May 2026

Goddard Space Flight Center
Mars
MAVEN (Mars Atmosphere and Volatile EvolutioN)
The Solar System
In December 2023, scientists looking at Mars data stumbled across something completely unexpected — observations of an atmospheric effect never before seen in the Red Planet’s atmosphere.
Posted May 18, 2026
Human Research Program
The NASA-funded Translational Research Institute for Space Health (TRISH) has selected two early‑career scientists for its next class of postdoctoral fellows. The new fellows will begin their projects in May, focusing on space food systems and astronaut eye health.
Posted May 18, 2026
James Webb Space Telescope (JWST)
Spiral Galaxies
The heart of galaxy M77 shines brightly in this May 7, 2026, image from NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope. The intense glow is due to gas being pulled by the strong gravity of the central black hole into a tight and rapid orbit around it. The motion of the gas causes it to heat up, […]
Posted May 18, 2026
Commercial Resupply
Humans in Space
International Space Station (ISS)
Johnson Space Center
Kennedy Space Center
Missions
NASA Headquarters
SpaceX Commercial Resupply
The 34th SpaceX commercial resupply mission under contract with NASA is headed to the International Space Station with new scientific experiments after lifting off at 6:05 p.m. EDT Friday on a Falcon 9 rocket from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. The SpaceX spacecraft, loaded with nearly 6,500 pounds […]
Posted May 16, 2026
Mars
After NASA’s Curiosity Mars rover drilled a sample from this rock on April 25, 2026, it withdrew its robotic arm and pulled the entire rock off the surface with it. Engineers spent several days repositioning the arm and vibrating the drill to try and get the rock loose. When it finally detached on May 1, […]
Posted May 15, 2026
Earth Observatory
Human Dimensions
Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS)
A recent analysis revealed where artificial light at night has intensified, as well as where it has diminished.
Posted May 15, 2026
Exploration Systems Development Mission Directorate
Communicating and Navigating with Missions
Goddard Space Flight Center
Mars
Space Communications & Navigation Program
On Thursday, NASA issued a Request for Proposal (RFP), seeking industry collaboration for the Mars Telecommunications Network. Reliable, high bandwidth communications is necessary to relay science data, high-definition imagery, and critical information during Mars missions.
Posted May 14, 2026
Cryogenic Fluid Management (CFM)
Kennedy Space Center
Marshall Space Flight Center
Space Technology Mission Directorate
Technology Demonstration Missions Program
NASA is collaborating with Eta Space of Rockledge, Florida, on an in‑orbit technology demonstration to advance a key capability for future deep space missions.
Posted May 14, 2026
Christopher L. Williams
International Space Station (ISS)
Jack Hathaway
Jessica U. Meir
NASA astronauts Jack Hathaway (bottom left), Jessica Meir (middle left), and Chris Williams (bottom right), and ESA (European Space Agency) astronaut Sophie Adenot (top right) have some fun with food and microgravity in this April 19, 2026, photo.
Posted May 14, 2026
Earth Observatory
Floods
Landsat 9
Snow
Surface Water
Spring melt along Alaska’s Kuskokwim River caused ice jams and flooding.
Posted May 14, 2026
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