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1 min read Commodity Classic 2026 Hyperwall Schedule Commodity Classic, February 25 – 27, 2026 Join NASA in the Exhibit Hall (Booth #3481) for Hyperwall Storytelling by NASA experts. Full Hyperwall Agenda below. WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 25 4:30 – 4:50 PM NASA: Your Space and Science Agency Karen St Germain THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 26 11:00 – 11:20 AM Informing Water and Agricultural Management Apps with NASA Modeling and Remote Sensing Sujay Kumar 11:20 – 11:40 AM Turning Agricultural Needs into Satellite Solutions Emily Adams 11:40 – 12:00 PM NASA’s Applied Remote Sensing Training Program (ARSET) Brock Blevins/Sean McCartney 12:00 – 12:20 PM NASA Acres: Down to Earth Information for U.S. Agriculture Alyssa Whitcraft 12:20 – 12:40 PM Farmers and NASA Acres Co-Create a New Farm Innovation Ambassador Team Panel FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 26 11:00 – 11:20 AM How Landsat Helps: Monitoring Crop Health & Water Use from Space Allison Nussbaum 11:20 – 11:40 AM NASA Data for Drought Resilience in Alabama Brent Roberts 11:40 – 12:00 PM Using NASA Data for Irrigation Management: The OpenET Farm and Ranch Management Support Tools Forrest Melton 12:00 – 12:20 PM NASA’s AVAIL Program Combining Multiple Perspectives on Agriculture to Support US Farmers Alex Ruane 12:20 – 12:40 PM From the Ground Up with STELLA: Affordable Open-Source Handheld Instruments Mike Taylor View the full article

NASA/Zena Cardman Fishing boats illuminate the Arabian Sea along India’s west coast with green lights designed to attract squid, shrimp, sardines, and mackerel in this nighttime photograph from the International Space Station, orbiting 259 miles above Earth on Dec. 25, 2025. Studying nighttime light offers a unique perspective for investigations into human behaviors, such as tracking the expansion of urban areas or assessing power outages caused by natural disasters such as hurricanes, and biological and ecological studies researching how artificial lights influences nature. Crew members aboard the orbital lab have produced hundreds of thousands of images of the land, oceans, and atmosphere of Earth, and even of the Moon through Crew Earth Observations. Their photographs of Earth record how the planet changes over time due to human activity and natural events. This allows scientists to monitor disasters and direct response on the ground and study phenomena, from the movement of glaciers to urban wildlife. Image credit: NASA/Zena Cardman View the full article

3 Min Read Mars Global Localization Pinpoints Perseverance’s Location PIA26705 Credits: NASA/JPL-Caltech Photojournal Navigation Science Photojournal Mars Global Localization… Photojournal Home Photojournal Search Latest Content Galleries Feedback RSS About Downloads Mars Global Localization Pinpoints Perseverance’s Location PNG (566.29 KB) PIA26705 animation MP4 (2.77 MB) Description These images were part of the first successful use of a new technology called Mars Global Localization, developed at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Using its navigation cameras, NASA’s Perseverance captured a 360-degree view of the surrounding terrain that was matched to orbital imagery, enabling the rover to pinpoint its location on Mars on Feb. 2, 2026, the 1,762nd day, or sol, of the mission. The navcam images were turned into an overhead view called an orthomosaic, forming a circle around the rover. In this animation, the orthomosaic is superimposed on the imagery from NASA’s Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO). Contrast and hue have been enhanced to increase visibility of terrain features, which align in the ground and orbital imagery. The rover took the five stereo pairs of navcam images in this relatively featureless location, dubbed “Mala Mala,” an area on the rim of Jezero Crater. The blank area in the upper right of the orthomosaic is where the back of the rover blocked the cameras’ view of the surrounding landscape. Mars Global Localization features an algorithm that rapidly compares panoramic navcam shots to MRO orbital imagery. Running on a powerful processor that Perseverance originally used to communicate with the now-retired Ingenuity Mars Helicopter, the algorithm takes about two minutes to pinpoint the rover’s location to within some 10 inches (25 centimeters). Like NASA’s previous Mars rovers, Perseverance tracks its position using what’s called visual odometry, analyzing geologic features in camera images taken every few feet while accounting for wheel slippage. As tiny errors in the process add up over the course of each drive, the rover becomes increasingly unsure about its exact location. On long drives, the rover’s sense of its position can be off by more than 100 feet (up to 35 meters). Believing it could be too close to hazardous terrain, Perseverance may prematurely end its drive and wait for instructions from Earth. After each drive comes to a halt, the rover sends a 360-degree panorama to Earth, where mapping experts match the imagery with shots from MRO. The team then sends the rover its location and instructions for its next drive. That process can take a day or more, but with Mars Global Localization, the rover can compare the images itself, determine its location, and roll ahead on its pre-planned route. Managed for NASA by Caltech, JPL built and manages operations of the Perseverance rover. JPL also manages MRO for the agency’s Science Mission Directorate in Washington as part of its Mars Exploration Program portfolio. Keep Exploring Discover More Topics From Photojournal Photojournal Search Photojournal Photojournal’s Latest Content Feedback View the full article

2 Min Read Perseverance Pinpoints Its Location at ‘Mala Mala’ PIA26704 Credits: NASA/JPL-Caltech Photojournal Navigation Science Photojournal Perseverance Pinpoints Its… Photojournal Home Photojournal Search Latest Content Galleries Feedback RSS About Downloads Perseverance Pinpoints Its Location at ‘Mala Mala’ PNG (23.40 MB) Description Using its navigation cameras, NASA’s Perseverance Mars rover captured the five stereo pairs of images that make up this panorama on Feb. 2, 2026, the 1,762nd day, or sol, of the mission. A new technology called Mars Global Localization matched this 360-degree view to onboard orbital imagery from the agency’s Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO), enabling the rover to pinpoint its location on the Red Planet for the first time without human help. The rover is in a relatively featureless area dubbed “Mala Mala” on the rim of Jezero Crater. NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory developed Mars Global Localization, which features an algorithm that rapidly compares panoramic navcam shots to MRO orbital imagery. Running on a powerful processor that Perseverance originally used to communicate with the now-retired Ingenuity Mars Helicopter, the algorithm takes about two minutes to pinpoint the rover’s location within some 10 inches (25 centimeters). Like NASA’s previous Mars rovers, Perseverance tracks its position using what’s called visual odometry, analyzing geologic features in camera images taken every few feet while accounting for wheel slippage. As tiny errors in the process add up over the course of each drive, the rover becomes increasingly unsure about its exact location. On long drives, the rover’s sense of its position can be off by than 100 feet (up to 35 meters). Believing it could be too close to hazardous terrain, the rover may prematurely end its drive and wait for instructions from Earth. After each drive comes to a halt, the rover sends a 360-degree panorama to Earth, where mapping experts match the imagery with shots from MRO. The team then sends the rover its location and instructions for its next drive. That process can take a day or more. With Mars Global Localization, the rover can compare the images itself, determine its location, and roll ahead on its pre-planned route. Managed for NASA by Caltech, JPL built and manages operations of the Perseverance rover. JPL also manages MRO for the agency’s Science Mission Directorate in Washington as part of its Mars Exploration Program portfolio. Keep Exploring Discover More Topics From Photojournal Photojournal Search Photojournal Photojournal’s Latest Content Feedback View the full article

