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Explore This Section Science Science Activation Science Through Shadows: How… Overview Learning Resources Science Activation Teams SME Map Opportunities More Science Activation Stories Citizen Science Science Activation Opportunities 6 min read Science Through Shadows: How Astronomical Alignments Reveal the Universe When one celestial object passes in front of another, it can cast a shadow that travels across space – and sometimes across Earth. These moments of alignment, known as eclipses, occultations, and transits, allow scientists to study distant objects in remarkable ways. By observing how light changes when an object briefly blocks another, astronomers can measure sizes and shapes, detect atmospheres, and refine the orbits of asteroids and planets. From left to right: Image of the total solar eclipse of 2024, an asteroid occulting a distant star, and an exoplanet transiting a star. The Science Through Shadows project, funded by NASA’s Science Activation program and led by Fiske Planetarium at the University of Colorado Boulder, explores how these shadow-based events help scientists conduct astronomical research. The project has produced a series of short films that explain the science behind eclipses, occultations, and solar observations while highlighting the people who help make these discoveries possible – including students, educators, and volunteer citizen scientists. The videos are designed for use in classrooms, libraries, planetariums, and informal learning environments, and are available free of charge in both English and Spanish. Versions are available in 2D formats for streaming and classroom use, as well as fulldome formats for planetariums worldwide. Explore the seven films currently available: Ring of Fire Eclipse Focus: The annular solar eclipse of October 14, 2023 On October 14, 2023, observers across North America experienced an annular solar eclipse, sometimes called a “ring of fire.” During an annular eclipse, the Moon passes directly in front of the Sun but appears slightly smaller in the sky, leaving a bright ring of sunlight visible around its edges. This video explains how annular eclipses differ from total solar eclipses, explores the science behind these events, and highlights safe viewing practices. It also helps viewers understand what makes eclipse observations both scientifically valuable and deeply memorable experiences. Total Eclipse of the Sun Focus: The total solar eclipse of April 8, 2024 A total solar eclipse is one of the most dramatic astronomical events visible from Earth. On April 8, 2024, millions of people across North America had the opportunity to witness the Moon completely block the Sun, revealing the Sun’s faint outer atmosphere, known as the corona. This video explores what happens during a total solar eclipse, why traveling to the path of totality offers a dramatically different experience, and how scientists use eclipses to study the Sun’s atmosphere. What Causes Eclipses? Focus: The science behind eclipses Why don’t eclipses happen every month? What conditions must occur for the Sun, Earth, and Moon to align? This episode explains the orbital mechanics that produce eclipses and clarifies the differences between solar and lunar eclipses. By addressing common misconceptions, it helps viewers understand the celestial alignments that create these spectacular events. Chasing Polymele’s Shadow Focus: The Lucy occultation campaign When an asteroid passes in front of a distant star, it briefly blocks the star’s light, casting a shadow across Earth. Astronomers call this event an occultation, and it can reveal valuable information about the asteroid’s size, shape, and surrounding environment. This video follows the Lucy Occultation Project, where scientists and citizen scientists worked together to observe the ******* asteroid Polymele ahead of NASA’s Lucy mission flyby. On February 3, 2023, more than 100 telescopes across two continents were deployed to capture the moment Polymele passed in front of a star. The resulting observations help scientists better understand the asteroid before the spacecraft’s encounter. Humanity Touches the Sun Focus: NASA’s Parker Solar Probe NASA’s Parker Solar Probe is helping scientists explore the Sun closer than ever before. On December 24, 2024, the spacecraft made its closest approach to the Sun, traveling more than 430,000 miles per hour – faster than any human-made object. This video explores how Parker Solar Probe studies the Sun’s outer atmosphere and helps scientists investigate long-standing questions about the solar corona and solar wind. The Sun Touches Humanity Focus: NASA’s PUNCH mission NASA’s PUNCH (Polarimeter to Unify the Corona and Heliosphere) mission provides a new way to observe how the Sun influences space throughout the inner solar system. Consisting of four suitcase-sized satellites in low-Earth orbit, PUNCH creates global, three-dimensional observations of the region between the Sun and Earth. These measurements help scientists better understand how the solar wind forms and evolves, and how solar storms travel through space. Eclipse Participatory Science Focus: Citizen science during recent solar eclipses Solar eclipses create powerful opportunities for collaborative scientific research. This episode follows two large participatory science projects that took place during recent North American eclipses: the Nationwide Eclipse Ballooning Project, another NASA Science Activation-funded project that’s led by Montana State University, and Citizen CATE 2024, a NASA- and National Science Foundation-supported observing campaign. Through balloon launches, telescope observations, and hands-on engineering challenges, students, educators, and volunteers collected atmospheric and solar data that scientists are now analyzing. The episode highlights how people with curiosity and passion can contribute meaningfully to real scientific discovery. 2D versions of these videos in both English and Spanish can be found on Fiske Planetarium’s YouTube channel, and downloadable versions are available through the project’s distribution page. Fulldome masters (1K, 2K, and 4K) are also available for free download via the Fiske Productions page, allowing planetariums around the world to share these stories of discovery with their audiences. Through projects like Science Through Shadows, NASA’s Science Activation program helps connect everyone, everywhere with NASA Science content, experts, and opportunities to participate. Whether observing an eclipse, tracking an asteroid’s shadow, or studying data from a spacecraft, these moments of alignment offer powerful opportunities to explore how the universe works – and how people everywhere can participate in the process of discovery. NASA Citizen Science Everyone, everywhere – regardless of country of origin or citizenship status – can collaborate with professional scientists, conduct cutting-edge science, and make real discoveries as a volunteer for NASA Citizen Science projects. These projects give participants the opportunity to collaborate with professional scientists, conduct cutting-edge science, and make real discoveries related to NASA’s five research divisions: Earth science, planetary science, astrophysics, biological and physical sciences, and heliophysics. Explore available projects and get started: [Hidden Content] Share Details Last Updated Mar 23, 2026 Related Terms Science Activation Learning Resources Explore More 4 min read Citizen Scientists Invited to Collect Data for NASA During Eclipse Article 2 years ago 2 min read NASA SCoPE Supports Science Activation Projects and Events for 2024 Eclipse Article 2 years ago 6 min read 10 Things to Know About Parker Solar Probe On Aug. 12, 2018, NASA launched Parker Solar Probe to the Sun, where it will… Article 8 years ago Keep Exploring Discover More Topics From NASA James Webb Space Telescope Webb is the premier observatory of the next decade, serving thousands of astronomers worldwide. It studies every phase in the… Perseverance Rover This rover and its aerial sidekick were assigned to study the geology of Mars and seek signs of ancient microbial… Parker Solar Probe On a mission to “touch the Sun,” NASA’s Parker Solar Probe became the first spacecraft to fly through the corona… Juno NASA’s Juno spacecraft entered orbit around Jupiter in 2016, the first explorer to peer below the planet’s dense clouds to… View the full article

This animation shows how, following a massive earthquake off Russia on July 29, 2025, GUARDIAN flagged an incoming wave west of Hawaii some 32 minutes before it made landfall and was detected by tide gauges (shown in blue). Credit: NASA’s Scientific Visualization Studio A new data visualization illustrates how an experimental NASA technology can provide extra lead time to communities in the path of a tsunami. Called GUARDIAN (GNSS Upper Atmospheric Real-time Disaster Information and Alert Network), the software detects slight distortions in satellite navigation signals to spot hazards on the move.. The animation breaks down a real-life case study: last summer’s massive Kamchatka earthquake and the tsunami that it sent racing across the Pacific and towards Hawaii at over 500 mph (805 kph). The visualization shows the magnitude 8.8 earthquake (seen in purple) strike off the Russian coast on July 29, 2025, triggering the tsunami. The red, orange, yellow, and green ringlets represent real-time readings from ground stations tracking GPS and other navigational satellite signals. The disturbances were spotted by GUARDIAN’s artificial intelligence-powered detection algorithms as soon as eight minutes after the earthquake. For the next several hours, signs of the tsunami were picked up by GUARDIAN across the Pacific Ocean in near real time. The system flagged an incoming wave off the coast of Kauai some 32 minutes before it made landfall and was detected by tide gauges (shown in blue). The results highlight GUARDIAN’s potential to augment existing early warning systems, said Camille Martire, one of its developers at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern California. Currently, determining whether an earthquake generated a tsunami remains a challenge. Forecasters rely on seismic data and computer simulations to make their best prediction, then wait for pressure sensors attached to the ocean floor to confirm a passing wave. Those sensors work well but are expensive and thinly dispersed. Gaps in coverage remain. And in those gaps, warning time disappears. The GUARDIAN approach is complementary and cost effective because it monitors existing data from GPS and other constellations that make up the Global Navigation Satellite System. It’s also free to access, though for now best suited to analysts trained to interpret its findings. How GUARDIAN works All day, every day, geopositioning constellations transmit radio signals to ground stations around the globe. On the ground, the data is refined to sub-decimeter (less than 10 centimeters) positioning accuracy by JPL’s Global Differential GPS System. Before the signals get there, however, they must travel through an electrically charged skin of plasma called the ionosphere. Solar storms and other space weather can wreak electrical mayhem in the ionosphere, and so can events on Earth. Tsunamis and earthquakes, by displacing large amount of air at Earth’s surface, unleash pressure waves that can slightly perturb the radio signals coming down from satellites. While systems are in place to correct for this “noise,” GUARDIAN considers it a useful signal. Currently, GUARDIAN scours data from more than 350 GNSS ground stations around the Pacific Ring of Fire, a hotbed for the ocean’s deadliest waves. And the system is not confined to tsunamis. Earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, missile tests, spacecraft reentries, meteoroid splashdowns — anything that produces a large rumble on Earth is potentially fair game. While the Kamchatka event didn’t cause widespread damage to people or property, it showed how the next time disaster strikes, NASA science could give communities a few more minutes to act. GUARDIAN is being developed at JPL by the GDGPS project, which is partially supported by NASA’s Space Geodesy Project. To learn more, visit: [Hidden Content] Media Contacts Andrew Wang / Andrew Good Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, Calif. 626-379-6874 / 818-393-2433 *****@*****.tld / *****@*****.tld Written by Sally Younger 2026-017 Explore More 1 min read SWOT Mission Unlocks a New View of Our Waterways Explore how rivers move, change, and sustain life across the planet with SWOT data. Article 1 hour ago 5 min read A Fault Line in Full Bloom Plains around the San Andreas Fault and across Carrizo Plain National Monument are awash with… Article 15 hours ago 3 min read Restless Kīlauea Launches Lava and Ash Episode 43 of the Hawaiian volcano’s current eruption was marked by high lava fountains and… Article 4 days ago Keep Exploring Discover More Topics From NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory Climate Change NASA is a global leader in studying Earth’s changing climate. NASA Earth Science Disasters Program Eyes NASA’s Eyes is a suite of 3D visualization applications that allows everyone to explore and understand real NASA data and… View the full article

