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164 stories · Source dates are shown for news briefs.

Infrared view of the Milky Way’s center. Spitzer archive image; illustrative.NASA/JPL-Caltech · Archive image
Space AI-ASSISTED DIGEST

NASA Awards $12 Million to 12 U.S. Institutions for Space Research

NASA has selected 12 U.S. institutions to receive $12 million to accelerate academic research and technology development in support of the agency's priorities for exploring the Moon, Mars, and deep space. The M-STAR initiative supports the agency's mission to develop innovative technologies for long-duration operations on the Moon and eventually, Mars.

NASA··1 min read
A post‑mission comparison of the Orion spacecraft heat shields from Artemis I (left) and Artemis II (right) are shown after removal from their crew modules. Both heat shields are seen rotated for inspection inside the Operations and Checkout Building at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida.Source image · NASA
Space SOURCE DIGEST

Rigorous Analysis Confirms NASA’s Artemis II Heat Shield Performance

After NASA’s thorough analysis of Artemis I heat shield findings , informed by extensive arc jet material testing at NASA’s Ames Research Center in California’s Silicon Valley, the agency modified Orion’s reentry trajectory for Artemis II by shortening the maximum downrange distance the spacecraft could fly between when it entered Earth’s atmosphere and splashed down in the Pacific Ocean.

NASA··1 min read
A composite image of a remarkable radio wave formation that strongly resembles a treble clef musical symbol, hovering in the midst of two colliding galaxy clusters. Here, galaxies in the galaxy clusters, plus foreground and background stars and galaxies, blanket the image with specks of light set against the blackness of space. At the center of the frame is a large, oval, blue-purple cloud with ragged edges. In the middle of the purple field, tilting slightly to our left, is what appears to be a giant treble clef, loosely drawn with a neon pink marker. Like the musical notation for which it's named, the formation has a strong vertical stroke with a continuous, fluid line swooping back and forth as it moves from top to bottom.Source image · X-ray: NASA/CXC/INAF-IRA/A. Botteon et al.; Infrared: UKIDSS-GPS ; Radio: ASTRON/LOFAR; Image processing: NASA/CXC/SAO/N. Wolk
Space AI-ASSISTED DIGEST

Chandra X-ray Observatory Reveals Possible Origin of 'Treble Clef' Radio Waves

A formation of radio waves, resembling a treble clef, has been identified by NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory. The discovery suggests the waves are likely caused by an outburst from a supermassive black hole followed by a collision of two galaxy clusters. The image was captured on October 14, 2026.

NASA··1 min read
NASA astronaut and Expedition 75 flight engineer Anil Menon conducts a spacewalk to prepare the International Space Station for future upgrades to its power system. Menon helped build a modification kit on the station’s Starboard 6 truss segment where a roll out solar array is slated to be installed later this year.Source image · NASA
Space AI-ASSISTED DIGEST

NASA to Host News Conference for Two Upcoming U.S. Spacewalks

NASA will hold a news conference on Oct. 20 to preview two upcoming U.S. spacewalks. During the event, NASA astronaut Anil Menon and Canadian Space Agency astronaut Joshua Kutryk will install and deploy the seventh and eighth roll-out solar arrays on the International Space Station. The arrays will provide additional power to support critical station operations and increase the station's electric power generation capacity by up to 30%.

NASA··1 min read
NASA astronaut Jessica Watkins assists NASA astronaut Luke Delaney as he practices suiting up in a spacesuit in an International Space Station airlock simulator on May, 5, 2026, at the agency's Johnson Space Center Space Vehicle Mockup Facility in Houston.Source image · NASA
Space AI-ASSISTED DIGEST

NASA Astronauts to Answer Questions from Florida Students

NASA astronauts Jessica Watkins and Luke Delaney will answer STEM questions from Florida students aboard the International Space Station. The event, hosted by Sally Ride Elementary School, will stream live on NASA's Learn With NASA YouTube channel. This unique opportunity aims to deepen understanding of space exploration and STEM careers.

