Blog

The International Space Station’s “window to the world”

The cupola is a small module designed for the observation of operations outside the station such as robotic activities, the approach of vehicles, and spacewalks. Its six side windows and a direct nadir viewing window provide spectacular views of Earth and celestial objects.

Posted August 9, 2024

Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope

Goddard Space Flight Center

Science-enabling Technology

Space Communications Technology

NASA Tests Deployment of Roman Space Telescope’s ‘Visor’

The “visor” for NASA’s Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope recently completed several environmental tests simulating the conditions it will experience during launch and in space. Called the Deployable Aperture Cover, this large sunshade is designed to keep unwanted light out of the telescope.

Posted August 9, 2024

Scientific Balloons

Astrophysics

Goddard Space Flight Center

Wallops Flight Facility

NASA to Launch 8 Scientific Balloons From New Mexico

NASA’s Scientific Balloon Program has kicked off its annual fall balloon campaign at the agency’s balloon launch facility in Fort Sumner, New Mexico. Eight balloon flights carrying scientific experiments and technology demonstrations are scheduled to launch from mid-August through mid-October.

Posted August 9, 2024

Astrophysics

Astrophysics Division

Goddard Space Flight Center

Hubble Space Telescope

Missions

Science & Research

Science Mission Directorate

Supernovae

The Universe

Hubble Spotlights a Supernova

This NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope image features the galaxy LEDA 857074, located in the constellation Eridanus. LEDA 857074 is a barred spiral galaxy, with partially broken spiral arms. The image also captured a supernova, named SN 2022ADQZ, shining brightly on the right side of the galaxy’s bar.

Posted August 9, 2024

NEOWISE

Jet Propulsion Laboratory

NASA Headquarters

NEO Surveyor (Near-Earth Object Surveyor Space Telescope)

Planetary Defense Coordination Office

Planetary Science Division

Science & Research

Science Mission Directorate

WISE (Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer)

NASA Mission Concludes After Years of Successful Asteroid Detections

Engineers on NASA’s NEOWISE (Near-Earth Object Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer) mission commanded the spacecraft to turn its transmitter off for the last time Thursday. This concludes more than 10 years of its planetary defense mission to search for asteroids and comets, including those that could pose a threat to Earth.

Posted August 9, 2024

Armstrong Flight Research Center

Aeronautics

Earth

Earth Science

Earth Science Division

Earth's Atmosphere

Jet Propulsion Laboratory

NASA Aircraft

Science in the Air

Science Mission Directorate

NASA Aircraft Gathers 150 Hours of Data to Better Understand Earth

Operating internationally over several countries this summer, NASA’S C-20A aircraft completed more than 150 hours of science flights across two months in support of Earth science research and overcame several challenges throughout its missions.

Posted August 8, 2024

Wallops Flight Facility

NASA Centers & Facilities

Sounding Rockets

Sounding Rockets Program

This Rocks! NASA is Sending Student Science to Space

NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia is scheduled to launch a sounding rocket carrying student-developed experiments for the RockSat-X mission on Tuesday, Aug. 13. The Terrier-Improved Malemute rocket is expected to reach an altitude of about 100 miles (162 kilometers) before descending by parachute into the Atlantic Ocean to be recovered.

Posted August 8, 2024

Glenn History

Interior of Vacuum Tank at the Electric Propulsion Laboratory

Interior of the 20-foot diameter vacuum tank at the NASA Lewis Research Center’s Electric Propulsion Laboratory. The Electric Propulsion Laboratory, which began operation in 1961, contained two large vacuum tanks capable of simulating a space environment. The tanks were designed especially for testing ion and plasma thrusters and spacecraft.

Posted August 8, 2024

Get Involved

Kennedy Space Center

Learning Resources

Opportunities For Students to Get Involved

STEM Engagement at NASA

Calling All Innovators: Apply for NASA’s 2025 Lunabotics Challenge

NASA invites teams from colleges, universities, as well as technical and vocational schools around the country to test their engineering skills in the 2025 Lunabotics Challenge. Applications open at 5 p.m. EDT on Friday, Sept. 6.

Posted August 8, 2024

Goddard Space Flight Center

People of Goddard

Sedimentary and Planetary Geologist Dr. Michael Thorpe

“I didn’t always grow up knowing that I was going to be working for NASA. It was just the way my life unfolded, and I couldn’t be more grateful and lucky to have this opportunity to be here. I think hiking is what really got me into my passion for wanting to have this outdoors […]

Posted August 8, 2024