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NASA astronaut and Expedition 72 Commander Suni Williams checks out the Astrobee robotic free-flyer in the Kibo laboratory module outfitted with tentacle-like arms containing gecko-like adhesive pads to demonstrate satellite capture techniques. Development of this robotic technology may increase the life span of satellites and enable the removal of space debris.NASA In this picture from Nov. 15, 2024, Astronaut Suni Williams imitates the tentacle-like arms of the Astrobee robotic free-flyer in the foreground. Astrobee robots help astronauts reduce time they spend on routine duties, leaving them to focus more on the things that only humans can do. Working autonomously or…
1 Min Read ¿Por qué cultivamos plantas en el espacio? Plantas de berro Thale de tres semanas de edad de la investigación Plant Habitat-03 son vistas justo antes de una cosecha a bordo de la Estación Espacial Internacional. Credits: NASA Hay muchas razones por las cuales cultivamos diversos tipos de plantas en el espacio. Las plantas proveen alimentación y bienestar psicológico a los astronautas y ayudan a reciclar el aire de la Estación Espacial Internacional, pero hay muchos otros beneficios asociados con esta actividad. Jorge Sotomayor, gerente de investigaciones de la Estación Espacial Internacional, te explica por qué es tan…
9 Min Read Towards Autonomous Surface Missions on Ocean Worlds Artist’s concept image of a spacecraft lander with a robot arm on the surface of Europa. Credits: NASA/JPL – Caltech Through advanced autonomy testbed programs, NASA is setting the groundwork for one of its top priorities—the search for signs of life and potentially habitable bodies in our solar system and beyond. The prime destinations for such exploration are bodies containing liquid water, such as Jupiter’s moon Europa and Saturn’s moon Enceladus. Initial missions to the surfaces of these “ocean worlds” will be robotic and require a high degree of onboard…
Scientists find that cometary dust affects interpretation of spacecraft measurements, reopening the case for comets like 67P as potential sources of water for early Earth. Researchers have found that water on Comet 67P/Churyumov–Gerasimenko has a similar molecular signature to the water in Earth’s oceans. Contradicting some recent results, this finding reopens the case that Jupiter-family comets like 67P could have helped deliver water to Earth. Water was essential for life to form and flourish on Earth and it remains central for Earth life today. While some water likely existed in the gas and dust from which our planet materialized around…
1 Min Read Coming Spring 2025: Planetary Defenders Documentary David Rankin, Senior Survey Operations Specialist at Catalina Sky Survey, is seen opening the dome structure surrounding the telescope at the asteroid-hunting facility in Mt. Lemmon, AZ. Credits: NASA How would humanity respond if we discovered an asteroid headed for Earth? NASA’s Planetary Defenders is a gripping documentary that delves into the high-stakes world of asteroid detection and planetary defense. Journey alongside a dedicated team of astronomers and scientists working tirelessly to track and monitor near-Earth asteroids, aiming to protect our planet from potential impacts. This documentary captures the intricate and…
Curiosity Navigation Curiosity Home Mission Overview Where is Curiosity? Mission Updates Science Overview Instruments Highlights Exploration Goals News and Features Multimedia Curiosity Raw Images Images Videos Audio Mosaics More Resources Mars Missions Mars Sample Return Mars Perseverance Rover Mars Curiosity Rover MAVEN Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter Mars Odyssey More Mars Missions The Solar System The Sun Mercury Venus Earth The Moon Mars Jupiter Saturn Uranus Neptune Pluto & Dwarf Planets Asteroids, Comets & Meteors The Kuiper Belt The Oort Cloud 3 min read Sols 4382-4383: Team Work, Dream Work NASA’s Mars rover Curiosity acquired this image using its Right Navigation Camera…
1 min readPreparations for Next Moonwalk Simulations Underway (and Underwater) Fans at the 51st Annual Bayou Classic in New Orleans snap a photo with cardboard images of NASA’s Artemis II crew on Nov. 30. NASA/Danny Nowlin NASA was on full display during the 51st Annual Bayou Classic Fan Fest activity on Nov. 30, hosting an informational booth and interacting with event participants. Kicking off the Fan Fest on stage were Ken Newton, director of the NASA Shared Services Center Service Delivery Directorate; Pam Covington, director of the NASA Stennis Office of Communications; and Dawn Davis, chief of the NASA Stennis…
7 min readPreparations for Next Moonwalk Simulations Underway (and Underwater) As the program manager for people, culture and equity, “people whisperer” Edward Victor Gonzales helps ensure people’s wellbeing, comfort, and safety. Name: Edward Victor Gonzales Title: Program Manager for People, Culture, and Equity Organization: Heliophysics Division, Science and Exploration Directorate (Code 670) Eddie Gonzales is the program manager for People, Culture, and Equity for the Heliophysics Division at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Md.NASA What do you do and what is most interesting about your role here at Goddard? As the program manager for people, culture, and equity…
Let’s begin by Inquiring into your early years, your childhood, where you were born, where you grew up, what your family was like? Do you have siblings? What did your parents do, and how young were you when you developed an interest in what has become your career? I was born in Boston. My mom lived in Vermont at the time, so it’s kind of a home state. We moved to the Washington DC area, to Alexandria, when I was about four. I have a brother whose name is Ian. He is not quite 2 years older than I am.…
Curiosity Navigation Curiosity Home Mission Overview Where is Curiosity? Mission Updates Science Overview Instruments Highlights Exploration Goals News and Features Multimedia Curiosity Raw Images Images Videos Audio Mosaics More Resources Mars Missions Mars Sample Return Mars Perseverance Rover Mars Curiosity Rover MAVEN Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter Mars Odyssey More Mars Missions The Solar System The Sun Mercury Venus Earth The Moon Mars Jupiter Saturn Uranus Neptune Pluto & Dwarf Planets Asteroids, Comets & Meteors The Kuiper Belt The Oort Cloud 3 min read 4375-4381: A Stuffed Holiday Plan NASA’s Mars rover Curiosity captured this image of raised polygonal ridges on a…