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1 Min Read NASA’s Perseverance Captures Panorama at ‘Arbot’ PIA26753 Credits: NASA/JPL-Caltech/****/MSSS Photojournal Navigation Science Photojournal NASA’s Perseverance Captures… Photojournal Home Photojournal Search Latest Content Galleries Feedback RSS About Downloads NASA’s Perseverance Captures Panorama at ‘Arbot’ PNG (132.21 MB) PIA26753 Figure A PNG (117.68 MB) PIA26753 Figure B PNG (67.84 MB) Description NASA’s Perseverance Mars rover used its Mastcam-Z camera to capture this panorama of an area nicknamed “Arbot” on April 5, 2026, the 1,882nd Martian day, or sol, of the mission, during the rover’s deepest push west beyond Jezero Crater. Made of 46 images, the panorama offers one of the richest geological vistas of the mission, revealing a windswept landscape of diverse rock textures. This is an enhanced-color version, which had its color bands processed to improve visual contrast and accentuate color differences. Figure A Figure A is a natural-color version of the mosaic. Figure B Figure B is a 3D anaglyph version designed for use with red-blue glasses. It is composed of 92 images collected by Mastcam-Z. NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, which is managed for the agency by Caltech in Pasadena, California, built and manages operations of the Perseverance rover. Arizona State University leads the operations of the Mastcam-Z instrument, working in collaboration with Malin Space Science Systems in San Diego, on the design, fabrication, testing, and operation of the cameras, and in collaboration with the Niels Bohr Institute of the University of Copenhagen on the design, fabrication, and testing of the calibration targets. For more about Perseverance: science.nasa.gov/mission/mars-2020-perseverance/ Keep Exploring Discover More Topics From Photojournal Photojournal Search Photojournal Photojournal’s Latest Content Feedback View the full article

2 Min Read NASA’s Perseverance Rover Snaps Westernmost Selfie PIA26752 Photojournal Navigation Science Photojournal NASA’s Perseverance Rover… Photojournal Home Photojournal Search Latest Content Galleries Feedback RSS About Downloads NASA’s Perseverance Rover Snaps Westernmost Selfie PNG (178.16 MB) PIA26752 Figure A PNG (178.92 MB) PIA26752 Animation (.gif) GIF (3.55 MB) PIA26752 Animation (.mp4) MP4 (1.15 MB) Description NASA’s Perseverance Mars rover took this selfie on March 11, 2026, the 1,797th Martian day, or sol, of the mission, during the rover’s deepest push west beyond Jezero Crater. Assembled from 61 individual images, the selfie shows Perseverance training its mast on the “Arethusa” rocky outcrop after creating a whitish circular abrasion patch. The crater’s western rim of Jezero Crater is visible in the background. Figure A Figure A is a version of the selfie in which the rover appears to be looking at the camera. Animation (.gif) Here is a GIF combining the main image and Figure A, in which the rover appears to look up and down. The selfie is composed of images taken by the WATSON (Wide Angle Topographic Sensor for Operations and eNgineering) camera on the end of the rover’s robotic arm. The images were stitched together after being sent back to Earth. WATSON is part of an instrument called SHERLOC (Scanning Habitable Environments with Raman & Luminescence for Organics & Chemicals). WATSON was built by Malin Space Science Systems (MSSS) in San Diego and is operated jointly by MSSS and JPL. The rover’s process for taking a selfie is explained in this video. NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, which is managed for the agency by Caltech in Pasadena, California, built and manages operations of the Perseverance rover. For more about Perseverance: [Hidden Content] Keep Exploring Discover More Topics From Photojournal Photojournal Search Photojournal Photojournal’s Latest Content Feedback View the full article

4 min read Preparations for Next Moonwalk Simulations Underway (and Underwater) Small enough to fit in the palm of a hand, NASA’s High Performance Spaceflight Computing processor packs the power of a full system-on-a-chip. This next-generation processor is made to survive deep space while delivering a massive leap in computational speed compared to current spacecraft technology.NASA/JPL-Caltech NASA’s High Performance Spaceflight Computing project aims to dramatically improve the computing power of spacecraft. Missions need processors that can withstand the harsh space environment, so they use chips developed years ago that are hardy and reliable. But upgraded chips are needed to enable the development of autonomous spacecraft, accelerate the rate of scientific discovery through faster data analysis, and support astronauts on missions to the Moon and Mars. “Building on the legacy of previous space processors, this new multicore system is fault-tolerant, flexible, and extremely high-performing,” said Eugene Schwanbeck, program element manager in NASA’s Game Changing Development program at the agency’s Langley Research Center, in Hampton, Virginia. “NASA’s commitment to advancing spaceflight computing is a triumph of technical achievement and collaboration.” The centerpiece of the High Performance Spaceflight Computing project is a new radiation-hardened, high-performance processor, designed to provide up to 100 times the computational capacity of current spaceflight computers while enduring a barrage of challenges in space. NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern California has been conducting various tests that replicate those challenges. “We are putting these new chips through the wringer by carrying out radiation, thermal, and shock tests while also evaluating their performance through a rigorous functional test campaign,” said Jim Butler, High Performance Space Computing project manager at JPL. The processor must endure myriad tests to prove it can survive the rigors of spaceflight, including electromagnetic radiation and extreme temperature swings, both of which can degrade electronics. High-energy particles from the Sun and interstellar space can cause errors that send a spacecraft into “safe mode,” where nonessential operations are shut down until mission operators resolve the issue. There are also unique challenges associated with landing on planetary bodies. “To simulate real-world performance, we are using high-fidelity landing scenarios from real NASA missions that would typically require power-intensive hardware to process huge volumes of landing-sensor data,” said Butler. “This is an exciting time for us to be working on hardware that will enable NASA’s next giant leaps.” Testing at JPL, which began in February, will continue for several months. Results have been promising: The processor is working as designed and indications show it operating at 500 times the performance of the radiation-hardened chips currently in use. In a symbolic milestone, the team sent an email at the start of testing with the subject line “Hello Universe” — a nod to the test message that was popular in early computer development. Computing superpowers Built by Microchip Technology Inc., headquartered in Chandler, Arizona, the High Performance Spaceflight Computing processor is being developed by the company and JPL through a commercial partnership. Samples have been provided to early access partners in the broader defense and commercial aerospace industry. The technology will enable autonomous spacecraft to use artificial intelligence to respond in real time to complex situations and environments where human input isn’t possible. It will help deep space missions analyze, store, and transmit troves of data to Earth, accelerating the rate of science discoveries. It could also support future human missions to the Moon and Mars. Known as a system-on-a-chip (or SoC), the processor can fit in the palm of a hand and includes all the key components of a computer, such as central processing units, computational offloads, advanced networking units, memory, and input/output interfaces. Compact and energy-efficient, SoCs are commonly found in smartphones and tablets. But only the SoCs JPL is testing are built to survive for years, millions (or even billions) of miles from the nearest repair technician, enduring conditions that even the toughest home user couldn’t replicate. Once certified for spaceflight, NASA will incorporate the chip into the computing hardware for many of the agency’s Earth orbiters, rovers exploring planetary surfaces, crewed habitats, and deep-space missions. The technology will be adapted by Microchip for Earth-based industries too, such as aviation and automotive manufacturing. The versatility of High Performance Spaceflight Computing supports NASA’s continued advancements in space exploration while providing transformative tools for numerous fields on Earth. The project is managed by the Space Technology Mission Directorate’s Game Changing Development (GCD) program based at NASA Langley. The GCD program and JPL, a division of Caltech in Pasadena, California, led the end-to-end maturation of the High Performance Spaceflight Computing technology by developing mission requirements, funding industry studies, and guiding the project life cycle to delivery. NASA JPL selected Microchip as a partner in 2022, and the company funded its own research and development of the processor. For more information about the High Performance Spaceflight Computing project, visit: [Hidden Content] News Media Contacts Ian J. O’Neill Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, Calif. 818-354-2649 *****@*****.tld Jasmine Hopkins NASA Headquarters, Washington 321-432-4624 *****@*****.tld 2026-031 Share Details Last Updated May 12, 2026 Related TermsTechnologyGame Changing Development ProgramHigh-Tech ComputingJet Propulsion LaboratorySpace Technology Mission DirectorateTechnology for Space TravelTechnology Transfer Explore More 3 min read I Am Artemis: Kathleen Harmon Article 49 minutes ago 3 min read NASA, Industry Advance High Performance Spaceflight Computing Article 4 days ago 4 min read NASA Fuel Cell Tests Pave Way for Energy Storage on Moon Article 4 days ago Keep Exploring Discover Related Topics High Performance Spaceflight Computing (HPSC) HPSC develops next-generation flight computing system that addresses computational performance, energy management and fault tolerance needs of NASA missions through… Computing Technology Transfer & Spinoffs Technology View the full article