7 min read Preparations for Next Moonwalk Simulations Underway (and Underwater) There is no GPS at the Red Planet, but a new technology called Mars Global Localization lets Perseverance determine precisely where it is — without human help. Imagine you’re all alone, driving along in a rocky, unforgiving desert with no roads, no map, no GPS, and no more than one phone call a day for someone to inform you exactly where you are. That’s what NASA’s Perseverance rover has been experiencing since landing on Mars five years ago. Though it carries time-tested tools for determining its general location, the rover has needed operators on Earth to tell it precisely where it is — until now. A new technology developed at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern California enables Perseverance to figure out its whereabouts without calling humans for help. Dubbed Mars Global Localization, the technology features an algorithm that rapidly compares panoramic images from the rover’s navigation cameras with onboard orbital terrain maps. Running on a powerful processor that Perseverance originally used to communicate with the Ingenuity Mars Helicopter, the algorithm takes about two minutes to pinpoint the rover’s location within some 10 inches (25 centimeters). Mars Global Localization was first used successfully in regular mission operations on Feb. 2, then again Feb. 16. “This is kind of like giving the rover GPS. Now it can determine its own location on Mars,” said JPL’s Vandi Verma, chief engineer of robotics operations for the mission. “It means the rover will be able to drive for much longer distances autonomously, so we’ll explore more of the planet and get more science. And it could be used by almost any other rover traveling fast and far.” The upgrade is especially valuable given how well Perseverance’s auto-navigation self-driving system has been working. Enabling the rover to re-plan its path around obstacles en route to a preestablished destination, AutoNav has proved so capable that the distance Perseverance can drive without instructions from Earth is largely limited by the rover’s uncertainty about its whereabouts. Now that it can stop and determine its exact location, Perseverance can be commanded to drive to potentially unlimited distances without calling home. Implementation of Mars Global Localization comes on the heels of another innovation from the Perseverance team: the first use of generative artificial intelligence to help plan a drive route by selecting waypoints for the rover, which are normally chosen by human rover operators. Both technologies enable Perseverance to travel farther and faster while minimizing team workload. This panorama from Perseverance is composed of five stereo pairs of navigation camera images that the rover matched to orbital imagery in order to pinpoint its position on Feb. 2, 2026, using a technology called Mars Global Localization.NASA/JPL-Caltech Beyond visual odometry Unlike on Earth, there is no network of GPS satellites in deep space to locate spacecraft on planetary surfaces. So missions — whether robotic or crewed — must come up with other ways to determine their location. As with NASA’s previous Mars rovers, Perseverance tracks its position using what’s called visual odometry, analyzing geologic features in camera images taken every few feet while accounting for wheel slippage. But as tiny errors in the process add up over the course of each drive, the rover becomes increasingly unsure about its exact location. On long drives, the rover’s sense of its position can be off by more than 100 feet (up to 35 meters). Believing it may be too close to hazardous terrain, Perseverance may prematurely end its drive and wait for instructions from Earth. “Humans have to tell it, ‘You’re not lost, you’re safe. Keep going,’” Verma said. “We knew if we addressed this problem, the rover could travel much farther every day.” To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video The new technology called Mars Global Localization enables NASA’s Perseverance to pinpoint is location using an onboard algorithm that matches terrain features in navigation camera shots (the circular image, called an orthomosaic) to those in orbital imagery (the background). NASA/JPL-Caltech After each drive comes to a halt, the rover sends a 360-degree panorama to Earth, where mapping experts match the imagery with shots from NASA’s Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO). The team then sends the rover its location and instructions for its next drive. That process can take a day or more, but with Mars Global Localization, the rover is able to compare the images itself, determine its location, and roll ahead on its preplanned route. “We’ve given the rover a new ability,” said Jeremy Nash, a JPL robotics engineer who led the team working on the project under Verma. “This has been an open problem in robotics research for decades, and it’s been super exciting to deploy this solution in space for the first time.” The small team began working in 2023, testing the accuracy of the algorithm they’d developed using data from 264 previous rover stops. The algorithm compared rover panoramic photos to MRO imagery and correctly pinpointed the rover’s location for every single stop. How Ingenuity helped Key to Mars Global Localization is the rover’s Helicopter Base Station (HBS), which Perseverance used to communicate with the now-retired Ingenuity Mars Helicopter. Equipped with a commercial processor that powered many consumer smartphones in the mid-2010s, the HBS runs more than 100 times faster than the rover’s two main computers, which, built to survive the radiation-heavy Martian environment, are based on hardware introduced in 1997. The Mars Global Localization algorithm runs on a fast commercial processor in the Helicopter Base Station — the upper, gold-colored box that was integrated into NASA’s Perseverance rover in a clean room. Perseverance used the base station to communicate with the now-retired Ingenuity Mars Helicopter.NASA/JPL-Caltech As a technology demonstration designed to test capabilities, the Ingenuity mission was able to risk employing more powerful commercial chips in the HBS and the helicopter even though they hadn’t been proven in space. It paid off: Expected to fly no more than five times, the rotorcraft completed 72 flights. The power of the HBS processor inspired Verma to look for ways the Perseverance mission might harness it. “It’s almost like a gift. Ingenuity blazed the trail, proving we could use commercial processors on Mars,” Verma said. Tapping into the HBS computer has had its challenges. To address reliability, the team developed a “sanity check”: The algorithm runs on the HBS multiple times before one of the rover’s main computers checks to ensure the results match. During testing, the team repeatedly found the rover’s position was off by 1 millimeter. They discovered damage to about 25 bits — a minuscule fraction of the processor’s 1 gigabyte of memory — and developed a solution to isolate those bits while the algorithm runs. Alongside the broader Mars Global Localization process, the team’s sanity check and memory solutions are expected to find new uses as faster commercial processors are employed in future missions. In the meantime, the team has already turned their sights to the Moon, where difficult lighting conditions and long, cold lunar nights make knowing exactly where spacecraft are located all the more critical. More about Perseverance NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, which is managed for the agency by Caltech, built and manages operations of the Perseverance rover on behalf of NASA’s Science Mission Directorate in Washington, as part of NASA’s Mars Exploration Program portfolio. To learn more about Perseverance: [Hidden Content] News Media Contacts Melissa Pamer / DC Agle Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, Calif. 626-314-4928 / 818-393-9011 *****@*****.tld / *****@*****.tld Karen Fox / Molly Wasser NASA Headquarters, Washington 202-358-1600 *****@*****.tld / *****@*****.tld 2026-012 Share Details Last Updated Feb 18, 2026 Related TermsPerseverance (Rover)Jet Propulsion LaboratoryMarsPlanetary Science Division Explore More 3 min read Stonebreen’s Beating Heart The glacier in southeastern Svalbard pulses with the changing seasons, speeding up and slowing its… Article 6 days ago 2 min read NASA Honor Awards for Cold Atom Lab Team Members NASA OUTSTANDING PUBLIC LEADERSHIP MEDAL Awarded for notable leadership accomplishments that have significantly influenced NASA’s… Article 3 weeks ago 6 min read NASA’s Perseverance Rover Completes First AI-Planned Drive on Mars Article 3 weeks ago Keep Exploring Discover Related Topics Mars Perseverance Rover The Mars Perseverance rover is the first leg the Mars Sample Return Campaign’s interplanetary relay team. Its job is to… Ingenuity Mars Helicopter NASA’s Ingenuity Mars Helicopter completed 72 historic flights since first taking to the skies above the Red Planet. Mars Exploration Mars is the only planet we know of inhabited entirely by robots. Learn more about the Mars Missions. Planetary Science NASA’s planetary science program explores the objects in our solar system to better understand its history and the distribution of… View the full article

3 Min Read I Am Artemis: Katie Oriti Katie Oriti manages the Orion European Service Module Integration Office, working closely with commercial and international partners to ensure the module is ready to safely support NASA’s Artemis II mission around the Moon. Credits: NASA/Jef Janis Listen to this audio excerpt from Katie Oriti, Orion European Service Module Integration Office manager: 0:00 / 0:00 Your browser does not support the audio element. Growing up in rural America, Katie Oriti could only dream of working for NASA. Not because she wasn’t inspired by the dark, star-filled skies of her hometown Shelby, Ohio, but because it felt out of reach. “I think NASA was always in the back of my mind because I had an interest in space,” said Oriti, manager for the Orion European Service Module Integration Office. “It was something that felt unattainable, and I just didn’t think it was in the cards for me.” Oriti originally had her sights set on becoming a doctor. She studied mechanical engineering in college and minored in biomedical engineering, intending to apply to medical school. However, as graduation approached, she shifted course and applied to roles that sparked her curiosity. That leap led her to NASA’s Glenn Research Center in Cleveland as a support service contractor helping to build and maintain hardware for cryogenic testing, a process that exposes materials to extremely low temperatures. A career at NASA, previously a dream, suddenly felt real. Oriti became a civil servant, working as a thermal analyst for Orion, the spacecraft carrying astronauts to the Moon through NASA’s Artemis campaign. I loved any opportunity I had to hear what was going on at the spacecraft and the program level. I knew if I wanted to grow and be part of that ******* conversation, I had to expand my knowledge base. Katie oriti Orion European Service Module Integration Office manager Mentors played a critical role at every step, helping her translate her technical skills into a leadership role. Oriti leads integration efforts for the European Service Module, the powerhouse for Orion, working closely with ESA (European Space Agency) and Airbus to ensure the module is ready to safely support NASA’s Artemis II mission around the Moon. She sets the framework for decisions and determines priorities to ensure her team has the resources they need to succeed. “I feel very privileged every day to lead this team,” Oriti said. “It’s the highest functioning team I’ve ever been a part of, and everyone on the team is an A-player. They know their stuff and are very dedicated to the mission.” Front row, from left, General David *********, Katie Oriti, and Artemis II crew members Jeremy Hansen and Christina Koch visit the stainless-steel vacuum chamber in the In-Space Propulsion Facility at NASA’s Neil Armstrong Test Facility in Sandusky, Ohio. This is the world’s only facility capable of testing full-scale upper stage launch vehicles and rocket engines under simulated high-altitude conditions.NASA/Sara Lowthian-Hanna Oriti is excited to support the Artemis II launch from the Launch Control Center at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida as part of the mission management team, providing expertise for the European Service Module. After launch, she will travel to NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston to support from mission control, assisting with program-level decisions and monitoring the European Service Module’s performance throughout the flight. “I think the flyby of the Moon will be awesome. It was cool when we did the powered flybys on Artemis I and came very close to the surface of the Moon, but now we’ll have crew members who will be looking out the window and able to tell us what they see. Katie Oriti Orion European Service Module Integration Office manager While Oriti looks forward to the thrill of launch day, she’s even more inspired by the impact this mission could have on the next generation. She takes pride in knowing that she has become the role model she once searched for, showing others that a dream as big as aiming for the Moon can be within reach. Katie Oriti manages the Orion European Service Module Integration Office, working closely with commercial and international partners to ensure the module is ready to safely support NASA’s Artemis II mission around the Moon.NASA/Jef Janis About the AuthorJacqueline MinerdPublic Affairs Specialist Share Details Last Updated Feb 18, 2026 Related TermsGeneralArtemisArtemis 2Glenn Research CenterHumans in SpaceI Am ArtemisMissionsOrion Multi-Purpose Crew VehicleOrion Program Explore More 3 min read NASA’s Hubble Identifies One of Darkest Known Galaxies In the vast tapestry of the universe, most galaxies shine brightly across cosmic time and… Article 2 hours ago 3 min read A Second Cyclone Slams Madagascar Widespread flooding affected tens of thousands of people after cyclones Fytia and Gezani drenched the… Article 12 hours ago 4 min read NASA Advances High-Altitude Traffic Management Article 1 day ago Keep Exploring Discover More Topics From NASA Missions Humans in Space Climate Change Solar System View the full article

