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De izquierda a derecha, se observan los modelos del módulo de aterrizaje lunar Mark 1 de Blue Origin, el rover lunar tripulado de Astrolab, el rover Lunar Outpost Pegasus y el orbitador Firefly Elytra Dark al término de una rueda de prensa para hablar sobre Base Lunar, una iniciativa a largo plazo de exploración e infraestructura lunar diseñada para permitir una presencia humana sostenida y una mayor actividad científica y comercial en el Polo Sur lunar, el martes, 26 de mayo de 2026, en el edificio de la sede de la NASA Mary W. Jackson, en Washington.Crédito: NASA / Aubrey Gemignani Durante una sesión informativa sobre el programa Base Lunar, celebrada en la sede de la NASA en Washington, la agencia anunció nuevos contratos para el desarrollo de vehículos lunares **** capacidad para transportar tripulación y módulos de aterrizaje de carga no tripulados **** destino a la Luna. Directivos de la NASA también dieron a conocer los plazos de lanzamiento previstos y los próximos hitos para las primeras misiones de infraestructura de Base Lunar y de exploración a la región del Polo Sur de la Luna, como paso previo a la llegada de los astronautas del programa Artemis. “La Base Lunar será el primer puesto de avanzada de Estados Unidos y de la humanidad en otro mundo celeste”, dijo el administrador de la NASA, Jared Isaacman. “Cada misión, tripulada o no, será una oportunidad de aprendizaje a medida que regresemos a la superficie lunar, construyamos la infraestructura necesaria para permanecer allí y dominemos las destrezas necesarias para vivir y trabajar en uno de los entornos más exigentes y peligrosos que se pueda imaginar. Iremos en busca de la ciencia, por todo lo que tenemos que ganar desde una perspectiva económica y tecnológica, por las innovaciones que mejorarán la vida aquí en la Tierra y para prepararnos para el próximo destino al que inevitablemente nos dirigiremos a continuación. Agradecemos el liderazgo del presidente Trump, el compromiso bipartidista del Congreso, a nuestros socios de la industria e internacionales, y a la dedicada fuerza laboral de la NASA, cuya pericia nos permite lograr lo casi imposible”. La NASA anunció las tres primeras misiones de Base Lunar para comenzar a establecer operaciones sostenidas. Base Lunar I: Su lanzamiento está previsto para no antes del otoño [boreal] de 2026; para ello, se utilizará el módulo de aterrizaje Blue Moon Mark 1 Endurance de Blue Origin **** el fin de transportar cargas útiles de la NASA. El equipamiento incluirá el instrumento Cámaras estéreo para el estudio de los penachos y la superficie lunar, diseñado para estudiar la interacción de los propulsores **** la superficie de la Luna, y el Conjunto retroreflectivo láser, el cual ayuda a las naves espaciales en órbita a determinar su ubicación **** mayor precisión utilizando luz láser reflejada. La misión alunizará en la cresta de conexión de Shackleton para demostrar capacidades que permitan reducir riesgos en anticipación a las futuras misiones tripuladas de aterrizaje del programa Artemis, previstas para el año 2028. Base Lunar II: **** un lanzamiento programado para más adelante este año, transportará más de 500 kilogramos (1.100 libras) de carga a bordo del módulo de aterrizaje Griffin de Astrobotic, incluyendo el rover FLIP de Astrolab, **** el fin de madurar los sistemas de movilidad que servirán para orientar las futuras operaciones de vehículos para terreno lunar (LTV, por sus siglas en inglés). Base Lunar III: También programada para este año, esta misión transportará la primera carga útil seleccionada **** la iniciativa Cargas Útiles e Investigaciones de Exploración en la Superficie de la Luna de la NASA. Su investigación central, Lunar Vertex (Vértice Lunar), viajará a bordo del módulo de alunizaje Nova-C Trinity de Intuitive Machines y estudiará los remolinos lunares —las manchas claras en la superficie— **** el fin de mejorar nuestra comprensión sobre la evolución de la superficie y el comportamiento de los materiales en condiciones extremas. La misión incluirá cargas útiles de la ESA (Agencia Espacial Europea) y del Instituto Coreano de Astronomía y Ciencias Espaciales, lo que refleja la participación comercial e internacional en las actividades de la Base Lunar. Estas misiones son las primeras de más de una docena de misiones que serán anunciadas este año; cada una está diseñada para producir datos operativos y reducir riesgos en anticipación a las actividades en la superficie de las misiones tripuladas de Artemis. La NASA ha adjudicado contratos a Astrolab por 219 millones de dólares y a Lunar Outpost 220 millones de dólares para la construcción y entrega de la primera fase de los LTV. Adjudicados en el marco de las órdenes de trabajo de la Fase 1 de la Misión de Alta Viabilidad del contrato de Servicios de Vehículos de Terreno Lunar, estos hitos de costo fijo y basados en el desempeño permitirán a la NASA desplegar sistemas de movilidad, tanto tripulados como no tripulados, en la superficie lunar para 2028, mediante la iniciativa de Servicios Comerciales de Carga Útil Lunar (CLPS, por sus siglas en inglés) de la agencia. La movilidad inicial en la superficie es un componente fundamental en las prioridades de la política espacial nacional de establecer una presencia lunar duradera. El Vehículo Lunar Tripulado (CLV 1) de Astrolab, adaptado a partir de la arquitectura FLEX de esa compañía, es un rover diseñado para transportar astronautas, trasladar suministros y dar apoyo en operaciones remotas; cuenta **** una configuración compacta en estiba (en estado replegado), tiene una masa de aproximadamente 907 kilogramos (2.000 libras) y la capacidad de alcanzar más de 9,6 kilómetros por hora (6 mi/h) en terreno llano. Como complemento a esta capacidad, el Pegasus de Lunar Outpost es una evolución de su rover Eagle más ligera y lista para la misión, y está diseñado explícitamente para cumplir **** los requisitos actualizados para LTV de la NASA. **** una autonomía operativa de hasta un año y capaz de conducir de forma manual, autónoma o teleoperada a velocidades superiores a los 14 km/h (9 mph), Pegasus incorpora tecnologías heredadas del programa Apolo y se basa en una amplia experiencia en prototipos y vuelos para ofrecer una movilidad confiable y centrada en el ser humano, esencial para el establecimiento de una base lunar sostenida. El despliegue de múltiples LTV en las etapas iniciales del desarrollo de Base Lunar acelerará las demostraciones tecnológicas, orientará la planificación de los emplazamientos y reducirá los riesgos operativos en anticipación de las misiones tripuladas de Artemis, lo que permitirá a la NASA caracterizar los peligros del terreno, transportar materiales, posicionar de antemano los recursos y madurar los sistemas necesarios para la exploración lunar de larga duración. Durante los próximos dieciocho meses, los proveedores seleccionados finalizarán el diseño de los rovers, llevarán a ***** evaluaciones **** tripulación y certificarán las unidades de vuelo para su operatividad. Los LTV resultantes darán apoyo a desplazamientos autónomos, la preparación del terreno, investigaciones científicas, demostraciones de tecnología y el transporte de astronautas. A medida que avancen los esfuerzos para el establecimiento de la Base Lunar, la NASA ampliará las oportunidades para proveedores adicionales mediante concursos de acceso por etapas, fomentando un enfoque sólido y sostenible para la movilidad lunar y fortaleciendo las prioridades nacionales en materia de capacidades espaciales. Para la entrega de estos rovers en la región del Polo Sur de la Luna, la NASA adjudicó a Blue Origin un contrato de 188 millones de dólares, **** una opción de prórroga por un valor de 280,4 millones de dólares para dos órdenes de trabajo, lo que incluye una opción de prórroga en función del desempeño en la fase inicial. La NASA puede optar por extender la orden de trabajo para la entrega de la carga útil. Esta contratación competitiva, ejecutada en el marco de la fase de entrega indefinida y cantidad indefinida de CLPS 1.0 **** la orden de trabajo CX-2, representa una inversión estratégica en la exploración lunar y desempeñará un papel fundamental para posibilitar la movilidad y el desarrollo de infraestructuras para operaciones lunares sostenidas, marcando un paso significativo hacia el establecimiento de una presencia humana permanente en la Luna. Sobre la base de los éxitos y las lecciones aprendidas en CLPS 1.0, la agencia también detalló cómo la próxima generación de módulos de aterrizaje de carga en el marco de CLPS 2.0 continuará **** la entrega de cargas útiles tanto en la superficie lunar como en la órbita de la Luna, respaldando de esta manera los ambiciosos objetivos de la NASA para sus operaciones lunares sostenidas. Esta nueva fase introduce una mayor flexibilidad, permitiendo a la NASA contratar servicios de entrega “llave en mano” —completamente construidos, integrados, probados y listos para usar de inmediato— o comenzar a recibir el hardware de CLPS para integrarlo en sus propias misiones. La solicitud de propuestas definitivas para CLPS 2.0 fue publicada el 15 de mayo de 2026, y el plazo para la presentación de las respuestas se vence el martes 30 de junio de 2026. Actualización sobre la misión MoonFall La agencia también compartió nuevas actualizaciones sobre MoonFall, una misión que enviará cuatro drones para hacer vuelos cortos sobre la superficie lunar mientras inspeccionan posibles lugares de aterrizaje para los astronautas de Artemis. El Laboratorio de Propulsión a Chorro (JPL, por sus siglas en inglés) de la NASA, **** sede en el sur de California, ha estado desarrollando el diseño y haciendo pruebas **** prototipos de hardware, y ha seleccionado a Firefly Aerospace para construir la nave espacial que transportará los drones desde la órbita terrestre hasta la Luna. El lanzamiento de esta misión está programado para 2028. Los drones aterrizarán de forma autónoma en la superficie lunar y, a lo largo de un único día lunar, recopilarán imágenes de alta resolución de terrenos de difícil acceso. Tras el último vuelo de cada dron, su carga útil para la supervivencia nocturna seguirá funcionando durante varios meses, lo que supondrá una presencia estadounidense continuada en el Polo Sur lunar. Otras misiones robóticas en camino Por último, la NASA anunció que en las próximas semanas dará a conocer una selección de adjudicaciones de trabajos adicionales de CLPS 1.0 —otorgadas durante el evento “Ignition” (Encendido) de la agencia— para cargas útiles y demostraciones de tecnología de Base Lunar. Asimismo, en los próximos meses también habrá nuevas oportunidades para licitar por las órdenes de trabajo de CLPS 1.0 y 2.0, a medida que se definan y planifiquen las demostraciones tecnológicas de la Fase 1 para las misiones de la Base Lunar. Durante su sesión informativa, el liderazgo de la NASA reiteró que el establecimiento de una presencia lunar sostenida está alineado **** la estrategia de exploración más amplia de la agencia, la cual se sustenta en una mayor frecuencia de lanzamientos, la ampliación de sus asociaciones **** la industria y una coordinación a nivel de toda la agencia. Como parte de una edad de oro de innovación y exploración, la NASA enviará astronautas de Artemis en misiones cada vez más difíciles para explorar más de la Luna **** fines de descubrimiento científico y beneficios económicos, y para continuar sentando las bases para las primeras misiones tripuladas a Marte. Para obtener más información sobre la Base Lunar, visita el sitio web (en inglés): [Hidden Content] -fin- George Alderman / James Gannon / María José Viñas Sede central de la NASA, Washington +1 202-358-1600 *****@*****.tld/ james.h*****@*****.tld / *****@*****.tld Share Details Last Updated May 27, 2026 LocationNASA Headquarters Related TermsNASA en español View the full article

