The European robotic arm (top center) is pictured attached to the Nauka science module as the International Space Station soared into an orbital sunset above a cloudy Pacific Ocean. At left, the Soyuz MS-26 crew ship is pictured docked to the Rassvet module on Nov. 23, 2024.NASA Biomedical research topped the science schedule aboard the [...]
3 min read Preparations for Next Moonwalk Simulations Underway (and Underwater) Artist concept highlighting the novel approach proposed by the 2025 NIAC awarded selection of Autonomous Tritium Micropowered Sensors concept.NASA/Peter Cabauy Peter Cabauy City Labs, Inc. The NIAC Phase I study confirmed the feasibility of nuclear-micropowered probes (NMPs) using tritium betavoltaic power technology for autonomous [...]
3 min read Preparations for Next Moonwalk Simulations Underway (and Underwater) Artist concept highlighting the novel approach proposed by the 2025 NIAC awarded selection of the Mapping Sub-cm Orbital Debris in LEO concept.NASA/Christine Hartzell Christine Hartzell University of Maryland, College Park The proposed investigation will address key technological challenges associated with a previously funded NIAC [...]
3 min read Preparations for Next Moonwalk Simulations Underway (and Underwater) Artist concept highlighting the novel approach proposed by the 2025 NIAC awarded selection of the Breathing Beyond Earth concept.NASA/Alvaro Romero-Calvo Alvaro Romero-Calvo Georgia Tech Research Corporation The reliable and efficient operation of spacecraft life support systems is challenged in microgravity by the near absence [...]
2 min read Preparations for Next Moonwalk Simulations Underway (and Underwater) Artist concept highlighting the novel approach proposed by the 2025 NIAC awarded selection of the TFINER concept.NASA/James Bickford James Bickford Charles Stark Draper Laboratory, Inc. The Thin-Film Nuclear Engine Rocket (TFINER) is a novel space propulsion technology that enables aggressive space exploration for missions [...]
2 min read Preparations for Next Moonwalk Simulations Underway (and Underwater) Artist concept highlighting the novel approach proposed by the 2025 NIAC awarded selection of Photophoretic Propulsion Enabling Mesosphere Exploration concept.NASA/Igor Bargatin Igor Bargatin University of Pennsylvania We propose to use the photophoretic levitation and propulsion mechanism to create no-moving-parts flying vehicles that can be [...]
3 min read Preparations for Next Moonwalk Simulations Underway (and Underwater) Artist concept highlighting the novel approach proposed by the 2025 NIAC awarded selection of MaRS ICICLE concept.NASA/Aaswath Pattabhi Raman Aaswath Pattabhi Raman University of California, Los Angeles Exploration of Mars has captivated the public in recent decades with high-profile robotic missions and the images [...]
2 min read Preparations for Next Moonwalk Simulations Underway (and Underwater) Artist concept highlighting the novel approach proposed by the 2025 NIAC awarded selection of Gravity Poppers: Hopping Probes for the Interior Mapping of Small Solar System Bodies concept.NASA/Benjamin Hockman Benjamin Hockman NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory The goal of this effort is to develop a [...]
Photo of the Day Behold one of the most photogenic regions of the night sky, captured impressively. Featured, the band of our Milky Way Galaxy runs diagonally along the bottom-left corner, while the colorful Rho Ophiuchi cloud complex is visible just right of center and the large red circular Zeta Ophiuchi Nebula appears near [...]
What do music ensembles and human spaceflight have in common? They require the harmonization of different elements to create an inspiring opus. NASA’s Paige Whittington has experience with both. As a principal flutist for Purdue University’s Wind Ensemble, Whittington helped fellow flutists play beautiful music together while pursuing her graduate degree. Now, as a space [...]
