Category: Science
Crucial Maintenance on NASA’s High-Speed Wind Tunnel to Prolong Lifespan,
NASA’s Ames Research Center is set to conduct essential maintenance work on its Unitary Plan Wind Tunnel (UPWT) complex during April and May 2024, aiming to enhance the longevity of the critical testing facility. The maintenance includes a vital inspection of stators, the fixed blades responsible for controlling airflow within the high-speed compressor, reaching speeds […]
NASA’s VIPER Rover Ready to Face “Rock Concert” Launch and Lunar Temperature Extremes,
NASA’s Volatiles Investigating Polar Exploration Rover (VIPER) is a step closer to its mission at the Moon’s South Pole. The VIPER team recently passed a System Test Readiness Review, confirming readiness for environmental testing of the rover. This rigorous testing phase will simulate launch, landing, and thermal conditions the rover will face. Acoustic testing will […]
April 2024: The Warmest April on Record
Article: Last month, April 2024 continued the planet’s feverish pace towards the year and set a new record for the warmest April in the global climate record. The average global temperature in April was 2.38 degrees F (1.32 degrees C) above the 20th-century average of 56.7 degrees F (13.7 degrees C). This was the 11th […]
The Final Frontier: Hubble’s Stellar Legacy and the Future of Space Telescopes,
Article: The Hubble Space Telescope, our celestial guardian for over three decades, has continued to dazzle scientists and the public alike by beaming back breathtaking images of the cosmos. Launched in 1990 and beset by early issues with its primary mirror’s spherical aberration, Hubble’s potential was nearly left unfulfilled. However, innovative on-orbit servicing capabilities breathed […]
Unprecedented Weather Continues to Plague US in April 2024,
Article: April 2024 proved to be another intense month for weather in the United States, with a host of unprecedented events taking place across the country. In the Lincoln, Nebraska, metro area, a powerful tornado struck near Waverly Road on April 26, prompting NOAA’s National Weather Service in Omaha to issue a staggering 48 tornado […]
Record-Breaking Marine Heat Wave in Florida Keys: NOAA Scientists Race to Save Threatened Corals, Unexpected Survival of Other Species Raises Hope
Article: Last summer, the Florida Keys experienced an unprecedented marine heat wave, breaking temperature records and causing widespread coral bleaching. The event was particularly devastating for elkhorn and staghorn corals, which are federally protected and already critically endangered. In response, NOAA scientists and partners worked tirelessly to save these vulnerable species, employing various strategies from […]
NASA Administrator Bill Nelson Embarks on International Tour to Promote Space Collaboration,
Article: NASA Administrator Bill Nelson is set to visit Italy, Vatican City, and Saudi Arabia in a bid to strengthen international partnerships and promote the peaceful use of space. The tour, beginning Thursday, will see Nelson meet with key government and space officials in each country to discuss current and future collaborations. Italy, a long-standing […]
NOAA develops the first pollen forecast of its kind in the US
This press release highlights the growing problem of seasonal allergies in the United States. With more than 80 million Americans affected, the financial impact of these allergies is substantial, with nearly half of the costs linked to prescription medicine. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is working with the National Oceanic and […]
“Meet the Historic Group 19 NASA Astronauts: The Last to Fly on the Space Shuttle”
Article: In 2004, NASA announced the selection of its 19th group of astronauts, a diverse and accomplished group that would go on to make significant contributions to space exploration. This group, known as the “Peacocks,” included two pilots, six mission specialists, and three educator mission specialists, with two women, two Hispanic Americans, and one African […]
From Fact-Checking “Star Trek” to Becoming a Leading Astronomer; Ken Carpenter’s Extraordinary Journey with NASA,
Article: As a teenager in 1967, Ken Carpenter visited his local library to fact-check a “Star Trek” episode. Today, he is an astrophysicist, and operations project scientist for NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope and the ground system scientist for Roman Space Telescope. Carpenter, also a NIAC fellow, is studying the feasibility of building an ultraviolet-optical interferometer […]