An example of the Ancient & Modern Sun Watching patch can be seen at the top right corner of this Girl Scout’s vest Credit: NASA/Nicholeen Viall-Kepko In early May 2026, NASA employees, contractors, and volunteers helped to bring Heliophysics to girls of all ages in a fun-filled weekend of hands-on science activities and experiments. The event took place from May 1-3 at Camp Conowingo, a Girl Scouts of Central Maryland camping property on the Susquehanna River north of Baltimore, and brought together participants from across the region. With support from the Heliophysics Education Activation Team (HEAT) and the outreach program from NASA’s PUNCH (Polarimeter to Unify the Corona and Heliosphere) mission, NASA heliophysicist Nicholeen Viall led a camping trip on which 165 Girl Scouts earned their Space Science badge and Ancient and Modern Sun-Watching patch. The badge and patch were earned over the course of the weekend through a series of activity stations that included hands-on examples of how scientists study the Sun, Heliosphere, Moon, planets, and stars. In particular, these creative experiments allowed attendees to learn about space weather and see firsthand how the Sun impacts our lives, which is a cornerstone of HEAT education goals. The activities were set up in seven stations. Girl Scout troops were split into 7 groups, plus an 8th group of high school seniors who ran the stations. Each group was named after a constellation (Ursa Major, Leo, Orion, Cassiopeia, Pegasus, Cygnus, Lyra, and Canis Major). On the morning and afternoon of Saturday May 2, each group spent about 45 minutes per station doing activities to earn a space science badge. Station 1 helped Girl Scouts learn about the different career possibilities available in Space Sciences and at NASA Station 2 gave Girl Scouts the opportunity to play with polarized sun glasses and try out the ultraviolet beads activity Station 3 involved learning more about the Sun and the PUNCH mission through key vocabulary terms and role-playing activities Station 4, the Solar System Walk, was a path with planet markers spaced out to scale to help campers identify all the planets in our solar system Station 5 demonstrated the phases of the Moon and why different constellations appear in the night sky during the year Station 6 taught the Girl Scouts about NASA missions; and Station 7 gave Girl Scouts the opportunity to practice shooting a bow and arrow, which is a tradition at Camp Conowingo. On Friday and Saturday evenings, the groups participated in a star and Moon gazing nighttime astronomy activity and were able to find Jupiter. These activities were made possible in part thanks to time contributed by members of NASA Solar System Ambassadors and the National Capitol Astronomers. Station 3 from the daytime events also had Sunspotter telescopes for the Girl Scouts to try out, which were provided by HEAT with help from team member Carolyn Ng. Fellow HEAT team member Laura-Ashley Alegbeleye was also onsite leading activities, where her expertise in classroom education really shined. Laura-Ashley attended as a representative of HEAT, which allowed her to share HEAT resources and educational content with the Girl Scout attendees at several stations, including Station 1. Viall describes the Space Science Career station by pointing out that the event coordinators leveraged HEAT educational materials, as well as activities designed for the Ancient and Modern Sun Watching patch by the PUNCH team, to show that even a NASA mission requires many different skill sets. “It’s not just scientists and the engineers,” says Viall. “It is financial analysts, it’s communications people, it’s good writers, it’s good artists. All of these different people have to be a part of the team.” One of the standout moments of the weekend was the campfire at the end of Saturday, which is a tradition for Girl Scout camping events, according to Viall. “One of the traditions of the campfire is that we all sing songs and the Girl Scouts put on skits,” explains Viall. “I want to say about half of the skits that the Girl Scouts made were about space, the Sun, astronauts, or about exploring Mars.” Viall also pointed out that the event offered a chance for older girl scouts to gain mentoring experience by leading five of the seven activity stations. “I went to those troops over a month ahead of the event,” says Viall. “I met with them and taught them the activities, sent them all the materials, and brainstormed with them about the best way to teach the younger Girl Scouts.” The event taught these older Girl Scouts how to be great leaders themselves by sharing the knowledge with the younger Girl Scouts which Viall helped to impart on them. “That part was really cool, to see the older girls teaching the younger girls the [science] concepts.” As a final note, Viall points out that after the 165 Girl Scouts signed up, which was the maximum capacity of the campground, there were still three more troops who had wanted to participate. “We had so much interest that I visited an additional 30 girls at their troop meetings to do a quick Space Science/PUNCH lesson event,” says Viall. Girl Scouts of the USA have offered the Space Science badge series for kindergarten through twelfth grade students since 2019. The Ancient and Modern Sun-Watching patch leverages the PUNCH Public Outreach products, curated for the Girl Scout experience.Girl Scouts of Southwest Texas convened a prototype patch-earning event in 2024. Now, two years later, the Girl Scouts who participated in the Camp Conowingo event officially earned the Ancient and Modern Sun-Watching patch. Viall is the PUNCH Mission Scientist, which helped establish the connection that made the whole event possible. Together with collaborators from NASA HEAT, this event certainly helped to activate a love for science in a new generation of learners. Share Details Last Updated May 27, 2026 Related Terms Science Activation Heliophysics Heliophysics Division Opportunities For Educators to Get Involved Opportunities For Students to Get Involved View the full article

Crédito: NASA La NASA informará sobre los avances de la misión Artemis III de la agencia y anunciará los astronautas asignados a este vuelo de prueba durante un evento en vivo a las 11 a.m. EDT (hora del este) del martes 9 de junio en el Centro Espacial Johnson de la agencia en Houston. Siga la rueda de prensa en vivo a través de la aplicación NASA+ y el canal de YouTube de la agencia. Descubra cómo ver el contenido de la NASA en diversas plataformas en línea, incluidas las redes sociales (información ofrecida en inglés). Tras el evento, la tripulación de Artemis III estará disponible para un número limitado de entrevistas presenciales y virtuales. Las solicitudes de entrevista deben enviarse a la sala de prensa del centro Johnson antes de las 5 p.m. del 4 de junio. Los periodistas que no son ciudadanos estadounidenses interesados en asistir deben comunicarse, en inglés, **** la sala de prensa de Johnson mediante correo electrónico (*****@*****.tld) antes de las 5 p.m. del jueves 28 de mayo. Los periodistas estadounidenses deben comunicarse **** la sala de prensa antes de las 5 p.m. del jueves 4 de junio. Los medios registrados recibirán la confirmación y detalles adicionales del evento por correo electrónico. La política de acreditación de medios de la NASA está disponible en línea. Artemis III lanzará a cuatro astronautas desde el Centro Espacial Kennedy de la NASA en Florida en la nave espacial Orion, la cual viajará a bordo del cohete SLS (Sistema de Lanzamiento Espacial, por sus siglas en inglés). La misión pondrá a prueba las capacidades críticas de encuentro y acoplamiento entre Orion y los sistemas comerciales de aterrizaje humano necesarios para llevar a los astronautas a la superficie lunar. Basándose en el exitoso vuelo de prueba tripulado de Artemis II en abril, Artemis III allanará el camino para futuras misiones a la Luna. Como parte de una edad de oro de innovación y exploración, la NASA enviará astronautas en misiones cada vez más complejas para explorar más de la Luna **** fines de descubrimiento científico y beneficios económicos, y para continuar sentando las bases para las primeras misiones tripuladas a Marte. Para más información sobre el programa Artemis, visite: [Hidden Content] (inglés) [Hidden Content] (español) -fin- Rachel Kraft / María José Viñas Sede central, Washington +1 202-358-1600 rachel.h*****@*****.tld / *****@*****.tld Anna Schneider Centro Espacial Johnson +1 281-483-5111 *****@*****.tld Share Details Last Updated May 27, 2026 EditorMaría José Viñas Related TermsNASA en español View the full article

NASA/Ben Smegelsky Katherine Rauscher of Michigan Technological University prepares her team’s prototype lunar robot for its turn during the finals for NASA’s 2026 Lunabotics Challenge competition on Tuesday, May 19, 2026, at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Florida. Forty-seven teams from around the U.S. designed and built remote-controlled robots capable of traversing challenging lunar terrain while constructing regolith-based berm under conditions similar to those the agency will face as it returns to the lunar surface through Artemis. The Lunabotics Challenge invites students from higher education institutions to apply NASA’s Systems Engineering principles to design and build a prototype off-world construction robot. Participants will develop a robot capable of performing construction operations that support future space exploration objectives. Image credit: NASA/Ben Smegelsky View the full article