1 min read SWOT Mission Unlocks a New View of Our Waterways Earth (ESD) Earth Explore Explore Earth Science Agriculture Air Quality Climate Change Freshwater Life on Earth Severe Storms Snow and Ice The Global Ocean Science at Work Earth Science at Work Technology and Innovation Powering Business Multimedia Image Collections Videos Data For Researchers About Us Explore how rivers move, change, and sustain life across the planet. Using data from the SWOT (Surface Water and Ocean Topography) mission, jointly developed by the NASA/JPL and the Centre National d’Études Spatiales with contributions from the ********* Space Agency and the United Kingdom Space Agency, scientists can now measure rivers continuously and across the entire globe for the first time in human history. From the Mississippi River to the Amazon, these observations reveal how rivers flow, how they change over time, and how they support ecosystems, economies, and communities worldwide like never before. Original Video and Assets Share Details Last Updated Mar 23, 2026 Editor Earth Science Division Editorial Team Related Terms Earth Surface Water SWOT (Surface Water and Ocean Topography) Water on Earth Explore More 5 min read A Fault Line in Full Bloom Plains around the San Andreas Fault and across Carrizo Plain National Monument are awash with… Article 14 hours ago 3 min read Restless Kīlauea Launches Lava and Ash Episode 43 of the Hawaiian volcano’s current eruption was marked by high lava fountains and… Article 4 days ago 3 min read NASA Laser Reflecting Instrument Makes GPS Satellite More Accurate Article 4 days ago Keep Exploring Discover More Topics From NASA Earth Your home. Our Mission. And the one planet that NASA studies more than any other. Earth Observatory NASA’s Earth Observatory brings you the Earth, every day: images, stories, and discoveries about the environment, Earth systems, and climate. Earth Science at Work NASA Earth Science helps Americans respond to challenges and societal needs — such as wildland fires, hurricanes, and water supplies… Earth Videos Collection of Earth science videos explaining a variety of concepts and activities performed by NASA’s Earth Science Division. View the full article

NASA, CSA, ESA, D. Calzetti (University of Massachusetts – Amherst), C. Clark (Space Telescope Science Institute – ESA – JWST), K. Kuntz (The John Hopkins University), and B. Shappee (University of Hawaii); Processing: Gladys Kober (NASA/Catholic University of America) This March 16, 2026, image from NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope and the James Webb Space Telescope takes a closer look at the core of Messier 101, also known as the Pinwheel Galaxy. At 25 million light-years away, M101 is one of the closest “face-on” spiral galaxies to us. With that in mind, Hubble’s ultraviolet, visible, and near-infrared data were taken as part of studies to find out more about its stellar population and galactic structure. See more images from Hubble’s Messier Marathon 2026. Image credit: NASA, CSA, ESA, D. Calzetti (University of Massachusetts – Amherst), C. Clark (Space Telescope Science Institute – ESA – JWST), K. Kuntz (The John Hopkins University), and B. Shappee (University of Hawaii); Processing: Gladys Kober (NASA/Catholic University of America) View the full article

NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman speaks during a workforce Q&A session, Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2026, at NASA’s Glenn Research Center in Cleveland, Ohio. Glenn marks the eleventh stop in Isaacman’s roadshow to visit NASA facilities and engage directly with the agency’s workforce.NASA/John Kraus NASA will host a public event at 9 a.m. EDT on Tuesday, March 24, at the Mary W. Jackson NASA Headquarters in Washington to outline how the agency is executing President Donald J. Trump’s National Space Policy and accelerating preparations for America’s return to the surface of the Moon by 2028. The program will open with remarks from NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman, followed by a series of high-level panels providing updates on mission priorities, including sending the first astronauts to the lunar surface in more than 50 years, establishing the initial elements of a permanent lunar base, getting America underway in space on nuclear propulsion, and other objectives. At 4:45 p.m., NASA will hold a live news conference from headquarters to provide an update on the agency’s progress toward implementing the National Space Policy and recapping major announcements discussed throughout the day. NASA participants include: Administrator Jared Isaacman Associate Administrator Amit Kshatriya Dana Weigel, program manager, International Space Station Program Carlos Garcia-Galan, program executive, Moon Base Steve Sinacore, program executive, Fission Surface Power Dr. Nicola Fox, associate administrator, Science Mission Directorate Dr. Lori Glaze, program manager, Moon to Mars Program The full program and news conference will stream live on NASA+, Amazon Prime, and the agency’s YouTube channel. Learn how to stream NASA content through a variety of online platforms, including social media. This event is invitation-only for in-person attendance. To participate virtually in the news conference, members of the media must RSVP no later than two hours before the start of the event to Cheryl Warner at: *****@*****.tld. NASA’s media accreditation policy is available online. For more information about NASA’s missions, visit: [Hidden Content] -end- Bethany Stevens / Cheryl Warner Headquarters, Washington 202-358-1600 *****@*****.tld / *****@*****.tld Share Details Last Updated Mar 23, 2026 LocationNASA Headquarters Related TermsHumans in SpaceArtemisLeadership View the full article

Share Details Last Updated Mar 23, 2026 Editor Andrea Gianopoulos Location NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Contact Media Claire Andreoli NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, Maryland *****@*****.tld Leah Ramsay, Christine Pulliam Space Telescope Science Institute Baltimore, Maryland Related Terms Hubble Space Telescope Astrophysics Astrophysics Division Crab Nebula Emission Nebulae Goddard Space Flight Center Nebulae Neutron Stars Pulsars Supernova Remnants Additional Links Release on ESA/Hubble website

Earth Observatory Science Earth Observatory A Fault Line in Full Bloom 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 March 5 March 13 Wildflower blooms appear as yellow patches at the center of satellite images centered on Carrizo Plain National Monument. The blooms spread and intensify between March 5 and March 13. NASA Earth Observatory / Lauren Dauphin Wildflower blooms appear as yellow patches at the center of satellite images centered on Carrizo Plain National Monument. The blooms spread and intensify between March 5 and March 13. NASA Earth Observatory / Lauren Dauphin March 5March 13 March 5, 2026 – March 13, 2026 CurtainToggle Image Details Golden wildflowers color the Carrizo Plain and surrounding Southern California landscape in these images captured on March 5, 2026 (left), and March 13, 2026 (right), by the OLI (Operational Land Imager) on Landsat 8 and Landsat 9, respectively. NASA Earth Observatory/Lauren Dauphin Whether it qualifies as a “superbloom” is in the eye of the beholder, but there is no doubt that California’s Carrizo Plain and the neighboring mountain ranges were awash with color as wildflowers put on their annual show in spring 2026. Landsat satellites began to show the early signs of color in February. By early March, flowers had turned areas around Soda Lake a bright shade of yellow, and by mid-month, they had spread even farther. Yellow wildflower blooms are visible amid the dendritic network of streams flanking the alkaline lake, which dries out completely during drought years. Colors were particularly vibrant across the Carrizo Plain National Monument, even decorating meadows along the zipper-shaped San Andreas Fault with splashes of purple due to blooms of Phacelia ciliata. Wildflowers bloom along the San Andreas Fault in this image acquired on March 13, 2026, by the OLI (Operational Land Imager) on Landsat 9. NASA Earth Observatory / Lauren Dauphin Winter 2025-2026 brought bouts of rain and variable conditions that benefited wildflowers. Soaking rains saturated soils in November and December, bringing rainfall totals to nearly twice the usual level, according to a report from the California Department of Water Resources. NASA data cited in the report showed soil moisture remained well above average for the month of February. The pulse of early rains helped kick-start wildflowers because many seeds need at least a half-inch of rain to wash off their protective coating to germinate, according to the National Park Service. The warm, dry periods that followed also helped. Once established, wildflowers benefit from intermittent rainfall rather than constant soaking. Wildflowers in Carrizo Plain National Monument on March 7, 2026. Photograph by Erin Berkowitz The Wild Flower Hotline reported that west-facing slopes of the Temblor Range were the first places to come alive with hillside daisies (Monolopia lanceolata) accompanied by California goldfields (Lasthenia californica) and forked fiddlenecks (Amsinckia furcata) in March. The display in the Caliente Range was enhanced by a lack of grass thatch, which was burned off in the Madre fire in July 2025. Reports from experts on the ground indicate that common goldfield (Lasthenia gracilis), also called the needle goldfield, is responsible for the expanse of yellow near Soda Lake. Individual plants are small, but they often grow in disturbed areas just centimeters apart and bloom simultaneously, creating expansive blankets of color. March 5 March 13 A more detailed view shows yellow blooms against a background of green surrounding Soda Lake and several streams to its east. NASA Earth Observatory / Lauren Dauphin A more detailed view shows yellow blooms against a background of green surrounding Soda Lake and several streams to its east. NASA Earth Observatory / Lauren Dauphin March 5March 13 March 5, 2026 – March 13, 2026 CurtainToggle Image Details Common goldfield spreads around California’s Soda Lake in these images acquired on March 5, 2026 (left), and March 13, 2026 (right), by the OLI (Operational Land Imager) on Landsat 8 and Landsat 9, respectively. NASA Earth Observatory/Lauren Dauphin In an article for Flora magazine, Bryce King, lead field botanist for the California Native Plant Society, described the Lasthenia blooms there as one of many “seemingly unending stretches of color” across the valley bottom. Lasthenia is a “staple” of vernal pools and seasonally wet areas, he wrote, but the synchronicity of blooms on the valley floor and surrounding hills during a March visit was “beyond anything” he had expected. Teams of NASA scientists are using remote sensing to study wildflower blooms and flowering plants, aiming to develop techniques for tracking blooms over broad areas and tools that can support farmers, beekeepers, and resource managers. Fruit, nuts, honey, and cotton are among the many crops and commodities produced by flowering plants. Yoseline Angel captures the spectral signature of goldfield flowers in grasslands near Soda Lake on March 14, 2026, by measuring the reflectance of yellow petals and green leaves with a field spectrometer. NASA/Andreas Baresch “I would certainly consider this a superbloom,” said Yoseline Angel, a scientist at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center. “It’s hard to describe how stunning these wildflowers were from the ground.” Angel and Goddard colleague Andres Baresch were in the field in Carrizo Plain National Monument on March 13 taking spectral measurements of blooming wildflowers as Landsat acquired one of the images shown above. They are in the process of developing a global flower monitoring system that will integrate observations from the ground with those from space-based sensors such as OLI on Landsat 8 and 9 and EMIT (Earth Surface Mineral Dust Source Investigation) on the International Space Station to track the progression of blooms. “This was the perfect opportunity to test how well our models scale between the ground and satellites,” she said. “We were fortunate to have a huge number of seeds germinate and bloom simultaneously because last year was so dry and this winter was so wet.” Gold and purple wildflowers bloom in Carrizo Plain National Monument on March 7, 2026. Photograph by Erin Berkowitz NASA Earth Observatory images by Lauren Dauphin, using Landsat data from the U.S. Geological Survey. Photos courtesy of Erin Berkowitz and Andres Baresch. Story by Adam Voiland. Downloads March 5, 2026 JPEG (7.26 MB) March 13, 2026 JPEG (7.72 MB) References & Resources Angel, Y., et al. (2025) Deciphering the spectra of flowers to map landscape-scale blooming dynamics. Ecosphere, 16(2), e70127. Bureau of Land Management (2026, February 9) Wildflower season arrives at Carrizo Plain National Monument and other BLM-managed public lands. Accessed March 19, 2026. California Department of Water Resources (2026, March 16) California Hydrology Update. Accessed March 19, 2026. Flora (2026) Plain Beautiful. Accessed March 19, 2026. The Globe Program (2025, May 14) Looking for Wildflower Blooms and Flowering Trees with GLOBE. Accessed March 19, 2026. KQED (2025, April 8) Can NASA Help Predict Wildflower Super Blooms? Accessed March 19, 2026. National Park Service (2026) Wildflowers. Accessed March 19, 2026. Rahimi, E. & Jung, C. (2025) A review of remote sensing applications in flower phenology detection. Journal of Ecology and Environment, 49,05. The Tribune (2026, March 13) Colorful wildflowers blooming across Carrizo Plain. See photos. Accessed March 19, 2026. The Wild Flower Hotline, via Spotify (2026, March 13) Wildflower Hotline. Accessed March 19, 2026. Theodore Payne Foundation (2024, March 15) Superbloom Season? Accessed March 19, 2026. U.S. Drought Monitor (2025, December 4) Drought Status Update for California-Nevada. Accessed March 19, 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. Plants and Algae Swirl Across a South African Reservoir 5 min read Vivid green blooms form, drift, and fade in Hartbeespoortdam reservoir over the course of a year. Article An Amphitheater of Rock at Cedar Breaks 4 min read The colorful formations found in this bowl-shaped escarpment in southwestern Utah are the centerpiece of Cedar Breaks National Monument. Article Seasons Change in Southwest Virginia 3 min read From autumn color to a winter-white finish, forested areas around Blacksburg trade foliage for snow over the span of two… Article 1 2 3 4 Next Keep Exploring Discover More from NASA Earth Science Subscribe to Earth Observatory Newsletters Subscribe to the Earth Observatory and get the Earth in your inbox. Earth Observatory Image of the Day NASA’s Earth Observatory brings you the Earth, every day, with in-depth stories and stunning imagery. Explore Earth Science Earth Science Data Open access to NASA’s archive of Earth science data View the full article