3 Min Read I Am Artemis: Kathleen Harmon Kathleen Harmon, Artemis II Mission Interface Manager for NASA’s Deep Space Network, in the Charles Elachi Mission Control Center at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern California. Credits: NASA/JPL-Caltech Listen to this audio excerpt from Kathleen Harmon, the Artemis II Mission Interface Manager for NASA’s Deep Space Network: 0:00 / 0:00 Your browser does not support the audio element. Captivated by Apollo launches on her television as a child, Kathleen Harmon now plays a key role in NASA’s Artemis program. Harmon serves as the Artemis II mission interface manager for NASA’s Deep Space Network, an international array of giant radio antennas which are used to communicate with spacecraft. Managed by the agency’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern California, the Deep Space Network is the largest scientific telecommunications system in the world, supporting more than 40 missions exploring deep space. The network is also a key component of NASA’s Moon-bound Artemis missions. Kathleen Harmon, Artemis II Mission Interface Manager for NASA’s Deep Space Network, in the Charles Elachi Mission Control Center at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern California.NASA/JPL-Caltech “If you’re in a car and you’re going somewhere and you don’t have GPS or a cellphone, you might get lost, or you might not be able to tell someone that you’re lost,” said Harmon, illustrating how the Deep Space Network “talks” to spacecraft. “The network provides that lifeline to spacecraft across the solar system, and even interstellar space, so that they can talk to Earth and send back amazing science data, images, and videos from Mars rovers, space telescopes, orbiters, and more.” In her role as a mission interface manager, and with her background as a systems engineer and decades of experience with NASA, Harmon prepares missions for launch and operations. This role requires careful coordination and collaboration across international partners, as the Deep Space Network’s radio antennas are spread around the world. She was responsible for ensuring the Deep Space Network was prepared to support the Artemis II spacecraft before launch. You could not get any of that information back without the network. It’s a critical asset that also lets spacecraft know where they are. Kathleen Harmon Artemis II Mission Interface Manager for NASA's Deep Space Network “The network has three complexes equally spaced around the world so, as the Earth rotates, one is always in view to communicate with spacecraft wherever they are in the solar system,” said Harmon. At any given moment, the Deep Space Network complex that is currently experiencing daylight is “in control” of the entire network to ensure consistent spacecraft connectivity, an operational approach the network team calls “follow the Sun.” While the network supports NASA’s return to the Moon, working in partnership with the Near Space Network, it will continue to maintain a close watch on NASA’s fleet of spacecraft at the Moon and beyond. “We supported Artemis II 24 hours a day, seven days a week for the entire mission with two antennas — a prime and a backup,” Harmon said. She added that while the network was supporting Artemis II, it also communicated with robotic rovers and spacecraft throughout the solar system. While Harmon’s work has supported missions from Juno to Voyager, her contributions to the Artemis program remind her of what first inspired her to join to NASA. “I was a very small child when the Apollo missions happened,” said Harmon. “Apollo was my earliest memory.” Just thinking that I can be part of not only the Apollo generation but now also the Artemis generation — it’s very exciting to bridge that gap. This is a Golden Age of exploration. Kathleen Harmon Artemis II Mission Interface Manager for NASA's Deep Space Network Share Details Last Updated May 12, 2026 EditorLauren LowContactLauren LowLocationJet Propulsion Laboratory Related TermsI Am ArtemisArtemis 2Communicating and Navigating with MissionsJet Propulsion LaboratorySpace Communications & Navigation Program Explore More 3 min read I Am Artemis: Peter Rossoni Article 3 weeks ago 3 min read I Am Artemis: Erik Richards Article 2 months ago 5 min read Networks Keeping NASA’s Artemis II Mission Connected Article 3 months ago Keep Exploring Discover More Topics From NASA Missions Humans in Space Climate Change Solar System View the full article

A recently developed ultra-****** coating not only efficiently absorbs light, but is also extremely thin and durable, enabling its potential use on starshades that could someday support the imaging of exoplanets and potentially facilitate the detection of life beyond our solar system. Artist’s conception of a starshade (a disk surrounded by “petals” at the top left) blocking starlight from a star so that a space-based telescope (at right) can image the two planets. Credit: NASA Exo-S Study Team What is a Starshade and What Could it Do? The light emitted by a star can be billions of times brighter than the light reflected from its surrounding planets. This bright starlight makes it very difficult for a space telescope to image an exoplanet — it’s like trying to find the light reflected from a gnat that is flying near a spotlight. In addition, the light from our Sun scatters off spacecraft surfaces and back into the telescope, contributing even more light “pollution” that can easily obscure the dim light reflected from an exoplanet. A starshade is a giant, flower-shaped spacecraft (roughly half the size of a football field) that is designed to be positioned between a space telescope and a distant star so that it casts a shadow from the distant star onto the telescope. A starshade can block unwanted light from the parent star to the extent that less than one part per billion of the starlight is observable, while allowing the much fainter light from an orbiting exoplanet to pass around the starshade and reach the telescope, thereby enabling its detection. But to enable a telescope to distinguish an exoplanet, a starshade must create an extremely pristine shadow on the telescope. Not only must it block the starlight from the parent star, it must also suppress the stray light from our Sun that scatters from the starshade’s “petal” edges into the telescope. The Problem of Stray Sunlight Over the past decade, NASA-sponsored engineers have explored various methods to address the issue of stray sunlight. For example, they developed a way to make a starshade’s edges razor sharp by crafting blades from amorphous metals. The edges of these blades were only 300 nanometers thick, but data showed that even such thin metal edges would still scatter too much sunlight into the telescope. Researchers also tried applying ****** coatings to the starshade edges to reduce the reflected light. Unfortunately, the existing ****** coatings were far too thick; they made the starshade edges thicker (duller), which actually increased the scatter. Carbon nanotube coatings, for instance, are several microns thick — much thicker than the 300-nm starshade edge. Other existing coatings that rely on three-dimensional microstructures to trap light were also too thick. A New Kind of ****** Coating In 2004, David Sheikh, founder of the small business ZeCoat Corporation, was researching the concept of a “****** mirror” — a mirror that absorbs nearly all incident light instead of reflecting it. He came across a methodology used decades ago to make light-absorbing, smooth surfaces. Sheikh used modern computing techniques and more accurate material property data to improve this methodology, and developed a breakthrough method for manufacturing an ultra-****** coating using a unique, motion-controlled, physical vapor deposition process also developed at ZeCoat. The coating design uses extremely thin, partially transparent metal layers that are separated by dielectric glass layers to form multiple light-absorbing, nanoscale cavities. When the thicknesses of the layers are tuned precisely with the aid of a computer, incoming light resonates as a standing wave inside the cavities, where the metals absorb it. The principle is similar to the Fabry–Perot cavity used in lasers — except instead of amplifying light, the light is trapped and absorbed. This new coating turned out to be 100 times thinner than those previously tested for use on starshades. In 2020, NASA’s Exoplanet Exploration Program at the agency’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in Southern California chartered a Starshade Science and Industry Partnership (SIP) to maximize the technology readiness level of starshades to enable potential future exoplanet science missions. As part of this initiative, the new coating developed by Zecoat was applied to prototype starshade edges, and engineers at JPL used a custom-built laser scatterometer to measure scatter from coated and uncoated 50-cm long amorphous metal blades. These tests demonstrated that the new coating reduced the reflected light by a factor of about 20 — enough to enable a telescope to image an exoplanet. (The results of this effort were published here in the SPIE digital Library). Beyond the Edge: Coating Starshade Membranes Building on the success of the edge coating demonstration and supported by a 2021 NASA Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) contract, ZeCoat developed a novel thin film deposition process to coat large sheets of polyimide film with a similar ultra-****** finish. The process uses multiple electron beam evaporators to apply thin, uniform films to a moving membrane substrate in a roll-to-roll coating process. These large coated membranes (~ 1-meter wide and many meters long) could be patched together to form a starshade’s central disk section, as well as its petal surfaces, which would remove even more stray light and further improve the quality of images a space telescope could produce. (For additional details, see the entry for this project on NASA TechPort and this article in the SPIE digital Library.) ****** coating applied to a thin plastic membrane at ZeCoat coating laboratory. Credit: David Sheikh Additional Applications Besides use on starshades, durable ****** coatings have a wide variety of science, military, and commercial applications. For example, they could be used to darken constellations of satellites so they are less visible from the ground, or to darken surfaces near the camera on a cell phone. In addition, ZeCoat recently was awarded a NASA SBIR Phase I contract and is applying the thin-film roll-to-roll coating process described above to develop thermal control coatings that are resilient enough to mitigate damage from micrometeorite strikes. These coatings could be potentially used on future space vehicles such as the Habitable Worlds Observatory. For additional details, see the entry for this project on NASA TechPort. Project Lead: David A. Sheikh, ZeCoat Corporation Sponsoring Organization(s): NASA Astrophysics Exoplanet Exploration Program, NASA STMD, NASA JPL Some of the work described above was carried out at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, which is managed by Caltech for NASA (80NM0018D0004). Share Details Last Updated May 12, 2026 Related Terms Technology Highlights Astrophysics Division Exoplanet Science Exoplanets Explore More 7 min read Hubble Survey Sets Up Roman’s Future Look Near Milky Way’s Center Article 1 day ago 2 min read NASA Volunteers Double Known Population of Brown Dwarfs A new paper from NASA’s Backyard Worlds: Planet 9 project announces that volunteers have essentially… Article 1 week ago 4 min read For NASA’s TESS, Stellar Eclipses Shed Light on Possible New Worlds Article 1 week ago View the full article