To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video The international Sentinel-6 Michael Freilich sea level satellite observed a swell of warm water, called a Kelvin wave, moving eastward in the equatorial Pacific Ocean, arriving off the South American coast in May. Warm Kelvin waves often precede El Niño events.NASA/JPL-Caltech Sea level data from a satellite launched by NASA and European partners shows that a swell of warm water hundreds of miles wide has arrived in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of South America, a sign that El Niño will likely emerge later in the year. Because water expands as it warms, a rise in elevation of an area of the ocean indicates increasing ocean temperatures. El Niños can cause heavy precipitation in some regions and deficits in others, influencing daily life and commerce around the world. Launched in 2020 by NASA and led by ESA (European Space Agency) for the E.U. Copernicus Programme, the Sentinel-6 Michael Freilich satellite measures and maps water height for the entire ocean every 10 days, down to fractions of an inch. In the case of El Niño, the satellite tracks what are called warm Kelvin waves. These waves typically form after brief periods when winds over the far western equatorial Pacific Ocean shift from prevailing easterlies — moving from east to west — to westerlies. That effect, combined with a general weakening of easterly winds along the equator, causes water in the tropics of the western Pacific to get warmer and sea levels to rise. The wave that forms then propagates east for several weeks, eventually reaching South America and causing water off the coast to heat up and rise. An El Niño develops as multiple Kelvin waves appear over the course of several months, and the warm water accumulates off the shores of Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru. “While this year’s event started a bit later than the big El Niños of 2015 and 1997, it’s beginning to catch up,” said Josh Willis, a sea level researcher at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern California and project scientist for Sentinel-6 Michael Freilich. “We’ll see how big it gets.” Measurements from Sentinel-6 Michael Freilich show a small Kelvin wave forming around Micronesia in late January and dissipating by mid-February. A new wave emerged in early March, then moved east over time. By mid-May, the seas around Peru were more than 5.9 inches (15 centimeters) higherthan long-term averages. “NASA’s observation of El Niño uses sea level satellites like Sentinel-6 Michael Freilich to track massive Kelvin waves as they cross the Pacific, capture changes in Earth’s ocean thermodynamics, improve forecasts of weather extremes, and help communities prepare for potential coastal hazards,” said Nadya Vinogradova Shiffer, lead program scientist at NASA Headquarters in Washington. “Stay tuned as more ocean stories continue to unfold.” Tracking El Niño Fishermen in the 1600s coined the name El Niño — Spanish for “the boy,” a reference to the birth of baby Jesus — because it tended to intensify around Christmastime. Warmer waters meant they would catch fewer fish. Warmer sea surface temperatures in the central and eastern Pacific affect atmospheric circulation patterns worldwide by shifting the jet stream, which impacts storm tracks. This can lead to heavy rain and snow in some areas and unusual heat and dryness in others. How far away those impacts appear depends on the strength of the El Niño. In more modest events, like the ones that began in 2018 and 2023, impacts such as drought and flooding were mostly seeb in and around the tropical Pacific. Large El Niños, like the one in 2015-2016, reach much farther, causing drought in Africa and flooding in California. El Niños usually peak between November and January, so it will be several months before the largest impacts become clear. “Every El Niño is different,” said JPL sea level researcher Severine Fournier, deputy project scientist for Sentinel-6 Michael Freilich. “But they almost always make for a hot year and big changes in rainfall in parts of the globe.” Sentinel-6 Michael Freilich is the current official reference satellite for global sea level measurements. Launched in 2020, it is continuing a legacy started in 1992 by the TOPEX/Poseidon satellite. A series of successors have carried the baton since then, and the latest, Sentinel-6B, which launched November 2025, will take over for its predecessor by the end of 2026. More about Sentinel-6 Michael Freilich Sentinel-6 Michael Freilich, named after former NASA Earth Science Division Director Michael Freilich, is one of two satellites that compose the Copernicus Sentinel-6/Jason-CS (Continuity of Service) mission. Sentinel-6/Jason-CS, a part of the European Union’s Earth observation programme called Copernicus, was jointly developed by ESA, the European Organisation for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites (EUMETSAT), NASA, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), with funding support from the European Commission and technical support on performance from the French space agency CNES (Centre National d’Études Spatiales). Spacecraft monitoring and control, as well as the processing of all the altimeter science data, is carried out by EUMETSAT on behalf of the European Union’s Copernicus Programme, with the support of all partner agencies. A division of Caltech in Pasadena, JPL contributed three science instruments for each Sentinel-6 satellite: the Advanced Microwave Radiometer, the Global Navigation Satellite System – Radio Occultation, and the Laser Retroreflector Array. NASA also contributed launch services, ground systems supporting operation of the NASA science instruments, the science data processors for two of these instruments, and support for the U.S. members of the international Ocean Surface Topography Science Team. To learn more about Sentinel-6 Michael Freilich, visit: [Hidden Content] Media Contacts Andrew Wang / Andrew Good Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, Calif. 626-379-6874 / 818-393-2433 *****@*****.tld / *****@*****.tld 2026-035 Explore More 2 min read Ever Restless Mount Dukono Erupts The volcano on Indonesia’s Halmahera Island routinely ejects ash, volcanic gases, and volcanic bombs. Article 12 hours ago 3 min read A Full Moon Checkup Once a month during the full Moon, Landsat 9 turns from Earth to image the… Article 1 day ago 4 min read An Early “Decoration Day” Celebration In a precursor to Memorial Day, people in Charleston, South Carolina, honored fallen Civil War… Article 2 days ago Keep Exploring Discover More Topics From NASA Mission: Sentinel-6 Michael Freilich When did Sentinel-6 Michael Freilich launch? November 21, 2020 Where is Sentinel-6 Michael Freilich? 830 miles (1,336 km) above Earth… Water | Earth Observatory Topic Climate Change NASA is a global leader in studying Earth’s changing climate. Jet Propulsion Laboratory View the full article

CSDA Menu CSDA Commercial Data Commercial Datasets End User License Agreements Commercial Satellite Data Explorer Satellite Data Evaluation CSDA Vendors Airbus BlackSky Capella Space GeoOptics GHGSat ICEYE MDA Space Pixxel Planet PlanetiQ Polar Geospatial Center Satellogic Spire Teledyne Brown Engineering Tomorrow.io Umbra Vantor Program Activities Learning Resources FAQs News News and Events Subscribe to CSDA Orbit 1 min read Webinar 6/17: Discover, Access, and Task Commercial Data with NASA’s Satellite Data Explorer This screen capture shows a multispectral image from Vantor in the CSDA program’s Satellite Data Explorer user interface. Credit: (C) Vantor Join us for an CSDA program webinar on Wednesday, June 17, 2026, to learn how to use the Satellite Data Explorer(SDX) to search, access, and task commercial Earth Observation data available through NASA’s Commercial Satellite Data Acquisition (CSDA) program. The SDX is a web-based data discovery, access, and data tasking platform developed under the CSDA program that enables approved users to discover, access, task, and download commercial Earth observation data available through the program. During this webinar event, data users will learn how to use the SDX to streamline their data workflow. A live demonstration will focus on the key features and functionalities of the tool from searching and filtering capabilities (e.g., by area-of-interest, product type, vendor) to visualizing query results through interactive maps and quick-look browse imagery. Webinar participants will also learn how to use the new Data Acquisition Request System to submit and track commercial data tasking requests for future acquisitions. Register for Webinar View the full article

Share Details Last Updated May 27, 2026 Location NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Contact Media Laura Betz NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, Maryland laura.e*****@*****.tld Margaret Carruthers Space Telescope Science Institute Baltimore, Maryland Hannah Braun Space Telescope Science Institute Baltimore, Maryland Related Terms James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) Astrophysics ****** Holes Galaxies Goddard Space Flight Center Gravitational Lensing Science & Research The Universe

A small cast iron of savory eggs and vegetables sits on a serving plate after being tasted.NASA/Angelique Herring NASA’s Center of Excellence for Collaborative Innovation (CoECI) assists in the use of crowdsourcing across the federal government. CoECI’s NASA Tournament Lab offers the contract capability to run external crowdsourced challenges on behalf of NASA and other agencies. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) Office of Nutrition Research (ONR) invites U.S.-based, accredited, non-profit academic institutions to participate in the “Integration of Nutrition Training into Health Care Education” Challenge. ONR’s mission is to stimulate innovative research to address the complexities of nutrition, its ecology, and its critical role in health across the lifespan for all. The goal of this challenge is to identify, evaluate, and promote effective, scalable, and evidence-based approaches to integrating nutrition training into medical and nursing education, including both established programs and emerging models with strong potential for dissemination. The NIH Nutrition Education Challenge offers a total prize purse of up to $2,100,000 to recognize and reward exemplary nutrition curricula across three program types and two challenge tracks. Awards of up to $75,000 each will be distributed to winning institutions across the Exemplar Track and Developing Track in three program categories: Medical Schools, Residency Programs, and Nursing Programs. Award: $2,100,000 in total prizes Open date: May 26, 2026 Submission deadline: September 15, 2026 For more information, visit: [Hidden Content] View the full article

Students from the University of Virginia pose for a photograph after winning the grand prize during NASA’s 2026 Lunabotics Challenge competition on Thursday, May 21, 2026, inside the Astronauts Memorial Foundation’s Center for Space Education at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Florida. NASA/Kim Shiflett Resilient. Efficient. Autonomous. These are qualities NASA demands of its hardware, especially as the agency accelerates plans for a permanent Moon Base. NASA’s 2026 Lunabotics Challenge put those traits on full display, as college student engineers from across the country gathered at the Astronauts Memorial Foundation’s Center for Space Education at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Florida to demonstrate robotic technologies and systems engineering expertise that could build and sustain long‑term lunar infrastructure. When the simulated lunar dust settled, the University of Virginia earned the Off World Grand Prize for completing all events and achieving the highest overall score. “The Off World Grand Prize is really about everything,” said Robert Mueller, senior technologist at NASA Kennedy’s Swamp Works, lead judge, and co‑founder of the original Lunabotics robotic mining challenge. “It’s a difficult prize to win, and it’s not obvious, because the team that built the biggest berm didn’t win. But on an actual lunar mission, it’s not just one thing that matters — it’s everything in the system.” Student test bed for lunar construction challenges The agency’s annual Lunabotics Challenge is a two‑semester competition in which higher‑education students design, build, and test prototype lunar construction robots using NASA systems engineering principles. The 2026 competition opened last September, with teams submitting industry plans, engineering reports, and robot specifications. Judges selected 47 teams to advance to a qualifying round at the University of Central Florida’s Exolith Lab in Orlando, where the robots faced their first tests. The goal during the qualifying round was straightforward: excavate and collect simulated lunar soil, transport it across challenging terrain, and construct a berm, or a raised mound of soil used to provide structure, support, or protection. Performance was evaluated across several criteria, and the top 10 teams moved on to the three‑day final round held May 19 to 21 at NASA Kennedy. Judges assessed far more than berm size. Robot weight, communications performance, energy use, and level of autonomy all contributed to scores across four main criteria: a science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) industry plan; a systems engineering paper; presentations and demonstrations; and robotic construction. The University of Virginia team excelled not only in measurable metrics but also in preparation and resilience. When a wheel detached during their first finals run, the team reconfigured the robot to operate on three wheels and kept digging. “When we saw the wheel break in the arena, we thought that was it,” said Craig Kalkwarf, a fourth‑year aerospace engineering and astronomy major and mechanical lead of the 22‑member team. “But we came so prepared. We had metal wheels ready to swap out. We had a plan. We ultimately got the win, and part of that was planning for anything — and it worked out.” Students from the University of Virginia prepare their prototype lunar robot for its turn during the finals for NASA’s 2026 Lunabotics Challenge competition on Wednesday, May 20, 2026, inside the Astronauts Memorial Foundation’s Center for Space Education at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Florida. NASA/Cory S Huston Engineering NASA’s lunar future A key part of the Lunabotics Challenge is students employing NASA’s Systems Engineering Process, a multidisciplinary, mission‑driven approach that integrates hardware, software, people, and procedures to create complex, high‑reliability systems. Competition judges noted that the systems engineering prowess on display this year was among the strongest in the challenge’s 17‑year history. Teams and their robots demonstrated remarkable adaptability in the face of obstacles. Multiple teams overcame wheel issues, robots stuck in rough terrain managed to break free, and one team pressed on after its digger blades damaged their robot, but only after it successfully deposited enough material to create an impressive berm. By the competition’s close, event organizers praised how teams built upon previous robotic designs, as several teams were veterans of the competition, and marveled at the number of fully autonomous robots that competed in the qualifying and final rounds. Last year, there were 12 fully autonomous robots, while this year the number grew to 27. This led to tighter competition, as well as more efficiency during the runs inside the Center for Space Education’s Artemis Arena – the large, engineered test bed filled with lunar soil simulant, designed to mimic the loose, uneven terrain robots will encounter on the Moon. “Teams excavated much more material than we anticipated,” said Rich Johanboeke, project manager for the competition and longtime Lunabotics organizer. “This speaks to how teams have evolved previous design iterations and how much innovation we’re seeing from these students. It’s an exciting time!” The University of Utah team’s prototype lunar robot performs during the finals for NASA’s 2026 Lunabotics Challenge competition on Thursday, May 21, 2026, inside the Astronauts Memorial Foundation’s Center for Space Education at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Florida.NASA/Kim Shiflett Challenge designed for the Artemis era Coming just weeks after the success of NASA’s Artemis II mission, Lunabotics highlights some of the next steps toward establishing a sustainable human presence on the Moon. Autonomous robots capable of shaping lunar soil into berms will play a vital role in protecting landing sites, supporting power systems, and forming the building blocks of future lunar outposts. “This might be the first thing NASA does on the Moon Base — robotically building a berm using a local resource, the lunar soil,” Mueller said. “We are watching and learning from these teams in preparation for a real mission launching in a few years, which is IPEx.” Developed at Kennedy’s Swamp Works, IPEx, or Infrastructure Pilot Excavator, is poised to launch to the lunar surface through NASA’s CLPS (Commercial Lunar Payload Services) initiative. Acting as both excavator and hauler, IPEx is designed to dig and transport lunar regolith efficiently, which are critical capabilities for supporting human exploration and making the most of lunar resources. Building engineering pipeline to NASA This year’s Lunabotics Challenge didn’t just celebrate student ingenuity — it helped advance the technologies and engineering approaches that will define the next era of lunar exploration. For students, Lunabotics provides an immersive engineering experience that mirrors industry‑level problem‑solving. For NASA, the competition, like the agency’s other Student Design Challenges, is helping to find novel solutions to technical challenges currently faced by the agency, while also helping recruit the next generation of engineers, technologists, and innovators to NASA. Alumni from the College of DuPage in Glen Ellyn, Illinois, accept the Lunabotics Construction Award on behalf of the team for building the largest berm during NASA’s 2026 Lunabotics Challenge competition on Thursday, May 21, 2026, inside the Astronauts Memorial Foundation’s Center for Space Education at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Florida.NASA/Kim Shiflett “I think it’s everyone’s dream to come work at NASA,” said Andrew Ebert, a mechanical engineering student at the College of DuPage in Glen Ellyn, Illinois, whose team took home the prize for building the biggest berm. “It’s always pushing the boundaries of what has ever been done by humans. In my opinion, it’s the coolest thing you can do in engineering.” The creativity, resilience, and technical mastery demonstrated by these teams are directly shaping NASA’s path toward a sustainable Moon Base. When Americans begin lunar construction in a few years, the experience and expertise gained by the young engineers through Lunabotics becomes even more meaningful and potentially impactful for NASA. “These students might be working for NASA by the time we start building on the Moon,” said Mueller. To learn more about NASA’s Lunabotics Challenge visit: [Hidden Content] 2026 Lunabotics Challenge Winners Off World Grand Prize – Overall Excellence University of Virginia in Charlottesville Lunabotics Construction Award 1st place: College of DuPage in Glen Elyn, Illinois 2nd place: University of Virginia 3rd place: Michigan Technological University in Houghton, Michigan Caterpillar Autonomy Award 1st place: The University of Alabama in Huntsville 2nd place: University of Virginia 3rd place: University of Utah in Salt Lake City 4th place: Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana 5th place: Iowa State University in Ames 6th place: College of DuPage Lunabotics Efficient Use of Communications Power Award Iowa State University Systems Engineering Paper 1st place: The University of Alabama 2nd place: University of Virginia 3rd place: University of Illinois in Chicago Nova Award for Stellar Systems Engineering by a First Year School Laredo College in Laredo, Texas Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois Systems Engineering Leaps & Bounds Award University of Virginia Rocket Award for Accelerating Systems Engineering Mastery University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign Presentations and Demonstrations 1st place: New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology in Socorro, New Mexico 2nd place: The University of Alabama 3rd place: Colorado School of Mines in Golden, Colorado Honorable Mention: Michigan Technological University Presentations and Demonstrations First Steps Awards Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania View the full article

