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, August 18, 2026

Sophie Adenot



"Sophie Adenot has become the first French female astronaut to venture outside the International Space Station for a spacewalk on Tuesday, accompanied by American astronaut Anil Menon."


https://www.france24.com/en/france/20260818-sophie-adenot-set-to-become-first-french-female-astronaut-to-venture-outside-iss

Aerobots



"Spherical "Aerobots" may one day swarm the caves of Titan — a moon of Saturn that NASA says is one of the most Earthlike in our solar system."

https://www.space.com/technology/nasa-funds-spherical-aerobots-that-could-explore-the-caves-of-saturns-moon-titan

MIT astronomers



"Astronomers at MIT and elsewhere have spotted an extremely bright red spot in the early universe."

https://news.mit.edu/2026/astronomers-discover-brand-new-type-astrophysical-object-black-hole-star-0812?utm_source=join1440&utm_medium=email&utm_placement=newsletter&user_id=66c4c92f5d78644b3ac5d5b4

Space.com



"The head of U.S. Space Command (SPACECOM) says having a “credible, acknowledged” means of damaging or even destroying enemy assets in space is vital to deterring opponents and surviving if a major fight in orbit does break out."


https://www.twz.com/space/new-anti-satellite-weapons-now-officially-a-top-u-s-priority

SpaceX update



"SpaceX isn't a launch company anymore."


https://www.space.com/space-exploration/spacex-could-make-usd500-billion-in-2027-elon-musk-says

Wednesday, August 12, 2026

SpaceX might compete with Mobile Carriers



"In another sign that SpaceX might eventually compete with traditional mobile carriers, the company plans on using satellites and its own ground network to develop Starlink Mobile."

https://www.pcmag.com/news/starlink-mobile-wont-just-be-satellites-but-a-ground-network-too?utm_source=join1440&utm_medium=email&utm_placement=newsletter

NASA'S space images are like a collage of colored cellophane



"Like a collage made of layered sheets of colored cellophane, a vibrant new image layers observations of a famous star-forming nebula from NASA space telescopes."


https://science.nasa.gov/missions/chandra/nasa-telescopes-create-colorful-craft-from-nearby-nebula/

NASA new school year opportunities



"A new school year brings fresh opportunities to get involved with NASA."


https://www.nasa.gov/learning-resources/launch-into-a-new-school-year-with-nasa/

Vera C. Rubin Observatory



"At the heart of Chile’s Vera C. Rubin Observatory is the largest camera human beings have ever built."


https://nautil.us/new-observatory-captures-more-than-half-a-million-galaxies-in-a-single-image-1283526

Who Turns off the Lights?



"There is an uncomfortable practical question inside every permanent-looking human project: who turns off the lights?"

https://spacedaily.com/t-iss-deorbit-vehicle-point-nemo-2030/

Sky watching



"For more than three decades, one particular star has been watched more closely than almost any other star in the night sky."

https://spacedaily.com/a-a-giant-planet-was-hiding-in-plain-sight-in-one-of-astronomys-most-studied-star-systems/

Perseid-meteor-shower

 

"The Perseid summer light show is back, and viewing conditions are especially promising across the northern hemisphere."

https://www.theguardian.com/science/2026/aug/09/perseid-meteor-shower

A Swarm of Tiny Robot Helicopter


"Picture it: A swarm of tiny robot helicopters descends through a reddish-brown sky, landing gracefully on the Martian surface. What are they wearing? Tiny capes."

https://www.space.com/astronomy/mars/nasas-skyfall-mars-helicopters-will-wear-tiny-capes

GHOST spaceport



"Rocket Lab plans to start launching even more frequently and flexibly, thanks to a new portable spaceport system called "GHOST.""


https://www.space.com/space-exploration/launches-spacecraft/launching-anywhere-anytime-and-without-compromise-rocket-lab-unveils-new-ghost-portable-spaceport-system

Space Companies New Twist



"From launchpads to low Earth orbit and beyond, space companies and their affiliates are deploying a familiar marketing tactic – with a new twist."