Earth Observatory Science Earth Observatory Australia’s Cloudy Beauty 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 Fog fills networks of river valleys in eastern Victoria in an image captured by the MODIS (Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer) on NASA’s Terra satellite at 8:19 a.m. local time (22:19 Universal Time) on May 11, 2026. NASA Earth Observatory / Lauren Dauphin It’s autumn in the Southern Hemisphere, which means it’s fog season in the Victorian Alps. NASA’s Terra satellite captured this view of morning fog filling valleys in several national parks across the mountains of eastern Victoria in May. As nights lengthen with the season, the atmosphere has more time to cool and approach the dew point—the temperature at which the air becomes saturated and water vapor can condense into radiation fog. Because cold air is denser than warm air, it sinks and drains into valleys, allowing fog to develop there first. In low-elevation areas, radiation fog usually fades as the Sun warms the ground, but it tends to linger in mountain valleys because they remain shaded longer. On this day, geostationary satellite imagery shows the fog persisting for about two hours. Fog is a low-lying type of cloud composed of tiny water droplets suspended in the air. The main difference between a cloud and fog is that the base of fog reaches the ground, while the base of a cloud is generally well above the surface. Radiation fog forms in clear, calm conditions at night. In this case, a blast of cold, soggy weather primed the region by moistening land surfaces a few days prior to the arrival of a slow-moving high that brought calmer, warmer conditions that were conducive to fog formation. Many valleys in the mountains also have rivers, streams, and lakes, which amplified the process by providing a ready supply of water vapor. In the image above, zones of fog have formed along several water bodies, including the Mitta Mitta River, Buffalo River, Livingston Creek, Lake Dartmouth, and Snowy River. An arch-shaped cloud drifts over Port Phillip Bay in this image captured by the MODIS (Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer) on NASA’s Terra satellite at 8:19 a.m. local time (22:19 Universal Time) on May 11, 2026. NASA Earth Observatory / Lauren Dauphin The same conditions fueled another noteworthy cloud a few hundred kilometers to the southwest. At about 8:19 a.m. local time (22:19 Universal Time), the Terra satellite captured an arch-shaped cloud over Port Phillip Bay, roughly stretching from St. Leonards on the bay’s western shore to Mount Eliza on the eastern side. The feature likely formed as converging land and sea breezes interacted with the horseshoe-shaped terrain that defines the bay. Geostationary satellite imagery shows the arch-shaped cloud moving southward across the bay as the valley fog to the northeast faded. NASA Earth Observatory image by Lauren Dauphin, using MODIS data from NASA EOSDIS LANCE and GIBS/Worldview. Story by Adam Voiland. Downloads May 11, 2026 JPEG (15.72 MB) References & Resources Bureau of Meteorology, via Instagram (2026, April 26) What is fog? Accessed May 11, 2026. Bureau of Meteorology, via Facebook (2025, May 15) When viewed from above, fog takes on intricate, branching shapes. Accessed May 11, 2026. MetService (2016) Valley Fog. Accessed May 11, 2026. NASA Earthdata (2026) Fog. Accessed May 11, 2026. NASA Earth Observatory (2018, October 26) It’s Valley Fog Season. Accessed May 11, 2026. NOAA (2023, September 29) The Sea Breeze. Accessed May 11, 2026. Parks Victoria, The Victorian alps. Accessed May 11, 2026. Zoom Earth (2026, May 11) Satellite Live. Accessed May 11, 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. Ganges Delta Under a Winter Shroud of Fog 2 min read Low clouds blanketed the delta while parallel cloud bands rolled over the Bay of Bengal during a January cold wave. Article Winter’s End Is Written in the Clouds 3 min read As winter turned to spring, the skies over the Gulf of Alaska displayed textbook examples of numerous cloud formations. Article Contours of the James Bay Lowlands 3 min read After the Laurentide Ice Sheet retreated from present-day Hudson Bay, rebounding land has revealed striking nearshore topography. 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

Curiosity Navigation Curiosity Home Mission Overview Where is Curiosity? Mission Updates Science Overview Instruments Highlights Exploration Goals News and Features Multimedia Curiosity Raw Images Images Videos Audio Mosaics More Resources Mars Missions Mars Sample Return Mars Perseverance Rover Mars Curiosity Rover MAVEN Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter Mars Odyssey More Mars Missions Mars Home 3 min read Curiosity Blog, Sols 4886-4892: Ingenuity and Perseverance, Curiosity Style NASA’s Mars rover Curiosity acquired this image showing an oblique view into the “Atacama” drill hole, where the rover’s drill was briefly lodged. Curiosity created the image using its Mars Hand Lens Imager (MAHLI), a close-up camera located on the turret at the end of the rover’s robotic arm, and an onboard focusing process that merges multiple images of the same target at different focus positions, creating a composite that brings as many features into focus as possible. Curiosity performed the focus merge on May 6, 2026 — Sol 4887, or Martian day 4,887 of the Mars Science Laboratory Mission — at 01:39:34 UTC. NASA/JPL-Caltech/MSSS Written by Michelle Minitti, MAHLI Deputy Principal Investigator Earth planning date: Friday, May 8, 2026 While we know the monikers Ingenuity and Perseverance are attached to our sister helicopter and rover on the Mars 2020 mission, those characteristics were in full force with Curiosity over the past week. The science we achieved this week was enabled by the ingenuity of the Curiosity engineers and scientists manifested in this extraordinary time lapse. It demonstrates the careful dance of arm motions employed — each one diligently planned by the team — to free Curiosity’s drill from the “Atacama” target. Watch the arm twist, bend, and turn with a rock slab attached, and be amazed. The highest-priority activities after liberating the drill included imaging the drill with Mastcam and ChemCam RMI, and imaging into the now-empty drill hole with MAHLI (the image above). The science team made the most of the freshly-broken surfaces created when Atacama fell back to Mars, and the freshly-exposed sand once hidden underneath Atacama. ChemCam targeted one of the clean fracture faces with two LIBS rasters at “Tamarugal” and “Tamarugo,” and followed with another raster on a light-toned patch of bedrock formerly under Atacama at “Colchane.” MAHLI and APXS analyzed sand near Colchane at the target “Yerba Loca.” Beyond Atacama, Mastcam and ChemCam imaged the large buttes towering above our current and future drive paths. Mastcam also imaged two exposures of the polygonal fractures present in this area (targets “Cerro Elefantes” and “Azul Pampa”) and looked for wind-induced changes in the sand (“Playa los Metales”). ChemCam planned a passive spectroscopy observation of light-toned features on the “Paniri” butte and checked out a potential meteorite with a LIBS raster at “Isla Mocha.” As engineering assessments continued, Curiosity drove uphill to study a contact between two different rock types, which can indicate a change in formation conditions, a break in time, or both. MAHLI, APXS, and ChemCam teamed up to study both rock types at the lighter-toned, layered “Toro” target and the darker, flaky “Inca de Oro” target. Mastcam planned multiple mosaics capturing different structures and transitions exposed along the contact. Across the plans during the week, REMS, RAD, and DAN regularly measured the environment above and below the rover, and Navcam and Mastcam teamed up to look for clouds, dust devils, and dust in the atmosphere. With the health of the drill and arm confirmed by the engineers, Curiosity exhibited perseverance by heading toward a new workspace with a promising (larger) block for a new drill attempt. Our Martian exploration continues undaunted. Want to read more posts from the Curiosity team? Visit Mission Updates Want to learn more about Curiosity’s science instruments? Visit the Science Instruments page NASA’s Curiosity rover at the base of Mount Sharp NASA/JPL-Caltech/MSSS Share Details Last Updated May 11, 2026 Related Terms Blogs Explore More 3 min read Curiosity Blog, Sols 4879-4885: Struggle at Atacama Article 6 days ago 2 min read Curiosity Blog, Sols 4873-4878: Welcome to the Atacama Drill Target Article 2 weeks ago 3 min read Curiosity Blog, Sols 4867-4872: Sand Fill In Antofagasta Crater and Finding Our Next Drill Target Article 3 weeks ago Keep Exploring Discover More Topics From NASA Mars Mars is the fourth planet from the Sun, and the seventh largest. It’s the only planet we know of inhabited… All Mars Resources Explore this collection of Mars images, videos, resources, PDFs, and toolkits. Discover valuable content designed to inform, educate, and inspire,… Rover Basics Each robotic explorer sent to the Red Planet has its own unique capabilities driven by science. Many attributes of a… Mars Exploration: Science Goals The key to understanding the past, present or future potential for life on Mars can be found in NASA’s four… View the full article

2 Min Read NASA’s Curiosity Takes Close Look at Rock That Got Stuck on Drill PIA26724 Credits: NASA/JPL-Caltech/MSSS Photojournal Navigation Science Photojournal NASA’s Curiosity Takes Close… Photojournal Home Photojournal Search Latest Content Galleries Feedback RSS About Downloads NASA’s Curiosity Takes Close Look at Rock That Got Stuck on Drill PNG (20.94 MB) Description NASA’s Curiosity Mars rover used its Mast Camera, or Mastcam, to capture this view of a rock nicknamed “Atacama” on May 6, 2026, the 4,877th Martian day, or sol, of the mission. The rock had gotten stuck to the drill on the end of Curiosity’s robotic arm on April 25. Engineers spent several days repositioning the arm and vibrating the drill to try and get the rock loose, finally detaching the rock on May 1. Atacama is estimated to be 1.5 feet in diameter at its base and 6 inches thick. It would weigh roughly 28.6 pounds (13 kilograms) on Earth (and about a third of that on Mars). The circular hole produced by Curiosity’s drill is visible in the rock. This mosaic is made up of eight images that were stitched together after being sent back to Earth. The color has been approximately white-balanced to resemble how the scene would appear under daytime lighting conditions on Earth. Curiosity was built by NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, which is managed by Caltech in Pasadena, California. JPL leads the mission on behalf of NASA’s Science Mission Directorate in Washington as part of NASA’s Mars Exploration Program portfolio. Malin Space Science Systems in San Diego built and operates Mastcam. To learn more about Curiosity, visit: science.nasa.gov/mission/msl-curiosity Keep Exploring Discover More Topics From Photojournal Photojournal Search Photojournal Photojournal’s Latest Content Feedback View the full article