Share Details Last Updated Feb 18, 2026 Editor Andrea Gianopoulos Location NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Contact Media Claire Andreoli NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, Maryland *****@*****.tld Christine Pulliam Space Telescope Science Institute Baltimore, Maryland Related Terms Hubble Space Telescope Astrophysics Astrophysics Division Dark Matter Galaxies Globular Clusters Goddard Space Flight Center The Universe Related Links and Documents The science paper by D. Li et al. University of Toronto Press Release

The NASA Engineering and Safety Center (NESC) performed an assessment to characterize the effects of abnormal grain growth (AGG) within a metallic liner of a composite overwrapped pressure vessel (COPV). This effort focused on evaluating the mechanical response of the liner material, including the strain amplification factor (SAF), using a series of custom-designed coupons that incorporated both metal and composite overwrap. The study demonstrated that this approach was effective and practical to characterize strain localization under various conditions and showed strong correlation with modeling results. Additionally, preliminary investigations of phase coherence imaging (PCI), an ultrasonic technique, offered promise in detecting AGG microstructures, but further development is needed. Download PDF: Effects of Large Grain Size in Composite Overwrapped Pressure Vessel View the full article

Earth Observatory Science Earth Observatory A Second Cyclone Slams Madagascar 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 February 10, 2026 For the second time in two weeks, a powerful tropical cyclone struck Madagascar. On January 31, Fytia battered the remote northwestern coast of the island with destructive winds and torrential rains that displaced thousands of people. Less than two weeks later, Gezani made a direct hit on one of the island’s largest cities before sweeping past areas that Fytia had just flooded. The MODIS (Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer) on NASA’s Aqua satellite captured this image of Gezani as it neared Madagascar on February 10, 2026. At the time, the storm was undergoing rapid intensification. Its sustained winds peaked at 200 kilometers (125 miles) per hour before making landfall at Category 3 hurricane strength. According to meteorologists with the Joint Typhoon Warning Center, the storm developed amid conditions “highly favorable” to strengthening, including sea surface temperatures above 28 degrees Celsius (82 degrees Fahrenheit), wind shear below 20 kilometers (12 miles) per hour, and an unusually moist atmosphere. As the storm passed near Toamasina, Madagascar’s second-largest city, satellites that contribute to NASA’s IMERG (Integrated Multi-satellite Retrievals for GPM) product measured rain rates up to 4 centimeters (1.6 inches) per hour. The deluge caused widespread flooding in Toamasina and several other parts of the island. Preliminary damage assessments from Madagascar’s National Office for Risk and Disaster Management linked the storm to dozens of deaths, hundreds of injuries, and damage to more than 27,000 homes. Reports from news outlets and humanitarian groups described chaotic conditions in Toamasina, with widespread power outages, numerous collapsed roofs, and a lack of clean water. January 29, 2026 February 14, 2026 In this false-color image acquired before the flooding, the Rianila and Rongaronga rivers merge near the town of Brickaville. River water appears dark blue against a bright green background of farmland and savanna forest. NASA Earth Observatory / Lauren Dauphin In a false-color image acquired after the flooding, waterways appear much wider, and floodwater covers large portions of the landscape west of the two rivers, both north and south of Brickaville. NASA Earth Observatory / Lauren Dauphin January 29, 2026February 14, 2026 In this false-color image acquired before the flooding, the Rianila and Rongaronga rivers merge near the town of Brickaville. River water appears dark blue against a bright green background of farmland and savanna forest. NASA Earth Observatory / Lauren Dauphin In a false-color image acquired after the flooding, waterways appear much wider, and floodwater covers large portions of the landscape west of the two rivers, both north and south of Brickaville. NASA Earth Observatory / Lauren Dauphin January 29, 2026 February 14, 2026 Before and After January 29, 2026 – February 14, 2026 CurtainToggle2-Up The OLI (Operational Land Imager) on Landsat 8 captured this false-color image of severe flooding near Brickaville, just south of Toamasina, on February 14, 2026 (right). For comparison, the left image shows the same area before the storm. Villages and farmland along the Rongaronga River appear particularly hard hit. Crops commonly grown in this area include rice, vanilla, lychees, ****** pepper, cloves, and cinnamon, according to researchers from the French Agricultural Research Centre for International Development. Madagascar is one of the most cyclone-prone countries in Africa, with about six storms typically affecting the island each year and two making direct landfall. The cyclone season generally runs from November through April, with peak activity between January and March. NASA Earth Observatory image by Lauren Dauphin, using MODIS data from NASA EOSDIS LANCE and GIBS/Worldview and Landsat data from the U.S. Geological Survey. Story by Adam Voiland. Downloads February 10, 2026 JPEG (3.04 MB) January 29, 2026 JPEG (5.40 MB) February 14, 2026 JPEG (6.00 MB) References & Resources ACAPS (2024) Cyclone exposure and vulnerabilities. Accessed February 17, 2026. Associated Press (2026, February 12) Cyclone Gezani destroys 18,000 homes and causes at least 36 deaths in Madagascar. Accessed February 17, 2026. BNGRC (2026, February 16) Cyclone Gezani: Preliminary Assessment of Recorded Damage. Accessed February 17, 2026. BNGRC, via Facebook (2026) Posts. Accessed February 17, 2026. CIMSS Satellite Blog (2026, February 10) Cyclone Gezani makes landfall on Madagascar as a Category 3 storm. Accessed February 17, 2026. France24 (2026, February 11) Cyclone Gezani ravages Madagascar, leaving dozens dead and much of second city in ruins. Accessed February 17, 2026. Global Disaster Awareness and Coordination System (2026, February 17) Overall Red alert Tropical Cyclone for GEZANI-26. Accessed February 17, 2026. NASA Earthdata Tropical Cyclones. Accessed February 17, 2026. The Washington Post (2026, February 11) Death toll rises to 31 after Tropical Cyclone Gezani hits Madagascar and crushes houses. Accessed February 17, 2026. World Meteorological Organization (2026, February 13) Tropical cyclone Gezani hits Madagascar and threatens Mozambique. Accessed February 17, 2026. Yahoo News (2026, February 13) Madagascar cyclone death toll rises to 40, water, power still out. Accessed February 17, 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. Senyar Swamps Sumatra 3 min read A rare tropical cyclone dropped torrential rains on the Indonesian island, fueling extensive and destructive floods. Article Ragasa Steers Toward China 3 min read The super typhoon headed for Guangdong province after lashing Taiwan and northern Luzon in the Philippines. Article Imelda and Humberto Crowd the Atlantic 3 min read The tropical cyclones are close enough in proximity that they may influence one another. 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 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 4804-4811: Kicking Off the Final Phase of Boxwork Exploration NASA’s Mars rover Curiosity acquired this image of the “Nevado Sajama 2” drill hole using its Mars Hand Lens Imager (MAHLI), located on the turret at the end of the rover’s robotic arm. Curiosity captured the image Feb. 9, 2026 — Sol 4803, or Martian day 4,803 of the Mars Science Laboratory mission — at 07:41:32 UTC. NASA/JPL-Caltech/MSSS Written by Abigail Fraeman, Curiosity Deputy Project Scientist Earth planning date: Friday, Feb. 13, 2026 Curiosity spent this week at Gale crater completing the last few activities associated with the “Nevado Sajama 2” drill before kicking off our final phase of the boxwork exploration campaign. As we’ve explored the boxwork region, the science team has divided up our activities into four phases: Phase 1: First approach (sols 4534-4570 / May through June 2025) — This phase focused on making initial observations of the boxwork unit, which culminated in the team’s decision to drill at the Altadena location. Phase 2: Establish regional context (sols 4571-4599 / June through July 2025) — During this time, we collected additional observations of the boxwork unit between the Altadena drill location and arrival at the “main” boxwork area. This included stopping at the distinctive “Volcán Peña Blanca” feature. Phase 3: Exploration of the best expressed boxwork structures (sols 4600-4805 / July 2025 to February 2026) — This ******* was the heart of the boxwork campaign. During phase 3, we collected lots of observations of the most well-defined ridges and hollows within the boxwork unit, and we used what we learned to select locations where we wanted to drill a hollow and ridge. We selected targets named “Valle de la Luna” and “Nevado Sajama,” respectively. Phase 4: Our final look (sols 4805- ??? / February 2026 and beyond) — We’re kicking off this phase now, which will focus on some last measurements of ridges and hollows as well as an exploration of the contacts between the boxwork unit and adjacent geologic units to the east and south. Once this is completed, we’ll wrap up and continue our climb up Mount Sharp through the recently named “Valle Grande.” Our first drive away from the Nevado Sajama drill took Curiosity northeast along one of the wide ridges. From near this spot, we have a good view of ridges and hollows to the east. We’re particularly interested in getting a better look of a hollow that, in orbital data, seems to have interesting-looking bedrock on its floor as well as a particularly narrow ridge that has many small ridges branching off it, which the team has dubbed “Los Flamencos.” These images will help us see if we want to drive to one or both features, and they will help us plan the exact places to drive next week. While we’re here, Curiosity will also collect lots of data on the bedrock in front of the rover, with APXS and MAHLI observations planned for targets named “Mollecita” and “Monte Cielo.” We got so much wonderful data from the drilling activities over the last few weeks, and it feels really good to be back on the Martian boxwork road again to begin this final phase of our boxwork unit campaign. 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 Feb 17, 2026 Related Terms Blogs Explore More 2 min read Curiosity Blog, Sols 4798-4803: Back for More Science Article 1 week ago 2 min read Curiosity Blog, Sols 4788-4797: Welcome Back from Conjunction Article 2 weeks ago 3 min read Curiosity Blog, Sols 4750-4762: See You on the Other Side of the Sun Article 2 months 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