Explore Hubble Hubble Home Overview About Hubble The History of Hubble Hubble Timeline Why Have a Telescope in Space? Hubble by the Numbers At the Museum FAQs Impact & Benefits Hubble’s Impact & Benefits Science Impacts Cultural Impact Technology Benefits Impact on Human Spaceflight Astro Community Impacts Science Hubble Science Science Themes Science Highlights Science Behind Discoveries Universe Uncovered Hubble’s Partners in Science Hubble & Citizen Science AI & Hubble Science Explore the Night Sky Observatory Hubble Observatory Hubble Design Mission Operations Science Operations Astronaut Missions to Hubble Hubble vs Webb Team Hubble Team Career Aspirations Hubble Astronauts Multimedia Images Videos Online Activities e-Books Sonifications Podcasts 3D Hubble Models Lithographs Fact Sheets Posters Hubble on the NASA App Glossary News Hubble News Social Media Media Resources 35th Anniversary More Online Activities 1 min read Hubble Spies Faint Irregular Galaxy This NASA Hubble Space Telescope image captures the faint glow of the dwarf irregular galaxy ESO 490-017. NASA, ESA, R. Tully (University of Hawaii); Image Processing: G. Kober (NASA/Catholic University of America) This NASA Hubble Space Telescope image features the dwarf irregular galaxy ESO 490-017, roughly 12,000 light-years in diameter and some 23 million light-years away in the constellation Canis Major. The galaxy’s low surface brightness makes it appear as a faint, starry swarm behind brighter foreground stars that are easily recognized by their diffraction spikes. Numerous red, orange, and beige dots are distant galaxies peppering the ****** background, many exhibiting distinct spiral structure. The data in this image of ESO 490-017 was part of a Hubble observing program that looked at the movement of galaxies and galaxy clusters through space. Matter in the universe is distributed unevenly, and the gravitational influence of that matter drives the “cosmic flow” or movement of large-scale structures in the universe. Hubble is uniquely capable of providing distances to nearby galaxies like ESO 490-017 by measuring the luminosities of low-mass red giant stars as “standard candles”. The observing program also provided a legacy archive of the types of stars in local galaxies. Facebook logo @NASAHubble @NASAHubble Instagram logo @NASAHubble Media Contact: Claire Andreoli NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, MD *****@*****.tld Share Details Last Updated May 27, 2026 Editor Andrea Gianopoulos Location NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Related Terms Hubble Space Telescope Goddard Space Flight Center Irregular Galaxies The Universe Keep Exploring Discover More Topics From Hubble Hubble Space Telescope Since its 1990 launch, the Hubble Space Telescope has changed our fundamental understanding of the universe. Hubble’s Galaxies Hubble Science Highlights Hubble Images View the full article

Earth Observatory Science Earth Observatory Ever Restless Mount Dukono Erupts Earth Earth Observatory Image of the Day EO Explorer Topics All Topics Atmosphere Land Heat & Radiation Life on Earth Human Dimensions Natural Events Oceans Remote Sensing Technology Snow & Ice Water More Content Collections Global Maps World of Change Articles Notes from the Field Blog Earth Matters Blog Blue Marble: Next Generation EO Kids Mission: Biomes About About Us Subscribe 🛜 RSS Contact Us Search An ash-rich volcanic plume streams from the volcano on May 13, 2026, in this image captured by the OLI (Operational Land Imager) on Landsat 9. NASA Earth Observatory / Lauren Dauphin In May 2026, the Global Volcanism Program reported nine actively erupting volcanoes in Indonesia—more than any other country at the time. Such activity is typical for the Southeast Asian archipelago, where eruptions have occurred at 55 volcanoes since the 1960s—the highest total for any country. Japan ranks second with eruptions at 40 volcanoes over that time *******, followed by the United States with 39, according to Global Volcanism Program data. Even for such an eruption-prone country, the persistence of activity at Mount Dukono stands out. The remote stratovolcano, located at the northern end of Halmahera Island, has been erupting nearly continuously since 1933, with near-daily rumbles and frequent emissions of ash and volcanic gases. The volcano routinely flings hunks of semi-molten rock, known as volcanic bombs, hundreds of meters from its vent. This sort of activity at Dukono turned deadly on May 8, 2026, when ash and volcanic bombs rained down on a group of hikers. In the days following the tragedy, the mountain remained highly active. Indonesia’s volcanological survey reported an average of 52 eruptive events per day between May 9 and 16, with ash plumes rising 400 to 4,300 meters (1,300 feet to 14,000 feet) above the summit. NASA and other U.S. government satellites detected thermal anomalies, ash plumes, and sulfur dioxide emissions in recent days. Indonesian authorities have set the alert level at 2 (on a scale of 4) and warned the public to stay at least 4 kilometers (2 miles) from the crater. NASA Earth Observatory image by Lauren Dauphin, using Landsat data from the U.S. Geological Survey. Story by Adam Voiland. Downloads May 13, 2026 JPEG (4.34 MB) References & Resources Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (2026) MAGMA Indonesia. Accessed May 26, 2026. CNN (2026, May 9) Multiple hikers killed, others rescued after volcano erupts in Indonesia. Accessed May 26, 2026. Global Volcanism Program (2026, May 14) Weekly Volcanic Activity Report. Accessed May 26, 2026. Global Volcanism Program (2026, March 31) Which countries have the most volcanoes? Accessed May 26, 2026. The Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (2026) Gunung Dukono Kembali Erupsi, Masyarakat Diminta Waspadai Sebaran Abu Vulkanik. Accessed May 26, 2026. Mirova (2026, May 26) Dukono. Accessed May 26, 2026. Mounts (2026, May 26) Dukono. Accessed May 26, 2026. Oregon State University (2026) Dukono. Accessed May 26, 2026. You may also be interested in: Stay up-to-date with the latest content from NASA as we explore the universe and discover more about our home planet. Home Reef Adds On 3 min read The Tongan volcano expanded its mid-Pacific real estate during its latest eruptive phase. Article A Volcanic Medley Near Mammoth Lakes 4 min read A massive, old caldera and more recently formed craters shape the landscape in the eastern Sierra Nevada. Article Scoria Cones on Earth and Mars 7 min read The hill-shaped features are a sign of explosive volcanic activity—a rarity on the Red Planet. Article 1 2 3 4 Next Keep Exploring Discover More from NASA Earth Science Subscribe to Earth Observatory Newsletters Subscribe to the Earth Observatory and get the Earth in your inbox. Earth Observatory Image of the Day NASA’s Earth Observatory brings you the Earth, every day, with in-depth stories and stunning imagery. Explore Earth Science Earth Science Data Open access to NASA’s archive of Earth science data View the full article

NASA meatball NASA will provide an update on the agency’s Artemis III mission and announce the astronauts assigned to the test flight during a live event at 11 a.m. EDT on Tuesday, June 9, at the agency’s Johnson Space Center in Houston. The event will stream on NASA+ and on the agency’s YouTube channel. Learn how to watch NASA content through a variety of online platforms, including social media. Following the event, the Artemis III crew will be available for limited in-person and virtual interviews. Interview requests must be submitted to the NASA Johnson newsroom by 5 p.m. on June 4. International media interested in attending must contact the NASA Johnson newsroom at *****@*****.tld by 5 p.m., Thursday, May 28. U.S. media must contact the newsroom by 5 p.m., Thursday, June 4. Registered media will receive confirmation and additional event details by email. NASA’s media accreditation policy is available online. Artemis III will launch four astronauts from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida aboard the Orion spacecraft on the SLS (Space Launch System) rocket. The mission will test critical rendezvous and docking capabilities between Orion and commercial human landing systems needed to deliver astronauts to the lunar surface. Building on the successful Artemis II crewed test flight in April, Artemis III will pave the way for future surface missions. As part of the Golden Age of innovation and exploration, NASA will send Artemis astronauts on increasingly complex missions to explore more of the Moon for scientific discovery, economic benefits, establish an enduring human presence on the lunar surface, and to build on our foundation for the first crewed missions to Mars. Learn more about NASA’s Artemis program: [Hidden Content] -end- Rachel Kraft Headquarters, Washington 202-358-1600 rachel.h*****@*****.tld Anna Schneider Johnson Space Center, Houston 281-483-5111 *****@*****.tld Share Details Last Updated May 26, 2026 EditorJennifer M. DoorenLocationNASA Headquarters Related TermsMissionsArtemisArtemis 3Johnson Space Center View the full article