Earth Observatory 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 Every month, NASA Earth Observatory features a puzzling satellite image. The May 2026 puzzler appears above. Your Challenge Identify the location shown in this satellite image. Share what clues you see, where you think it is, and what makes this place interesting or unique to you. How to Answer Submit your response using this form and select “Puzzler Answer” as the topic. Please include your preferred name or alias. You can keep it simple and just guess the location. Want to impress us? Tell us which satellite and instrument captured the image, which spectral bands were used, or point out a subtle detail about the geology or history of the area. If something catches your eye, or if this is your home or means something to you, we’d love to hear about it. The Prize We can’t offer prize money or a trip to space to see Earth like satellites and astronauts do. But we can offer something almost as rewarding: puzzler bragging rights. About a week after the challenge, we’ll post the answer at the top of this page, along with a link to an Earth Observatory Image of the Day story that explains the image in more detail. We’ll recognize the first person who correctly guesses the location, and we may also highlight readers who share especially thoughtful or interesting answers. By submitting a response, you acknowledge that your comments may be edited, excerpted, and published on this page. Until then, zoom in, look closely, and enjoy the challenge. See you at the reveal! View the full article

2 Min Read Nicholas Houghton: Engineering Crew Safety for NASA’s Artemis Missions Nicholas Houghton, right, supports crew suit-up operations during Underway Recovery Training 12, an end-to-end practice recovery run conducted at sea to prepare for Artemis II. Nicholas Houghton always dreamed of working at NASA and one day becoming an astronaut. Today, he helps design systems that keep crews safe during missions aboard NASA’s Orion spacecraft, including the successful Artemis II mission around the Moon. Nicholas Houghton in NASA’s Orion Crew Survival System Spacesuit. I hope someday people look back at Artemis and marvel at the technological achievement and collective dedication that it took to carry out these missions, just like we do now for Apollo. Nicholas Houghton Orion Crew Survival Systems Engineer After joining NASA as a Pathways intern, Houghton later became a full-time engineer on the Orion Crew Survival Systems (OCSS) team at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston. The OCSS team designs and certifies the orange pressure suits that were worn by astronauts inside Orion during Artemis II, along with the survival hardware integrated into each suit system. Houghton manages key pieces of flight hardware that keep crew members safe during contingency scenarios before launch, in flight, and after landing, including the Orion Crew Survival Kits, Suit-Worn Survival Suite, and Life Preserver Units. He guides each system from design through testing and final certification to ensure it performs as required in flight. Nicholas Houghton, left, and two other suited subjects participate in Human Vacuum Chamber Testing at NASA’s Johnson Space Center to help certify Orion’s environmental control and life support system (ECLSS) for Artemis II. The test lasts about 12 hours while fully suited. Like many complex engineering efforts at NASA, the work relies on close collaboration across disciplines. Houghton works alongside experts in electromagnetic interference, radiation, stress and loads, and materials to evaluate and refine each system. He also helps lead development of water survival and post-landing hardware, writing manufacturing and assembly procedures and troubleshooting issues during integration and testing. Nicholas Houghton gives U.S. Navy medical personnel space suit training aboard amphibious transport dock USS Somerset (LPD 25) during NASA Underway Recovery Test 12 in the Pacific Ocean, March 26, 2025. Beyond hardware development, Houghton prepares astronauts and recovery teams for real-world operations. He supports suit-up activities, helps train Department of Defense recovery forces, and participates in Underway Recovery Training alongside the U.S. Navy to rehearse post-splashdown operations. Ground testing plays a critical role in that preparation. During these tests, systems are pushed to their limits to uncover potential issues before flight. I have had my hardware fail during ground testing. It takes teamwork, quick thinking, technical understanding, and a willingness to dig into every detail to solve these kinds of problems. Nicholas Houghton Orion Crew Survival Systems Engineer Nicholas Houghton, right, supports crew suit-up operations during Underway Recovery Training 12, an end-to-end practice recovery run conducted at sea to prepare for Artemis II. Outside of his NASA career, Houghton gives back by volunteering as a firefighter and emergency medical technician. “Serving my community is something that I have always been passionate about,” he said. “I am thankful to have the opportunity to support those around me.” About the AuthorSumer Loggins Share Details Last Updated May 11, 2026 Related TermsJohnson Space CenterArtemisArtemis 2Orion Multi-Purpose Crew VehicleOrion ProgramPeople of Johnson Explore More 3 min read I Am Artemis: Anton Kiriwas Article 3 days ago 4 min read NASA Fuel Cell Tests Pave Way for Energy Storage on Moon Article 3 days ago 3 min read NASA Welcomes Paraguay as 67th Artemis Accords Signatory Article 4 days ago Keep Exploring Discover More Topics From NASA Missions Humans in Space Climate Change Solar System View the full article

Students from the United States Military Academy (West Point), dressed in safety gear, prepare to enter the mining arena with their robotic miner during NASA’s LUNABOTICS competition on May 24, 2022, at the Center for Space Education near the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Florida. More than 35 teams from around the U.S. have designed and built remote-controlled robots for the mining competition. NASA/Kim Shiflett NASA will hold its 2026 Lunabotics Challenge Tuesday, May 19, to Thursday, May 21, at the Astronauts Memorial Foundation’s Center for Space Education at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Florida. Links to view the Lunabotics competition live can be found on the agency’s Lunabotics page. The competition is slated to run between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. each day. Media are invited to attend the competition event on Wednesday, May 20, and should RSVP by 4 p.m. EDT on Monday, May 18, to the Kennedy newsroom at: ksc*****@*****.tld. For this challenge, 50 college teams from across the country will convene to design, build, and operate their own lunar robot prototypes. The teams’ self-driving rovers must be capable of building a berm, a protective barrier, from soil and other material simulating lunar regolith to safeguard Artemis infrastructure on the Moon. In space, such berms could protect equipment from debris during lunar landings and launches, shade cryogenic propellant tank farms, help shield a nuclear power plant from space radiation, and serve other purposes. “The task of robotically building berm structures will be important for preparation and support of crewed lunar missions,” said Kurt Leucht, NASA software developer, In-Situ Resource Utilization researcher, and Lunabotics commentator located at Kennedy. “These competing teams are not only building critical engineering skills that will assist their future careers, but they are literally helping NASA prepare for our future Artemis missions to the Moon.” NASA’s Lunabotics Challenge was established in 2010. As one of the agency’s Artemis Student Challenges, the competition is designed to engage and retain students in STEM fields by expanding opportunities for student research and design in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. For more competition information, visit: [Hidden Content] –end– Amanda Griffin Kennedy Space Center, Fla. 321-867-2468 *****@*****.tld 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 Pilot Research Projects FAQs News 3 min read Joint Earth Observation Mission Quality Assessment Framework – Optical Guidelines Documents Released Released on April 26, 2026, the Optical Guidelines document provides specific guidelines for the mission quality assessment of optical sensors as part of the implementation of the generic Earth observation mission quality assessment for the optical domain. NASA’s Commercial Satellite Data Acquisition (CSDA) program, in conjunction with the European Space Agency (ESA) and the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), has released the Joint Earth Observation Mission Quality Assessment Framework – Optical Guidelines. Created for the benefit of the Earthnet Data Assessment Project (EDAP) and the CSDA program as part of a collaboration between ESA and NASA, the document presents the methodology the agencies use to assess the quality of optical data from commercial satellite data providers. Released on April 26, 2026, the Optical Guidelines document provides specific guidelines for the mission quality assessment of optical sensors as part of the implementation of the generic Earth Observation (EO) mission quality assessment for the optical domain. Its contents include a summary of the Joint Earth Observation Mission Quality Assessment Framework and its aims, a review of optical mission quality as evidenced by its documentation, guidelines for verifying that a mission’s data quality is consistent with stated sensor performance, and appendices containing information on common practices for radiometric and geometric calibration and validation. “The release of these joint guidelines for EO data from optical missions both documents the rigorous standards we have for commercial data and bolsters the confidence of the user community in the CSDA’s commercial data acquisitions,” said CSDA Project Manager Dana Ostrenga. “By releasing this document to the public, we’re giving end-users the opportunity to review the approach for verifying whether the quality of commercial EO data is consistent with the stated performance of the mission.” These optical guidelines are part of a collaborative effort between NASA, the USGS, and the ESA known as the Joint Earth Observation Mission Quality Assessment Framework. This framework provides standardized, transparent, and repeatable data quality assessment processes and outputs to support mission selection, data integration, and the trusted use of commercial EO data for science and applications. Furthermore, the agencies intend to update the guidelines in step with the evolution of the market and the advancement of Earth sciences and applications of EO data products. About the Joint EO Mission Quality Assessment Framework The expanding range of applications for EO data products and the availability of low-cost launch services have resulted in a growing number of commercial EO satellite systems. This growth in the marketplace has prompted space agencies like NASA, ESA, and others to explore the acquisition of commercial EO data products and their potential to complement the capabilities and services currently available for scientific and operational purposes. To ensure that decisions regarding the acquisition of commercial data can be made with confidence, ESA, NASA, and other stakeholders agreed there was a need for an objective framework to assess the quality of data from commercial sources. To that end, ESA established the EDAP, which performs early assessments of EO mission data to evaluate their quality and the potential integration of these missions as third-party missions within ESA’s Earthnet program. The development of EDAP led to the Joint Earth Observation Mission Quality Assessment Framework, which was later customized for the different types of sensors used in atmospheric, synthetic aperture radar, thermal infrared, and now, optical EO missions. In addition to being a partner in this joint effort, NASA’s CSDA program has its own comprehensive evaluation process for ensuring the quality of commercial EO data. This process focuses on geometric and radiometric quality, validation against trusted reference datasets, ensuring the completeness and traceability of dataset documentation, and data accessibility and utility. Together, these efforts from NASA and ESA will help build trust in commercial partnerships, ensure scientific integrity and interoperability, and foster innovation within the EO community. Share Details Last Updated May 11, 2026 Related Terms Earth Science Explore More 3 min read Ahuachapán and Its Restive Neighbors From a geothermal hotspot to the one-time “Lighthouse of the Pacific,” the heat is on… Article 7 days ago 5 min read Record-Setting Retreat of Hektoria Glacier Scientists relied on satellite data to understand how the Antarctic glacier lost so much ice… Article 1 week ago 3 min read Fiery Fall Color in Southern Chile The beech forests of southern Patagonia put on vibrant autumn displays. Article 2 weeks ago Keep Exploring Discover Related Topics Missions Humans in Space Climate Change Solar System View the full article

Share Details Last Updated May 11, 2026 Editor Andrea Gianopoulos Location NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Contact Media Claire Andreoli NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, Maryland *****@*****.tld Matthew Brown, Christine Pulliam Space Telescope Science Institute Baltimore, Maryland Related Terms Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope Astrophysics Astrophysics Division Exoplanets Goddard Space Flight Center Gravitational Lensing Hubble Space Telescope Stars The Milky Way Related Links and Documents The science paper by S. Terry et al.

