NASA

National Aeronautics and Space Administrion

Since its inception in 1958, NASA has accomplished many great scientific and technological feats in air and space. NASA technology also has been adapted for many nonaerospace uses by the private sector. NASA remains a leading force in scientific research and in stimulating public interest in aerospace exploration, as well as science and technology in general. Perhaps more importantly, our exploration of space has taught us to view Earth, ourselves, and the universe in a new way. While the tremendous technical and scientific accomplishments of NASA demonstrate vividly that humans can achieve previously inconceivable feats, we also are humbled by the realization that Earth is just a tiny "blue marble" in the cosmos. Check out our "Thinking About NASA History" folder online as an introduction to how history can help you.

Friday, July 17, 2026

Beta Pictoris

"Beta Pictoris (β Pictoris) is located about 63 light-years away from Earth in the constellation of Pictor."

https://www.sci.news/astronomy/third-planet-beta-pictoris-system-14920.html#google_vignette

SpaceX and Artemis III

"NASA has awarded SpaceX a contract to deliver laser communications capabilities for its Artemis III mission using Starlink, which could give Earthbound viewers a better view of the ship-to-ship transfer in LEO set for 2027."

https://payloadspace.com/nasa-selects-starlink-for-artemis-iii-mission/

Why do Spiral Galaxies have two arms?

"For generations, astronomers have been puzzled by a deceptively simple question: Why do some spiral galaxies have two arms while others have many?"https://news.etsu.edu/articles/why-do-galaxies-have-spirals

Artemis 2 Documentary

"As our planet revels in the recent achievements of this spring’s Artemis 2 mission and its four astronaut crew members, a new four-part PBS documentary series takes a scrutinizing look at space exploration and its inherent perils and promises."

https://www.space.com/entertainment/space-movies-shows/once-upon-a-time-in-space-how-to-watch-pbss-out-of-this-world-astronaut-documentary

New SpaceX Rocket

"On the same day that SpaceX could launch its massive Starship rocket from Texas, Elon Musk's spaceflight company may also launch its Falcon 9 rocket in California."

https://www.vcstar.com/story/news/local/california/2026/07/16/spacex-rocket-launch-today-vandenberg/90926420007/?gnt-cfr=1&gca-cat=p&gca-uir=false&gca-epti=z118885p119850l003850c119850e008000v118885&gca-ft=53&gca-ds=sophi

White Dwarf Surveys

"Astronomers have performed detailed surveys of the local neighborhood of stars for decades, but white dwarfs like these have been notoriously hard to find."

https://www.sci.news/astronomy/four-white-dwarfs-solar-neighborhood-14915.html#google_vignette

Speed of Light

"Imagine you were traveling at the speed of light, racing alongside a single photon, the fastest possible thing in the universe. What would you see?"

https://www.universetoday.com/articles/whats-it-like-to-travel-near-the-speed-of-light-part-1-the-broken-view

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