NASA··1 min read
Using Chandra, astronomers have discovered that an outburst from a supermassive black hole, followed by a collision of two galaxy clusters, are the likely causes of an unusual formation in a galaxy cluster. The “Treble Clef” radio source was given its nickname because of a distinct shape in radio waves that resembles the musical symbol. This composite image of the Treble Clef and its galaxy cluster contains X-rays from Chandra and eROSITA, radio data from LOFAR, and infrared data from UKIRT.Source image · X-ray: NASA/CXC/INAF-IRA/A. Botteon et al.; Infrared: UKIDSS-GPS ; Radio: ASTRON/LOFAR; Image processing: NASA/CXC/SAO/N. Wolk
Space AI-ASSISTED DIGEST

NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory Reveals Formation of Radio Waves in 'Treble Clef' Galaxy Cluster Collision

Astronomers using NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory have identified the cause of a distinctive formation of radio waves, dubbed the 'Treble Clef,' in a galaxy cluster collision. The structure is likely due to an outburst from a supermassive black hole followed by the collision of two galaxy clusters. The discovery provides insight into the formation of galaxy clusters and the behavior of supermassive black holes.

NASA··1 min read
Yi Lin, SPEARS testing and research lead at NASA Langley, holds one of the small coin-cell batteries that had just undergone thermal vacuum testing.Source image · NASA/Ryan Hill
Space AI-ASSISTED DIGEST

NASA Develops Batteries for Moon Operations

NASA is developing batteries that can function in extreme cold on the Moon's South Pole, crucial for future lunar operations and Artemis campaign. The project, Solid Power for Extreme Environment Adaptability and Resilience in Space (SPEARS), aims to ensure reliable and safe operation of batteries in harsh lunar conditions.

NASA··1 min read
As the Artemis II crew members came close to passing behind the Moon and experiencing a planned loss of signal, they captured this image of a crescent Earth setting on the Moon’s limb on April 6, 2026. The edge of the visible surface of the Moon is called the “lunar limb."Source image · NASA
Space AI-ASSISTED DIGEST

NASA to Discuss Plans for 2028 Moon Return

NASA will provide an update on its plans to return American astronauts to the Moon by 2028, including details about Artemis III mission and progress on the 2028 timeline. The update will also highlight the agency's focus on lunar exploration and human presence on the lunar surface.

NASA··1 min read
Infrared view of the Milky Way’s center. Spitzer archive image; illustrative.NASA/JPL-Caltech · Archive image
Space AI-ASSISTED DIGEST

Mars Express captures Amazonis Mensa, a towering mountain on the Red Planet

The European Space Agency's Mars Express has captured a stunning image of Amazonis Mensa, a flat-topped mountain on Mars that stands three kilometers above the surrounding plains. The mountain, part of an ancient region sculpted by lava, wind, and space rocks, is one of three similar features on the planet. The image is interactive, allowing users to explore its features in detail.

European Space Agency··1 min read
NASA astronaut Christina Koch stands inside Kennedy Space Center’s Vehicle Assembly Building on July 14, 2021, in front of the agency’s Space Launch System (SLS) rocket that ultimately powered the Orion spacecraft on the Artemis I mission. Koch later served as a crew member on the Artemis II mission in 2026, and on Oct. 13, 2026, NASA announced she will serve next as the agency’s acting deputy chief engineer.Source image · NASA/Glenn Benson
Space AI-ASSISTED DIGEST

NASA Names Astronaut Christina Koch Acting Deputy Chief Engineer

NASA has appointed astronaut Christina Koch as its acting deputy chief engineer. Koch will support technical oversight, mission readiness, and engineering excellence across NASA's programs and projects. She will transition to management astronaut status and no longer be eligible for future spaceflight assignments. Koch has spent nearly a year living and working aboard the International Space Station and helped lead America back around the Moon on Artemis II. Katherine Van Hooser, who will conclude her 35-year career, will retire on October 21.

NASA··1 min read
Infrared view of the Milky Way’s center. Spitzer archive image; illustrative.NASA/JPL-Caltech · Archive image
Space AI-ASSISTED DIGEST

NASA's Perseverance Rover Team Breaks Record on Mars

NASA's Perseverance rover team has set a new record for the longest distance traveled on Mars by a rover, with members of the team gathering in the Mars Yard at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern California to celebrate. The achievement was made possible through the use of an operational twin rover, OPTIMISM, which was built to plan the driving routes and science activities of the rover on Mars. The mission is part of NASA's Mars Exploration Program and is managed by Caltech.

NASA··1 min read
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