NASA/Josh Valcarcel NASA Astronaut Jessica Meir sits for a portrait at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston on Sept. 23, 2025. This photo was chosen as one of the 2025 NASA Photographer of the Year finalists. Meir launched on NASA’s SpaceX Crew-12 mission to the International Space Station in February 2026 with fellow NASA astronaut Jack Hathaway, ESA (European Space Agency) astronaut Sophie Adenot, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Andrey Fedyaev. Meir was selected by NASA in 2013. Prior to becoming an astronaut, her career as a scientist focused on the physiology of animals in extreme environments. Meir served as flight engineer on the International Space Station for Expedition 61 and 62 and participated in the first all-female spacewalks. Image credit: NASA/Josh Valcarcel View the full article

NASA’s SpaceX 34th commercial resupply mission will launch on the company’s Dragon spacecraft on the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket to deliver research and supplies to the International Space Station.NASA NASA and SpaceX are targeting a mid-May launch to deliver scientific investigations, supplies, and equipment to the International Space Station. Loaded with about 6,500 pounds of supplies, the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft will lift off aboard the company’s Falcon 9 rocket from Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. Following its arrival to the orbital complex, Dragon will dock autonomously to the forward port of the space station’s Harmony module. Watch agency launch and arrival coverage on NASA+, Amazon Prime, and NASA’s YouTube channel. Learn how to watch NASA content through a variety of online platforms, including social media. NASA’s SpaceX 34th commercial resupply mission will launch from Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida.NASA For more than 25 years, the International Space Station has provided research capabilities used by scientists from more than 110 countries to conduct more than 4,000 experiments in microgravity. Research conducted aboard the station helps advance long-duration missions to the Moon as part of the Artemis program and to Mars, while providing multiple benefits to humanity. Science highlights: In addition to cargo for the crew aboard the space station, Dragon will deliver several new science experiments, including: ODYSSEY will evaluate how well Earth-based microgravity simulators recreate space conditions.NASA ODYSSEY will evaluate how well Earth-based microgravity simulators recreate space conditions. Researchers will examine bacterial behavior in space and compares the results to experiments conducted in microgravity simulators on Earth. STORIE will monitor charged particles in orbit around the Earth, which respond to space weather and can affect assets like power grids and satellites.NASA STORIE will monitor charged particles in orbit around the Earth, which respond to space weather and can affect assets like power grids and satellites. The instrument could help researchers gain knowledge to better predict and respond to these changes. Laplace will study the movement and collision of dust particles in microgravity to understand particle motion in space.NASA Laplace will study the movement and collision of dust particles in microgravity to understand particle motion in space. Researchers hope to learn more about Earth’s origins and provide fundamental understanding of how planets in our solar system and beyond came into existence. Green Bone will observe how bone cells grow and develop in space on a bone scaffold made from wood. NASA Green Bone will observe how bone cells grow and develop in space on a bone scaffold made from wood. Microgravity results could help researchers improve products that treat fragile bone conditions such as osteoporosis. SPARK will evaluate how red blood cells and the spleen change in space for future astronauts.NASA SPARK will evaluate how red blood cells and the spleen change in space for future astronauts. Researchers will observe human samples and imagery taken before, during, and after spaceflight to identify ways to protect astronaut health during long-duration space missions. Arrival and return: NASA astronaut Jack Hathaway and ESA (European Space Agency) astronaut Sophie Adenot will monitor the arrival of the SpaceX Dragon cargo spacecraft from the International Space Station. NASA astronaut Jack Hathaway and ESA (European Space Agency) astronaut Sophie Adenot will monitor the spacecraft’s arrival. Dragon will remain docked to the orbiting laboratory for about a month before splashing down in the Pacific Ocean, returning critical science and hardware to teams on Earth. Cargo highlights: NASA’s SpaceX 34th commercial resupply mission will launch on the company’s Dragon spacecraft on the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket to deliver research and supplies to the International Space Station Launch European Enhanced Exploration Exercise Device Power Cable – A replacement power cable is launching for installation on the European Enhanced Exploration Exercise Device. Catalytic Reactor – A vital component of the Water Recovery and Management System, the catalytic reactor oxidizes volatile organics from wastewater that are removed by the Gas Separator and Ion Exchange Bed orbital replacement units. This part is launching to maintain on orbit sparing. Universal Pretreat Concentrate Tank – This is a passive tank to provide alternate pretreat concentrate to the Universal Waste Management System (UWMS) and Waste Hygiene Compartment (WHC). Two units are launching to maintain this hardware, in tandem with Russian pretreat tanks currently used. A universal pretreat concentrate tank adapter will accompany the tanks to connect with the Russian hose. Additional equipment launching includes an Ultraprobe to replace a worn ultrasonic inspection tool, a Remote Sensor Unit to restore spares for the station’s vibration monitoring system, and flexible repair patches for sealing the pressure hull if needed. The mission also will deliver an updated ARMADILLO (AOGA ReMediation, Advanced DeIonization and Limited Life Optimization) cartridge and hose assemblies to improve water processing for oxygen generation, along with a nitrogen recharge tank assembly to help maintain the station’s gas reserves. Return When Dragon returns in mid‑June, it will bring back an ocular imaging device used to monitor crew eye health, a sorbent bed that filters trace contaminants from cabin air, and a separator pump from the Waste and Hygiene Compartment. The Advanced Plant Habitat, which supported long-duration plant biology studies, also will return for eventual museum display. A pressure management device that recovers vestibule air during depressurization will come back for repair and storage as a ground spare. View the full article

2 Min Read NASA’s Psyche Mission Captures Mars During Gravity Assist Approach PIA26750 Credits: NASA/JPL-Caltech/**** Photojournal Navigation Science Photojournal NASA’s Psyche Mission… Photojournal Home Photojournal Search Latest Content Galleries Feedback RSS About Downloads NASA’s Psyche Mission Captures Mars During Gravity Assist Approach JPEG (132.38 KB) PIA26750 Figure A JPEG (105.92 KB) Description This colorized image of Mars was captured by NASA’s Psyche mission on May 3, 2026, about 3 million miles (4.8 million kilometers) from the planet. The spacecraft is approaching the planet for a gravity assist on May 15 that will give it a boost in speed and adjust its trajectory toward asteroid Psyche for eventual arrival in 2029. The spacecraft is approaching Mars from a high-phase angle, meaning that the planet appears only as a thin crescent, like our own crescent Moon seen around its new Moon phase. From this viewing geometry, the Sun is out of frame and “above” both Mars and Psyche. Figure A Figure A is a zoomed-out view from the imager. No stars are visible in the background since they are much dimmer than the sunlight being reflected by Mars. The observation was acquired by the multispectral imager instrument’s panchromatic or broadband filter, with an exposure time of just 2 milliseconds. Even with this very short exposure time, the crescent is extremely bright and parts of the image are oversaturated. The light seen here is sunlight reflected off the surface of Mars and also scattered by dust particles in its atmosphere. Because the quantity of dust in the atmosphere can vary rapidly over time, the anticipated brightness of the crescent was hard to predict before this early image was acquired. The dustiness of Mars leads to sunlight being scattered by its atmosphere, making the crescent appear to extend farther around the planet than if it had no atmosphere (as with our Moon).Of note, on the right side of the extended crescent, there appears to be a gap, which coincides with the planet’s icy north polar cap. The cap is currently in winter and mission specialists hypothesize that seasonal clouds and hazes may be forming in that region, possibly blocking the atmospheric dust’s ability to scatter sunlight like it does elsewhere around the planet. The Psyche mission’s imager team will be acquiring, processing, and interpreting similar images in the lead-up to the close approach on May 15. The images are primarily designed to calibrate the cameras and to characterize their performance in flight as a practice run for the approach to asteroid Psyche in 2029. For more information about the Psyche mission, read: [Hidden Content] Keep Exploring Discover More Topics From Photojournal Photojournal Search Photojournal Photojournal’s Latest Content Feedback View the full article