1 min read Preparations for Next Moonwalk Simulations Underway (and Underwater) A scale model of a possible single-aisle twin-engine airliner is tested in a NASA wind tunnel.NASA Vision Studies, Analysis of Alternatives (AoA) Studies, and White Papers NASA Computational Fluid Dynamics Vision 2030 Study: A Path to Revolutionary Computational Aerosciences Requirements for Aircraft Certification By Analysis Vision 2040: A Roadmap for Integrated, Multiscale Modeling & Simulation of Materials & Systems Autonomy Verification &Validation Roadmap and Vision 2045 (Joint AOSP) Combustion and Emissions Analysis of Alternatives (includes subsonic transport acoustics, combustion and emissions, and aircraft icing) Computational Materials for Qualification and Certification (CM4QC) Strategy Document: Maturation of Computational Materials Methods for Aviation-Focused Qualification and Certification of Metal Additive Manufacturing White Paper: Personnel Selection, Roles, and Training for sUAS White Paper: Considerations for Airspace Integration Enabling Early Multi-Aircraft (m:N) Operations Facebook logo @NASA@NASAaero@NASAes @NASA@NASAaero@NASA_es Instagram logo @NASA@NASAaero@NASA_es Linkedin logo @NASA Explore More 2 min read NASA Simulations Improve Artemis II Launch Environment Article 2 days ago 4 min read Award-Winning NASA Camera Revolutionizes How We See the Invisible Article 1 month ago 4 min read NASA Software Raises Bar for Aircraft Icing Research Article 4 months ago Keep Exploring Discover More Topics From NASA Missions Artemis Aeronautics STEM Explore NASA’s History Share Details Last Updated Mar 22, 2026 EditorJim BankeContactDiana Fitzgeralddiana.r*****@*****.tld Related TermsTransformational Tools Technologies View the full article

NASA’s quiet supersonic X-59 aircraft flew its second flight on March 20, 2026, near NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California.NASA/Jim Ross NASA’s quiet supersonic X-59 aircraft made its second flight on Friday, kicking off a series of dozens of test flights in 2026. Although the flight duration was abbreviated due to a technical issue, the team was able to collect information that will inform future tests. “Despite the early landing, this is a good day for the team. We collected more data, and the pilot landed safely,” said Cathy Bahm, project manager for NASA’s Low-***** Flight Demonstrator at NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center, in Edwards, California. “We’re looking forward to getting back to flight as soon as possible.” The aircraft took off at 10:54 a.m. PDT from Edwards Air Force Base, near NASA Armstrong. Several minutes into the flight, pilot Jim “Clue” Less saw a vehicle system warning in the aircraft’s cockpit. Following flight procedures, the aircraft landed at 11:03 a.m. after a return-to-base was called. “As we like to say, it was just like the simulator – and that’s what we like to hear,” Less said. “This is just the beginning of a long flight campaign.” The X-59 is designed to fly supersonic – or faster than the speed of sound – while generating only a quiet thump instead of a loud sonic *****. The X-59 is the centerpiece of NASA’s Quesst mission, which is working to make commercial supersonic flight over land a reality. The aircraft is set to accelerate testing in 2026, demonstrating performance and airworthiness during a process known as envelope expansion, where it will gradually fly faster and higher, on its way to supersonic speeds. Share Details Last Updated Mar 20, 2026 EditorJennifer M. DoorenLocationNASA Headquarters Related TermsQuesst (X-59)AeronauticsArmstrong Flight Research Center View the full article

Hangar One at Moffett Federal Airfield, Moffett Field, California, in 2006.Credits: NASA/Dominic Hart Restoration has been completed on Hangar One, a historic landmark in the San Francisco Bay Area and a key part of the region’s early aviation history. In December 2025, Planetary Ventures completed restoration of the Hangar One landmark at Moffett Federal Airfield, located at NASA’s Ames Research Center in California’s Silicon Valley. Work focused on modernizing the structure while maintaining its original visual characteristics as closely as possible. The restoration work included the remediation, clean-up, and recladding of the siding and roof, as well as a variety of structural upgrades. Hangar One — now more than 90 years old — was restored according to U.S. Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation of historical buildings. This project started years ago when the U.S. Navy removed all the hangar’s roof, siding, windows, doors, and other materials, which were contaminated with toxic chemicals. The Navy then sealed the hangar’s structural frame with epoxy to ensure the chemicals would not pose a health risk, leaving it intact until further work could be completed. In 2014, NASA signed a lease with Planetary Ventures to operate Moffett Federal Airfield and rehabilitate Hangar One. In 2022, Planetary Ventures removed the remaining toxic chemicals from the hangar. First, working section by section, areas of Hangar One were surrounded with scaffolding and encased to keep contaminated materials inside. Only then were they carefully removed and stored in the vicinity of the hangar until being taken off-site for proper disposal. After the contaminated materials were removed, the steel frame was primed and repainted to protect it from the elements until siding, windows, and doors were added. The team also made several structural upgrades — as well as other mechanical, plumbing, electrical, landscape, and hardscape improvements — to ensure the hangar’s long-term operational integrity for generations to come. Timeline: 1933: The United States Navy built Hangar One at Naval Air Station Sunnyvale for the USS Macon airship and to serve as the West Coast base for the U.S. lighter-than-air aviation program. 1935: After the destruction of the dirigible U.S.S. Macon, Hangar One and all of Naval Air Station Sunnyvale was transferred to the U.S. Army, renamed Moffett Field Army Air Corps Base, and was used to house training aircraft. 1942: Moffett Field Army Air Corps Base was transferred back to the U.S. Navy and re-commissioned as Naval Air Station Moffett Field. 1994: The Navy transferred the hangar to NASA after Moffett Field was decommissioned. 1997: During routine stormwater testing, NASA discovered a toxin called polychlorinated biphenyls, or PCBs, specifically Aroclor 1260 and 1268, and other contaminants in the Center’s storm drain settling basin. 2002: Sampling programs determine that the composite corrugated material used to make the original external siding of Hangar One was the source of the PCBs as well as asbestos and the paint used to cover both the siding and steel frame of Hangar One contained lead and PCBs. 2003: An inspection reveals PCBs, and other contaminants are leaking from the hangar’s metallic exterior. As a result of the high levels of PCBs present in the Hangar One building components, the hangar was closed to human use, as required by the Toxic Substances Control Act. 2008: At a Navy public hearing, members of the local community expressed overwhelming support for full restoration of Hangar One. June 2010 – June 2013: The Navy addressed contamination at Hangar One by preserving and decontaminating historic artifacts; removing the hangar’s roof, siding, windows, doors, and other exterior components; demolishing the interior structures of the hangar; coating the structure with epoxy; among other activities. May 28, 2013: NASA and the U.S. General Services Administration issued a Request for Proposals to obtain lease proposals for the rehabilitation and adaptive reuse of Hangar One, and for the operation, management, and maintenance of Moffett Federal Airfield. February 2014: After a fair and open competition, the U.S. General Services Administration and NASA selected Planetary Ventures, LLC as the preferred lessee and began lease negotiations to manage Moffett Federal Airfield and rehabilitate historic Hangar One. Jan. 14, 2020: Engineering Evaluation/Cost Analysis (EE/CA) is approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the California Regional Water Quality Control Board (Regional Water Board). Nov. 17, 2020: Action Memorandum is approved by the EPA. Nov. 18, 2020: Action Memorandum is approved by the Regional Water Board. Feb. 3, 2022: Non-Time-Critical Removal Action (NTCRA) Work Plan is submitted to the EPA and the Regional Water Board. March 24, 2022: EPA and the Regional Water Board approved the Final Non-Time-Critical Removal Action Work Plan. March 2022: Scaffolding and encasement around Hangar One begins. Spring 2022: Removal and disposal of contaminated materials begins. Summer 2022: Repainting of steel frame in the first work area begins. Dec. 1, 2025: Planetary Ventures completed the full remediation and restoration of Hangar One. U.S. Navy J-4 airship with Hangar One, circa 1934.Credits: NASA Ames Fast Facts: Hangar One is a very large structure measuring approximately 1,133 feet long, 308 feet wide, and 198 feet high. Hangar One is in the Shenandoah Plaza Historic District, which is listed in the National Register of Historic Places at the National level of significance under Criterion A for the association with coastal defense and naval technology that has made a significant contribution to the broad patterns of our history; and Criterion C reflecting the distinctive type, *******, method of construction and high artistic values that are represented in the 1933 station plan and buildings. Hangar One is designated as a Naval Historical Monument as well as a California Historic Civil Engineering Landmark by the San Francisco section of the American Society of Civil Engineers. Collaborators: Planetary Ventures, LLC of Delaware Learn more: NASA story: Second Life for Historic Hangar One Wood: Super Bowl 50 Stadium Décor (Feb. 1, 2016) NASA video: Second Life for Hangar One Wood (Feb. 3, 2016) NASA release: NASA Signs Lease with Planetary Ventures LLC for Use of Moffett Airfield and Restoration of Hangar One (Nov. 10, 2014) For researchers: NASA Ames’ Environmental Divisions’ Federal Facility Agreement Administrative Record webpage NASA Historic Preservation Office Hangar One webpage 2008 Archive: Hangar One webpage For news media Members of the news media interested in covering this topic should reach out to the Ames newsroom. View the full article