Endangered Hawaiian Monk Seal Gives Birth to Sixth Pup on Kaimana Beach,
Last modified on May 03, 2024 On May 1st, a endangered Hawaiian monk seal (RK96, or Kaiwi) gave birth to her sixth pup on popular Kaimana Beach in Waikiki, Oahu! This birth was reported by community members, and NOAA Fisheries, state, county, and non-profit partners immediately sprang into action. Unfortunately, preserving the survival of new […]
U.S. Fisheries Strengthening Economy, Ecosystems with Science and Management, Report Says
The U.S. fisheries are in a good state, with continued progress in science and management highlighted in the Annual Report to Congress on the Status of U.S. Fisheries released by NOAA Fisheries. The report emphasizes the importance of fisheries in the nation’s economy, providing opportunities for commercial, recreational, and subsistence fishing, as well as sustainable […]
Summer 2023 Extreme Marine Heat Investigated in Florida Keys, Keyword: coral bleaching
Article: This summer, the Florida Keys experienced an extreme marine heat wave that was concerning for its effects on coral reefs. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) scientists and their partners responded quickly to rescue vulnerable coral species during the prolonged heat wave. Thousands of nursery coral colonies were relocated to climate-controlled labs, some […]
The Impact of Stratospheric Polar Vortexes on Winter Weather and Seasonal Climate,
Keyword: Stratospheric Polar Vortex, Winter Weather, Seasonal Climate, El Niño, Madden Julian Oscillation, Article: The winter finishes, but the tale of the polar stratospheric west-to-east winds continues to fascinate meteorologists and the public alike. The recent breakdown of the polar vortex, where previously west-to-east winds at 60 degrees North, 10-hPa reversed direction to become east-to-west, […]
STS-30: NASA’s First Venus-Mapping Mission in a Decade,
On May 4, 1989, the space shuttle Atlantis soared into the sky, deploying the Magellan spacecraft on its journey to study Venus, marking the first U.S. planetary launch since 1978. Aboard Atlantis were Commander David M. Walker, Pilot Ronald J. Grabe, and Mission Specialists Mark C. Lee, Norman E. Thagard, and Mary L. Cleave. Launched […]
NASA’s Ethics Contacts: Ensuring Space Exploration’s Integrity,
In its pursuit of advancing human knowledge and exploration of space, NASA also places a high emphasis on ethical conduct. Each of NASA’s centers and offices has designated ethics officials to ensure that all employees and contractors adhere to the agency’s stringent ethical standards. From the Ames Research Center to the Stennis Space Center, these […]
NOAA’s Action Plan for Equitable Climate Services
Article: The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has released an action plan that aims to increase equity in its climate data, information, science, tools, and decision support services. The plan aims to make NOAA’s climate services more accessible to all communities, with a particular emphasis on historically underserved populations, such as Tribal and Indigenous […]
Revolutionizing Material Production: NASA’s $60M Investment in Microgravity Manufacturing,
Article: NASA has recently invested over $60M in more than twenty groundbreaking projects aimed at demonstrating the production of advanced materials and products on the International Space Station (ISS). The In-Space Production Applications (InSPA) awards support U.S. entities in developing cutting-edge technology, enhancing their technological readiness level, and paving the way for non-NASA demand for […]
STS-41C: NASA’s Daring Mission to Repair the Solar Max Satellite,
On April 6, 1984, NASA’s Space Shuttle Challenger launched on mission STS-41C, marking a historic milestone in space exploration. This mission, consisting of Commander Robert L. Crippen, Pilot Francis R. Scobee, and Mission Specialists Terry J. Hart, James D. Van Hoften, and George D. Nelson, aimed to expand the shuttle’s capabilities and achieve two primary […]
Apollo 9: The Last Hurdle Before the Moon Landing,
Article: The year 1969 marked a significant milestone in NASA’s history as the agency aimed to meet President John F. Kennedy’s goal of landing a man on the Moon and returning him safely to the Earth. After a turbulent 1967 and 1968, NASA focused on recovering from the Apollo 1 fire and redesigning the Command […]
