When Even Experts Need a Dictionary

Science communicators often describe their jobs as constant learning. They translate complex research into words everyone can grasp. But what happens when the research itself feels like another language? That’s the daily reality for those breaking down cutting-edge science. Take plasma physics. Exp

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May 20 2026SCIENCE

NASA Wants More Small, Cheap Space Trips

NASA’s budget for science is about the same as it was two decades ago, even after a government push to cut spending. The agency’s new administrator focuses on human missions to the Moon and plans to replace a planned lunar space station with a surface base. He also wants a nuclear‑powered probe for

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May 14 2026ENTERTAINMENT

Human Menaces in Sci‑Fi: The Top Ten Villains

Science fiction often shows monsters that are aliens, robots or weird creatures. But the scariest threats usually come from people themselves. They are easier to relate to and can push the story into deeper territory. The list below starts with a villain who has become an icon. Darth Vader, with

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May 10 2026SCIENCE

Curiosity’s rocky hiccup and other science highlights this week

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

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May 06 2026ENTERTAINMENT

Books that rewrite sci-fi without copying Dune

Science fiction often gets stuck in Dune’s shadow, but many books have broken free by doing the opposite of what readers expect. Hyperion, for example, doesn’t just tell one story—it stitches together seven separate journeys, each with its own voice and style. The result is like a box of different p

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May 04 2026ENTERTAINMENT

Tech Stories That Make Us Think Twice

Science fiction often does more than predict cool gadgets—it shows us how tech could twist human behavior in unsettling ways. While some shows paint a shiny future, others dig deeper into the cracks. This one series started as a sharp look at how new tech might mess with real life. Early on, it aske

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Apr 25 2026SCIENCE

NASA’s new flying lab: a 777 turned into the ultimate Earth detective

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

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Apr 23 2026SCIENCE

Space Mission: Roman Telescope Set for September Launch

NASA plans to send its newest eye into space by early September. The Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope, which will be launched on a SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket, is scheduled for this year’s launch window. The mission aims to complete its journey by May 2027 at the latest. The Roman telescope was ann

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Apr 16 2026OPINION

Science, housing, and history: Three views on America’s future

Science often takes center stage in national debates, but its funding remains a hot topic. One recent space mission showed how science can bring people together, even when politics pull them apart. Instead of cutting funds for research, leaders should support programs like NASA’s moon missions. Afte

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Apr 15 2026HEALTH

A Chip on the Shoulder of Brain Surgery

Science Corp isn't diving into brain surgery just for the thrill. The company plans to place a tiny sensor on a human brain during an already scheduled operation. The 520-electrode chip, no bigger than a pea, will rest on the brain's surface, recording activity without digging deep. This isn't a sci

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