Image Credit: National Institute of Aerospace NASA selected 14 university teams from across the nation as finalists in the 2026 Revolutionary Aerospace Systems Concepts – Academic Linkage (RASC-AL) Competition. This NASA challenge tasks students to design innovative concepts that could further human life and work on the Moon, Mars, and beyond. The competition links academia and the aerospace community, fostering innovation, collaboration, and workforce development in support of NASA’s long-term exploration goals. “The innovation and technical depth demonstrated this year are exemplary of the next generation of aerospace leaders,” said Daniel Mazanek, RASC-AL program sponsor and senior space systems engineer from NASA’s Langley Research Center in Hampton, Virginia. “The strongest teams demonstrated not only creativity, but also the disciplined analysis and systems engineering required to develop credible solutions for space exploration challenges facing the agency.” The 2026 RASC-AL competition invited university teams to develop technically rigorous proposals addressing one of four mission themes: Communications, Position, Navigation, and Time (CPNT) Architectures for Mars Surface Operations; Lunar Surface Power and Power Management and Distribution (PMAD) Architectures; Lunar Sample Return Concepts; and Lunar Technology Demonstrations Leveraging Common Infrastructure. Each topic reflects relevant areas of exploration technology development aligned with NASA’s Artemis program and long-term human missions to Mars. The 2026 RASC-AL Finalists are: CPNT Architectures for Mars Surface Operations Massachusetts Institute of Technology MELIORA: Mars Exploration Layered Infrastructure for Operations, Research, and Advancement University of Texas, Austin Project Pharos Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University The Mars Pylon Network (MPN) Lunar Surface Power and Power Management and PMAD Architectures Dartmouth College FLORA: Flywheel for Lunar Operations – Redundancy Architecture Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Daytona Beach Project AUREVO: Advanced Utilization of Resources for Energy & Viability Off-Earth Massachusetts Institute of Technology Exploration-Class Lunar Integrated Power SystEm (ECLIPSE) University of Hawaii, Manoa with University of Hawaii, Hilo Project PETAL: Power Energy Transfer Architecture for the Lunar surface Lunar Sample Return Concept South Dakota State University SELENE: Sample Extraction of Lunar Elements for Network Entry Texas A&M University TAMU NOVA Lunar Mission University of Michigan LASSO – Lunar Autonomous Sample Staging Operations Lunar Technology Demonstrations Leveraging Common Infrastructure Massachusetts Institute of Technology CHEESEBURGER: CLPS-enabled Highly-autonomous End-to-End isru-System Evaluations to Build Understanding and Resilient Growth by Experimenting with Regolith University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign with Ecole Supérieure d’Ingénieurs Léonard de Vinci MATRIX: Mining and Advanced Transformation of Regolith for Infrastructure and eXpansion University of Maryland Project LILI: Lunar Infrastructure & Landing Innovation University of Texas, Austin Demonstration of Up-scalable Surface Treatment for Earth-Moon Economy (DUSTEE) Each team submitted an initial proposal paper and a two-minute video presentation, which were evaluated by a review panel of NASA and aerospace industry experts. “The RASC-AL competition challenges students to address many of the same technical and operational questions we encounter working on Artemis, from surface infrastructure to mobility and resource utilization,” added Dr. Christopher Jones, RASC-AL program sponsor and chief technologist for the Systems Analysis and Concepts Directorate at NASA Langley. “The concepts developed through the competition help expand NASA’s thinking as we plan and refine future exploration missions.” As finalists, each team will further develop their concept into a comprehensive technical paper and oral presentation, culminating in an in-person showcase beginning on June 2 at the 2026 RASC-AL Forum in Cocoa Beach, Florida. During the Forum, students will present their work to NASA leaders, industry professionals, and fellow finalist teams, gaining valuable feedback and professional experience in systems-level mission design. The top-performing teams at the forum will be recognized for technical merit, innovation, and presentation excellence. NASA’s RASC-AL Competition is administered by the National Institute of Aerospace. The RASC-AL Competition is sponsored by NASA’s Strategy and Architecture Office within the Exploration Systems Development Mission Directorate, by NASA’s Space Technology Mission Directorate, and by the Systems Analysis and Concepts Directorate at NASA Langley. The NASA Tournament Lab, part of the Prizes, Challenges, and Crowdsourcing Program in the Space Technology Mission Directorate, manages the challenge. For more information about RASC-AL, visit RASCAL.nianet.org. Share Details Last Updated Mar 20, 2026 Related TermsPrizes, Challenges, and Crowdsourcing ProgramCenter of Excellence for Collaborative Innovation (CoECI)CoECI NewsExploration Systems Development Mission DirectorateGet InvolvedLangley Research CenterNASA DirectoratesOpportunities For Students to Get InvolvedPrizes, Challenges, & Crowdsourcing NewsSpace Technology Mission Directorate View the full article

5 min read How Open NASA Data on Comet 3I/ATLAS Will Power Tomorrow’s Discoveries Interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS on Nov. 30, 2025, as observed by the Wide Field Camera 3 instrument on NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope. NASA missions all across the solar system have collected data about the comet to be shared in public archives. NASA, ESA, STScI, D. Jewitt (UCLA), M.-T. Hui (Shanghai Astronomical Observatory). Image Processing: J. DePasquale (STScI) The interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS will soon leave our solar system, never to return, but the observations of the comet will live on in NASA’s public data archives. More than a dozen NASA science missions turned their instruments to observe the comet, which is only the third identified object to be visiting our solar system from interstellar space. How open data first captured 3I/ATLAS The NASA-funded ground-based ATLAS (Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System) survey telescope in Rio Hurtado, Chile first discovered 3I/ATLAS July 1, 2025. However, queries to another NASA data archive revealed that the comet first appeared on camera long before its official identification in July. NASA’s TESS (Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite), which scans the sky for planets outside our solar system, has a wide field of view that happened to capture 3I/ATLAS in May 2025. This allowed astronomers to better track the comet’s trajectory and understand more about its path through the solar system. TESS data is publicly available in the NASA-funded Barbara A. Mikulski Archive for Space Telescopes (MAST). To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS (circled) is a bright dot with a tail passing through a field of stars in this January 2026 series of images from NASA’s TESS (Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite). TESS was the first NASA mission to capture the comet on camera in May 2025. NASA/Daniel Muthukrishna, MIT “NASA’s scientific data archives are a gold mine of discoveries waiting to be made,” said Kevin Murphy, chief science data officer at NASA Headquarters in Washington. “The early observations of 3I/ATLAS from the TESS mission represent just one example of the exciting insights our open data can reveal.” Uncovering comet composition Decades of observations have given scientists a good idea of the usual chemical makeup and structure for comets formed within our solar system, but because 3I/ATLAS formed elsewhere, scientists anticipated this comet would have different characteristics. To date, few, if any, comets have been observed by as many spacecraft as 3I/ATLAS, and combining data from these different missions can deliver powerful new insights. For example, researchers discovered the relative water, carbon dioxide, and carbon monoxide production rates of 3I/ATLAS differed from typical comets. They found this result by combining spectral data from NASA’s MAVEN (Mars Atmosphere and Volatile EvolutioN) Mars orbiter with infrared observations from NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope and SPHEREx (Spectro-Photometer for the History of the Universe, Epoch of Reionization, and Ices Explorer) mission. This image, taken on Oct. 5, 2025 by the MAVEN spacecraft, shows the coma of gas and dust surrounding comet 3I/ATLAS. Combining data from NASA’s MAVEN, James Webb Space Telescope, and SPHEREx missions helped reveal the comet’s production rates of volatile molecules including water. NASA/Goddard/LASP/CU Boulder NASA’s commitment to open science makes it easier than ever to work with data from different sources. For example, the agency’s Planetary Data System sets standards that guide planetary science missions to store their data in the same format. It also develops tools that can work across data from several different missions. “Open science, as a set of principles, has been pushing us as research communities and NASA to make data more accessible,” said Thomas Statler, lead scientist for Solar System Small Bodies at NASA Headquarters, who coordinated the agency’s observation campaign for 3I/ATLAS. “It’s worked into the way we structure and establish standards for our data archives. That’s what makes our data usable.” Data from SPHEREx, including its observations of 3I/ATLAS, can be accessed through the NASA/IPAC Infrared Science Archive (IRSA). Data from MAVEN is available through the Planetary Data System. Webb’s observations can be found in the MAST archive. Future research In the short term, scientists and researchers will be able to use 3I/ATLAS data to learn even more about the comet’s structure and composition. However, the impact of NASA’s observations will have effects far beyond this one target. Humans only recently developed technologies capable of spotting interstellar objects passing through our solar system. The first one ever detected, ‘Oumuamua, was discovered in 2017, but scientists estimate an interstellar object may pass through our solar system about once per year. With the advent of ever more powerful telescopes, these discoveries will become much more common. As we become more aware of interstellar objects, scientists will increasingly be able to compare and contrast interstellar objects with each other and understand them as a group. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video This movie shows the NASA PUNCH mission’s observations of comet 3I/ATLAS from Sept. 28 to Oct. 10, 2025. PUNCH is a set of four small satellites that primarily study solar wind, but they were able to capture the comet through careful observations and image stacking. Thanks to creative use of instruments on NASA’s science missions, 3I/ATLAS is one of the best-observed comets ever. NASA/Southwest Research Institute The amount of data collected about 3I/ATLAS means this comet could become an important part of the context for understanding interstellar comets for the rest of time. This makes it even more beneficial for that data to be available for everyone to access. “Thirty-five years from now, when astronomers have seen another thirty-five years’ worth of data on interstellar comets, they’re going to be asking different questions,” Statler said. “The way we leave a legacy so scientists of the future can answer the questions of the future is by having these data here and preserved for them to use.” NASA’s Office of the Chief Science Data Officer leads the open science efforts for the agency. Public sharing of scientific data, tools, research, and software maximizes the impact of NASA’s science missions. To get more stories about the impact of NASA’s science data delivered directly to your inbox, sign up for the NASA Open Science newsletter. To learn more about NASA’s commitment to transparency and reproducibility of scientific research, visit: science.nasa.gov/open-science By Lauren Leese Web Content Strategist for the Office of the Chief Science Data Officer Share Details Last Updated Mar 20, 2026 Related Terms Open Science 3I/ATLAS Comets James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) MAVEN (Mars Atmosphere and Volatile EvolutioN) SPHEREx (Spectro-Photometer for the History of the Universe and Ices Explorer) Explore More 5 min read NASA’s Hubble Unexpectedly Catches Comet Breaking Up Article 2 days ago 5 min read Artifacts From NASA’s Webb, Parker Solar Probe on View at Smithsonian A testing replica of the “backbone” of NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope and a full-scale… Article 1 week ago 3 min read Collaborating Through Data: Inside the PSI Users Group Article 3 weeks ago Keep Exploring Discover More Topics From NASA Missions Humans in Space Climate Change Solar System View the full article