Northern Japan, especially the island of Hokkaido, is home to some of the snowiest cities in the world. Sapporo, the island’s largest city and host of an annual snow festival, typically sees more than 140 days of snowfall, with nearly 6 meters (20 feet) accumulating on average each year.Michala Garrison, using MODIS data from NASA EOSDIS LANCE and GIBS/Worldview On February 5, 2026, the MODIS (Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer) on NASA’s Terra satellite acquired this image of snow-covered landscapes across Hokkaido. With more than 31 active volcanoes, the island features several large caldera lakes, including at least five that are visible in the image. (Calderas are large depressions formed by volcanic eruptions.) In the east, forested windbreaks around Nakashibetsu form a checkerboard pattern, while to the north, swirls of drifting sea ice adorn the Sea of Okhotsk. Northern Japan, especially the island of Hokkaido, is home to some of the snowiest cities in the world. However, despite the region’s familiarity with heavy snowfall, winter 2026 got off to a disruptive start. A series of intense storms in January and February repeatedly paralyzed transportation systems, closing airports, snarling roadways, and suspending trains. Read more about sea ice and snowstorms in Japan. Text credit: Adam Voiland Image credit: Michala Garrison, using MODIS data from NASA EOSDIS LANCE and GIBS/Worldview View the full article

4 min read Preparations for Next Moonwalk Simulations Underway (and Underwater) A NASA simulation of higher airspace traffic management with industry partners Aerostar and Sceye in the Airspace Operations Laboratory at NASA’s Ames Research Center in California’s Silicon Valley on July 29, 2025.NASA/Donald Richey High-altitude flight is getting increasing attention from sectors ranging from telecommunications to emergency response. To make that airspace more accessible, NASA is developing an air traffic management system covering those altitudes and supplementing its work with real-time data from a research balloon in Earth’s stratosphere. Aircraft at high altitudes – 50,000 feet or higher, or roughly 10,000 to 20,000 feet above most commercial traffic – offer new possibilities for delivering internet connectivity in regions in need of reliable service. And they can deliver unprecedented situational awareness for the ground below, providing early warnings for floods and other disasters. For these types of operations, “station-keeping,” or remaining in the same region for extended periods of time, can be ideal for aircraft including balloons and airships. These flights will require a different sort of air traffic management system from the ones that cover most commercial flights – and it needs to be dependable. That’s why NASA is working to produce a system that ensures aircraft can operate safely in high-altitude airspace, with a particular focus on station-keeping. “Current high-altitude air traffic management is manual and piecemeal,” said Jeff Homola, researcher at NASA’s Ames Research Center in California’s Silicon Valley. “We saw the need for a scalable solution – something multiple operators in a shared airspace can safely rely on. Our system provides shared awareness of the airspace, identifies potential conflicts, enables cooperative conflict resolution, and allows operators to complete missions safely.” NASA’s expertise and technology, and the agency’s knowledge of the needs of the aviation industry, put it in an ideal position to perform the work. And NASA researchers are collaborating with the companies Aerostar and Sceye, developers and operators of high-altitude aircraft, to evaluate the system. “We’re leveraging decades of NASA’s air traffic management expertise to make this possible,” Homola said. Kevin-Christian Garzon Galindo, San Jose State University researcher at NASA Ames, monitors airspace data during the higher airspace air traffic simulation at NASA Ames on July 29, 2025. NASA/Donald Richey This NASA system enables operators to share live flight data, information about their flight plans, and potential conflict alerts. Based on this information, operators can coordinate flight plans in real time. During a 2025 simulation at NASA Ames, researchers tested how efficiently that data sharing would be among operators of lighter-than-air vehicles – both balloons and airships. For this test, NASA, Aerostar, Sceye acted as operators of high-altitude vehicles, sharing information from facilities in California, South Dakota, and New Mexico. They were able to share flight information, as well as telemetry data from an Aerostar stratospheric balloon floating 66,500 feet above Sioux Falls, South Dakota, at the time of the testing. The simulation built on earlier tests, adding improved flight-intent visualization, conflict detection, and, for the first time, live flight data from the balloon. NASA researchers also studied how operators make decision when planned aircraft trajectories overlap, which will help refine essential rules and guidelines for safer high-altitude airspace operations. NASA researchers Heather Arneson and Jeff Homola discuss the high-altitude air traffic simulation in the agency’s Airspace Operations Lab at NASA Ames on July 29, 2025.NASA/Donald Richey For decades, NASA has biggest air traffic management challenges facing the National Airspace System. NASA innovations have helped cut fuel consumption, prevent accidents, enable precision navigation, and lay the groundwork for today’s modern air traffic management systems. This specific work builds on the initiatives focused on drone operations. NASA will share results and lessons learned from the simulation with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to inform its approach to ensuring that higher airspace operations are accessible, safe, and scalable. The agency will continue advancing the high-altitude traffic management system through continued collaboration with industry partners and the FAA. NASA’s goal is to create a framework that opens the door to new commercial, scientific, and humanitarian missions. This work has been supported through NASA’s Air Traffic Management Exploration project. The project is part of the agency’s Airspace Operations and Safety Program within its Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate. Share Details Last Updated Feb 17, 2026 Related TermsAmes Research CenterAeronauticsAeronautics Research Mission DirectorateAir Traffic Management – ExplorationAir Traffic SolutionsAirspace Operations and Safety ProgramGeneral Explore More 6 min read What You Need to Know About NASA’s SpaceX Crew-12 Mission Article 1 week ago 8 min read ARMD Research Solicitations (Updated Feb. 4) Article 2 weeks ago 5 min read NASA Armstrong Contributions Propel Artemis, Deep Space Innovation Article 2 weeks ago Keep Exploring Discover More Topics From NASA Ames Research Center Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate Air Traffic Management – eXploration Project Airspace Operations and Safety Program View the full article

NASA/Aubrey Gemignani A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket carrying the company’s Dragon spacecraft is launched on NASA’s SpaceX Crew-12 mission to the International Space Station with NASA astronauts Jessica Meir, Jack Hathaway, ESA (European Space Agency) astronaut Sophie Adenot, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Andrey Fedyaev onboard, Friday, Feb. 13, 2026, from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. NASA’s SpaceX Crew-12 mission is the twelfth crew rotation mission of the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft and Falcon 9 rocket to the International Space Station as part of the agency’s Commercial Crew Program. Meir, Hathaway, Adenot, and Fedyaev launched at 5:15 a.m. EST from Space Launch Complex 40 at the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station to begin a mission aboard the orbital outpost. After NASA astronauts Jessica Meir and Jack Hathaway, ESA (European Space Agency) astronaut Sophie Adenot, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Andrey Fedyaev arrive at the space station, they will conduct various experiments and technology demonstrations to benefit life on Earth and in orbit, furthering our journey back to the Moon, to Mars, and beyond. View the full article

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket with a Dragon spacecraft atop carrying NASA astronauts Jessica Meir and Jack Hathaway, ESA (European Space Agency) astronaut Sophie Adenot, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Andrey Fedyaev lifts off at 5:15 a.m. EST, Feb. 13, 2026, from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida to the International Space Station. NASA’s SpaceX Crew-12 is the 12th crew rotation mission of the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft and Falcon 9 rocket to the space station as part of NASA’s Commercial Crew Program.Credit: NASA Four crew members of NASA’s SpaceX Crew-12 mission launched at 5:15 a.m. EST Friday from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida for a science expedition aboard the International Space Station. A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket propelled a Dragon spacecraft into orbit carrying NASA astronauts Jessica Meir and Jack Hathaway, ESA (European Space Agency) astronaut Sophie Adenot, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Andrey Fedyaev. The spacecraft will dock autonomously to the space-facing port of the station’s Harmony module at approximately 3:15 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 14. “With Crew-12 safely on orbit, America and our international partners once again demonstrated the professionalism, preparation, and teamwork required for human spaceflight,” said NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman. “The research this crew will conduct aboard the space station advances critical technologies for deep space exploration while delivering real benefits here on Earth. I’m grateful to the NASA and SpaceX teams whose discipline, rigor, and resilience made today’s launch possible. We undertake these missions with a clear understanding of risk, managing it responsibly so we can continue expanding human presence in low Earth orbit while preparing for our next great leap to the Moon and onward to Mars.” During Dragon’s flight, SpaceX will monitor a series of automatic spacecraft maneuvers from its mission control center in Hawthorne, California. NASA will monitor space station operations throughout the flight from the Mission Control Center at the agency’s Johnson Space Center in Houston. NASA’s live coverage resumes at 1:15 p.m. Saturday on NASA+, Amazon Prime, and the agency’s YouTube channel with rendezvous, docking, and hatch opening. After docking, the crew will change out of their spacesuits and prepare cargo for offload before opening the hatch between Dragon and the space station’s Harmony module around 5 p.m. NASA also will provide coverage of the welcome ceremony aboard the space station shortly following hatch opening. Learn how to watch NASA content through a variety of platforms, including social media. Meir, Hathaway, Adenot, and Fedyaev will join the Expedition 74 crew, including NASA astronaut Chris Williams and Roscosmos cosmonauts Sergey Kud-Sverchkov and Sergei Mikaev already aboard the orbiting laboratory, returning the space station to its standard seven crew members complement following the Jan. 14 departure of NASA’s SpaceX Crew-11 mission. During its mission, Crew-12 will conduct scientific research to prepare for human exploration beyond low Earth orbit and to benefit humanity on Earth. Participating crew members will study pneumonia-causing bacteria to improve cardiovascular treatments, on-demand intravenous fluid generation for future space missions, and research on how physical characteristics may affect blood flow during spaceflight. Other experiments include automated plant health monitoring and investigations of plant and nitrogen-fixing microbe interactions to enhance food production in space. Crew-12 is part of NASA’s Commercial Crew Program, which provides reliable access to space, maximizing the use of the station for research and development, and supporting future missions beyond low Earth orbit by partnering with private companies to transport astronauts to and from the International Space Station. Learn more about the agency’s Commercial Crew Program at: [Hidden Content] -end- Josh Finch Headquarters, Washington 202-358-1100 *****@*****.tld Steven Siceloff Kennedy Space Center, Florida 321-867-2468 steven.p*****@*****.tld Sandra Jones / Joseph Zakrzewski Johnson Space Center, Houston 281-483-5111 sandra.p*****@*****.tld / *****@*****.tld Share Details Last Updated Feb 13, 2026 EditorJessica TaveauLocationNASA Headquarters Related TermsHumans in SpaceCommercial CrewInternational Space Station (ISS)ISS ResearchSpace Operations Mission Directorate View the full article