3 Min Read I Am Artemis: Anton Kiriwas Listen to this audio excerpt from Anton Kiriwas, senior technical integration manager for NASA’s Exploration Ground Systems Program: 0:00 / 0:00 Your browser does not support the audio element. When Anton Kiriwas first spotted an image of the Moon and Mars hanging over a job fair booth while in college, it captured his imagination, yet felt like a dream too distant to chase. He had no way of knowing that years later he would play a critical role in NASA’s Artemis missions, helping launch humans back to the Moon for the first time in more than half a century. Kiriwas’ journey to NASA began during the Space Shuttle Program, while he was working for United Launch Alliance, the same organization behind the memorable Moon and Mars booth that he passed by in college. Not long after, he joined NASA as a civil servant, designing electrical systems that set him on a path toward his current role with Exploration Ground Systems as senior technical integration manager. In simpler terms, Kiriwas is a problem solver. My official title is way too long – what I do is pretty simple: I solve problems for the ground systems. Our goal is to process, launch, and recover the spacecraft. There are a lot of ground systems that are used to go do that and a lot of people involved. A big part of my job is to go solve all the problems that come. Anton Kiriwas Senior Technical Integration Manager, Exploration Ground Systems Program A core part of Kiriwas’s role is to serve as a launch project engineer. Strategically positioned at the integration console in the center of Firing Room 1 of the Launch Control Center at the agency’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, he acts as a bridge for the test management and engineering teams. Kiriwas, along with the other launch project engineers, reports directly to the launch director, making the final technical recommendation on any issues that may arise during launch countdown. From this seat, he works across all engineering disciplines, united under one mission: launch the spacecraft and crew safely. Anton Kiriwas, senior technical integration manager and senior launch project engineer with NASA’s Exploration Ground Systems Program participates in an Artemis II launch countdown simulation inside Firing Room 1 in the Launch Control Center at the agency’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Wednesday, Oct. 8, 2025. The simulations go through launch day scenarios to help launch team members test software and make adjustments if needed during countdown operations. NASA/Glenn Benson Despite the intensity of launch day, Kiriwas describes it can often feel easier than the hundreds of rehearsals and simulations leading up to it. The team trains rigorously, preparing for every scenario imaginable. The ideal day is smooth and uneventful, but when it’s not, he and the team are ready. I’m in my element when there is a problem. Anton Kiriwas Senior Technical Integration Manager, Exploration Ground Systems Program When an issue arises, Kiriwas and his team begin asking the basic questions: ‘What are the requirements? Which systems are affected? Who needs to be involved?’ He pulls the technical community together to work through the situation, come up with any troubleshooting, and ultimately give the recommendation for a “go” or “no-go” for launch. It takes clarity, experience, and discipline, especially in moments when excitement is running high. “There is adrenaline to get to launch, but you want to be careful to never let that turn into ‘launch fever,’” said Kiriwas. “We need to launch exactly when we’re ready and not a moment before.” Anton Kiriwas, a launch project engineer for the Artemis I mission, monitors operations from his position in Firing Room 1 as Artemis teams conduct a launch simulation for the Artemis I launch inside the Rocco A. Petrone Launch Control Center at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Oct. 27, 2022. NASA/Ben Smegelsky With Artemis II complete, Kiriwas continues applying his problem‑solving expertise, analyzing lessons learned, and shaping future mission requirements. Artemis III hardware is currently being processed at NASA Kennedy, and the teams are carefully preparing the next steps of NASA’s return to the lunar surface. “There’s a million little pieces that go into this, and I get to be a part of it,” said Kiriwas. About the AuthorLaura SasaninejadStrategic Communications Specialist Share Details Last Updated May 08, 2026 EditorJason Costa Related TermsArtemisArtemis 1Artemis 2Exploration Ground SystemsI Am ArtemisKennedy Space Center Explore More 4 min read NASA Fuel Cell Tests Pave Way for Energy Storage on Moon Article 4 hours ago 3 min read NASA Welcomes Paraguay as 67th Artemis Accords Signatory Article 21 hours ago 3 min read Industry Moon Lander Training Cabin Lands at NASA for Artemis Article 23 hours ago Keep Exploring Discover More Topics From NASA Missions Humans in Space Climate Change Solar System View the full article

3 min read Preparations for Next Moonwalk Simulations Underway (and Underwater) High Performance Spaceflight Computing System on ChipNASA/Ryan Lannom For decades, NASA has advanced on-board spacecraft computer processors that coordinate and execute the functions needed to support mission success. Space computing originated in the 1960s with the Apollo Guidance Computers, which were pivotal for guidance, navigation, and control computations during NASA’s first Moon missions. For decades, radiation-hardened processors have been the backbone of the agency’s space exploration missions. NASA has landed computers on other planets and operated them for years in extreme conditions, as demonstrated by the Mars rovers. These computer processors have also powered several NASA orbiters, capsules, and space telescopes. While legacy processors have enabled some of NASA’s greatest achievements, the next generation of space missions will increase in complexity and length, which will benefit from greater computing power, autonomy, and resilience. To meet the needs of this challenge, NASA and industry leader Microchip Technology Inc. entered a public, private partnership combining agency and commercial investments to develop a new solution: High-Performance Spaceflight Computing. Advanced Computing The High-Performance Spaceflight Computing project is a next-generation system-on-chip that delivers over 100 times the computing capability of current space processors. By integrating computing and networking into a single device, this technology significantly reduces system cost and power consumption. Its scalable architecture allows unused functions to power down, optimizing energy efficiency for critical operations. The High-Performance Spaceflight Computing family of processors includes multiple distinct but compatible technologies for scalable mission needs. The radiation-hardened version of the processor is built for geosynchronous, deep-space, and long-duration missions to the Moon, Mars, and beyond, capable of operating in harsh environments while supporting real-time autonomous tasks. Tailored for the commercial space sector, the radiation-tolerant version of the processor provides fault tolerance and cybersecurity for low Earth orbit satellites. High Performance Spaceflight Computing System on ChipNASA/Ryan Lannom Using advanced Ethernet to connect multiple sensors or cluster several chips, High-Performance Spaceflight Computing technology allows spacecraft to process massive amounts of data onboard and autonomously make real-time decisions, such as driving rovers at high speeds or filtering scientific images. Continuous system health monitoring and an integrated security controller ensure these complex operations remain safe and reliable. Computing power for Golden Age of Exploration The High-Performance Spaceflight Computing technology is a nationwide, public-private development effort anchored by NASA, Microchip, and a broad ecosystem of academic and industry partners. This collaboration reinforces U.S. leadership in spaceflight computing, strengthens supply chain resilience and security, stimulates regional economies, and drives innovation and high-tech workforce development across the nation. This new technology has the potential for use on all future space missions, but unlike traditional space-specific chips, High-Performance Spaceflight Computing has a design platform for other Earth-based uses. Adopting the same high-performance computing, network switching, high-reliability and cybersecurity technologies, the company’s processors enable mission-critical edge computing for Earth-based industries such as automotive, aviation, consumer electronics, industrial systems, and aerospace. These potential applications include drones, energy grids, medical equipment, communication services, artificial intelligence, and data transmission. By leveraging a common technology base across space and terrestrial markets, High-Performance Spaceflight Computing helps strengthen domestic industrial capabilities and reduce risk and cost for both government and commercial users. The Space Technology Mission Directorate’s Game Changing Development program based at NASA’s Langley Research Center in Hampton, Virginia, and NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory led the end-to-end maturation of NASA’s High-Performance Spaceflight Computing by developing mission requirements, funding competitive industry studies, selecting and contracting with Microchip, and guiding the project through design reviews and the project life cycle to delivery. To learn more about these chips, visit: [Hidden Content] By: Jessica Jelke Explore More 3 min read NASA Developing AI to Steer Using Landmarks – On the Moon A NASA engineer is teaching an AI machine to use features on the Moon’s horizon… Article 3 years ago 3 min read NASA to Test Solution for Radiation-Tolerant Computing in Space Article 1 year ago 2 min read NASA Ames to Host Supercomputing Resources for UC Berkeley Researchers Article 2 years ago Share Details Last Updated May 08, 2026 EditorLoura Hall Related TermsSpace Technology Mission DirectorateGame Changing Development ProgramHigh-Tech ComputingJet Propulsion LaboratoryLangley Research CenterTechnologyTechnology for Space Travel View the full article

NASA/Chris Williams NASA astronaut Chris Williams captured the Milky Way rising above Earth’s atmospheric glow on April 13, 2026, while aboard a SpaceX Dragon docked to the International Space Station. This atmospheric glow is also called airglow. It occurs when atoms and molecules in the upper atmosphere, excited by sunlight, emit light to shed their excess energy. Alternatively, it can happen when atoms and molecules that have been ionized by sunlight collide with and capture a free electron. In both cases, they eject a particle of light — called a photon — in order to relax again. The phenomenon is similar to auroras, but where auroras are driven by high-energy particles originating from the solar wind, airglow is energized by ordinary, day-to-day solar radiation. Image credit: NASA/Chris Williams View the full article

During his tenure as chief of staff, NASA’s Brian Hughes is seen during a NASA town hall event, Wednesday, June 25, 2025, at the NASA Headquarters Mary W. Jackson Building in Washington.Credit: NASA/Bill Ingalls NASA announced Friday that Brian Hughes will return to the agency as senior director of launch operations, based at the agency’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. In this role, Hughes will provide enterprise-level leadership, strategic direction, and operational oversight for NASA’s launch infrastructure. Reporting to NASA Headquarters in Washington, Hughes will have direct responsibility for launch operations at NASA Kennedy, as well as the agency’s Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia. He will work across government, industry, and local leadership to strengthen coordination among stakeholders supporting NASA’s spaceports, enable increased launch cadence, and support execution of the President’s National Space Policy to ensure continued American leadership in space. “Brian brings a unique combination of operational expertise, strategic leadership, and public service experience at the highest levels of government,” said NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman. “His track record leading complex organizations and executing high-stakes missions makes him exceptionally well-suited to help shape the future of NASA’s launch operations as we accelerate into a new era of exploration and innovation.” Most recently, Hughes served as NASA’s chief of staff, where he helped drive agencywide priorities and decision-making. Prior to NASA, he served as deputy national security advisor for Strategic Communications at the White House, helping shape policy and communications on national security matters. Hughes also served as chief administrative officer for the City of Jacksonville, overseeing a workforce of more than 7,000 employees and managing a multi-billion-dollar budget across public safety, infrastructure, and emergency management operations. Earlier in his career, he served as chief of staff to former Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry and as chief executive officer of the Downtown Investment Authority, leading economic development initiatives across the city. A veteran of the U.S. Air Force, Hughes served as a KC-135 aircrew member during operations over the Middle East in support of the Gulf War. His return comes as NASA continues advancing a growing portfolio of civil, commercial, and national security launch activities across its spaceport infrastructure. Learn more about NASA’s mission at: [Hidden Content] -end- Bethany Stevens / George Alderman Headquarters, Washington 202-358-1600 *****@*****.tld / *****@*****.tld Share Details Last Updated May 08, 2026 EditorCheryl WarnerLocationNASA Headquarters Related TermsPeople of NASAKennedy Space CenterLaunch Services OfficeLaunch Services ProgramLeadershipNASA Centers & FacilitiesNASA HeadquartersSpace Operations Mission Directorate View the full article