https://theconversation.com/starwashing-how-space-companies-use-the-greenwashing-playbook-while-engaging-in-environmentally-damaging-practices-285904

Solor Eclipse in Europe



"On Wednesday, Aug. 12, the first total solar eclipse visible from mainland Europe in 27 years and the first anywhere in the world since 2024 will block out the sun for up to two minutes."


https://www.usatoday.com/story/graphics/2026/08/11/august-2026-total-solar-eclipse/91241308007/?utm_source=join1440&utm_medium=email&utm_placement=newsletter&user_id=66c4c92f5d78644b3ac5d5b4

Perseid-meteor-shower

 


"The Perseid meteor shower, one of the most prolific and impressive meteor showers of the year, peaks tonight!"


https://www.space.com/stargazing/meteor-showers/perseid-meteor-shower-peaks-under-perfect-skies-tonight-heres-what-to-expect

GHOST

Albert Einstein’s Time Travel



"Last week I explained how Albert Einstein’s special theory of relativity makes time travel into the future possible—and how varied solutions to his general theory of relativity open the door to traveling into the past."


https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/wormholes-could-be-the-key-to-time-travel/

Monday, August 10, 2026

Another Batch of Starlink Satellites



"SpaceX launched another batch of its Starlink broadband satellites to orbit today (Aug. 8) from California's scenic central coast."

https://www.space.com/space-exploration/launches-spacecraft/spacex-falcon-9-launch-starlink-group-17-38-ocisly

Sunday, August 9, 2026

SpaceX Satellite

"A South Korean satellite has captured images of the mark left on the moon when a SpaceX rocket crashed into it on Wednesday."

https://www.cbc.ca/news/science/spacex-moon-crash-scar-9.7298047?utm_source=join1440&utm_medium=email&utm_placement=newsletter&user_id=66c4c92f5d78644b3ac5d5b4

Saturday, August 8, 2026

First Images of James Webb Space Telescope

"On July 12th, 2022, the first images acquired by the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) were released to the public."https://www.universetoday.com/articles/astronomers-find-a-new-object-from-the-early-universe-using-webb-data

SpaceX 50

"A predawn launch by SpaceX on the Space Coast marked the 50th from Florida in 2026."


https://www.nny360.com/top_stories/spacex-knocks-out-50th-launch-on-space-coast-this-year/article_f31395f9-1fbd-5482-be79-db64a90a9ffc.html

Friday, August 7, 2026

Landscape



"The Chinese commercial launch company Landspace is set for a second attempt at catching an orbital booster."

https://www.space.com/space-exploration/launches-spacecraft/chinese-company-landspace-targets-aug-10-for-historic-rocket-launch-and-landing-attempt

Falcon 9



"Using ground-based telescopes and space-based assets, NASA and SpaceX are tracking a used Falcon 9 upper stage from a commercial mission expected to impact the Moon on Wednesday, Aug. 5, near the Einstein and Bell craters."

https://www.nasa.gov/humans-in-space/commercial-space/nasa-will-attempt-to-observe-rocket-parts-lunar-impact/

Artemis III



"NASA is advancing toward Artemis III’s crewed demonstration mission with accelerated, measurable progress across all fronts, outpacing Artemis II integration timelines as teams ready the Orion spacecraft and SLS (Space Launch System) rocket for next year’s mission in low Earth orbit."

https://www.nasa.gov/blogs/missions/2026/08/05/nasa-joins-artemis-iii-orion-modules-rocket-hardware-update/

Moon Base

"Before astronauts return to the Moon’s surface through NASA’s Artemis program, the hardware they depend on must first prove it can survive the unforgiving lunar environment."


https://www.nasa.gov/centers-and-facilities/johnson/nasas-lunar-development-and-test-facility-prepares-artemis-hardware-for-moon/

Thursday, August 6, 2026

Moon Base



"NASA is making progress in building the Moon Base, which will become a resilient outpost near the Moon’s South Pole for science, technology, and eventual human operations."