A solar concentrator is tested as part of the Carbothermal Reduction Demonstration (CaRD) project, which aims to produce oxygen from simulated lunar regolith for use at the Moon’s south pole. During this integrated test, the team combined the concentrator, mirrors, and control software and confirmed the production of carbon monoxide.NASA/Michael Rushing NASA’s Carbothermal Reduction Demonstration (CaRD) project completed an important step toward using local resources to support human exploration on the Moon. The CaRD team performed integrated prototype testing that used concentrated solar energy to extract oxygen from simulated lunar soil, while confirming the production of carbon monoxide through a solar-driven chemical reaction. If deployed on the Moon, this technology could enable the production of propellant using only lunar materials and sunlight, significantly reducing the cost and complexity of sustaining a long-term human presence on the lunar surface. The same downstream systems used to convert carbon monoxide into oxygen can also be adapted to convert carbon dioxide into oxygen and methane on Mars. The integrated prototype brought together a carbothermal oxygen production reactor developed by Sierra Space, a solar concentrator designed by NASA’s Glenn Research Center in Cleveland, precision mirrors produced by Composite Mirror Applications, and avionics, software, and gas analysis systems from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston led project management, systems engineering, testing, and development of key hardware and ground support systems. Explore More 4 min read NASA Moon Mission Spacesuit Nears Milestone Article 15 hours ago 2 min read NASA, University of Texas Expand Research and Workforce Development Article 1 week ago 8 min read Station Nation: Erin Edwards, Deputy Branch Chief for Crew Operations and Capsule Communicator Article 1 week ago View the full article

Earth Observatory Science Earth Observatory Stonebreen’s Beating Heart 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 2014–2022 Edgeøya, an island in the southeastern part of the Svalbard archipelago, is defined by stark Arctic expanses and rugged terrain. Still, even here—halfway between mainland Norway and the North Pole—life persists, from mosses to polar bears. The southern lobe of Stonebreen, a glacier that flows from the Edgeøyjøkulen ice cap into the Barents Sea, gives the landscape a different kind of life. Its ice pulses like a heart. The apparent heartbeat comes from the ice speeding up and slowing down with the seasons. This animation, based on satellite data collected between 2014 and 2022, shows how fast the glacier’s surface ice moves on average during each month. In winter and spring, the ice flows relatively slowly (pink); by late summer, it races toward the sea at speeds exceeding 1,200 meters per year in places (dark red). In summer 2020, speeds reached as high as 2,590 meters per year (23 feet per day). In general, summer speedups are caused by meltwater that percolates from the surface down to the base of the glacier, where the ice sits on rock, explained Chad Greene, a glaciologist at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL). “When the base of a glacier becomes inundated with meltwater, water pressure at the base increases and allows the glacier to slide more easily,” he said. Data for the animation are from the ITS_LIVE project, developed at JPL, which uses an algorithm to detect glacier speed based on surface features visible in optical and radar satellite images. In 2025, Greene and JPL colleague Alex Gardner used ITS_LIVE data to analyze the seasonal variability of hundreds of thousands of glaciers across the planet, including Stonebreen. Stonebreen is a surging glacier, a type that cycles between stretches of relatively slow movement and sudden bursts of speed when ice can flow several times faster than usual. These surges can last anywhere from months to years. Globally, only about 1 percent of glaciers are surge-type, though in Svalbard, they are relatively widespread. Before 2023, Stonebreen spent several years surging at high speeds after melting along its front likely destabilized the glacier, according to Gardner. Even during this surging *******, the ice followed a seasonal rhythm—speeding up in summer and slowing through the winter—all while continuing its faster overall flow toward the Barents Sea. Since 2023, however, the glacier has all but slowed to a halt, with only a short stretch in the summer when meltwater causes Stonebreen to glide across the ground. It has entered a phase of quiet, or “quiescence,” which is a normal part of the cycle for surge-type glaciers. These seasonal heartbeat-like pulses and longer-term variations in ice flow at Stonebreen and other glaciers worldwide can be explored using the ITS_LIVE app. Maps courtesy of Chad Greene and Alex Gardner, NASA/JPL, using data from the NASA MEaSUREs project ITS_LIVE. Story by Kathryn Hansen. Downloads View All 2014–2022 MP4 (112.73 MB) References & Resources Greene, C. A. and Gardner, A. S. (2025) Seasonal dynamics of Earth’s glaciers and ice sheets. Science, 390, 6776. NASA Earth Observatory (2025, December 3) Satellites Detect Seasonal Pulses in Earth’s Glaciers. Accessed February 12, 2026. NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (2026) ITS_LIVE. Accessed February 12, 2026. Noël, B., et al. (2020) Low elevation of Svalbard glaciers drives high mass loss variability. Nature Communications, 11(4597). Strozzi, T., et al. (2017) Frontal destabilization of Stonebreen, Edgeøya, Svalbard. The Cryosphere, 11(1) 553–566. 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. Satellites Detect Seasonal Pulses in Earth’s Glaciers 4 min read From Alaska’s Saint Elias Mountains to Pakistan’s Karakoram, glaciers speed up and slow down with the seasons. Article Alaska’s Brand New Island 3 min read A landmass that was once encased in the ice of the Alsek Glacier is now surrounded by water. Article Arctic Sea Ice Ties for 10th-Lowest on Record 3 min read Satellite data show that Arctic sea ice likely reached its annual minimum extent on September 10, 2025. 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 View the full article

Credit: NASA NASA and Vast have signed an order for the sixth private astronaut mission to the International Space Station, targeted to launch no earlier than summer 2027 from Florida. This private astronaut mission marks the company’s first selection to the orbiting laboratory, underscoring NASA’s ongoing investment in fostering a commercial space economy and expanding opportunities for private industry in low Earth orbit. “Private astronaut missions represent more than access to the International Space Station — they create opportunities for new ideas, companies, and capabilities that further enhance American leadership in low Earth orbit and open doors for what’s next,” said NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman. “We’re proud to welcome Vast to this growing community of commercial partners. Each new entrant brings unique strengths that fuel a dynamic, innovative marketplace as we advance research and technology and prepare for missions to the Moon, Mars, and beyond.” The mission is expected to spend up to 14 days aboard the space station. A specific launch date will depend on overall spacecraft traffic at the orbital outpost and other planning considerations. “The International Space Station plays an essential role in shaping the future of low Earth orbit,” said Dana Weigel, manager, International Space Station Program at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston. “By hosting private astronaut missions, the station helps accelerate innovation, opens new commercial pathways, and advances research strengthening the foundation of a thriving space economy.” Vast will submit four proposed crew members to NASA and its international partners for review. Once approved and confirmed, they will train with NASA, international partners, and SpaceX for their flight. The company has contracted with SpaceX as launch provider for transportation to and from the space station. “Vast is honored to have been selected by NASA for the sixth private astronaut mission to the International Space Station,” said Max Haot, CEO of Vast. “Leveraging the remaining life of the space station with science and research-led commercial crewed missions is a critical part of the transition to commercial space stations and fully unlocking the orbital economy.” The company will purchase mission services from NASA, including crew consumables, cargo delivery, storage, and other in-orbit resources for daily use. NASA will purchase the capability to return scientific samples that must remain cold during transit back to Earth. NASA made the selection from proposals received in response to its March 2025 NASA Research Announcement. Missions aboard the International Space Station, including private astronaut missions, help advance scientific knowledge and demonstrate new technologies in the unique microgravity environment. These commercial efforts in low Earth orbit are helping develop capabilities and technologies that could support NASA’s long-term goals for missions beyond low Earth orbit, including deep space exploration to the Moon and eventually to Mars through the agency’s Artemis campaign. Learn more about NASA’s commercial space strategy at: [Hidden Content] -end- Jimi Russell Headquarters, Washington 202-358-1600 *****@*****.tld Anna Schneider / Joseph Zakrzewski Johnson Space Center, Houston 281-483-5111 *****@*****.tld / *****@*****.tld Share Details Last Updated Feb 12, 2026 LocationNASA Headquarters Related TermsPrivate Astronaut MissionsCommercial SpaceHumans in SpaceInternational Space Station (ISS)ISS ResearchJohnson Space CenterKennedy Space Center View the full article