2 min read Preparations for Next Moonwalk Simulations Underway (and Underwater) NASA astronaut and Expedition 74 flight engineer Jessica Meir configures research gear inside the Destiny laboratory module’s Microgravity Science Glovebox aboard the International Space Station.Credit: NASA/Jessica Meir Students in New York will hear from NASA astronaut Jessica Meir as she answers their prerecorded science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) questions while aboard the International Space Station. The Earth-to-space call will begin at 11:05 p.m. EDT Thursday, May 28, and will stream live on the agency’s Learn With NASA YouTube channel. This event is hosted by the Cradle of Aviation Museum in Garden City, New York, for students in grades K-12 and members of the community. This unique opportunity aims to deepen understanding of space exploration and enhance awareness of STEM careers. Media interested in covering the event must RSVP no later than 5 p.m. EDT, Wednesday, May 27, to Jerelyn Zontini at: 516-567-0537 or *****@*****.tld. For more than 25 years, astronauts have continuously lived and worked aboard the space station, testing technologies, performing science, and developing skills needed to explore farther from Earth. Astronauts communicate with NASA’s Mission Control Center in Houston 24 hours a day through SCaN’s (Space Communications and Navigation) Near Space Network. Research and technology investigations taking place aboard the space station benefit people on Earth and lay the groundwork for other agency deep space missions. As part of NASA’s Artemis program, the agency will send astronauts to the Moon to prepare for future human exploration of Mars, inspiring the world through discovery in a new Golden Age of innovation and exploration. For more information on NASA in-flight calls, visit: [Hidden Content] Share Details Last Updated May 26, 2026 Related TermsLearning ResourcesIn-flight Education DownlinksInternational Space Station (ISS) Explore More 4 min read NASA’s AWE Completes Mission to Study Earth’s Effect on Space Weather On May 21, ground controllers powered down NASA’s AWE (Atmospheric Waves Experiment) instrument, bringing the… Article 5 days ago 5 min read NASA Highlights 2025 International Space Station Science Results Article 5 days ago 4 min read Great ****** of Fire An astronaut on the International Space Station was surprised to photograph a shower of light… Article 1 week ago Keep Exploring Discover Related Topics Missions Humans in Space Learning Resources In-Flight STEM Downlinks View the full article

Artist’s concept of Phase 3 of NASA’s Moon Base.Credit: NASA During a Moon Base event Tuesday at NASA’s Headquarters in Washington, the agency announced new contracts for lunar rovers for crew to drive and uncrewed cargo landers bound for the Moon. NASA leaders also shared target launch timeframes and upcoming milestones for the first Moon Base infrastructure and exploration missions to the lunar South Pole region ahead of Artemis astronaut landings. “The Moon Base will be America’s and humanity’s first outpost on another celestial world,” said NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman. “Every mission, crewed and uncrewed, will be a learning opportunity as we return to the lunar surface, build the infrastructure to stay, and master the skills required to live and operate in one of the most demanding and dangerous environments imaginable. We will go for the science, for all we stand to gain from an economic and technological perspective, for the innovations that will make life better here on Earth, and to prepare for where we will inevitably go next. We are grateful for President Trump’s leadership, the bipartisan commitment from Congress, our industry and international partners, and the dedicated NASA workforce whose expertise enables us to achieve the near-impossible.” NASA announced the first three Moon Base missions to begin building sustained operations: Moon Base I: Targeted for launch no earlier than fall 2026, this mission will use Blue Origin’s Blue Moon Mark 1 Endurance lander to deliver NASA payloads. Equipment will include the Stereo Cameras for Lunar Plume-Surface Studies instrument to study how thrusters interact with the Moon’s surface, and the Laser Retroreflective Array, which helps orbiting spacecraft determine a more precise location using reflected laser light. The mission will land on the Shackleton Connecting Ridge to demonstrate capabilities that reduce risk for future crewed Artemis landing missions in 2028. Moon Base II: Planned for launch later this year, this mission will deliver more than 1,100 pounds of cargo on Astrobotic’s Griffin lander, including Astrolab’s FLIP rover, to mature mobility systems that inform future lunar terrain vehicle, or LTV, operations. Moon Base III: Also targeted for this year, this mission will fly the first payload selected through NASA’s Payloads and Research Investigations on the Surface of the Moon initiative. Its anchor investigation, Lunar Vertex, will fly on Intuitive Machine’s Nova-C Trinity lunar lander and study lunar swirls, or light spots on the surface of the Moon, to improve understanding of surface evolution and material behavior under extreme conditions. The mission will include payloads from ESA (European Space Agency) and the Korea Astronomy and Space Science Institute, reflecting commercial and international participation in Moon Base activities. These missions are the first of more than a dozen missions that will be announced this year, each designed to generate operational data and reduce risk ahead of crewed Artemis surface activities. NASA has awarded Astrolab $219 million and Lunar Outpost $220 million to build and deliver the first phase of LTVs. Awarded under the Phase 1 High Achievability Mission task orders of the Lunar Terrain Vehicle Services contract, these firm-fixed-price, performance-based milestones will enable NASA to deploy crewed and uncrewed mobility systems to the lunar surface by 2028 through the agency’s CLPS (Commercial Lunar Payload Services) initiative. Early surface mobility is a foundational component of the national space policy priority to create an enduring lunar presence. Astrolab’s Crewed Lunar Vehicle, or CLV‑1, adapted from the company’s FLEX architecture, is a crewed rover designed to transport astronauts, carry supplies, and support remote operations, with a compact stowed configuration, a mass of about 2,000 pounds, and the ability to reach more than 6 mph on level terrain. Complementing this capability, Lunar Outpost’s Pegasus is a lighter, mission‑ready evolution of its Eagle rover designed explicitly to meet NASA’s updated LTV requirements. Operational for up to a year and capable of manual, autonomous, or teleoperated driving at speeds more than 9 mph, Pegasus incorporates Apollo‑heritage technologies and builds on prototype and flight experience to deliver human‑centered mobility essential for establishing a sustained Moon Base. Deploying multiple LTVs early in Moon Base development will accelerate technology demonstrations, inform site planning, and reduce operational risk ahead of crewed Artemis missions, enabling NASA to characterize terrain hazards, move materials, pre-stage resources, and mature systems needed for long-duration lunar exploration. Over the next 18 months, the selected providers will finalize rover designs, conduct crewed evaluations, and qualify flight units for operational readiness, with the resulting LTVs supporting autonomous traverses, terrain preparation, scientific investigations, technology demonstrations, and astronaut transport. As Moon Base efforts advance, NASA will expand opportunities for additional vendors through on‑ramp competitions, fostering a robust, sustainable approach to lunar mobility and strengthening national priorities in space capability. To deliver these rovers to the Moon’s South Pole region, NASA awarded Blue Origin $188 million with an option ******* worth $280.4 million for two task orders, which includes an option ******* based on initial phase performance. NASA can choose to extend the task order for payload delivery. This competitive procurement, executed under the CLPS 1.0 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity framework, the CX-2 task order represents a strategic investment in lunar exploration and will play a critical role in enabling mobility and infrastructure development for sustained lunar operations, marking a significant step toward establishing a permanent human presence on the Moon. Building on the successes and lessons learned from CLPS 1.0, the agency also outlined how the next generation of cargo landers under CLPS 2.0 will continue to deliver payloads to the lunar surface and lunar orbit, supporting NASA’s ambitious goals for sustained lunar operations. This next phase introduces enhanced flexibility, allowing NASA to order turn-key delivery services or start accepting delivery of CLPS hardware for integration into its own missions. The final CLPS 2.0 request for proposal was released on May 15, with responses due on Tuesday, June 30. Moonfall update The agency also shared new updates on MoonFall, a mission that will send four drones to fly short hops on the lunar surface as they survey potential landing sites for Artemis astronauts. NASA‘s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern California has been developing the design and testing prototype hardware and has selected Firefly Aerospace to build the spacecraft that will transport the drones from Earth orbit to the Moon. Launch is targeted for 2028. The drones will independently land on the lunar surface and then gather high-resolution imagery of hard-to-reach terrain over the course of a single lunar day. After each drone’s final flight, its survive-the-night payload will continue to operate for several months, marking a sustained U.S. presence at the lunar South Pole. More robotic missions to come Finally, NASA stated in the coming weeks that a selection of additional CLPS 1.0 task awards, issued during the agency’s Ignition event, for Moon Base payloads and technology demonstrations, is forthcoming. In the coming months, there also will be additional opportunities to compete for CLPS 1.0 and 2.0 task orders as Phase 1 technology demonstrations are defined and planned for Moon Base missions. During the update, NASA leadership reiterated that establishing a sustained lunar presence is aligned with the agency’s broader exploration strategy, supported by increased launch cadence, expanded industry partnerships, and agencywide coordination. As part of the Golden Age of innovation and exploration, NASA will send astronauts on increasingly difficult missions to explore more of the Moon for scientific discovery, economic benefits, and to build on our foundation for the first crewed missions to Mars. For more on Moon Base, visit: [Hidden Content] -end- George Alderman / James Gannon Headquarters, Washington 202-358-1600 *****@*****.tld / james.h*****@*****.tld Share Details Last Updated May 26, 2026 LocationNASA Headquarters Related TermsHumans in SpaceArtemisMissionsMoon Base View the full article

NASA/Chris Williams Chennai, on India’s southern coast along the Bay of Bengal and with a metropolitan population of about 8.7 million, shines with white LED streetlights in this photograph taken at approximately 9:13 p.m. local time on May 2, 2026, from the International Space Station. Earth observations from the space station let us see how our planet changes over time. In combination with NASA-developed technologies, these observations provide the foundation needed to explore and sustain human life on the Moon, Mars, and beyond. Image credit: NASA/Chris Williams View the full article