Lead research engineer Dr. Kerrigan Cain adjusts tubes connected to a fuel cell inside NASA Glenn Research Center’s Fuel Cell Testing Laboratory in Cleveland on Feb. 23, 2026. His team is testing a system that could revolutionize power generation and energy storage for future Moon and Mars missions.NASA/Jef Janis With a small blue crane, four researchers hoist a cylindrical fuel cell, which looks like a stack of flattened silver and gold soda cans bundled together, into the air and lower it into a rectangular cart on wheels. A tangle of tubes and wires spiral away from the system, where nearly 270 sensors and 1,000 components are nestled inside. “It’s a behemoth; it’s a researcher’s dream,” said Dr. Kerrigan Cain, lead engineer for the team at NASA’s Glenn Research Center in Cleveland preparing to test this technology, known as a regenerative fuel cell system, over the next few months. The system, about as long as a sedan and as tall as a person, operates like a rechargeable battery and could revolutionize the way NASA stores energy during future Moon missions through the Artemis program. When power is needed, it’s designed to combine hydrogen and oxygen gas into water, heat, and electricity, and then “recharge” by splitting the water back into hydrogen and oxygen — all on the lunar surface. “It is an ideal technology for habitats, exploration with rovers, and many of the systems that are envisioned under Artemis,” Cain said. “Developing a sustainable, long-term human presence on the Moon requires power and energy storage solutions that fit those needs. Regenerative fuel cells fit into that puzzle perfectly.” From left to right, Dr. Kerrigan Cain, Jessica Cashman, Dr. Devon Powers, and Ryan Grotenrath install a fuel cell onto the regenerative fuel cell system inside NASA Glenn Research Center’s Fuel Cell Testing Laboratory in Cleveland on Feb. 23, 2026. NASA/Jef Janis This technology can weigh less but store the same amount of energy as comparable battery systems and could even operate during cold, dark, nearly two-week-long lunar nights. Its recharging capability also would ensure astronauts make the most of their resources and energy on the lunar surface without needing new supplies delivered from Earth. The upcoming tests are the culmination of over five years of work. The system was designed and assembled at NASA Glenn. Researchers completed initial testing in 2025 to understand the basics of how the technology functions and make modifications. Now, the team is passing a major milestone as they get ready to operate the complete system, storing the hydrogen and oxygen gas generated during recharge for the first time. They hope to gather essential data, identify any additional challenges, and further advance the technology toward a lunar mission. On an average test day, researchers will secure the thick double doors to the test cell where the system is located in NASA Glenn’s Fuel Cell Testing Laboratory, head to a nearby control room, and begin to run the system remotely. Once it is powered up and a test has started, the technology can operate on its own without researcher intervention. From left to right, Jessica Cashman, Dr. Kerrigan Cain, Dr. Mathew McCaskey, and Dr. Devon Powers discuss operation of the regenerative fuel cell system inside the control room of NASA Glenn Research Center’s Fuel Cell Testing Laboratory in Cleveland on Feb. 23, 2026. NASA/Jef Janis “This testing is going to generate crucial data, so every day is exciting,” Cain said. “This effort was made possible by countless hours of work. The desire for fuel cell technology is so high, it makes it very easy to get up every morning and go, ‘All right, we have to keep moving forward so that we can be ready for Artemis.’” Researchers will use lessons learned from testing to continue advancing regenerative fuel cell technology. Before the system can launch to the Moon, researchers will put it through its paces outside of the lab. “We want to simulate being on the lunar surface and prove the system can work under much harsher conditions compared to a controlled laboratory environment,” Cain said. Cain and his team noted working on the complex regenerative fuel cell system is both rewarding and challenging as they consider the impacts their research could have on NASA’s future deep space missions. “Creating a sustainable presence on the Moon is a team effort requiring a lot of collaboration between NASA and industry,” Cain said. NASA’s Regenerative Fuel Cell project is funded by the Space Technology Mission Directorate’s Game Changing Development Program, managed at NASA’s Langley Research Center in Hampton, Virginia. From left to right: Jessica Cashman, Dr. Kerrigan Cain, and Dr. Devon Powers work with the regenerative fuel cell system inside NASA Glenn Research Center’s Fuel Cell Testing Laboratory in Cleveland on Feb. 23, 2026.NASA/Jef Janis Ryan Grotenrath adjusts components of the regenerative fuel cell system inside NASA Glenn Research Center’s Fuel Cell Testing Laboratory in Cleveland on Feb. 23, 2026.NASA/Jef Janis Dr. Devon Powers adjusts components of the regenerative fuel cell system inside NASA Glenn Research Center’s Fuel Cell Testing Laboratory in Cleveland on Feb. 23, 2026.NASA/Jef Janis Researchers work with the regenerative fuel cell system inside NASA Glenn Research Center’s Fuel Cell Testing Laboratory in Cleveland on Feb. 23, 2026.NASA/Jef Janis The regenerative fuel cell system seen inside NASA Glenn Research Center’s Fuel Cell Testing Laboratory in Cleveland on Feb. 23, 2026.NASA/Jef Janis View the full article

Earth Observatory Science Earth Observatory Tracy Arm’s Post-Tsunami… 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 July 26, 2025 August 19, 2025 NASA Earth Observatory/Michala Garrison NASA Earth Observatory/Michala Garrison July 26, 2025August 19, 2025 NASA Earth Observatory/Michala Garrison NASA Earth Observatory/Michala Garrison July 26, 2025 August 19, 2025 CurtainToggle2-Up Image Details The shores of Tracy Arm, a fjord in southeast Alaska, are stripped of vegetation following a landslide and tsunami that occurred on August 10, 2025. The OLI (Operational Land Imager) on Landsat 8 and Landsat 9 show the area in the weeks before and after the event, respectively. Carved over millennia by the pressure and motion of glacial ice, the valley walls cradling the Tracy Arm fjord in southeast Alaska continue to be reshaped. In summer 2025, following the rapid retreat of South Sawyer Glacier, a large landslide sent rock careening into the fjord, altering the wider landscape in a matter of minutes. The slide culminated on the morning of August 10, 2025, when at least 64 million cubic meters of rock slid downslope. Material entering the fjord induced a tsunami that stripped trees and other vegetation from the opposing fjord wall up to 1,578 feet (481 meters) above sea level. While this peak was the highest “runup” reached by the tsunami, shores and islands down the fjord also saw substantial destruction. NASA-USGS Landsat satellites captured these images on July 26 (left) and August 19 (right), before and after the event, respectively. “The bright landslide scar on the north side of the fjord is striking, as is the ‘bathtub’ ring around the fjord showing the areas where the forest was leveled by the tsunami,” said Dan Shugar, a geomorphologist at the University of Calgary. Note that Sawyer Island, about 6 miles (9 kilometers) from the landslide, also turned from green to brown. Only a few trees still stood at the island’s higher elevations. The landslide scar and the zone where vegetation was stripped by the resulting tsunami are both visible in this aerial photo of Tracy Arm and South Sawyer Glacier, captured on August 13, 2025. U.S. Geological Survey/John Lyons In the months following the slide, Shugar and colleagues combined satellite, airborne, and ground-based observations with eyewitness reports and simulations to build a more complete picture of how the event unfolded. Their analysis, detailing the event from its lead-up through its aftermath, was published May 6, 2026, in the journal Science. In addition to the details outlined above, the researchers showed that water continued to slosh around the fjord—a phenomenon known as a “seiche”—for more than a day. Both the landslide and seiche produced seismic signals detected around the world, the former equivalent to a magnitude 5.4 earthquake. The Landsat images also reveal significant retreat at the front of South Sawyer Glacier in less than a month. “Part of that occurred between the date of the first image and the date of the landslide,” Shugar said. “But part of it is from the landslide itself, which broke off a big chunk of the terminus of South Sawyer Glacier, resulting in a slurry of icebergs in the fjord.” The exact mechanisms that caused the landslide remain uncertain and could have involved a combination of factors. Rainfall, which was moderate prior to the event, and the rapid retreat of glaciers can both destabilize a slope. What is clear, however, is that the glacier’s retreat exposed a new area of open water, leaving it vulnerable to a landscape-reorganizing tsunami. Tracy Arm and other nearby fjords connect with Stephens Passage, a major waterway in southeast Alaska, visible in this image captured on August 19, 2025, by the OLI (Operational Land Imager) on Landsat 9. NASA Earth Observatory/Michala Garrison No one was injured in the event, though it did catch some by surprise. Kayakers camping on Harbor Island near the fjord’s mouth had their gear swept away, and passengers aboard a small cruise vessel in neighboring Endicott Arm reported swings in water levels and a strong current associated with the tsunami. Brentwood Higman of Ground Truth Alaska, a co-author of the paper, noted that a glacier’s shift from relative stability to renewed retreat, visible in satellite images, could serve as an important indicator that an area has become more susceptible to landslide and tsunami hazards. NASA Earth Observatory images by Michala Garrison, using Landsat data from the U.S. Geological Survey. Photograph by John Lyons/U.S. Geological Survey. Story by Kathryn Hansen. Downloads July 26, 2025 JPEG (17.40 MB) August 19, 2025 JPEG (17.19 MB) References & Resources Alaska Public Media (2025, August 12) ‘Pure chaos out of nowhere’: Mega-landslide and tsunami rip through Tracy Arm south of Juneau. Accessed May 7, 2026. AP News (2026, April 12) Cruise companies to Alaska are avoiding a popular excursion to Tracy Arm after a massive landslide. Accessed May 7, 2026. NASA Earth Observatory (2024, November 12) Sizing Up a Greenland Tsunami. Accessed May 7, 2026. Shugar, D. H., et al. (2026) A 481-meter-high landslide-tsunami in a cruise ship–frequented Alaska fjord. Science, 392 (6798). University of Alaska Fairbanks (2025, August 12) Tsunami-causing slide was largest in decade, earthquake center finds. Accessed May 7, 2026. U.S. Geological Survey (2025, August 13) 2025 Tracy Arm Landslide Before and After Satellite Imagery. Accessed May 7, 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. Landslide and Avalanche Debris Litter Hubbard Glacier 4 min read Satellite-based radar images show where a powerful earthquake in the Yukon, Canada, sent rock, snow, and ice spilling across the… Article Cyclone Rains Spur Papua New Guinea Landslides 3 min read Heavy rains from Tropical Cyclone Maila triggered a deadly landslide in the mountains of East New Britain. Article Record-Setting Retreat of Hektoria Glacier 5 min read Scientists relied on satellite data to understand how the Antarctic glacier lost so much ice so rapidly. 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