4 min read Preparations for Next Moonwalk Simulations Underway (and Underwater) A NASA crew member practices using lunar tools to collect geology samples at NASA’s Johnson Space Center during an elevated suit pressure test where teams evaluate how well crew perform tasks in different suit pressure levels while wearing the Artemis III lunar spacesuit developed by Axiom Space called the AxEMU (Axiom Extravehicular Mobility Unit).NASA/Bill Stafford The next-generation spacesuit for NASA’s Artemis III mission continues to advance by passing a contractor-led technical review, as the agency prepares to send humans to the Moon’s South Pole for the first time. Testing is also underway for the new suits, built by Axiom Space, with NASA astronauts and spacesuit engineers recently simulating surface operations and tasks underwater to demonstrate safety and mobility. The AxEMU (Axiom Extravehicular Mobility Unit), is designed to give astronauts increased flexibility and improved mobility for moonwalking, including bending down to collect geology samples and perform a variety of scientific tasks. The suit features increased sizing options and adjustability to fit a wider range of crew members. It incorporates advanced life-support systems and enhanced protection to withstand the harsh lunar environment. Axiom Space is also developing specialized tools and equipment for work on the lunar surface, allowing astronauts to more easily gather geology samples. Now that Axiom Space has completed their technical review of the AxEMU, NASA will evaluate whether the spacesuit is ready for the agency’s Artemis III mission that will return American astronauts to the Moon. A NASA-led critical design sync review, which is an agency-required technical evaluation, will confirm that the design’s hardware and systems are on track for final testing and delivery. In parallel, Axiom Space has begun receiving parts for the first flight unit, which will be assembled later this spring. This achievement reflects our shared commitment to deliver a safe, capable lunar spacesuit that will enable astronauts to explore the Moon’s surface. Lara Kearney Manager, Extravehicular Activity and Human Surface Mobility Program “The completion of their internal review brings Axiom Space one step closer to delivering a next-generation lunar spacesuit,” said Lara Kearney, manager of the Extravehicular Activity and Human Surface Mobility Program at Johnson Space Center in Houston. “This achievement reflects our shared commitment to deliver a safe, capable lunar spacesuit that will enable astronauts to explore the Moon’s surface.” NASA and Axiom Space have conducted over 850 hours of pressurized testing with a person inside the AxEMU. Leading up to the review, teams conducted underwater and simulated lunar gravity tests of the AxEMU in facilities at NASA Johnson that demonstrate how the spacesuit’s capabilities will offer increased mobility as astronauts explore the Moon’s surface and prepare for missions to Mars. These tests allow astronauts and engineers to become familiar with the spacesuit and practice moving and performing tasks in a simulated lunar gravity environment, which is one-sixth the gravity we experience on Earth. Suit users have provided feedback on design, functionality, and safety. A NASA crew member practices simulated lunar surface operations at NASA’s Neutral Buoyancy Laboratory where teams evaluate how well crew perform tasks while wearing the Artemis III lunar spacesuit developed by Axiom Space called the AxEMU (Axiom Extravehicular Mobility Unit).NASA A NASA crew member practices simulated lunar surface operations at NASA’s Johnson Space Center during an elevated suit pressure test where teams evaluate how well crew perform tasks in different suit pressure levels while wearing the Artemis III lunar spacesuit developed by Axiom Space called the AxEMU (Axiom Extravehicular Mobility Unit).NASA/James Blair NASA crew members practice emergency rescue drills during simulated lunar surface operations at NASA’s Neutral Buoyancy Laboratory where teams evaluate how well crew perform tasks while wearing the Artemis III lunar spacesuit developed by Axiom Space called the AxEMU (Axiom Extravehicular Mobility Unit).NASA A NASA crew member practices simulated lunar surface operations at NASA’s Johnson Space Center during an elevated suit pressure test where teams evaluate how well crew perform tasks in different suit pressure levels while wearing the Artemis III lunar spacesuit developed by Axiom Space called the AxEMU (Axiom Extravehicular Mobility Unit).NASA/Bill Stafford Agency and Axiom Space teams recently finished the first series of test runs in the Neutral Buoyancy Laboratory at NASA Johnson. While in the 40-foot-deep pool, they weighted the AxEMU to match lunar gravity and assessed functionality and ease of movement. Now, teams are in the middle of evaluating how well test subjects can perform tasks while wearing the spacesuit in different suit pressure levels in NASA Johnson’s Active Response Gravity Offload System facility. The agency uses an overhead lift system that connects to a spacesuit to create a reduced-gravity environment allowing anyone in the suit to walk around in simulated lunar gravity. Higher suit pressures reduce time to acclimate to the suits, enabling astronauts to spend more time walking on the lunar surface during Artemis missions. Astronaut safety is NASA’s top priority for the Artemis campaign. Using more than 50 years of spacesuit expertise, NASA defined the technical and safety standards and requirements by which the next generation of lunar spacesuits are being built. At key milestones in the spacesuit’s development, NASA has and will continue to verify the AxEMU and its system deliverables to ensure the risk to the Artemis crew members is understood and minimized. NASA’s spacesuits contract is managed by the Extravehicular Activity and Human Surface Mobility Program which serves as the agency’s program to develop next-generation spacesuits, human-rated rovers, and spacewalking tools, along with all required spacewalking support systems that will enable astronauts to survive and work outside the confines of a spacecraft to explore on and around the Moon.  As part of a Golden Age of innovation and exploration, NASA’s Artemis astronauts will use these new spacesuits, along with advanced landers and rovers, to explore more of the Moon for scientific discovery, economic benefits, and to prepare for future human exploration of Mars. Learn more about NASA’s Artemis campaign at: [Hidden Content] Share Details Last Updated Feb 12, 2026 Related TermsHumans in SpaceArtemisArtemis 3Exploration Systems Development Mission DirectorateJohnson Space CenterSpacesuitsxEVA & Human Surface Mobility Explore More 3 min read I Am Artemis: Jesse Berdis Jesse Berdis’s dream of becoming a structural engineer began with visions of skyscrapers rising above… Article 1 day ago 6 min read What You Need to Know About NASA’s SpaceX Crew-12 Mission Article 3 days ago 3 min read Space Station Research Contributes to Artemis II Article 3 days ago Keep Exploring Discover More Topics From NASA Extravehicular Activity and Human Surface Mobility Humans In Space Human Landing System Artemis III View the full article

NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope reveals the clearest view yet of the Egg Nebula. This structure of gas and dust was created by a dying, Sun-like star. These newest observations were taken with Hubble’s Wide Field Camera 3.NASA, ESA, Bruce Balick (UWashington) This image from NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope released on Feb. 10, 2026, reveals a dramatic interplay of light and shadow in the Egg Nebula, sculpted by freshly ejected stardust. Located approximately 1,000 light-years away in the constellation Cygnus, the Egg Nebula features a central star obscured by a dense cloud of dust — like a “yolk” nestled within a dark, opaque “egg white.” It is the first, youngest, and closest pre-planetary nebula ever discovered. (A pre-planetary nebula is a precursor stage of a planetary nebula, which is a structure of gas and dust formed from the ejected layers of a dying, Sun-like star. The term is a misnomer, as planetary nebulae are not related to planets.) Read more about the Egg Nebula. Image credit: NASA, ESA, Bruce Balick (UWashington) View the full article

Earth Observatory Science Earth Observatory Reaching Top Speed in the… 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 Nestled among high snowy peaks in northern Italy, Cortina d’Ampezzo is hosting athletes in the 2026 Winter Olympics and Paralympics who are skiing, sliding, and curling toward a spot on the podium. The scenic mountain town is the co-host, along with Milan, of the international sporting extravaganza. Cortina sits within the Dolomites, a mountain range in the northern Italian Alps known for its sheer cliffs, rock pinnacles, tall peaks, and deep, narrow valleys. In this three-dimensional oblique map, several peaks over 3,000 meters (10,000 feet) tall rise above the town. To create the map, an image acquired with the OLI (Operational Land Imager) on Landsat 8 on January 27, 2026, was overlaid on a digital elevation model. Tofana di Mezzo, the third-highest peak in the Dolomites at 3,244 meters (10,643 feet), is the site of the Tofane Alpine Skiing Centre, the venue for the Olympic women’s Alpine skiing and all Paralympic skiing events. Competitors on the Olympia delle Tofane course descend 750 meters (2,460 feet), reaching high speeds and catching big air along the way. A highlight is the steep, 33-degree drop through the Tofana Schuss, a chute bounded by tall rock walls near the top of the course. More adrenaline-filled races are taking place at the Cortina Sliding Centre, the venue for bobsled, luge, and skeleton events. Athletes are competing on a rebuilt version of the track used in the 1956 Olympics, hosted by Cortina. And curlers, trading speed for strategy, are going for gold at the Cortina Curling Olympic Stadium, built for the 1956 Olympic figure skating competition and opening ceremony. (There is indeed a theme: almost all of the 2026 Games are being held in existing or refurbished facilities.) Natural Color False Color NASA Earth Observatory NASA Earth Observatory Natural ColorFalse Color NASA Earth Observatory NASA Earth Observatory Natural Color False Color January 27, 2026 CurtainToggle2-Up These Landsat images show Cortina and its surrounding alpine terrain in natural color and false color. The band combination (6-5-4) highlights areas of snow (light blue), while steep, mostly snow-free cliffs stand out as areas of light brown, and forests appear green. Locations across the Italian Alps join Cortina in hosting the snow sports, which also include cross-country skiing, ski jumping, ski mountaineering, and snowboarding. As with many past Olympics, the 2026 Winter Games are manufacturing snow at the various venues to ensure consistent conditions. New high-elevation reservoirs were created to store water for snowmaking, according to reports. Automated systems are being used to limit snow production to the minimum amount required, and most snowmaking operations are being powered by renewable energy, the International Olympic Committee said. Snowfall in northern Italy was below average at the start of the season, but a storm on February 3—three days before the opening ceremony—eased some of the need for snowmaking. Still, snow coverage and the ability of Winter Olympic venues to maintain consistent conditions are areas of concern as global temperatures rise. Researchers studying the issue have suggested several ways to address this, including holding competitions at higher elevations, choosing regional or multi-country hosts, and shifting the Paralympic Games from early March to January or February when it’s typically colder and snowier. NASA Earth Observatory images by Michala Garrison, using Landsat data from the U.S. Geological Survey and elevation data from TINITALY. Story by Lindsey Doermann. Downloads January 27, 2026 JPEG (9.25 MB) January 27, 2026 JPEG (12.37 MB) January 27, 2026 JPEG (1.68 MB) References & Resources AP News (2026, January 23) Italian expert’s manufactured snow will play big role at the Milan Cortina Games. Accessed February 11, 2026. The Conversation (2026, February 3) Climate change threatens the Winter Olympics’ future – and even snowmaking has limits for saving the Games. Accessed February 11, 2026. International Olympic Committee (2026) The Olympic Venues. Accessed February 11, 2026. NASA Earth Observatory (2026, February 5) Milano Cortina 2026. Accessed February 11, 2026. NBC Sports (2025, February 11) 2026 Milan Cortina Olympic venues: city arenas, scenic mountains, iconic ceremony landmarks. Accessed February 11, 2026. Scott, D., et al. (2026). Advancing climate change resilience of the Winter Olympic-Paralympic Games. Current Issues in Tourism, 1–8. UNESCO World Heritage Convention (2009) The Dolomites. Accessed February 11, 2026. You may also be interested in: Stay up-to-date with the latest content from NASA as we explore the universe and discover more about our home planet. Milano Cortina 2026 4 min read About 2,900 Olympic athletes have converged on northern Italy to sort out who is the GOAT—or perhaps the stoat. Article The West Faces Snow Drought 4 min read Very wet—but very warm—weather in the western U.S. has left many mountainous regions looking at substantial snowpack deficits. Article Snow Buries the U.S. Interior and East 2 min read Satellites observed a frozen landscape across much of the country after a massive winter storm. 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 View the full article