NASA/Zena Cardman NASA astronaut Chris Williams smiles at the camera during a spacesuit fit verification on Jan. 2, 2026, inside the International Space Station’s Quest airlock. This procedure confirms that the spacesuit is airtight and properly configured, assesses comfort and mobility, and helps prevent potential safety risks. Williams and fellow NASA astronaut Jessica Meir completed an approximately seven-hour and two-minute spacewalk on March 18, 2026. The pair did tasks that will enable the future installation of roll-out solar arrays. These arrays will provide additional power for the orbiting laboratory, supporting critical systems and its safe, controlled deorbit. Learn more about station activities on the International Space Station blog. Image credit: NASA/Zena Cardman View the full article

NASA astronaut Kjell Lindgren takes a selfie with the people behind “Project Hail Mary” and the audience during a panel about the movie at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory on Feb. 25, 2026.NASA/Dan Goods Real-life space exploration and big-screen science fiction will converge on Friday. As NASA prepares to launch Artemis II, the first crewed mission under the agency’s Artemis program and another step toward sending the first astronauts – Americans – to Mars, the fictional film “Project Hail Mary” premiere will take audiences on a journey into deep space. The agency provided guidance throughout filming, and also is participating in activities related to the release of the film to connect the agency’s missions, innovations, and discoveries to the public through pop culture. “Space exploration captures the public’s imagination, and collaboration between science and storytelling brings that sense of discovery to a wider audience,” said Will Boyington, associate administrator for the Office of Communications at NASA Headquarters in Washington. “Inspiring the next generation, whether through rocket launches or sci-fi movies, helps build the talent and support that underpin American leadership in space.” NASA’s communications personnel provided informal consultation about human spaceflight and science during the making of the movie, and experts from the agency in astrobiology and astrophysics, which are major themes in “Project Hail Mary,” answered questions about these topics during the making of the film. Agency advisors are listed in the credits. On the movie set, the agency provided an in-person consultation between NASA astronaut Kjell Lindgren and actor Ryan Gosling, who plays an astronaut in the movie. NASA also facilitated brand use guidance and clearance for the agency’s “meatball” and “worm” logos featured in the film. NASA’s activities related to the movie even reached beyond Earth. In between conducting research and demonstrating new technologies, Expedition 74 crew members living and working aboard the International Space Station, including NASA astronauts Chris Williams, Jessica Meir, and Jack Hathaway, screened “Project Hail Mary” while in orbit. Artemis II crew members, NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, and Christina Koch, and CSA (********* Space Agency) astronaut Jeremy Hansen, who will help make what once was science fiction a reality through their upcoming deep space launch, are expected to have an opportunity to view “Project Hail Mary” while in quarantine. They are preparing to explore more of the Moon for scientific discovery, economic benefits, and to build on our foundation for the first crewed missions to Mars. Learn more about the agency’s missions on NASA’s website: [Hidden Content] Share Details Last Updated Mar 20, 2026 EditorJennifer M. DoorenLocationNASA Headquarters Related TermsGeneralJet Propulsion LaboratoryNASA Headquarters View the full article

2 Min Read NASA Simulations Improve Artemis II Launch Environment This simulation of the Artemis I launch shows how the Space Launch System rocket’s exhaust plumes interact with the air, water, and the launchpad. Colors on surfaces indicate pressure levels—red for high pressure and blue for low pressure. The teal contours illustrate where water is present. Credits: NASA/Chris DeGrendele, Timothy Sandstrom Airflow around rockets as they travel from Earth into space can have a dramatic impact on a mission, which is why NASA used advanced simulations to provide the best possible launch conditions for the Artemis II test flight around the Moon. To better understand the Artemis Space Launch System (SLS) rocket’s flight environment, engineers turned to a NASA-developed tool called the Launch, Ascent, and Vehicle Aerodynamics (LAVA) framework. The software addresses computational fluid dynamics, the flow behavior of gases and liquids. Using data from the 2022 Artemis I launch, researchers at NASA’s Ames Research Center in California’s Silicon Valley used LAVA to simulate complex interactions between the rocket plume and a system that pumps water to suppress sound during launch. The system protects the rocket and other equipment from potentially damaging sound waves. Comparing simulations with and without the sound suppression system activated revealed that the water effectively reduces pressure waves from sound, but exhaust gases from the rocket could also redirect water, causing significant pressure increases in certain areas of the launchpad.   The LAVA simulations improved NASA’s understanding of the plume interaction with the Artemis mobile launcher platform. Using this knowledge, aerospace engineers at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida refined the design plume pressures and adapted the launch platform to endure those pressures for Artemis II, NASA’s first mission with crew aboard the SLS and Orion spacecraft. NASA will release LAVA in the coming weeks to the aerospace community and accelerate innovation by enabling U.S. companies and researchers to run complex simulations and optimize designs for aircraft and rockets. NASA has hosted a seminar on using LAVA with more about the tool’s capabilities. The work on LAVA is supported through NASA’s Transformational Tools and Technologies project, which develops new computational capabilities to help predict aerospace vehicle performance. The project is part of NASA’s Transformative Aeronautics Concepts Program under the Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate. NASA’s decades of aeronautics research expertise strengthens its space missions, using tools like wind tunnel testing, advanced software development, and other innovations to enhance safety and reliability. Explore More 4 min read NASA’s X-59 Prepares for Second Flight Article 3 days ago 7 min read To Protect Artemis II Astronauts, NASA Experts Keep Eyes on Sun As four astronauts travel around the Moon on NASA’s Artemis II mission, they will venture beyond Earth’s… Article 4 days ago 4 min read NASA Selects Finalists in Student Aircraft Maintenance Competition Article 7 days ago Keep Exploring Discover More Topics From NASA Missions Artemis Aeronautics STEM Explore NASA’s History Share Details Last Updated Mar 19, 2026 EditorJim BankeContactRobert Margetta*****@*****.tld Related TermsAeronauticsAeronautics Research Mission DirectorateAmes Research CenterArtemis 2Exploration Systems Development Mission DirectorateFlight InnovationSpace Launch System (SLS)Transformational Tools TechnologiesTransformative Aeronautics Concepts Program View the full article

Students collaborate on a hands‑on STEM project, assembling and testing components during the NASA Glenn High School Engineering Institute at NASA’s Glenn Research Center on July 18, 2025.NASA/Sara Lowthian-Hanna NASA’s Glenn Research Center in Cleveland is hosting the 2026 NASA Glenn High School Engineering Institute this July. The hands-on learning experience is designed to help high school students prepare for a future in the aerospace workforce. Rising high school juniors and seniors can submit applications for this summer program beginning Friday, March 20, through Friday, May 1. The institute will immerse students in NASA’s work while providing essential career readiness tools to help them in future science, technology, engineering, and math-focused academic and professional pursuits. Throughout the five-day program, students will use authentic NASA mission content and work alongside Glenn’s technical experts to gain a deeper understanding of the engineering design process, develop practical engineering solutions to real-world challenges, and test prototypes to answer questions in key mission areas: Acoustic dampening – How can we reduce noise pollution from jet engines? Power management and distribution – How can we develop a smart power system for future space stations? Simulated lunar operations – Can we invent tires that don’t use air? How to Apply: To be considered for the 2026 NASA Glenn High School Engineering Institute, applicants must submit a complete application package no later than May 1, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. ET. Program Dates Selected students will participate in one of the following weeklong sessions: Session 1: July 13-17, 2026 Session 2: July 20-24, 2026 Session 3: July 27-31, 2026 Eligibility and Application Requirements To be eligible for this program, students must: Be entering 11th or 12th grade for the 2026-2027 academic year Have a minimum 3.2 GPA, verified by their school counselor Submit a letter of recommendation from a teacher Be a U.S. citizen Questions about the institute should be directed to GRC-Ed*****@*****.tld. For information about NASA Glenn, visit: [Hidden Content] -end- Heather Roe NASA Glenn Research Center, Cleveland 216-695-7292 *****@*****.tld View the full article

Earth Observatory Science Earth Observatory Restless Kīlauea Launches… 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 March 10, 2026 Kīlauea has entered its second year of episodic activity after reawakening in December 2024. Since then, the Hawaiian volcano has gone through dozens of bouts of lava fountaining, each lasting several hours to several days. Activity ramped up once again on March 10, 2026, for episode 43 of the eruption. From approximately 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. local time that day, lava spewed from two active vents on the southwest side of Halema‘uma‘u Crater, adding to the ever-thickening layer of fresh basaltic rock in the summit caldera. The flareup also featured the highest lava fountains of the current eruption, estimated at 1,770 feet (540 meters). Meanwhile, ash and other airborne debris fell on communities up to 50 miles (80 kilometers) away. About 4 hours after fountaining subsided, the Landsat 9 satellite passed over the Island of Hawai‘i. This image shows shortwave infrared and near-infrared data, acquired with the satellite’s OLI (Operational Land Imager) at 10:20 p.m. local time on March 10 (08:20 Universal Time on March 11), revealing heat emanating from the still-sizzling lava. That information is layered over a composite of daytime Landsat images and a digital elevation model. An estimated 16 million cubic yards (12 million cubic meters) of lava erupted during the episode, according to the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO), bringing the total volume erupted across all episodes since December 2024 to close to 325 million cubic yards (250 million cubic meters). Over the same *******, the depth of lava in the crater has increased by about 300 feet (90 meters). While lava remained confined to the summit area, other erupted material traveled much farther. Images captured by satellites orbiting over the area during the daytime showed a volcanic plume drifting northeast from the vents. Volcanic gas and ash reached a maximum height in the atmosphere of more than 30,000 feet (9,100 meters) above sea level, the HVO said. The aviation color code was elevated to red during the eruption, and several flights at the airport in Hilo were canceled, according to news reports. Volcanic fragments up to several inches in diameter fell along the north rim of the caldera and in adjacent communities. The hazards and accumulation of debris caused the temporary closure of Highway 11 and the evacuation of visitors from parts of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. Smaller particles were carried farther: people reported ash and *****’s hair falling tens of miles to the north and east of Kīlauea, including in Hilo, Keaʻau, and other communities on the coast. Volcanic debris is an eye, skin, and respiratory irritant, the HVO warned, and it may affect water quality for those using rainwater catchment systems. NASA Earth Observatory image by Michala Garrison, using Landsat data from the U.S. Geological Survey. Story by Lindsey Doermann. Downloads March 10, 2026 JPEG (1.23 MB) References & Resources NASA Earth Observatory (2025, December 9) A Hot and Fiery Decade for Kīlauea. Accessed March 19, 2026. NASA Earthdata (2026, March 13) Eruption of Hawaii’s Kilauea. Accessed March 19, 2026. U.S. Geological Survey (2026, March 12) Volcano Watch – Episode 43, new fountain height record and tephra fallout on communities. Accessed March 19, 2026. U.S. Geological Survey (2026, March 11) Hawaiian Volcano Observatory Status Report. Accessed March 19, 2026. U.S. Geological Survey (2026) Kīlauea Eruption Information. Accessed March 19, 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. Krasheninnikova Remains Restless 3 min read The volcano on Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula continues to erupt after centuries of quiescence. Article A Hot and Fiery Decade for Kīlauea 6 min read The volcano in Hawaii is one of the most active in the world, and NASA tech makes it easier for… Article Hayli Gubbi’s Explosive First Impression 4 min read In its first documented eruption, the Ethiopian volcano sent a plume of gas and ash drifting across continents. Article 1 2 3 4 Next Keep Exploring Discover More from NASA Earth Science Subscribe to Earth Observatory Newsletters Subscribe to the Earth Observatory and get the Earth in your inbox. Earth Observatory Image of the Day NASA’s Earth Observatory brings you the Earth, every day, with in-depth stories and stunning imagery. Explore Earth Science Earth Science Data Open access to NASA’s archive of Earth science data View the full article