This image shows PUEO at the Long Duration Balloon Facility in Antarctica, immediately after balloon release. Credit: NASA/Scott Battaion The Payload for Ultrahigh Energy Observations (PUEO) is a NASA Astrophysics Pioneers Program mission designed to detect the most energetic particles in the universe. The PUEO mission flew high above Antarctica on a Long Duration Balloon (LDB) and used the Antarctic ice sheet as an enormous detection volume to look for radio signals generated by the interactions of extremely energetic astrophysical neutrinos as they passed through the ice. In addition to searching for the highest energy neutrinos, PUEO could also detect radio signals from high energy cosmic rays showering in Earth’s atmosphere (a.k.a. air showers), either as the signals entered directly into the instrument or reflected off the ice below. The sensitivity achieved with the PUEO instrument was a result of technology advancements and careful optimization of the experimental design to enable accommodation within the balloon platform’s launch volume. The ultra-high energy neutrinos that PUEO was searching for carry information from the most extreme places in the universe, including supermassive ****** holes that accrete matter at the centers of galaxies, neutron star mergers, and other powerful cosmic accelerators. Because these particles travel large distances along straight lines without being absorbed, they provide a unique view of the distant, most energetic universe. Not only will data collected by PUEO reveal the origin and composition of the highest-energy cosmic rays, it will also test fundamental physics at energies far beyond those achievable in human-made particle accelerators on Earth. The PUEO mission built on heritage from the NASA-sponsored Antarctic Impulsive Transient Antenna (ANITA) mission, which had four successful flights from 2006-2016. Like ANITA, PUEO consisted of an array of radio-frequency antennas, an onboard data acquisition system that is triggered by neutrino-like signals and processes and saves the data, and a navigation and command and control system. From its 120,000-foot altitude, PUEO monitored an extremely large volume of Antarctic ice, looking for signals from very rare, high-energy neutrino interactions. The first of NASA’s Astrophysics Pioneers missions to launch, PUEO took off Dec. 20, 2025, from NASA’s Long Duration Balloon Facility near McMurdo Station, Antarctica, and flew for 23 days before landing approximately 120 miles (200 km) from the South Pole. The full payload has been recovered, including the data drives. The PUEO team is currently analyzing the data collected—an undertaking that may take up to a year due to the complex nature of the task. The PUEO mission’s on-ice integration team is seen here in front of the fully constructed instrument. Credit: Cosmin Deaconu The significant improvement in sensitivity achieved with the PUEO instrument compared to that of ANITA was due to a variety of technology advancements and careful optimization of the experimental design to enable accommodation within the balloon platform’s constrained launch volume. Lowering detection threshold with interferometric triggering At the heart of PUEO’s technology advancement was a new type of trigger called an interferometric phased array trigger. The PUEO trigger coherently summed signals from multiple antennas in real time, enabling the instrument to detect weaker signals than previously possible. By lowering the trigger threshold, PUEO could dig further into the noise, and find weaker neutrino and cosmic-ray signals than previous experiments. More channels in a physically constrained space The PUEO antenna collecting area for frequencies above 300 MHz was doubled compared to ANITA, improving the sensitivity to radio emission from particle interactions. To ensure the PUEO payload remained within the allowable launch volume, the team increased the low-frequency cutoff of the PUEO antennas, which enabled them to be even smaller than those used on ANITA. Low-frequency instrument for air shower characterization To improve sensitivity to extensive air showers produced by cosmic rays and potentially neutrinos, PUEO incorporated a new low-frequency instrument that deployed once the payload reached float altitude (it would have been much too large to fit in the allowable launch volume in its flight configuration). This new low-frequency instrument incorporated antennas that are sensitive down to 50 MHz, and extended PUEOs sensitivity to air showers. This photo shows the inside of PUEO’s Main Instrument Enclosure, where many of PUEO’s electronics are housed. Credit: Eric Oberla Many of the technology advancements that were developed for PUEO may also be applicable for mission concepts under development that would use the lunar regolith as a detector for ultra-high energy cosmic rays, and other potential future radio missions on the moon. Project Lead: Dr. Abigail Vieregg, David N. Schramm Director of the Kavli Institute for Cosmological Physics and professor of Physics, Astronomy & Astrophysics, and the Enrico Fermi Institute, University of Chicago, assisted by graduate student, Rachel Scrandis Sponsoring Organization(s): NASA Astrophysics Division Pioneers Program View the full article

Earth Observatory Science Earth Observatory A Full Moon Checkup Earth Earth Observatory Image of the Day EO Explorer Topics All Topics Atmosphere Land Heat & Radiation Life on Earth Human Dimensions Natural Events Oceans Remote Sensing Technology Snow & Ice Water More Content Collections Global Maps World of Change Articles Notes from the Field Blog Earth Matters Blog Blue Marble: Next Generation EO Kids Mission: Biomes About About Us Subscribe 🛜 RSS Contact Us Search To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video The Moon appears along the centerline of scans acquired by the OLI (Operational Land Imager) on Landsat 9 on January 3, 2026. These monthly lunar scans help ensure the long-term consistency of Landsat’s Earth observations. Landsat Project Science Support/Ross Walter In April 2026, NASA’s Artemis program took humanity back to the Moon, providing a new look at Earth’s only natural satellite. As the world celebrates the return of Artemis II’s four astronauts, the lunar surface continues to play a critical role in missions much closer to Earth. Since 1972, the NASA/USGS Landsat program has captured the longest continuous record of Earth’s land surface, collecting images that track everything from crop health to glacial change. But with such a long data record, how can scientists trust that images acquired today can be accurately compared to those from days, years, or even decades ago? They look to the Moon. Unlike Earth, with its constantly changing weather, seasons, and landscape, the Moon is remarkably stable. With no atmosphere and virtually no surface changes, the Moon reflects sunlight in a predictable, consistent way. This stability gives engineers a reference to fine-tune Landsat’s instruments and be confident that the data are accurate. Once a month, during the full Moon, the spacecraft turns its instruments away from Earth and points them directly at the lunar surface. Over the course of two orbits, the spacecraft maneuvers to image the moon 15 times. During each pass, Landsat captures detailed measurements of light reflected off the Moon’s surface, revealing any unintended sensor change, or “drift,” that needs correction. The animation above shows the scans acquired by band 4 of the OLI (Operational Land Imager) on Landsat 9 on January 3, 2026. Each parallel scan was acquired by one of the 14 detector modules that comprise the instrument’s focal plane. The satellite maneuvers so that each module images the Moon, with one module capturing it twice. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Landsat Project Science Support/Ross Walter This work is one piece in a complex puzzle called calibration, which is part of what makes NASA the gold standard of science worldwide. From before launch all the way to the end of a satellite’s life, engineers ensure that the data collected by the satellite is accurate and consistent. In addition to looking to the Moon, Landsat also looks to places on Earth where the ground is uniform, like the wide, pale expanse of the White Sands desert in New Mexico. Scientists also collect measurements on the ground to check against those collected from space. For example, they ensure that surface temperature readings match those recorded by Landsat’s thermal band. All these efforts are part of what make a Landsat image different from photos taken by consumer cameras. Landsat images contain crucial information that scientists can use to map changes in habitats, tree species, agricultural patterns, and more. Video and animation by Ross Walter, using Landsat data from the U.S. Geological Survey. Story by Ross Walter and Madeleine Gregory, Landsat Project Science Support. Downloads January 3, 2026: Animation MP4 (7.26 MB) Video MP4 (121.74 MB) January 3, 2026: Still Image JPEG (184.10 KB) References & Resources Landsat Project Science Support (2025, December 16) Maintaining the Gold Standard: The Future of Landsat Calibration and Validation. Accessed May 22, 2026. NASA (2025, December 2) Calibration & Validation. Accessed May 22, 2026. NASA Earth Observatory (2022, July 5) Landsat Looks at the Moon. Accessed May 22, 2026. NASA’s Scientific Visualization Studio (2014, July 11) Landsat 8 Lunar Calibration. Accessed May 22, 2026. You may also be interested in: Stay up-to-date with the latest content from NASA as we explore the universe and discover more about our home planet. Earthset From the Lunar Far Side 2 min read The crew of NASA’s Artemis II mission captured extraordinary images of our home planet during their journey around the far… Article Shades of a Lunar Eclipse 3 min read A series of nighttime satellite images revealed how moonlight reaching Earth varied throughout a total lunar eclipse. Article Seasons Change in Southwest Virginia 3 min read From autumn color to a winter-white finish, forested areas around Blacksburg trade foliage for snow over the span of two… Article 1 2 3 4 Next Keep Exploring Discover More from NASA Earth Science Subscribe to Earth Observatory Newsletters Subscribe to the Earth Observatory and get the Earth in your inbox. Earth Observatory Image of the Day NASA’s Earth Observatory brings you the Earth, every day, with in-depth stories and stunning imagery. Explore Earth Science Earth Science Data Open access to NASA’s archive of Earth science data View the full article

Earth Observatory Science Earth Observatory An Early “Decoration Day”… Earth Earth Observatory Image of the Day EO Explorer Topics All Topics Atmosphere Land Heat & Radiation Life on Earth Human Dimensions Natural Events Oceans Remote Sensing Technology Snow & Ice Water More Content Collections Global Maps World of Change Articles Notes from the Field Blog Earth Matters Blog Blue Marble: Next Generation EO Kids Mission: Biomes About About Us Subscribe 🛜 RSS Contact Us Search Signs of the racetrack where an early “Decoration Day” event was held are still visible in this image captured by the OLI (Operational Land Imager) on Landsat 9 on April 24, 2026. NASA Earth Observatory/Michala Garrison The origins of Memorial Day lie in the U.S. Civil War, a conflict that led to the deaths of nearly 700,000 Americans. By the waning days of the war, makeshift military cemeteries had sprung up throughout the country, but especially in the South and Mid-Atlantic, where much of the fighting occurred. By the time the leader of the veterans’ group Grand Army of the Republic declared May 30, 1868, as “Decoration Day”—a day for “strewing with flowers or otherwise decorating the graves of comrades who died in the defense of their country”—informal memorials and commemorative events were already happening. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs notes that at least 25 places played a role in the early years of the holiday, including Columbus, Mississippi; Macon, Georgia; Columbus, Georgia; Richmond, Virginia; Boalsburg, Pennsylvania; and Carbondale, Illinois. One of the earliest and largest ceremonies documented by historians occurred in Charleston, South Carolina. Confederate control of the badly damaged city had ended in February 1865, and Union troops had emancipated thousands of people there. Among the first tasks taken on was ensuring a proper burial for 257 soldiers found in mass graves near a racetrack at the Washington Race Course and Jockey Club, which had been used as a prison camp during the war. After these soldiers had been re-interred in a new cemetery nearby, a crowd of roughly 10,000 people, including freedmen, missionaries, teachers, and soldiers, assembled at the racetrack and held a parade on May 1, 1865. The day featured thousands of schoolchildren carrying armloads of roses, women bearing flowers and wreaths, double-time marches by troops, choir performances of the “Star-Spangled Banner,” and ****** recitations by local ministers. Much has changed in Charleston since the Civil War. The city has been rebuilt, and it has grown from a pre-war population of 40,000 to 160,000 today. Yet signs of the racetrack in what is now Hampton Park, where the early memorial event took place, remain visible—even to a sensor orbiting Earth on Landsat 9 (above). In 1968, the federal government declared Memorial Day an official national holiday with the Uniform Monday Holiday Act, which moved Decoration Day celebrations from May 30 to the last Monday in May. This act followed a congressional resolution in 1966 that recognized a century of Memorial Day events in Waterloo, New York, acknowledging its claim as the “birthplace” of Memorial Day in honor of a commemorative event held there on May 5, 1866. Hampton Park is visible just north of downtown Charleston in this image captured by the OLI (Operational Land Imager) on Landsat 9 on April 24, 2026. NASA Earth Observatory/Michala Garrison NASA Earth Observatory images by Michala Garrison, using Landsat data from the U.S. Geological Survey. Story by Adam Voiland. Downloads April 24, 2026 JPEG (7.07 MB) References & Resources American Battle Monuments Commission (2014, May 23) From Decoration Day to Memorial Day: An American Tradition for Nearly 150 Years. Accessed May 21, 2026. American Battlefield Trust (2012, November 16) Civil War Casualties. Accessed May 21, 2026. Blight, D. (2015, April 27) The First Decoration Day. Accessed May 21, 2026. Charleston Area Branch of the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (2024, May 23) Decoration Day & Charleston’s Gullah Community: Honoring the Fallen First – Memorial Day. Accessed May 21, 2026. The College Today (2017, May 29) Memorial Day Uncovered: Charleston’s ‘Martyrs of the Race Course.’ Accessed May 21, 2026. The Historical Marker Database (2025, January 12) First Memorial Day. Accessed May 21, 2026. History.com (2026, May 4) One of the Earliest Memorial Day Ceremonies Was Held by Freed African Americans. Accessed May 21, 2026. National Archives (2018, May 24) The Nation’s Sacrifice: The Origins and Evolution of Memorial Day. Accessed May 21, 2026. National Archives (2024, May 23) Memorial Day: A Commemoration. Accessed May 21, 2026. National Cemetery Administration (2026) Memorial Day History. Accessed May 21, 2026. Time (2018, May 25) Lots of Places Claim to Be the Birthplace of Memorial Day. Here’s the Truth, According to an Expert. Accessed May 21, 2026. U.S. Army Airborne & Special Operations, The History of Memorial Day. Accessed May 21, 2026. U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, The Origins of Memorial Day. Accessed May 21, 2026. WCBD News2 (2022, May 29) First recorded Memorial Day observance took place in Hampton Park in 1865. Accessed May 21, 2026. You may also be interested in: Stay up-to-date with the latest content from NASA as we explore the universe and discover more about our home planet. How Long, Not Long 4 min read After marching from Selma, Martin Luther King Jr. stood on the steps of the state capitol in Montgomery, Alabama, and… Article Belts of Green in the Washington Suburbs 3 min read Along the northeast side of the Capital Beltway in Maryland, green spaces weave through the developed landscape. Article A Grand, Snow-Rimmed Canyon 3 min read A dusting of white highlighted the Colorado Plateau around the deep gorge, while shadows created a visual illusion. Article 1 2 3 4 Next Keep Exploring Discover More from NASA Earth Science Subscribe to Earth Observatory Newsletters Subscribe to the Earth Observatory and get the Earth in your inbox. Earth Observatory Image of the Day NASA’s Earth Observatory brings you the Earth, every day, with in-depth stories and stunning imagery. Explore Earth Science Earth Science Data Open access to NASA’s archive of Earth science data View the full article