3 min read Preparations for Next Moonwalk Simulations Underway (and Underwater) NASA’s Crossflow Attenuated Natural Laminar Flow (CATNLF) scale-model wing flies for the first time on a NASA F-15 research jet during a test flight from NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California. The 75-minute flight confirmed the aircraft could maneuver safely with the approximately 3-foot-tall test article mounted beneath it. NASA will continue flight tests to collect data that validates the CATNLF design and its potential to improve laminar flow, reducing drag and lowering fuel costs for future commercial aircraft.NASA/Carla Thomas NASA completed the first flight test of a scale-model wing designed to improve laminar flow, reducing drag and lowering fuel costs for future commercial aircraft. The flight took place Jan. 29 at NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California, using one of the agency’s F-15B research jets. The NASA-designed, 40-inch Crossflow Attenuated Natural Laminar Flow (CATNLF) wing model was attached to the aircraft’s underside vertically, like a fin. The flight lasted about 75 minutes, during which the team ensured the aircraft could maneuver safely in flight with the additional wing model. “It was incredible to see CATNLF fly after all of the hard work the team has put into preparing,” said Michelle Banchy, research principal investigator for CATNLF. “Finally seeing that F-15 take off and get CATNLF into the air made all that hard work worth it.” NASA’s Crossflow Attenuated Natural Laminar Flow (CATNLF) scale-model wing flies on a NASA F-15 research jet during a test flight from NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California. The CATNLF technology is designed to maintain smooth airflow, known as laminar flow. NASA will continue flight tests to collect data that validates the CATNLF design and its potential to improve laminar flow, reducing drag and lowering fuel costs for future commercial aircraft.NASA/Carla Thomas NASA designed the CATNLF technology to improve the smooth flow of air, known as laminar flow, over swept-back wings, used in everything from airliners to fighter jets, by reducing disruptions that lead to drag. Maintaining laminar flow could help lower fuel burn and costs. This flight was the first of up to 15 planned for the CATNLF series, which will test the design across a range of speeds, altitudes, and flight conditions. “First flight was primarily focused on envelope expansion,” Banchy said. “We needed to ensure safe dynamic behavior of the wing model during flight before we can proceed to research maneuvers.” During the flight, the team performed several maneuvers, such as turns, steady holds, and gentle pitch changes, at altitudes ranging from about 20,000 to nearly 34,000 feet, providing the first look at the aerodynamic characteristics of the wing model and confirming that it is working as expected. NASA’s Crossflow Attenuated Natural Laminar Flow (CATNLF) scale-model wing flies for the first time on a NASA F-15 research jet during a test flight from NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California. The 75-minute flight confirmed the aircraft could maneuver safely with the approximately 3-foot-tall test article mounted beneath it. NASA will continue flight tests to collect data that validates the CATNLF design and its potential to improve laminar flow, reducing drag and lowering fuel costs for future commercial aircraft.NASA/Carla Thomas The team measured laminar flow using several tools, including an infrared camera mounted on the aircraft and aimed at the wing model to collect thermal data during flight tests. They will use this data to confirm key aspects of the design and evaluate how effectively the model maintains smooth airflow. “CATNLF technology opens the door to a practical approach to getting laminar flow on large, swept components, such as a wing or tail, which offer the greatest fuel burn reduction potential,” Banchy said. Early results showed airflow over the aircraft closely matched predictions made using computer models, she said. The first flight builds on earlier work accomplished through computer modeling, wind tunnel testing, ground tests, and high-speed taxi tests. NASA plans to continue flight tests to gather research data that will help further validate the CATNLF test article and its potential for future commercial aircraft designs. The CATNLF testing is a collaboration under NASA’s Flight Demonstrations and Capabilities project and Subsonic Vehicle Technologies and Tools project. The CATNLF concept has been supported through the combined efforts of NASA’s Advanced Air Vehicles Program and Integrated Aviation Systems Program under the agency’s Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate. Share Details Last Updated Feb 11, 2026 EditorDede DiniusContactTeresa Whiting*****@*****.tld Related TermsAdvanced Air Vehicles ProgramAeronautics Research Mission DirectorateAeronautics TechnologyArmstrong Flight Research CenterFlight Demos CapabilitiesFlight InnovationIntegrated Aviation Systems ProgramLangley Research Center Explore More 8 min read ARMD Research Solicitations (Updated Feb. 4) Article 1 week ago 5 min read NASA Armstrong Contributions Propel Artemis, Deep Space Innovation Article 1 week ago 3 min read NASA Aims to Advance Hypersonic Flight Testing with New Awards Article 2 weeks ago Keep Exploring Discover More Topics From NASA Armstrong Flight Research Center Aeronautics Artemis II NASA Aircraft View the full article

3 Min Read I Am Artemis: Jesse Berdis Listen to this audio excerpt from Jesse Berdis, Artemis II mobile launcher 1 deputy project manager: 0:00 / 0:00 Your browser does not support the audio element. Jesse Berdis’s dream of becoming a structural engineer began with visions of skyscrapers rising above the Dallas and Oklahoma skyline. Today, that dream has soared beyond city limits, reaching towering heights at the agency’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Berdis, the deputy project manager for mobile launcher 1 for the agency’s Artemis II mission, had a path to NASA which was anything but planned. While attending an engineering leadership conference in Orlando, he left a copy of his resume with NASA recruiters. Four weeks later, that simple gesture turned into a life-changing opportunity: a role at Kennedy as a launch infrastructure engineer with the Exploration Ground Systems Program, working on Artemis I, the uncrewed test flight of SLS and Orion. Anyone I talk to, that’s what’s on my mind, getting ready for the Artemis campaign. It can go from technical issues we’re solving to the passion we have for launching the crew and taking the next step in humanity of going back to the Moon. Jesse Berdis Artemis II mobile launcher 1 deputy project manager The mobile launcher serves as a backbone to the SLS (Space Launch System) rocket and Orion spacecraft for the Artemis missions before and during launch. It is designed to support the integration, testing, and checkouts of the rocket and spacecraft, in addition to serving as the structural platform, or as Berdis calls it, “the shoulders, at liftoff.” Standing more than 400 feet tall, the mobile launcher houses the umbilicals that provide power, communications, coolant, fuel, and stabilization prior to launch, as well as access for the Artemis II crew to safely board Orion. When Berdis first arrived on center, the sight of massive ground systems left an unforgettable impression. To him, these weren’t just structures, they were skyscrapers for space exploration. Jesse Berdis, Artemis II mobile launcher 1 deputy project manager, poses for a photo near the emergency egress system at Launch Complex 39B at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Friday, Feb. 6, 2026. The emergency egress system is an abort system for personnel to climb into four baskets of the mobile launcher to the base of the pad in the unlikely event of an emergency at the launch pad. Mobile launcher 1 supports the integration, testing, and checkouts of the SLS (Space Launch System) rocket and Orion spacecraft for the Artemis II mission. Photo credit: NASA/Kim ShiflettNASA/Kim Shiflett After the historic launch of Artemis I, Berdis and his team turned their focus to an even greater challenge: preparing for Artemis II, NASA’s first crewed Moon mission in more than 50 years. One of the most critical upgrades for Artemis II is the emergency egress system, an abort system for personnel to use in the unlikely event of an emergency at the launch pad. Located on the 274-foot level of the mobile launcher, four baskets will provide a rapid escape route from the mobile launcher to the base of the pad in case of emergency, using electromagnetic braking technology. “That is a true feat of humanity: someone putting all of their passion into these systems to make it all come together at T-0. Jesse Berdis Artemis II mobile launcher 1 deputy project manager Berdis recently set his sights on the Artemis human landing system lander ground operations, to develop and maintain an integrated schedule. Under his leadership, the team ensures accuracy of combined schedules, risks, and insights, ensuring the ground operations and human lander development remain in sync. About the AuthorLaura SasaninejadStrategic Communications Specialist Share Details Last Updated Feb 11, 2026 Related TermsArtemis 2ArtemisExploration Ground SystemsI Am ArtemisKennedy Space CenterMissionsOrion Multi-Purpose Crew VehicleSpace Launch System (SLS) Explore More 4 min read NASA’s Hubble Captures Light Show Around Rapidly Dying Star This stunning image from NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope reveals a dramatic interplay of light and… Article 1 day ago 7 min read Core Survey by NASA’s Roman Mission Will Unveil Universe’s Dark Side Article 1 day ago 6 min read What You Need to Know About NASA’s SpaceX Crew-12 Mission Article 2 days ago Keep Exploring Discover More Topics From NASA Missions Humans in Space Climate Change Solar System View the full article