NASA/Ben Smegelsky An American bald eagle flies away from its nest and tree at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Friday, March 13, 2026. Bald eagle nesting surveys across NASA Kennedy, Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, and Canaveral National Seashore are conducted annually to document the number of bald eagle active and inactive nests in support of wildlife management and regulatory compliance. Each year, eagles take up winter residence at the Florida spaceport, breeding and raising a new generation. See more bald eagle photos and video. Text credit: Elyna Niles-Carnes Image credit: NASA/Ben Smegelsky View the full article

5 Min Read How NASA is Collecting Explosion Data for Next Generation Rockets Commercial launch providers continue to advance propulsion technology with a renewed focus on liquid oxygen and methane propelled rockets and spacecraft. As systems grow in scale, carrying millions of pounds of propellant, so too does the responsibility to fully understand the safety profile. NASA has a proven ability to safely execute high-risk testing Joe Schuyler Director, NASA Stennis Engineering and Test Directorate Engineers at NASA, with decades of cryogenic and test operations expertise, are conducting a final series of tests to quantify the explosive yield at Eglin Air Force Base in Florida. The data collected will provide knowledge that helps government and industry prepare with confidence. “NASA has a proven ability to safely execute high-risk testing,” said Joe Schuyler, director, Engineering and Test Directorate, at the agency’s Stennis Space Center near Bay St. Louis, Mississippi. “This work shows how our expertise with cryogenic systems can go beyond propulsion testing and beyond our center to execute for the mission.” The team is in the middle of this final test series to collect data to develop safety protocols for a tri-agency team effort consisting of NASA, the Federal Aviation Administration, and the United States Space Force. The test articles, developed by a team at NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia, model a generic fuel storage tank with liquid oxygen and methane separated by a common bulkhead. The tests will evaluate explosion hazards across three scales, based on propellant weights of 100 pounds, 2,000 pounds, and 20,000 pounds. The test article, left, is equipped with cryogenic piping and valving for the Feb. 25 test at Eglin Air Force Base in Florida, where NASA engineers are conducting a final series of tests to quantify the explosive yield of liquid oxygen and methane propelled rockets and spacecraft. Reliance Test & Technology / Bruce Hoffman For many of the tests, the barrier separating the two propellants is intentionally ruptured to simulate a catastrophic failure scenario. As the mixing fluids are detonated, instruments located on the test articles, and throughout a test field, measure the intensity of the blast wave at certain prescribed distances. High-speed cameras also are used to measure thermal aspects of the explosion, along with capturing how fast and where the fragments travel. We put fuel in a rocket, blow it up in a remote location, and measure how big the ***** is Jason Hopper NASA Stennis Liquid Oxygen Methane Assessment Deputy Project Manager “We put fuel in a rocket, blow it up in a remote location, and measure how big the ***** is,” said Jason Hopper, NASA Stennis liquid oxygen methane assessment deputy project manager. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video The video presents three synchronized angles of a controlled detonation on Feb. 5 at a remote test site at Eglin Air Force Base in Florida. First, the close-up angle captures the precise moment of detonation with a sharp flash, followed by a rapidly expanding flame and debris from the test article. Next, the lateral angle shows the vertical and horizontal spread of the blast. The third angle is a wide shot that shows a large fireball erupting from the test article and a visible shockwave radiating outward. A final composite view brings all three angles together simultaneously, providing a complete picture of the detonation. The audio delivers a sharp crack followed by a deep, rolling ***** that reverberates for several seconds before settling into a crackling sound as the fire dissipates.Reliance Test & Technology/Craig W. Hewitt Behind Hopper’s straightforward explanation is complex work, where all NASA Stennis operations at the site are carried out by civil servants. The testing brings together expertise in test operations, execution, logistics, and cryogenics in ways rarely combined outside of actual launch operations. “This type of testing only comes around once every few decades,” Hopper said. “With so many rockets launching now, this will contribute to public safety, site safety, and all the risk involved with the work.” From Blank Space to Test Site An immediate connection formed between the NASA team and the 780th Test Squadron Ground Test Flight personnel from Eglin Air Force Base during an early site visit. Starting from scratch with a greenfield and a remote concrete pad, the NASA team transformed the area into an operational test site in about four months, some of that time over the government furlough in October 2025. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video A timelapse video shows crews installing cryogenic transfer lines and associated support stands at a remote test site at Eglin Air Force Base in Florida, from Nov. 17, 2025, to Jan. 7, 2026.NASA/Stennis Crews cleared the area, leveled the concrete pad, and brought in cryogenic storage vessels from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida to hold the super-cold liquid propellants, ranging from minus 260 degrees to minus 297 degrees Fahrenheit. The custom infrastructure included fabricating 700 feet of cryogenic transfer lines and constructing support stands to route the lines to the test article location. They brought in generators for power and modified a shipping container into a fully equipped fabrication workshop. The team converted a mobile control center, provided by NASA Wallops, into a control room at NASA Stennis before moving it to the Florida test site. The control room is positioned 1.6 miles from the blast site for initial tests, and it will move to 4 miles away for larger detonations. The test site is prepared for the first baseline test on Jan. 20, at Eglin Air Force Base in Florida, where NASA engineers are conducting a final series of tests to quantify the explosive yield of liquid oxygen and methane propelled rockets and spacecraft. The propellant transfer lines lead from the test article location to the cryogenic storage area. Reliance Test & Technology/Bruce Hoffman The cryogenic transfer lines, on each side of the road, lead to the test article for the first baseline test on Jan. 20 at Eglin Air Force Base in Florida, where NASA engineers are conducting a final series of tests to quantify the explosive yield of liquid oxygen and methane propelled rockets and spacecraft. The team transformed the remote area into an operational test site in about four months. Reliance Test & Technology/Bruce Hoffman The test site is prepared for the first baseline test on Jan. 20, at Eglin Air Force Base in Florida, where NASA engineers are conducting a final series of tests to quantify the explosive yield of liquid oxygen and methane propelled rockets and spacecraft. Cryogenic storage tanks hold the propellants used for testing, while shipping containers, middle, hold materials and equipment for the test operations.Reliance Test & Technology/Bruce Hoffman The test site is prepared for the first baseline test on Jan. 20, at Eglin Air Force Base in Florida, where NASA engineers are conducting a final series of tests to quantify the explosive yield of liquid oxygen and methane propelled rockets and spacecraft. A cryogenic storage tank is shown with a blast wall protecting it from debris and the blast wave. Reliance Test & Technology/Bruce Hoffman The test site is prepared for the first baseline test on Jan. 20, at Eglin Air Force Base in Florida, where NASA engineers are conducting a final series of tests to quantify the explosive yield of liquid oxygen and methane propelled rockets and spacecraft. The portable flare stack, center, safely burns off excess gas. Reliance Test & Technology/Bruce Hoffman The test site is prepared for the second baseline test on Jan. 21, at Eglin Air Force Base in Florida, where NASA engineers are conducting a final series of tests to quantify the explosive yield of liquid oxygen and methane propelled rockets and spacecraft.Reliance Test & Technology/Bruce Hoffman The team prepares to install the C-4 explosive underneath the test article for the second baseline test on Jan. 21, at Eglin Air Force Base in Florida, where NASA engineers are conducting a final series of tests to quantify the explosive yield of liquid oxygen and methane propelled rockets and spacecraft.Reliance Test & Technology/Bruce Hoffman The team installs the C-4 explosive underneath the test article for the second baseline test on Jan. 21, at Eglin Air Force Base in Florida, where NASA engineers are conducting a final series of tests to quantify the explosive yield of liquid oxygen and methane propelled rockets and spacecraft.Reliance Test & Technology/Bruce Hoffman The requirements of this testing operation presented an additional challenge. The team needed to control a system that transfers propellants without using standard control equipment. Normally, NASA Stennis uses large industrial controllers to remotely operate equipment, but this project required compact equipment in a remote location. The NASA Data Acquisition System team provided the solution with a compact data acquisition and control system. The hardware is energy efficient and runs on lithium batteries and solar panels. The team modified existing redline software to create a custom control system. During testing, operators use an on-screen diagram showing all valves and instruments, while the system collects test data and controls the cryogenic propellant transfer system. Additionally, a crew from Eglin installed fiber optic lines for data transmission and three pressure sensor arrays, positioned 120 degrees apart, for the blast team from NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama, to plug in sensors and cables to capture data. By December 2025, the team completed construction of the site and installed the test article. In January, two baseline tests using C-4, a powerful explosive with known blast characteristics, were conducted to establish a reference point for testing in February. A successful cold shock test followed when crews flowed liquid nitrogen through the entire system to validate the cryogenic infrastructure. Testing Underway The team completed the first four tests of the series in February. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video A mounted camera captures slow motion video of the controlled detonation of a test article on Feb. 25 at Eglin Air Force Base in Florida.Reliance Test & Technology/Craig W. Hewitt For these tests, the test articles were filled with liquid oxygen and liquefied natural gas, but not mixed, and C-4 was used to detonate the entire test article. In subsequent tests, the cryogenics will be mixed, and instruments will measure the resulting explosion. The team will scale up to 2,000-pound test articles in March with eight tests planned. These tests will examine two failure configurations. The first configuration is a transfer tube failure, which simulates a failure of the propellant line that runs from the top tank through the bottom tank. The second configuration is a common bulkhead failure, which simulates a failure of the shared wall between the two propellant tanks. The largest test article, with 20,000 pounds of propellants, is planned for testing in June. This test will simulate a common bulkhead failure scenario. Once complete, the test series will provide critical new data for methane-based propulsion systems. The findings are expected to help shape launch site planning, safety protocols, and safety requirements for years to come. A view from the bottom of the test article is shown prior to C-4 installation on Feb. 25 at Eglin Air Force Base in Florida, where NASA engineers are conducting a final series of tests to quantify the explosive yield of liquid oxygen and methane propelled rockets and spacecraft.Reliance Test & Technology/Bruce Hoffman The assembled test article is shown without the C-4 explosive on Feb. 25 at Eglin Air Force Base in Florida, where NASA engineers are conducting a final series of tests to quantify the explosive yield of liquid oxygen and methane propelled rockets and spacecraft.Reliance Test & Technology/Bruce Hoffman C-4 explosive is installed beneath the test article as personnel measure the height of the explosive off the ground on Feb. 25 at Eglin Air Force Base in Florida, where NASA engineers are conducting a final series of tests to quantify the explosive yield of liquid oxygen and methane propelled rockets and spacecraft.Reliance Test & Technology/Bruce Hoffman The test article setup is shown on Feb. 25 at Eglin Air Force Base in Florida, where NASA engineers are conducting a final series of tests to quantify the explosive yield of liquid oxygen and methane propelled rockets and spacecraft. The detonation cord is not yet connected to the firing circuit, while awaiting final connection by personnel before site evacuation.Reliance Test & Technology/Bruce Hoffman The test site is cleared of personnel and ready for detonation on Feb. 25 at Eglin Air Force Base in Florida, where NASA engineers are conducting a final series of tests to quantify the explosive yield of liquid oxygen and methane propelled rockets and spacecraft.Reliance Test & Technology/Bruce Hoffman A view of the test site is shown following detonation on Feb. 25 at Eglin Air Force Base in Florida, where NASA engineers are conducting a final series of tests to quantify the explosive yield of liquid oxygen and methane propelled rockets and spacecraft.Reliance Test & Technology/Bruce Hoffman The center of the explosion is shown after the test on Feb. 25 at Eglin Air Force Base in Florida, where NASA engineers are conducting a final series of tests to quantify the explosive yield of liquid oxygen and methane propelled rockets and spacecraft. A test article fill valve lies on the ground after being torn from the test article wall.Reliance Test & Technology/Bruce Hoffman Personnel use global positioning system technology to document the precise location of a fragment from the explosion on Feb. 25 at Eglin Air Force Base in Florida, where NASA engineers are conducting a final series of tests to quantify the explosive yield of liquid oxygen and methane propelled rockets and spacecraft.Reliance Test & Technology/Bruce Hoffman Personnel record the upper tank’s impact point following the explosion using global positioning system technology on Feb. 25 at Eglin Air Force Base in Florida, where NASA engineers are conducting a final series of tests to quantify the explosive yield of liquid oxygen and methane propelled rockets and spacecraft.Reliance Test & Technology/Bruce Hoffman Share Details Last Updated Mar 19, 2026 EditorNASA Stennis CommunicationsLocationStennis Space Center Related TermsStennis Space Center Keep Exploring Discover More Topics From NASA Artemis NASA Celebrates America’s 250th Birthday Humans In Space Learning Resources View the full article

