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.

Wednesday, August 5, 2026

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

Friday, July 31, 2026

Honeycomb-like textures

"NASA officials say they’re gobsmacked by new images from the Curiosity Mars rover that show stretches of Red Planet terrain covered in honeycomb-like textures."

https://www.newsnationnow.com/space/mars-honeycomb-polygon-surface/