NASA/Kim Shiflett From left, Roscosmos cosmonaut Andrey Fedyaev, NASA astronauts Jack Hathaway and Jessica Meir, and ESA (European Space Agency) astronaut Sophie Adenot pose next to their mission insignia inside the Astronaut Crew Quarters in the Neil A. Armstrong Operations and Checkout Building at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Monday, Feb. 9, 2026. NASA’s SpaceX Crew-12 crew members will launch aboard a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft and Falcon 9 to the International Space Station no earlier than 5:15 a.m. EST on Friday, Feb. 13, from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station’s Space Launch Complex 40. During their eight-month mission, Crew-12 will conduct a variety of science experiments to advance research and technology for future Moon and Mars missions and benefit humanity back on Earth. This research includes studies of pneumonia-causing bacteria to improve treatments, on-demand intravenous fluid generation for future space missions, automated plant health monitoring, investigations of plant and nitrogen-fixing microbe interactions to enhance food production in space, and research on how physical characteristics may affect blood flow during spaceflight. Image credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett View the full article

3 min read Preparations for Next Moonwalk Simulations Underway (and Underwater) NASA Stennis teams complete a water system activation milestone on Jan. 30 at the Thad Cochran Test Stand (B-2). The milestone tested new cooling systems added to the stand for the future Green Run test series of NASA’s exploration upper stage that is expected to fly on the Artemis IV mission.NASA/Danny Nowlin Water flowing out. Data flowing in. A water system activation at the Thad Cochran Test Stand (B-2) on Jan. 30 at NASA’s Stennis Space Center near Bay St. Louis, Mississippi, helped capture critical data to support testing a new SLS (Space Launch System) stage expected to fly on the Artemis IV mission. The activation milestone tested new cooling systems that were added for the future Green Run test series of NASA’s exploration upper stage (EUS). The more powerful upper stage is a four-engine liquid hydrogen/liquid oxygen in-space stage for the evolved Block 1B version of SLS. NASA Stennis teams complete a water system activation milestone on Jan. 30 at the Thad Cochran Test Stand (B-2). The milestone tested new cooling systems added to the stand for the future Green Run test series of NASA’s exploration upper stage that is expected to fly on the Artemis IV mission.NASA/Danny Nowlin NASA Stennis teams complete a water system activation milestone on Jan. 30 at the Thad Cochran Test Stand (B-2). The milestone tested new cooling systems added to the stand for the future Green Run test series of NASA’s exploration upper stage that is expected to fly on the Artemis IV mission.NASA/Danny Nowlin NASA Stennis teams complete a water system activation milestone on Jan. 30 at the Thad Cochran Test Stand (B-2). The milestone tested new cooling systems added to the stand for the future Green Run test series of NASA’s exploration upper stage that is expected to fly on the Artemis IV mission.NASA/Danny Nowlin For Green Run, teams at NASA Stennis will activate and test all systems to ensure the stage is ready to fly. It will culminate with a hot fire of the stage’s four RL10 engines, just as during an actual mission. As part of the test stand modification, crews have added water-cooled diffusers to act as a heat shield to manage the super-hot exhaust from all four RL10 engines; water-cooled fairings to direct engine exhaust to align with the diffuser walls; and a purge ring that supplies cooling water and gaseous nitrogen to protect a flexible seal that allows the engines to move, or gimbal, during testing. These three systems all were integrated by the NASA Stennis team with the existing flame deflector and acoustic suppression equipment used during previous core stage testing for NASA’s SLS rocket ahead of the successful Artemis I launch. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video NASA/Stennis The exercise also pushed the high pressure industrial water system to maximum capacity. While a typical RS-25 engine test at NASA Stennis runs a subset of the 10 diesel pumps and one electric pump, testing the exploration upper stage will require all eleven pumps running simultaneously. The 14-million gallons of water used during the exercise on Jan. 30 was recycled throughout the test complex. A 66-million-gallon reservoir feeds water to the test stand through an underground 96-inch diameter pipe, with water distributed to various cooling components. The water ultimately flows into the flame deflector, then through a concrete flume to the stand’s catch pond. When the catch pond fills up, the excess water drains back to the canal through a drainage ditch, ready to be recycled for future use. “We will use the data gathered to set the final timing of when valves are cycled, determine our redline pressures, and select the operating pressure,” said Nick Nugent, NASA Stennis project engineer. “This exercise also put the water system under a full load prior to the final stress test. It is always good to give the system a good shake down run prior.” NASA Stennis teams complete a water system activation milestone on Jan. 30 at the Thad Cochran Test Stand (B-2). The milestone tested new cooling systems added to the stand for the future Green Run test series of NASA’s exploration upper stage that is expected to fly on the Artemis IV mission.NASA/Danny Nowlin The exploration upper stage is being built by Boeing at NASA’s Michoud Assembly Facility in New Orleans. The four RL10 engines for the upper stage are manufactured by L3Harris Technologies. Before it all arrives at NASA Stennis, crews will perform a final 24-hour check, or stress test, across all test complex facilities to demonstrate readiness for the test series. Explore More 5 min read A Look Back at NASA Stennis in 2025 Article 2 months ago 2 min read NASA Makes Webby 30s List of Most Iconic, Influential on Internet Article 5 months ago 5 min read Crossroads to the Future – NASA Stennis Grows into a Model Federal City Article 5 months ago View the full article

Earth Observatory Science Earth Observatory Summer Heat Hits Southeastern… 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 29, 2026 While a part of the United States braved extreme winter cold, January 2026 brought sweltering summer conditions to many parts of Australia. Australia’s area-averaged mean temperature was 1.90 degrees Celsius (3.42 degrees Fahrenheit) above the 1961–1990 average, making it the fourth-warmest January since the start of observations in 1910, according to the Bureau of Meteorology (BoM). Contributing to this was a late-month heatwave in the country’s southeast that was especially intense between January 26 and January 30. During that *******, numerous weather stations in South Australia, New South Wales, and Victoria recorded record-high daily temperatures. The heatwave’s intensity and extent are evident in this map, which shows air temperatures at 03:00 Universal Time (2 p.m. local time in Victoria) on January 29, modeled at 2 meters (6.5 feet) above the ground. It was produced with a version of the GEOS (Goddard Earth Observing System) model, which integrates meteorological observations with mathematical equations that represent physical processes in the atmosphere. The darkest reds are where the model indicates temperatures reaching or exceeding 45°C (113°F). According to BoM, the hottest temperatures of January 2026 were measured in two places in South Australia: in the town of Andamooka on the 29th and at the Port Augusta airport on the 30th, where temperatures reached 50.0°C (122.0°F). In both New South Wales and Victoria, the month’s hottest day was on the 27th, when temperatures reached 49.7°C (121.5°F) at a station in Pooncarie and 48.9°C (120.0°F) at stations in Walpeup and Hopetoun. The heatwave brought significant human and public-health effects, including the increased risk of heat-related illness. Organizers of the *********** Open tennis tournament in Melbourne, Victoria, suspended play on some courts and closed roofs to provide shade as part of an “extreme heat policy” to protect players and spectators, according to news reports. The recent warmth followed another bout of heat earlier in the month that, combined with strong winds and dry conditions, created dangerous fire conditions. Numerous bushfires were burning across Victoria on January 9 as officials urged people to evacuate. By mid-month, news reports indicated that the fires had destroyed hundreds of structures and killed tens of thousands of livestock. NASA Earth Observatory image by Lauren Dauphin, using GEOS data from the Global Modeling and Assimilation Office at NASA GSFC. Story by Kathryn Hansen. Downloads January 29, 2026 JPEG (1.72 MB) References & Resources *********** Broadcasting Corporation (2026, January 15) Hundreds of satellite images capture Victoria’s destructive bushfires erupting. Accessed February 10, 2026. *********** Broadcasting Corporation (2026, January 14) Tens of thousands of livestock confirmed dead as Victorians return to bushfire-ravaged communities. Accessed February 10, 2026. Bureau of Meteorology (2026, February 2) Australia in January 2026. Accessed February 10, 2026. Bureau of Meteorology (2026, February 2) New South Wales in January 2026. Accessed February 10, 2026. Bureau of Meteorology (2026, February 2) Victoria in January 2026. Accessed February 10, 2026. Bureau of Meteorology (2026, February 1) South Australia in January 2026. Accessed February 10, 2026. The New York Times (2026, January 8) Three Reported Missing in Australia as Fires Rage in ‘Catastrophic’ Conditions. Accessed February 10, 2026. VIC Emergency (2026, January 9) Bushfires could spread in catastrophic conditions update 9 January 2026. Accessed February 10, 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. Extreme January Cold 3 min read Following a significant winter storm, frigid temperatures lingered in late January 2026 across a vast swath of the U.S. Article Summer Heat Lingers in the West 3 min read A prolonged high-pressure weather system brought unusually warm September temperatures to British Columbia and the Pacific Northwest. Article Fires Erupt in South-Central Chile 2 min read Tens of thousands of people fled to safety as blazes spread throughout the country’s Biobío and Ñuble regions. 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 View the full article