3 min read NASA Laser Reflecting Instrument Makes GPS Satellite More Accurate A NASA laser reflecting technology that will aid Global Positioning System (GPS) accuracy is now operational as of March 9. The instrument, known as a laser retroreflector array, or LRA, launched aboard GPS III SV-09, the ninth of U.S. Space Force’s Block III Global Positioning System satellites, on Jan. 27. LRAs are sets of mirrors shaped like the corners of a cube, a configuration that is designed to precisely reflect beams of light back to their source. They are a key component to laser ranging, a technique that enables the measurement of precise distance by observing the time it takes for a pulse of light to travel from a ground station to the mirrors and back. A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket lifted off from Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40), Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida, carrying the GPS III SV-09 satellite into Earth orbit.Credit: SpaceX “LRAs are the most efficient and cost-effective way to improve products that come out of GPS,” said Lucia Tsaoussi, program manager for NASA’s Space Geodesy at NASA Headquarters in Washington. Whether walking, driving, sailing, or flying, GPS technology helps people know their location and navigate to their destination. With the LRA being put to work, this GPS satellite will have an improved tie to the global coordinate system, resulting in more accurate location and navigation information for users. “We are the hidden infrastructure,” said Stephen Merkowitz, project manager for the Space Geodesy Project at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland. “Most people don’t realize that they’re relying on these kinds of measurements every day throughout their lives.” The LRA instrument aboard the GPS III SV-09 satellite at inspection before launch. Credit: NASA Using GPS data also supports other Earth-observing satellites and the data they collect. These satellites help us understand our planet and provide early warnings for natural hazards. Satellites orbiting the planet have GPS receivers to help pinpoint their exact location in space. The more precise the GPS orbit information, the more accurate and reliable the rest of the satellite’s data becomes, Tsaoussi said. Satellites like ICESat-2 (Ice, Cloud, and land Elevation satellite 2), SWOT (Surface Water and Ocean Topography), and GRACE-FO (Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment Follow On) also rely on laser-ranging technology to pinpoint their location in orbit. NASA’s Space Geodesy Project operates a global network of Satellite Laser Ranging stations dedicated to continuous satellite tracking. Local stations are currently monitoring the latest GPS III satellite, with international stations set to follow soon. These LRAs were developed by the Space Geodesy Project in partnership with the Naval Research Laboratory’s Naval Center for Space Technology in Washington. By Erica McNamee NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Md. Share Details Last Updated Mar 19, 2026 EditorJenny MarderContactJenny Marder*****@*****.tldLocationGoddard Space Flight Center Related TermsGoddard Space Flight CenterEarth Explore More 5 min read NASA Laser Reflecting Instruments to Help Pinpoint Earth Measurements The best known use of GPS satellites is to help people know their location whether… Article 2 years ago 5 min read How NASA Uses Simple Technology to Track Lunar Missions NASA is using a simple but effective technology called Laser Retroreflective Arrays (LRAs) to determine… Article 2 years ago 4 min read That’s No Meteor: NASA Satellite’s Elusive Green Lasers Spotted at Work For the first time, NASA’s ICESat-2 team has seen footage of the satellite’s green laser… Article 3 years ago View the full article

The Progress 92 cargo spacecraft, carrying nearly 3,000 pounds of food, fuel, and supplies for the Expedition 73 crew, approaches the International Space Station in July 2025 before docking to the Poisk module. Credit: NASA NASA will provide live coverage of the launch and docking of a Roscosmos cargo spacecraft carrying about three tons of food, fuel, and supplies for the crew aboard the International Space Station. The unpiloted Roscosmos Progress 94 resupply spacecraft is scheduled to launch at 7:59 a.m. EDT (4:59 p.m. Baikonur time) Sunday, March 22, on a Soyuz rocket from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. Watch NASA’s live coverage beginning at 7:30 a.m. on NASA+, Amazon Prime, and the agency’s YouTube channel. Learn how to watch NASA content through a variety of online platforms, including social media. After a two-day trip to the space station, the spacecraft will dock autonomously to the Poisk module’s space-facing port at about 9:34 a.m. Tuesday, March 24. NASA’s live rendezvous and docking coverage will begin at 8:45 a.m. on NASA+, Amazon Prime, and the agency’s YouTube channel. The Progress 94 spacecraft will remain docked to the orbiting laboratory for about six months before departing for a destructive re-entry into Earth’s atmosphere to dispose of trash loaded by the crew. Prior to this spacecraft’s arrival, Progress 92 undocked from the space station on March 16, re-entered Earth’s atmosphere, and burned up harmlessly over the Pacific Ocean. For more than 25 years, people have lived and worked continuously aboard the International Space Station, advancing scientific knowledge and making research breakthroughs that aren’t possible on Earth. The space station helps NASA understand and overcome the challenges of human spaceflight, expand commercial opportunities in low Earth orbit, and build on the foundation for long-duration missions to the Moon as part of the Artemis program and to Mars. Learn more about the International Space Station, its research, and crew, at: [Hidden Content] -end- Joshua Finch / Jimi Russell Headquarters, Washington 202-358-1100 *****@*****.tld / *****@*****.tld Sandra Jones Johnson Space Center, Houston 281-483-5111 sandra.p*****@*****.tld Share Details Last Updated Mar 19, 2026 LocationNASA Headquarters Related TermsInternational Space Station (ISS)ISS ResearchJohnson Space Center View the full article

Ten explorers are currently training at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston to become flight-eligible astronauts. Selected in 2025, the astronaut candidates are building the technical and operational skills needed for future missions to the International Space Station, the Moon, and eventually Mars. Now, NASA’s newest astronaut candidates have a class name: the Platypi. The 2025 Astronaut Candidate class in front of NASA’s Space Exploration Vehicle and Ground Test Unit rover at NASA’s Johnson Space Center Rock Yard in Houston. NASA/James Blair The name was selected by the previous astronaut candidate class, known as the Flies. Members of that group came together to choose a name that reflected the range of skills and personalities they saw in the new candidates. NASA astronauts Anil Menon and Chris Birch helped facilitate the discussions. “They’re like the Swiss Army knife of candidates,” Menon said. “They can use just about any tool to solve any problem or challenge they face. They’re unassuming and incredibly kind, but extremely capable.” A behind-the-scenes look at the day NASA announced its 2025 Astronaut Candidate class on Sept. 22, 2025.NASA/Robert Markowitz Menon said the class reminded the Flies of one of Earth’s most remarkable animals. “Our main driver was that this class stood out as extremely capable, with a lot of different skills, while also being very friendly and supportive of each other,” he said. “They have many diverse and sometimes hidden talents, like the platypus.” The platypus is a mammal that lays eggs and has unique traits such as electroreceptors in its bill and a venomous spur. Its features resemble several different animals, including the bill of a duck, the tail of a beaver, and the body of an otter. Despite its unusual appearance, the platypus is highly adapted to its environment. For NASA’s newest astronaut candidates, the name reflects a similar idea: a team with a wide range of strengths working together toward a common goal. NASA astronaut candidates Lauren Edger and Imelda Muller take a photo before participating in water survival training at NASA’s Neutral Buoyancy Laboratory in Houston.NASA/Helen Arase Vargas So far, the astronaut candidates have trained to operate and understand the Canadarm2 robotic arm used aboard the space station. They are learning how to capture visiting spacecraft, move equipment outside the station, and support spacewalk operations. The candidates also train in space station systems, orbital mechanics, and flight operations. “It is really impressive to me to learn about all of the complexities of the various systems that keep the International Space Station operational, and how they’ve all been functioning with a continuous human presence aboard for the last 25 years,” said astronaut candidate Lauren Edgar. “It’s amazing to see how it all works together and how to fix things when needed.” The candidates have completed survival training to prepare for the unlikely event of landing in remote environments after a mission. They also participated in land and water survival exercises designed to build teamwork and decision-making under pressure. “The diversity of the training as well as the focus on psychological, physical, and expeditionary skills has been the most surprising to me,” said astronaut candidate Yuri Kubo. “I’ve learned a lot about myself, from areas of professional and interpersonal development to my ability to overcome challenges. It is amazing what we can achieve with dedication and hard work and an amazing team of people to support you.” The astronaut candidates participate in wilderness survival training at Fort Rucker in Alabama. NASA/Helen Arase Vargas The candidates began conducting spacewalk training inside NASA’s Neutral Buoyancy Laboratory, where astronauts rehearse spacewalks underwater in conditions that simulate microgravity. They also have flown in the agency’s T-38 supersonic jets and other aircraft at Ellington Field. Future training will include operating spacecraft systems used in human spaceflight missions, and studying geology in classrooms and field settings for future missions to the Moon. The class will work shifts in the Mission Control Center in Houston to experience a day in the life of the people who keep watch over the astronauts and vehicles. “Our training has already been diverse and dynamic,” said astronaut candidate Anna Menon. “There is a lot to learn, and I’m excited about every chapter!” The astronaut candidates join for in-class instruction during wilderness survival training. NASA/Helen Arase Vargas The Platypi are focused on learning the fundamentals of human spaceflight, building the skills that will one day help them operate spacecraft, conduct science in orbit, and explore beyond Earth. Like the animal they are named after, their strength lies in the many capabilities each member brings to the team. Explore More 4 min read NASA’s Roman Observatory Passes Final Major Prelaunch Tests Article 29 minutes ago 5 min read NASA’s Hubble Unexpectedly Catches Comet Breaking Up In a happy twist of fate, NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope just witnessed a comet in… Article 23 hours ago 4 min read NASA’s X-59 Prepares for Second Flight Article 2 days ago View the full article

