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.

Thursday, October 22, 2026

Japan Mars mission



"Japan will launch the first spacecraft designed to travel to Mars and return to Earth on Monday, bringing back soil from one of the planet's potato-shaped moons."https://mashable.com/science/how-to-watch-jaxa-mars-mission-phobos-launch?utm_source=join1440&utm_medium=email&utm_placement=newsletter

Phobos



"The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) is targeting Oct. 19 for the launch of a first-of-its-kind sample return mission to the martian moon Phobos."https://www.astronomy.com/space-exploration/japan-prepares-to-launch-sample-return-mission-to-phobos/?utm_source=join1440&utm_medium=email&utm_placement=newsletter&user_id=66c4c92f5d78644b3ac5d5b4

Tuesday, October 20, 2026

New Space Images from James Webb Space Telescope



"Four images were featured in NASA’s weekly selection. The James Webb  Space Telescope revealed galaxies magnified and distorted by gravity."https://universemagazine.com/en/a-violin-shaped-structure-formed-by-radio-waves-and-a-rocket-shaped-jellyfish-nasas-best-photos-of-the-week/

Cosmic Explosion Billions of years ago



"A brief flash high above a mountain can carry evidence of an explosion billions of years ago."https://www.thebrighterside.news/post/new-large-sized-telescope-array-in-spain-ushers-in-a-new-era-in-exploring-the-extreme-universe/

Saturday, October 17, 2026

Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope



"NASA's Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope is performing even better than scientists anticipated after engineers completed an extensive series of tests and precision adjustments."


https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/10/261016070630.htm#google_vignette

SpaceX

"SpaceX launched its enormous Starship into orbit for the first time Monday and successfully delivered the most advanced Starlink satellites yet, but cut the flight short to ensure safety."https://apnews.com/article/spacex-starship-orbit-262d3c58d56bf7a525b49115d6c5dfe8?utm_source=join1440&utm_medium=email&utm_placement=newsletter&user_id=66c4c92f5d78644b3ac5d5b4

Friday, October 16, 2026

Randy Bresnik



"NASA astronaut Randy Bresnik has expressed the privilege he feels of being part of the Artemis III mission set for 2027."


https://www.newsnationnow.com/space/artemis-iii-astronaut-us-space-race/amp/

Tuesday, October 13, 2026

Orbits



"Like Earth, most planetary bodies circle their star in stable, detached orbits."

https://news.mit.edu/2026/astronomers-catch-star-slowly-snacking-on-brown-dwarf-1005?utm_source=join1440&utm_medium=email&utm_placement=newsletter&user_id=66c4c92f5d78644b3ac5d5b4

Monday, October 12, 2026

Mars Rover mileage



"NASA’s Perseverance Mars rover has driven farther than any vehicle ever has on the surface of another world."


https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/news/nasas-perseverance-sets-off-world-record-for-total-distance-driven/?utm_source=iContact&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=1-nasajpl&utm_content=latest-20261012

Cosmic Creation



"A cauldron of cosmic creation is being revealed in a new image from NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope."

https://science.nasa.gov/missions/webb/nasas-webb-captures-commotion-from-nebulas-stellar-jets/?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=nn202640

Friday, October 9, 2026

SpaceX Crew 12



The four astronauts of SpaceX’s Crew-12 mission returned to Earth this morning (Oct. 8) after nearly eight months in space.


https://www.space.com/space-exploration/international-space-station/spacex-crew-12-iss-astronaut-mission-return-to-earth?utm_source=join1440&utm_medium=email&utm_placement=newsletter&user_id=66c4c92f5d78644b3ac5d5b4

NASA has released 800 gigabytes of audio recordings



"NASA has released more than 800 gigabytes of images, audio recordings, written notes and other data gathered by the Artemis II astronauts on their historic flight past the Moon in April."

https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-026-03197-7?utm_source=Live+Audience&utm_campaign=0806be2ced-nature-briefing-daily-20261008&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_-33f35e09ea-50276768

Thursday, October 8, 2026

Second-generation planet



"Astronomers have discovered a rare second-generation planet orbiting the ashes of the dead star from which it was born, a smoldering white dwarf."


https://www.space.com/astronomy/exoplanets/completely-unexpected-phoenix-planet-was-born-from-the-ashes-of-a-dying-star?utm_source=join1440&utm_medium=email&utm_placement=newsletter&user_id=66c4c92f5d78644b3ac5d5b4

Monday, October 5, 2026

Starship

"On Monday, September 28 at 7:48 a.m. CT, Starship lifted off from Starbase, Texas on its 14th flight and first attempt to go to orbit. "


https://www.spacex.com/launches/starship-flight-14?utm_source=nsspa&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=nsspa_021026&utm_term=Newsletter%20NSSPA_Launchpad

Friday, October 2, 2026

International Space Station

"Four astronauts pulled up at the International Space Station on Thursday after launching on an eight-hour express that set a U.S. speed record."

https://apnews.com/article/spacex-nasa-astronauts-crew-13-d885ec0dcb9fab8bbf8977103118caa0?utm_source=join1440&utm_medium=email&utm_placement=newsletter&user_id=66c4c92f5d78644b3ac5d5b4