https://www.nasa.gov/missions/moon-base/nasa-provides-updates-on-moon-base-cargo-landers-tech-demonstrations/

Vortices Discovered in the Sun



"Researchers from the U.S. National Science Foundation National Solar Observatory (NSF NSO), the Max Planck Institute for Solar System Research (MPS) in Germany, and the High Altitude Observatory (HAO) in the USA have made a groundbreaking discovery in the field of solar physics."

https://www.mpg.de/26900660/tiny-vortices-discovered-on-the-sun-s-surface

James Webb Space Telescope revisits one of the most iconic regions of the sky

"This image from the NASA/ESA/CSA James Webb Space Telescope revisits one of the most iconic regions of the sky, the Hubble Ultra Deep Field, through the eyes of two of Webb's instruments."

https://phys.org/news/2025-08-image-webb-fresh-classic-deep.html

Very Difficult Physics

"When it comes to finding out about the Universe in a scientific fashion, most of us think about performing experiments here on Earth under laboratory controlled conditions."https://bigthink.com/starts-with-a-bang/spherex-jwst-comet-3i-atlas/?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=swab

50th Anniversary of one of the biggest robotic spaceflight



"July 20 marked the 50th anniversary of one of the biggest robotic spaceflight achievements in NASA’s history: the landing of the Viking 1 spacecraft on Mars."

https://spacenews.com/lessons-for-the-future-of-nasa-mars-exploration-from-a-1970s-mission/

Liquid Water on Mars



"Rover data from more than 20 years ago has revealed clues to the existence of liquid water on ancient Mars."


https://www.universetoday.com/articles/scientist-constructs-big-picture-of-mars-water-from-rover-data

Wednesday, August 5, 2026

Einstein Crater



"Crater Einstein is a large feature near the Moon’s western limb, but can only be seen from Earth during favourable conditions."


https://www.skyatnightmagazine.com/advice/crater-einstein?utm_source=join1440&utm_medium=email&utm_placement=newsletter&user_id=66c4c92f5d78644b3ac5d5b4

Space Exploration



"Space exploration enthusiasts have been tracking the unprecedented journey of SpaceX’s latest Starship prototype, which wound up floating in the Indian Ocean after the company’s latest test flight."


https://www.cnn.com/2026/08/03/science/spacex-starship-indian-ocean-recovery-satellite-images

Falcon 9



"A discarded upper stage of a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket likely slammed into the Moon early Wednesday (August 5), ending an 18-month journey through space after it was left drifting following a lunar mission."


https://www.livemint.com/news/world/spacex-falcon-9-second-stage-rocket-hits-the-moon-after-drifting-in-space-since-2025-nasa-tracking-impact-11785938562662.html

Phoenix Mars Lander



"On Aug. 4, 2007, NASA launched its Phoenix Mars Lander on a mission to touch down on Mars."

https://www.space.com/space-exploration/on-this-day-in-space-august-4-2026

Space Helicopter



"Flying a helicopter on Earth is a remarkable engineering achievement."


https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/science/the-tiny-helicopter-nasa-built-to-survive-30-days-on-mars-ended-up-flying-for-nearly-three-years/articleshow/132824815.cms

Monday, August 3, 2026

Starlinks Russian rival



"A Russian satellite network built to rival Starlink has quietly reached a threshold Ukrainian defense officials have been dreading, providing at least two reliable windows of connectivity over Ukrainian territory every single day, each lasting more than an hour, Militarnyi reported, citing satellite communications expert Volodymyr Stepanets."

https://defence-blog.com/russias-starlink-rival-gains-steady-coverage-over-ukraine/

Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory



"NASA’s Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory captured an “orphan” black hole lighting up as it devoured a star on the outskirts of a faraway galaxy."


https://science.nasa.gov/missions/swift/nasas-swift-sees-wandering-mega-black-hole-shredding-star/?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=nn202630