4 min read Preparations for Next Moonwalk Simulations Underway (and Underwater) NASA’s Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope team recently blasted the observatory with extreme sound, shook it, and listened to its electronic hum. Roman passed all three assessments, which aimed to confirm that the observatory will withstand launch conditions and function as expected in space. The achievement keeps the mission on track for launch as early as this fall. “All of the testing went smoothly and progress is well ahead of schedule,” said Jack Marshall, the Roman observatory integration and testing lead at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland. “The team has done a great job putting the observatory together, and the tests show that everything is lining up with expectations.” Technicians move NASA’s Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope into an acoustics chamber for environmental testing at the agency’s Goddard Space Flight Center.NASA/Jolearra Tshiteya Technicians place the Roman observatory on an air barge to safely move it between testing facilities.NASA/Sydney Rohde (Rocz) The Roman observatory moves onto a shaker table for vibration testing.NASA/Jolearra Tshiteya Technicians prepare for Roman’s vibration test to begin.NASA/Jolearra Tshiteya Technicians move the Roman observatory into the acoustics chamber.NASA/Jolearra Tshiteya In January, the team set up an absorbent panel around the observatory for an electromagnetic interference test. This special configuration is designed to block external radio signals and absorb reflections inside the test facility. Engineers powered on all of Roman’s electronics and measured the signals they generated, closely monitoring for any errors. Too much electrical noise could interfere with the observatory’s ability to detect faint infrared signals, but Roman passed with flying colors. The team moved on to vibration testing in February. “Each time the observatory traveled between test facilities, it was placed in a custom-made portable clean room to protect it from contamination that could otherwise compromise scientific performance once in space,” said Joel Proebstle, a mechanical systems engineer who led the vibration and acoustic tests at NASA Goddard. Engineers tested the observatory on a large shaker table to simulate the vibrations it will experience during launch, gradually building to higher frequencies. “Try to imagine sitting on that rocket and feeling all those vibrations,” said Cory Powell, the Roman structural analyst lead at NASA Goddard. “We simulated the shaking that the launch vehicle will produce to ensure the components and connections will all remain intact.” In early March, the team conducted an acoustic test. The test took place in a state-of-the-art sound booth, where engineers ramped up the volume to 138 decibels — about as loud as a jet engine from 100 feet away. “If you’ve ever been at a concert with an extremely loud bass, that load you felt was acoustic energy,” Powell said. “Now think about how loud a launch is. The acoustics can produce very high loads on a large structure like Roman.” This video showcases some of NASA’s Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope team’s major accomplishments during the second half of 2025, culminating in the completion of the observatory. NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center Roman has now returned to the large clean room at Goddard where it will undergo a final series of smaller tests. The next one aims to replicate the shock Roman will experience shortly after launch when the observatory separates from the rocket. Then the team will deploy all of the elements that will initially be stowed (including the solar panels, “visor,” antenna, and “sunblock” shield), to verify that they’ll still work correctly even after launch and rocket separation. Early this summer, the observatory will be transported to NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida for launch preparations. There, engineers will verify that the observatory arrived fully intact and begin prepping the rocket — a SpaceX Falcon Heavy. The team expects Roman to be ready for launch within a few months after the observatory’s arrival at NASA Kennedy. “We have a great team, great leadership, and with our successful testing we continue to set the standard for staying within budget and schedule while balancing difficult challenges,” Powell said. “Meeting cost and schedule commitments without compromise to technical standards is a major point of pride for the Roman team.” Explore a 3D model of the Roman observatory Click and drag to rotate Downloadsgltf-binary File (3D Model) 28.28 MB To learn more about the Roman mission, visit: www.nasa.gov/roman By Ashley Balzer NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Md. Media contact: Claire Andreoli NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Md. 301-286-1940 Share Details Last Updated Mar 19, 2026 EditorAshley BalzerContactAshley Balzer*****@*****.tldLocationGoddard Space Flight Center Related TermsGoddard Space Flight CenterNancy Grace Roman Space TelescopeThe Universe Explore More 6 min read NASA’s Roman Mission Shares Detailed Plans to Scour Skies Article 11 months ago 7 min read NASA Announces Plan to Map Milky Way With Roman Space Telescope Article 3 months ago 8 min read NASA Completes Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope Construction Article 3 months ago View the full article

Earth Observatory Science Earth Observatory Australia’s “Red Centre”… 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 January 21, 2026 March 10, 2026 Central Australia’s desert landscape appears predominantly rusty red. NASA Earth Observatory / Lauren Dauphin Central Australia’s desert landscape shows widespread green vegetation across areas that are typically red. NASA Earth Observatory / Lauren Dauphin January 21, 2026March 10, 2026 CurtainToggle The town of Alice Springs lies near Australia’s geographic center, in a region often called the “Red Centre” for the rusty hue of its desert landscape. After weeks of heavy rainfall in February and March 2026, however, vast areas of desert and surrounding mountains turned lush and green. The MODIS (Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer) on NASA’s Terra satellite captured this image (right) of the southern part of Australia’s Northern Territory on March 10, 2026. For comparison, the left image shows the same area in January 2026, before the onset of heavy rains. The area’s landscape typically appears red due to the oxidation of iron-rich rock. During periods of sufficient rainfall, water begins to flow in previously dry riverbeds, and dormant vegetation springs to life. February 2026 brought more than enough water to the Northern Territory for the transformation to occur—an area average of 239 millimeters (9 inches)—marking the territory’s third-wettest February on a record that dates back to 1900, according to the Bureau of Meteorology. Beyond the transformation visible from above, the rainfall also caused disruptions on the ground. Thunderstorms earlier in the month produced enough rain to cause water levels on the Todd River and other area rivers to quickly rise, while flash flooding in Alice Springs uprooted trees and left some people stranded, according to news reports. Later in the month, heavy rains returned as another tropical low stalled over central Australia for nearly a week, causing flooding that prompted officials to declare a natural disaster. As of late March, more extreme weather was on the way for Australia with the approach of Tropical Cyclone Narelle. Bureau of Meteorology forecasts called for severe storm impacts to reach northern Queensland by late on March 19 or March 20. Flooding watches and warnings also extended inland, including to Alice Springs, where past storms have already saturated river catchments. NASA Earth Observatory image by Lauren Dauphin, using MODIS data from NASA EOSDIS LANCE and GIBS/Worldview. Story by Kathryn Hansen. Downloads January 21, 2026 JPEG (2.98 MB) March 10, 2026 JPEG (2.75 MB) References & Resources *********** Broadcasting Corporation (2026, February 26) In photos: Extreme weather sweeps across large parts of Australia. Accessed March 18, 2026. *********** Broadcasting Corporation (2026, February 12) Cars submerged, trees torn down, roads inundated: Alice Springs flooding in pictures. Accessed March 18, 2026. The Conversation (2026, February 22) Severe flooding – in central Australia? How a vast humid air mass could soak the desert. Accessed March 18, 2026. Bureau of Meteorology (2026, March 2) Northern Territory in February 2026. Accessed March 18, 2026. Bureau of Meteorology via Facebook (2026, March 15) On rare occasions when the outback gets drenched with rain, dormant plants spring to life. Accessed March 18, 2026. The Watchers (2026, February 27) Desert rainfall anomaly triggers major flooding across central Australia. Accessed March 18, 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. Pacific Moisture Drenches the U.S. Northwest 3 min read A potent atmospheric river delivered intense rainfall to western Washington, triggering flooding and mudslides. Article Summer Heat Hits Southeastern Australia 4 min read January brought blistering extremes Down Under as record temperatures scorched the nation’s southeast. Article Dry-Season Floods Drench Northern Colombia 3 min read Villages and farmland were swamped after unusually heavy early-February rains pushed the Sinú River over its banks. 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 4832–4837: Driving the (Contact) Line! NASA’s Mars rover Curiosity acquired this image showing the rough, nodular texture in its workspace, using its Mast Camera (Mastcam). This image was taken on March 13, 2026 — Sol 4834, or Martian day 4,834 of the Mars Science Laboratory mission — at 01:22:42 UTC. NASA/JPL-Caltech/MSSS Written by Catherine O’Connell-Cooper, APXS Strategic Planner and Payload Uplink/Downlink Lead, University of New Brunswick, Canada Earth planning date: Friday, March 13, 2026 We are in our final phase of the boxwork campaign, investigating the contacts between the boxwork unit and the layered sulfate unit. As my colleague Bill reported here, last week we crossed out of the boxwork unit back into the underlying layered sulfate unit and then back into the boxwork unit for our Monday plan. We are now driving southward across the uppermost portion of the boxwork unit. This unit is characterized by smooth bedrock where the boxwork structures are not as obvious as they were back at our “Nevado Sajama” drill sites, where we took our boxwork “postcard.” This past week, our goal was to characterize as much as we could before leaving. On Monday, MAHLI imaged the targets (all named after geographic locations around the Andes in South America) “Piedras Bonitas” and “La Calera” — the latter was brushed bedrock also analyzed by APXS. On Friday, MAHLI and APXS analyzed a brushed, nodular bedrock at “Jaruma” and a larger nodule (or cluster of smaller nodules) at the unbrushed “Constancia.” (Click on the name to see the MAHLI images!) Mastcam had a very busy week! Typically, as we come toward the end of a science campaign, the wish list of Mastcam targets gets very large, and the ending of this boxwork campaign is following that tradition. Mastcam acquired two mosaics on the southern contact between the boxworks and layered sulfate unit: an 18×1 mosaic (i.e., 18 frames along one row) on Monday and 19×3 mosaic (“El Misti”) on Friday. These will be key to helping us understand the origin and evolution of the boxwork unit. Other mosaics include “Yungas” (a highly veined area), “Ujina” (looking at cross-sectional stratigraphy (both on Monday) and two mosaics on Friday on the target “Salar de Maricunga” (to characterize light-toned bedrock in the drive direction). We did not neglect our environmental monitoring either. We continue to monitor dust in the atmosphere using different tools, including Navcam dust-****** monitoring and surveys, zenith and suprahorizon movies, and Mastcam taus. The weekend drive is planned to take us about 23 meters to the west-southwest (about 75 feet) as we get closer and closer to leaving the boxwork unit. I have been a member of the boxwork working group (we call ourselves the “Fracture Townies”) since its inception about two years before we ever put a wheel on the unit. It is bittersweet to be so close to the end of this campaign, but we have so much data and imagery from here to work with, we won’t have too much time to be sad. 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 Mar 18, 2026 Related Terms Blogs Explore More 3 min read Curiosity Blog, Sols 4825-4831: Exploring the Borderlands Article 1 week ago 3 min read Curiosity Blog, Sols 4818-4824: Thinking Out of the Boxwork Article 2 weeks ago 2 min read Curiosity Blog, Sols 4812-4817: Back Into the Hollows 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