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.

Tuesday, June 16, 2026

Astronauts to Join Artemis



"NASA on Tuesday revealed the four astronauts who will join the next Artemis mission — a key, two-week flight that will aim to test out various technologies considered vital to putting astronauts back on the surface of the moon for the first time in more than 50 years."


https://www.cnn.com/2026/06/09/science/artemis-3-crew-announcement?utm_source=join1440&utm_medium=email&utm_placement=newsletter&user_id=66c4c92f5d78644b3ac5d5b4

Jim Fuller Theoretical astrophysict



"A new study from Caltech's Jim Fuller, professor of theoretical astrophysics, proposes a new model of the final death throes of Sun-like stars that shows how escaping mass from the stars' surfaces leads to a series of little kicks."


https://www.caltech.edu/about/news/a-stars-death-throes-involves-a-lot-of-kicking?utm_source=join1440&utm_medium=email&utm_placement=newsletter&user_id=66c4c92f5d78644b3ac5d5b4

Spectrum Rocket canceled



"Isar Aerospace has scrubbed the planned June 15 launch of its Spectrum rocket, citing a technical issue."https://www.space.com/space-exploration/launches-spacecraft/isar-aerospace-second-orbital-launch-attempt-andoya-spaceport?utm_term=1E9CE68B-BB7D-4199-A76E-9D014B1CA562&lrh=64a20f24338333901e4cb7afc40a3cfae56c6770df59fc13cf25a5ce36d78b01&utm_campaign=58E4DE65-C57F-4CD3-9A5A-609994E2C5A9&utm_medium=email&utm_content=71C7071A-2740-4DAB-BAB0-518EF20CA133&utm_source=SmartBrief

Sun Eruption



"Scientists may have finally seen the sun telegraph an eruption hours before it happened — and the one caught was one of our star's most powerful explosions."


https://www.space.com/astronomy/sun/scientists-find-strange-changes-on-sun-hours-before-a-powerful-x9-solar-flare-i-was-not-expecting-what-i-found?utm_term=1E9CE68B-BB7D-4199-A76E-9D014B1CA562&lrh=64a20f24338333901e4cb7afc40a3cfae56c6770df59fc13cf25a5ce36d78b01&utm_campaign=58E4DE65-C57F-4CD3-9A5A-609994E2C5A9&utm_medium=email&utm_content=71C7071A-2740-4DAB-BAB0-518EF20CA133&utm_source=SmartBrief

Quantum Gravity



"For decades, scientists have searched for a fifth fundamental force of nature that can explain mysterious aspects of the universe such as dark energy and dark matter."

https://www.space.com/astronomy/we-have-4-fundamental-forces-of-nature-quantum-gravity-could-help-lead-us-to-a-mysterious-5th?utm_term=1E9CE68B-BB7D-4199-A76E-9D014B1CA562&lrh=64a20f24338333901e4cb7afc40a3cfae56c6770df59fc13cf25a5ce36d78b01&utm_campaign=58E4DE65-C57F-4CD3-9A5A-609994E2C5A9&utm_medium=email&utm_content=71C7071A-2740-4DAB-BAB0-518EF20CA133&utm_source=SmartBrief

Dragon Crew aboard ISS



"Ten days ago, in a moment of very high drama in orbit, NASA directed its astronauts living on the International Space Station to briefly seek emergency refuge in a Crew Dragon spacecraft."


https://arstechnica.com/space/2026/06/russia-appears-set-to-finally-address-long-term-serious-space-station-cracks/

Sunday, June 14, 2026

Extremes of WASP-121 b



"WASP-121 b is split between extremes. One side faces its star nonstop and burns at about 2,770 Kelvin."

https://www.thebrighterside.news/post/jwst-finds-rare-planet-with-different-atmospheric-conditions-at-dawn-and-dusk/