NASA’s Expanding Role in the Low Earth Orbit Economy: Opportunities and Regulations,
Article: NASA is taking significant strides to expand its presence in the low Earth orbit (LEO) economy. The space agency is encouraging the growth of a sustainable commercial space sector, which will enable the U.S. to maintain a robust presence in space and focus government resources on deep-space exploration through the Artemis program. LEO, which […]
“NASA’s STS-41B Mission: A Blend of Success and Failure,
Article: On February 3, 1984, NASA’s Space Shuttle Challenger launched on its fourth mission, STS-41B, marking the first return to Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The crew of five, including Vance D. Brand, Robert L. “Hoot” Gibson, Ronald E. McNair, Robert L. Stewart, and Bruce McCandless, flew an eight-day mission, practicing tasks for the upcoming […]
How a Veteran Astronaut Crew Saved the Hubble Space Telescope: The Intricate Story of the First Hubble Servicing Mission,
In 1993, NASA’s most experienced astronaut crew, including Richard O. Covey, Kenneth D. Bowersox, Kathryn C. Thornton, Claude Nicollier, Jeffrey A. Hoffman, F. Story Musgrave, and Thomas D. Akers, embarked on the challenging STS-61 mission – the first Hubble Servicing Mission. With the Hubble Telescope suffering from a flawed primary mirror, the crew conducted an […]
Apollo 8’s Successful Lunar Orbital Flight Brings Moon Landing One Step Closer,
On December 21, 1968, Apollo 8 launched from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, marking a significant milestone in the space race. The successful lunar orbital flight of astronauts Frank Borman, James A. Lovell, and William A. Anders proved the space worthiness of the Apollo Command and Service Modules (CSM) at lunar distances and demonstrated navigation beyond […]
NASA to Welcome New Generation of Artemis Astronaut Candidates,
NASA is set to honor a new batch of astronaut candidates for the Artemis program during their graduation ceremony at 10:30 a.m. EST on Wednesday, March 5, at the Johnson Space Center in Houston. The candidates have completed over two years of basic training and will receive their “wings,” making them eligible for space flights, […]
Women Pioneers in Air Quality Research: The ASIA-AQ Team’s Inspiring Stories,
Article: NASA’s ASIA-AQ (Airborne and Satellite Investigation of Asian Air Quality) mission, an international cooperative field study, brings together a talented team of scientists and researchers dedicated to addressing local air quality challenges in Asia. Among them, several inspiring women from NASA Langley share their unique experiences, challenges, and motivations in their careers as scientists. […]
Skylab 4 Astronauts Conclude Record-Breaking 84-Day Space Station Mission,
In 1974, NASA’s Skylab 4 astronauts Gerald P. Carr, Edward G. Gibson, and William R. Pogue concluded their record-breaking 84-day mission aboard America’s first space station. The mission, which lasted from October 16, 1973, to February 8, 1974, set a new record for the longest spaceflight in history. During their stay, they conducted a challenging […]
Celebrating the Holidays in Space: A Tradition of Unity and Innovation,
Article: As we enjoy the holiday season on Earth, let’s not forget the astronauts and cosmonauts who celebrate in space. In the early years, memorable holidays in space included Apollo 8’s Christmas around the Moon in 1968 and Skylab 4’s homemade Christmas tree in 1973. In the more secular Soviet era, Yuri V. Romanenko and […]
NASA’s 2024 Dream with Us Design Challenge: Empowering Teens to Prevent, Mitigate, and Rebuild after Natural Disasters with Drones,
NASA’s 2024 Dream with Us Design Challenge is now open for students ages 13-18, inviting them to come up with innovative ideas for using drone technology to help prevent, mitigate, and rebuild after natural disasters. This challenge is part of NASA’s broader mission to harness advanced air mobility (AAM) and drone technology to make air […]
From Pathfinder to Icon: The Historic Journey of NASA’s Enterprise,
Article: Decades before making its home at the Smithsonian Institution’s National Air and Space Museum, NASA’s Enterprise made history as the first space shuttle orbiter. Although not spaceworthy, Enterprise played a crucial role in validating critical procedures for the space shuttle program. From its debut in 1976 to its final retirement in 1985, Enterprise underwent […]