Credit: NASA As NASA pushes the boundaries of exploration and innovation for the benefit of humanity, the agency is looking for partners to share mission stories covering Artemis Moon missions, nuclear propulsion, aeronautics, and more. NASA published an Announcement for Proposals on May 21 asking filmmakers, documentarians, songwriters, storytellers, poets, and others to submit proposals to partner with the agency by Tuesday, June 30. In this initial round, NASA is seeking up to 10 partners for unfunded Space Act Agreements to share the stories behind, and insights into, multiple NASA missions, including, but not limited to, the following: Artemis program, including the recently added Artemis III mission in 2027, and Artemis IV lunar landing in 2028, as well as plans for the agency to develop a Moon Base. Learn more about Artemis on the agency’s website. NASA’s advancement of nuclear propulsion, including the Space Reactor-1 Freedom mission to Mars in 2028 carrying the Skyfall payload. NASA’s cutting-edge aviation work through flight tests and other efforts. While this opportunity is focused on U.S. creators, the agency will consider proposals with a ********* of international participants. Proposals should detail which area of focus is desired, funding and distribution arrangements, and any specifics needs from NASA to move forward (access to facilities, personnel, etc.). Full requirements and other details are available online: [Hidden Content] -end- Camille Gallo / Cheryl Warner Headquarters, Washington 202-358-1600 *****@*****.tld / *****@*****.tld Share Details Last Updated May 22, 2026 EditorJennifer M. DoorenLocationNASA Headquarters Related TermsArtemisArtemis 3Artemis 4 View the full article

Roscosmos cosmonaut Sergey Ryzhikov is pictured at the end of the European robotic arm as he works on a high‑resolution camera during a six‑hour, nine‑minute spacewalk outside the International Space Station on Oct. 16, 2025.Credit: NASA NASA will provide live coverage on Wednesday, May 27, as two Roscosmos cosmonauts conduct a spacewalk outside the International Space Station. The spacewalk is scheduled to begin at approximately 10:15 a.m. EDT and last roughly five hours. Watch NASA’s live coverage beginning at 9:45 a.m. on NASA+, Amazon Prime, and the agency’s YouTube channel. Learn how to watch NASA content through a variety of online platforms, including social media. International Space Station Expedition 74 commander Sergey Kud-Sverchkov and flight engineer Sergei Mikaev will install a solar radiation experiment on the Zvezda service module and remove other science hardware from the Poisk and Nauka modules of the orbiting complex’s Roscosmos segment. If time allows, the duo also will photograph one of the Progress 94 cargo spacecraft’s Kurs rendezvous antennas, which failed to deploy in March following its launch to the space station. This Roscosmos spacewalk will be the second for Kud-Sverchkov and the first for Mikaev. Kud-Sverchkov will wear a spacesuit with red stripes, and Mikaev will wear a spacesuit with blue stripes. It will be the 279th spacewalk in support of space station assembly, maintenance, and upgrades. To learn more about International Space Station research, operations, and its crews, visit: [Hidden Content] -end- Josh Finch / Jimi Russell Headquarters, Washington 202-358-1100 *****@*****.tld / *****@*****.tld Sandra Jones Johnson Space Center, Houston 281-483-5111 sandra.p*****@*****.tld Share Details Last Updated May 22, 2026 EditorJennifer M. DoorenLocationNASA Headquarters Related TermsInternational Space Station (ISS)Expedition 74Humans in Space View the full article

ESA/Webb, NASA & CSA, A. Pedrini, A. Adamo (Stockholm University) and the FEAST JWST team This near-infrared image released on May 6, 2026, shows a section of one of the spiral arms of Messier 51 (M51). M51 is one of four nearby galaxies observed by NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope in a study of nearly 9,000 star clusters. Data from the study shows that more massive star clusters emerge more quickly from the clouds they are born in. Learning about star formation helps us understand galactic evolution, the dynamics within a galaxy, as well as how and where planets form. See what scientists learned. Image credit: ESA/Webb, NASA & CSA, A. Pedrini, A. Adamo (Stockholm University) and the FEAST JWST team View the full article

4 min read Preparations for Next Moonwalk Simulations Underway (and Underwater) NASA crew chief Walt Kondracki checks an F-15 aircraft Tuesday, March 17, 2026, at NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California. Ground crews, made of various roles, maintain the aircraft to be ready for each mission.NASA/Carla Escamilla From high‑speed research flights to high‑altitude science campaigns, NASA depends on aircraft that perform at their best and the ground crews who keep them mission ready. At NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California, specially trained maintenance crews are essential to keeping the agency’s aircraft flying safely and reliably. This year, NASA added two F-15s and a Pilatus PC-12 to its fleet at Armstrong. These aircraft – alongside platforms such as the high-altitude ER-2s and NASA’s newest X-plane, the X-59 – reflect a wide range of capabilities. The maintenance staff is responsible for keeping each one mission ready. NASA pilot Nils Larson, left, walks next to crew chief Walt Kondracki, right, by an F-15 aircraft Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2026, at NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California. In the background, NASA mechanic Tim Logan secures the cockpit inside of the F-15, and flight test engineer A.J. Jaffe stands to the right.NASA/Christopher LC Clark “That’s the beauty of our Armstrong maintenance teams. They adapt to any type of change,” said Jose “Manny” Rodriguez, NASA Armstrong Gulfstream G-IV crew chief. “One day you could have an instrument being loaded, and the next day it may be aircraft reconfiguration, all while other aircraft systems may need fixing. They adapt and they overcome any situation.” Each aircraft supports a specific mission, whether it’s conducting science research, serving as a support or chase aircraft, or assisting NASA rocket launches. The aircraft fly at different speeds, carry specialized hardware, and require maintenance crews to stay agile with fast-paced changes. To ensure NASA can make aeronautics and science advancements safely, the crews work continuously, checking on the ejection seats, filling the tanks with fuel, and changing out brakes, wheels, wiring, and hardware constantly, all of which can degrade with each flight. From left, NASA avionics technician Jesse Orellana; quality assurance employee Jose Prieto; mechanic Francisco Rodriguez; and mechanic Vincent Moreno work on an ER-2 aircraft Monday, Jan. 26, 2026, at NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California.NASA/Christopher LC Clark On any given day, an aircraft may be flight-ready for a mission, undergoing scheduled maintenance or modifications, or down for longer-term care. There are typically multiple NASA Armstrong aircraft in the air in one day. Currently, the center’s C-20A is flying in Peru and Panama, the X-59 is often flying twice per day with a chase plane, and the center’s ER-2 is flying in Colorado, supporting the Geological Earth Mapping Experiment (GEMx). All this work is happening at the same time, and Armstrong’s skilled maintenance staff is prepping and fixing aircraft as needed along the way. The team includes mechanics with both military and civilian backgrounds, and the job involves a lot of on-the-job training. Maintenance crews are composed of: a crew chief – the person in charge of the airplane an avionics technician, who specializes in navigation, communication, and flight control systems quality assurance personnel, who oversee the work being done additional mechanics assigned to each airplane After the maintenance crew ensures the aircraft is in the best condition possible, the team tows it out to the flightline, and it becomes ready for operations. The NASA pilot assigned to the mission will walk around the aircraft with the assigned crew chief for a final safety check before flight. “There is a crew chief assigned to every aircraft,” Rodriguez said. “The crew chief is responsible for the integrity of that aircraft, and at the end of the day, his signature and the pilot’s together are what constitutes that the aircraft is safe for flight.” Maintenance crews track each flight to help ensure it completes the mission without returning early. If an aircraft does return to base early, the maintenance team stands ready. When it lands, the crew is right there again, helping the research team complete the mission and fixing whatever is needed to stay nimble and ready for the next flight. “It’s difficult at times to work with different airplanes from both the civilian and military sides, but it’s very rewarding to see that we have the capability and the expertise to keep these aircraft flying,” Rodriguez said. Share Details Last Updated May 22, 2026 Related TermsArmstrong Flight Research CenterAeronauticsFlight InnovationNASA AircraftScience in the AirSupersonic Flight Explore More 4 min read NASA Announces Winners in University Aeronautics Competition Article 2 days ago 3 min read Meet the Fleet: NASA Armstrong Continues Legacy of Flight Research Article 2 weeks ago 6 min read Cornell Students Aid NASA with Drone Safety in Sky Article 2 weeks ago Keep Exploring Discover More Topics From NASA Missions Humans in Space Climate Change Solar System View the full article

NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern California.Credit: NASA NASA announced plans Friday to compete the next contract for managing and operating the agency’s federally funded research and development center (FFRDC) in Southern California at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), to ensure continued accountability and strong value for U.S. taxpayers. The California Institute of Technology (Caltech) has managed the laboratory since its inception in the 1930’s, and previous NASA contracts for its management and operations have been awarded sole source to the university since the facility was transferred from the U.S. Army to NASA in 1958. The rapid growth of the U.S. space economy indicates there may now be a viable competitive market for programmatic and institutional elements of the FFRDC operations. Conducting a competition for this contract enables NASA to assess the potential benefits of alternative management approaches to the FFRDC, including opportunities to enhance mission performance, innovation, and overall cost and operational efficiency, consistent with federal competition requirements. This decision is part of a broader governmentwide and agency effort to find efficiencies, strengthen performance, and drive mission outcomes faster and more affordably. “The Jet Propulsion Laboratory has delivered some of the most extraordinary scientific and engineering achievements in NASA’s history,” said NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman. “As America’s space economy evolves, we have a responsibility to the American people and the scientific community to evaluate how we can execute faster, operate more efficiently, and continue to deliver world-class science and engineering at the highest level. The decision to compete this contract reflects NASA’s commitment to strong stewardship of taxpayer resources and positions Jet Propulsion Laboratory to continue driving world-changing scientific discovery and technological innovation for decades to come.” The work conducted at JPL remains critically important to the agency, and NASA is committed to maintaining continuity for active and future missions throughout the procurement process. NASA also is committed to maintaining the FFRDC’s existing physical location. This approach is consistent with broader government practices, including at the Department of Energy, which has held full and open competitions for five of its 16 FFRDC management and operations contracts over the past 10 years. The current contract with Caltech began Oct. 1, 2018, and runs through Sept. 30, 2028, with a potential maximum value of $30 billion, if all options are exercised. NASA has initiated the procurement process to compete the contract. Beginning this process now allows the agency sufficient time to conduct a comprehensive competition and award cycle while maintaining continuity for ongoing missions and laboratory operations. For information about NASA and agency programs, visit: [Hidden Content] -end- George Alderman / Cheryl Warner Headquarters, Washington 202-358-1600 *****@*****.tld / *****@*****.tld Share Details Last Updated May 22, 2026 LocationNASA Headquarters Related TermsNASA Centers & FacilitiesJet Propulsion Laboratory View the full article

Credit: NASA NASA announced Friday an agencywide realignment to increase mission focus and move out on the National Space Policy. These changes position the agency to better deliver on the nation’s highest‑priority objectives with speed and efficiency. During the Ignition event in late March, NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman and agency leaders outlined the most pressing objectives to deliver on the next chapter of American leadership in space. President Trump’s Executive Order Ensuring American Space Superiority, otherwise known as the National Space Policy, directed NASA to focus talent and resources on objectives including accelerating the Artemis program, establishing a Moon Base, developing a nuclear space reactor, igniting the orbital economy, and expanding missions of science and discovery. To support the agency’s ambitious short- and long-term goals, NASA is taking action to increase specialization at centers and integrate mission directorates, elevating delivery of technically excellent work. Some of these actions include: Center directors will continue reporting to Associate Administrator Amit Kshatriya, empowered to foster the unique capabilities of each center, and strengthen investments in infrastructure and the health of their workforce. Mission directorates will now report directly to the administrator, ensuring focus on the mission and enabling them to leverage resources across centers, industry, and international partnerships with greater speed and efficiency. The associate administrator also now serves as NASA chief engineer, reinforcing the agency’s technical backbone and ensuring continuity and autonomy in critical engineering decisions. The agency continues to focus on rebuilding core competencies, insourcing contractors to civil servants where appropriate, strengthening the intern pipeline, and leveraging the agency’s joint recruitment initiative with the U.S. Office of Personnel Management, NASA Force, to build a strong, sustainable workforce for generations to come. “This initiative reflects NASA’s extreme focus on executing the mission in direct support of the National Space Policy. We are focusing resources on the most pressing objectives only NASA is capable of undertaking and liberating the workforce from unnecessary bureaucracy and obstacles that impede progress. We aim to rebuild competencies and instill a culture that attracts the best and brightest capable of pursuing the most demanding engineering challenges and moving safely and urgently,” said Isaacman. “There will be no reduction in force, no program cancellations no closures, but we will achieve cost savings through more efficient execution and taking an active role in delivering the outcomes the world has been waiting for from NASA. This is how we deliver on the mission, meet the moment, and continue to make history on behalf of the American people.” Mission directorate realignment is as follows: Human Spaceflight Mission Directorate (HSMD): With human spaceflight operational to both low Earth orbit and the Moon, the Exploration Systems Development Mission Directorate and Space Operations Mission Directorate will unify as HSMD. Research and Technology Mission Directorate (RTMD): NASA will integrate the Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate and Space Technology Mission Directorate into the new RTMD. As a combined research, space technology, and aeronautics organization charged with nuclear power and propulsion development, RTMD will ensure NASA has the capabilities needed for the mission of today and the future. Science Mission Directorate (SMD): Remains unchanged and continues to provide the foundation for NASA’s world‑leading scientific discovery. Additional leadership roles, in alphabetical order, include: John Bailey, associate administrator, Mission Support Directorate Kevin Coggins, director, SCaN (Space Communications and Navigation), RTMD Wesley Deadrick, director, Katherine Johnson IV&V Facility Jamie Dunn, director, NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center Carlos García-Galán, program manager, Moon Base, HSMD Dr. Lori Glaze, associate administrator, HSMD Laurie Grindle, director, Aeronautics Division, RTMD Marvin Horne, deputy assistant administrator for Procurement Brian Hughes, director, NASA’s Kennedy Space Center Kathleen Karika, associate administrator, Office of International and Interagency Relations, OIIR Dr. James Kenyon, associate administrator, RTMD Kelvin Manning, deputy associate administrator, HSMD Meredith McKay, deputy associate administrator, OIIR Dave Mitchell, special assignment lead for NASA Headquarters Relocation Joel Montalbano, deputy associate administrator, HSMD Bradley Niese, associate administrator for Procurement Eli Ouder, acting deputy associate administrator, Mission Support Directorate Jeremy Parsons, program manager, Artemis, HSMD Bob Pearce, senior advisor for Strategy, RTMD Wanda Peters, deputy associate administrator, RTMD Dawn Schaible, director, NASA’s Glenn Research Center Cynthia Simmons, deputy director, NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center Steve Sinacore, acting director, Space Reactor Office; program manager for SR-1, LR-1, RTMD Adam Steltzner, chief engineer for Special Projects Greg Stover, director, Advanced Research and Technology Division, RTMD Dana Weigel, program manager, Low Earth Orbit, HSMD Leadership at unlisted centers remains unchanged. For more, please visit: [Hidden Content] -end- Bethany Stevens / Camille Gallo Headquarters, Washington 202-358-1600 *****@*****.tld / *****@*****.tld Share Details Last Updated May 22, 2026 LocationNASA Headquarters Related TermsMissionsAeronauticsExploration Systems Development Mission DirectorateNASA DirectoratesOffice of International and Interagency Relations (OIIR)Organizations View the full article

4 min read Preparations for Next Moonwalk Simulations Underway (and Underwater) Researchers Dr. Kevin Yu, left, and Dr. Jamesa Stokes prepare to remove a sample of a new material they discovered from a furnace inside a laboratory at NASA’s Glenn Research Center in Cleveland in October 2024. Quenching, or bringing the temperature of the sample down as quickly as possible, helps to ensure no more reactions occur as the sample cools so scientists can focus on studying how it behaves at high temperatures.NASA/Jef Janis A material recently discovered and tested at NASA’s Glenn Research Center in Cleveland could help astronauts pack lighter for future missions to the Moon. NASA is researching ways explorers could “live off the land” by harnessing lunar resources, including melting Moon rocks to extract metals for building infrastructure and oxygen for fuel and life support. As part of a graduate fellowship through the agency’s Space Technology Graduate Research Opportunities, Dr. Kevin Yu, who now works as a technologist at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern California, teamed up with Dr. Jamesa Stokes, a materials research engineer at NASA Glenn, to study how a variety of substances interacted with liquefied Moon dust. You could call it lava, because it’s basically rocks that are crushed up and then melted. It’s very corrosive, and it will very quickly eat through a lot of commonly used refractory, or heat-resistant, materials. Dr. kevin yu Technologist at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory About six months into their research, Stokes and Yu realized they’d stumbled across something promising and entirely new. After combining simulated lunar dust with a compound called scandium oxide and heat treating the mixture using a red-hot furnace, they discovered that an unknown material had formed. The researchers checked and double-checked their work, but the material didn’t match any of the more than 1 million substances in their X-ray analysis database. A sample of the new material researchers discovered at NASA’s Glenn Research Center in Cleveland sits inside a platinum crucible, or heat-resistant container, after being removed from a high-temperature furnace. Behind the silver-colored container is a dome that protects the sample during handling.NASA/Jef Janis Nothing about the material had ever been studied before, so the team started from scratch, measuring the substance’s chemical composition. To make small, isolated samples and continue testing how it reacted with molten Moon dust, they used special grinding and mixing equipment in their laboratory to crush up around eight basic oxide components in ethyl alcohol before baking the mixture at more than 2,900 degrees Fahrenheit inside the furnace. “It’s actually a very cool-looking powder; it goes in pink, almost like strawberry milk,” Yu said. “It has a built-in color indicator, so by the time you’re done with it, it turns to a light beige or tan color, and that’s how you know the reaction has proceeded the way you wanted it to.” The pink powder shown at the far right is used to make the new material researchers discovered at NASA’s Glenn Research Center in Cleveland. The other powders to the left are two types of simulated Moon dirt used to represent dust from both the brighter regions of its surface (referred to as lunar highlands) and the darker regions (referred to as lunar maria).NASA/Jef Janis After analyzing their results, the team found that the new substance isn’t corroded too quickly by the molten Moon dirt and can withstand the high temperatures needed to melt it — up to six times hotter than the oven in your kitchen. While it’s made with scandium oxide, which can be expensive, it costs much less than precious metals like platinum that would normally be used in these types of high-temperature processes. The researchers’ insights could help influence NASA’s designs for a future technology that would extract resources from Moon rocks, and the new material could be used to make the pipes or basins holding molten dust inside this potential technology. The new material’s characteristics also could prove ideal for making coatings that protect parts inside of jet engines, which can reach similarly scorching temperatures. The researchers found it is lighter, less dense, and better at insulating heat than current state-of-the-art coating materials. Researchers Dr. Jamesa Stokes, left, and Dr. Kevin Yu pose for a portrait inside of a laboratory at NASA’s Glenn Research Center in Cleveland in October 2024.NASA/Jef Janis While Yu and Stokes have now completed their initial tests, they hope to fine-tune the material in the future to purify it and make it even more affordable to produce. Materials research will be integral to exploring the harsh environments of the Moon and beyond. You can have the best idea in the world for a structure or a vehicle, but if you don’t have the materials that have the right properties to make your vision come true, it’s not going to succeed no matter how well you design it. Dr. Jamesa stokes Materials Research Engineer at NASA Glenn Studying new materials also advances NASA’s work on Earth. “I think trying to push what’s possible with materials also allows for a lot of breakthroughs on the terrestrial side. Having a better understanding of materials for all sorts of applications is what gets me excited to go to work in the morning,” Yu said. “That’s why I love NASA’s mission; it’s for the benefit of all.” This materials research is supported by NASA’s Space Technology Mission Directorate and NASA’s Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate. For more information, visit: [Hidden Content] Share Details Last Updated May 22, 2026 Related TermsGeneralAeronautics ResearchAeronautics Research Mission DirectorateGlenn Research CenterMaterials ScienceNASA Centers & FacilitiesSpace Technology Mission Directorate Explore More 2 min read Hubble Captures Galaxy Cluster Look closely at this image from NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope and you’ll see galaxies of… Article 2 hours ago 2 min read NASA Seeks Interest for Artemis Mission CubeSats Article 18 hours ago 4 min read NASA’s AWE Completes Mission to Study Earth’s Effect on Space Weather On May 21, ground controllers powered down NASA’s AWE (Atmospheric Waves Experiment) instrument, bringing the… Article 20 hours ago Keep Exploring Discover Related Topics Missions Humans in Space Climate Change Solar System View the full article