3 min read Preparations for Next Moonwalk Simulations Underway (and Underwater) NASA’s X-59 quiet supersonic research aircraft flies above Palmdale and Edwards, California, during its first flight Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2025, accompanied by a NASA F/A-18 research aircraft serving as chase.NASA/Jim Ross NASA’s home for experimental flight is welcoming more flyers to its already high-performing fleet as it continues to support science and aeronautics test missions – continuing the legacy of pioneers like Neil Armstrong. NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California, added multiple aircraft this year: two F-15s supersonic jets, a Pilatus PC-12 utility plane, and a T-34 turboprop trainer, which the center will use to support the agency’s advancement of aerospace research. Throughout the center’s history, pilots have flown everything from large aircraft like the 747 Shuttle Carrier Aircraft and rocket-powered airplanes like the X-15 to high-speed repurposed fighter jets like the F-18. And after almost 80 years, flight research is still going strong in the desert today. “Armstrong has a rich history of flight research, but it’s the multidimensional skills of the people we have here, and the knowledge they’ve built to handle very unique aircraft maintenance and modifications, that stands out,” said Darren Cole, capabilities manager for the Flight Demonstrations and Capabilities project at NASA Armstrong. Armstrong has a rich history of flight research, but it’s the multidimensional skills of the people we have here … that stands out. Darren Cole Capabilities Manager at NASA Armstrong The center plays a pivotal role in worldwide airborne science missions, flying scientists and equipment from NASA, other government agencies, industry, and academia to collect measurements such as air pollution levels, glacier melt trends, and wildland fire mapping. Scientists can manage experiments in real time aboard flying laboratories like the NASA ER-2, to collect important data with the help of Armstrong’s pilots and airborne science team. “We all come together to make the science happen,” said Matt Berry, airborne research platforms branch chief at NASA Armstrong. “It is the agility of the Armstrong team that allows us to collaborate with scientists, get their equipment onboard, and to fly them to areas where they need to collect data.” The center sits on Rogers Dry Lake, a 44-square-mile slat flat area used for aviation research and test operations. Rogers and the adjacent Rosamond Dry Lake have seen everything from space shuttle landings to emergency test flight recoveries. The Rogers lakebed continues to serve as an important piece of Armstrong’s test missions. For NASA Armstrong, it all started with the first attempt by a human to fly faster than the speed of sound in the Bell X-1. In 1946, 13 employees from NASA’s predecessor agency, the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA), arrived at what was then known as Muroc Army Airfield to prepare for the X-1 tests. A year later, NACA’s Muroc Flight Test Unit was established as a permanent facility at the airfield. The center has gone by several names over the years, most recently changing from NASA’s Dryden Flight Research Center to NASA Armstrong in 2014. But its legacy has never shifted: The Bell X-1E, the last of the X-1 series of aircraft, now sits in front of NASA Armstrong, welcoming the newest test pilots, engineers, scientists, explorers, and dreamers. And they’re using the aircraft of today to break new barriers. “I don’t think there is another place in the world with a more diverse fleet of aircraft. We have everything from a low-altitude powered glider to ER-2s, which are flying at high altitudes, and a multitude of aircraft in between,” Cole said. From sourcing rare components to machining custom parts in-house, NASA Armstrong’s teams transform these aircraft into research workhorses. The center continues its crucial role in leading aeronautics testing, Earth science research, and supporting government and industry partners. Learn more about aircraft flown at NASA Armstrong Share Details Last Updated May 07, 2026 EditorDede DiniusContactTeresa Whiting*****@*****.tldLocationArmstrong Flight Research Center Related TermsArmstrong Flight Research CenterAeronauticsFlight InnovationNASA Aircraft Explore More 6 min read Cornell Students Aid NASA with Drone Safety in Sky Article 14 hours ago 3 min read NASA’s Dryden Aeronautical Test Range Supports Flight, Space Missions Article 1 day ago 4 min read NASA Fosters Development of Lunar Resource-Seeking Technologies Article 3 days ago Keep Exploring Discover More Topics From NASA NASA Armstrong Flight Research Center Aeronautics X-Planes at Armstrong NASA Aircraft View the full article

Credit: NASA The Republic of Paraguay signed the Artemis Accords on Thursday during a ceremony in Asunción, becoming the latest nation to commit to the shared principles guiding civil space exploration. “Today, I am proud to welcome Paraguay as the 67th signatory to the Artemis Accords,” said NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman. “They join an ever-growing coalition of like-minded nations committed to the peaceful, transparent, and responsible exploration of space. Established by President Trump in his first term, the Artemis Accords provided the principles for how we explore the Moon, Mars, and beyond. Now, with his national space policy, we are putting the Artemis Accords into practice with our Moon Base. We are creating opportunities for all Artemis Accords signatories, including Paraguay, to join us on the lunar surface and advance our shared objectives in this next era of exploration.” U.S. Embassy Asunción Chargé d’Affaires ad interim Aaron Pratt shared Isaacman’s remarks during the ceremony. Minister President of the Paraguayan Space Agency Osvaldo Almirón Riveros signed on behalf of Paraguay. “The signing of the Artemis Accords represents a historic milestone for Paraguay and reflects our commitment to international cooperation, the peaceful use of outer space, scientific development, and the advancement of national space capabilities,” said Almirón Riveros. “This step strengthens Paraguay’s position within the global space community and opens new opportunities for research, innovation, and sustainable development.” The Paraguayan Space Agency was established in 2014 and has worked to develop capabilities in satellite technology and Earth observation, including with international partners. Its first satellite, GuaraníSat‑1, launched from the International Space Station in 2021. The agency now is preparing to launch its second satellite, GuaraníSat‑2, in October aboard a Falcon 9 from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. The mission was developed with collaborators from NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory and other partners. In 2020, the United States, led by NASA and the U.S. State Department, joined with seven other founding nations to establish the Artemis Accords, responding to the growing interest in lunar activities by both governments and private companies. The Artemis Accords introduced the first set of practical principles aimed at enhancing the safety and coordination between like-minded nations as they explore the Moon, Mars, and beyond. Signing the Artemis Accords means committing to explore peaceably and transparently, to render aid to those in need, to enable access to scientific data that all of humanity can learn from, to ensure activities do not interfere with those of others, and to preserve historically significant sites and artifacts by developing best practices for space exploration for the benefit of all. More countries are expected to sign the Artemis Accords in the months and years ahead, as NASA continues its work to establish a safe, peaceful, and prosperous future in space. For more information about the Artemis Accords, visit: [Hidden Content] Share Details Last Updated May 07, 2026 LocationNASA Headquarters Related TermsArtemis AccordsArtemisOffice of International and Interagency Relations (OIIR) View the full article

1 Min Read NASA Sends Mars Helicopter Blades Beyond Mach 1 PIA26649 Credits: NASA/JPL-Caltech Photojournal Navigation Science Photojournal NASA Sends Mars Helicopter… Photojournal Home Photojournal Search Latest Content Galleries Feedback RSS About Downloads NASA Sends Mars Helicopter Blades Beyond Mach 1 JPEG (1.38 MB) Description Engineer Fernando Mier-Hicks inspects a test stand used to investigate the performance of next-generation Mars helicopter rotor blades at high speeds inside the 25-Foot Space Simulator at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern California in November 2025. Data from the tests indicate that the rotors could surpass the sound barrier without breaking apart. The test campaign was funded by the agency’s Mars Exploration Program in pursuit of maximizing the capability of future aircraft flying at the Red Planet. A division of Caltech in Pasadena, JPL manages the Mars Exploration Program for NASA’s Science Mission Directorate in Washington. Keep Exploring Discover More Topics From Photojournal Photojournal Search Photojournal Photojournal’s Latest Content Feedback View the full article