Tag: NASA
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We’re about to find many more interstellar interlopers—here’s how to visit one
A few days ago, an inscrutable interstellar interloper made its closest approach to Mars, where a fleet of international spacecraft seek to unravel the red planet’s ancient mysteries. Several of the probes encircling Mars took a break from their usual activities and turned their cameras toward space to catch a glimpse of an object named…
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Japan prepares new ISS cargo vehicle as trio of cargo spacecraft deliver new experiments and hardware
The International Space Station (ISS) recently welcomed three spacecraft that delivered much-needed cargo to support Expedition 73’s seven-member astronaut crew, ensuring the crew and Station are supplied with food, water, clothing, and equipment. Meanwhile, the crew continued with its usual collection of experiments and maintenance tasks. As the Progress, Cargo Dragon, and Cygnus spacecraft continue…
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How America fell behind China in the lunar space race—and how it can catch back up
For the last month, NASA’s interim administrator, Sean Duffy, has been giving interviews and speeches around the world, offering a singular message: “We are going to beat the Chinese to the Moon.” This is certainly what the president who appointed Duffy to the NASA post wants to hear. Unfortunately, there is a very good chance…
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Wide-field surveys versus precise infrared observations: how Rubin compares to JWST
Earlier this year, the new Vera C. Rubin Observatory in Chile officially began scientific operations, becoming the world’s largest and most advanced ground-based telescope. Featuring an eight-meter primary mirror and the world’s largest camera, Rubin promises to deliver exceptional new results and astrophysical research opportunities for scientists worldwide. Meanwhile, situated at the L2 Lagrange point…
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Report argues NASA is illegally using President’s Budget Request to circumvent Congress’ budgeting process
The Mary W. Jackson NASA Headquarters in Washington D.C. Image: NASA Update Oct. 1, 11 a.m. EDT (1500 UTC): Added new responses from NASA; update noting that the shutdown began on Oct. 1, 2025. A new report from the Democratic staff of the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation (CST) argues that NASA…
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In their own words: The Artemis II crew on the frenetic first hours of their flight
How calm, cool, and utterly chill is the crew of NASA’s first Moon mission in more than half a century? Let’s start with Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hansen. “You know me, personally, I hope to take a very short nap on the pad,” he said. “There’s enough time built in there to have a nap. I’ve…
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Sen. Maria Cantwell releases report citing NASA whistleblowers’ concerns about budget cuts
Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., speaks during a hearing on legislative priorities for NASA. (Senate Commerce Dems via YouTube) U.S. Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., today released a report that quotes NASA whistleblowers as saying they’ve “already seen safety impacts” affecting the space agency, due to budget cuts that are canceling out previously appropriated funding. One whistleblower…
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Sierra Space’s Dream Chaser debut mission delayed again, no longer docking to station
Sierra Space’s Dream Chaser spaceplane (right) and its Shooting Star cargo module (left) seen inside a processing facility at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Image: Sierra Space The debut of Sierra Space’s cargo space plane Dream Chaser has delayed again and will no longer see a docking with the International Space Station. In a…
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The space race is tightening up for Blue Origin and SpaceX, and for America and China
Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos have both celebrated space victories, but they’ve also faced setbacks. (Musk at left: GeekWire Photo / Kevin Lisota, 2020. Bezos at right: Blue Origin Photo, 2021) Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin space venture has only just begun to launch a heavy-lift rocket that was a decade in the making — its orbital-class New Glenn launch vehicle, which…
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NASA Awards $30 Million to Katalyst to Save Swift Observatory with First-of-Its-Kind Docking Mission
NASA has selected Arizona-based startup Katalyst Space Technologies to carry out a short-notice mission aimed at saving the Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory, a $500 million space telescope in low-Earth orbit that has been gradually losing altitude. The U.S. space agency on Wednesday announced a $30 million contract for Katalyst to deploy a modified version of…