Nasa

• NASA is hosting the Third Early Career Workshop from September 22-24, 2026, to support scientists in the Physics of the Cosmos Program. • The event features a post-launch presentation on the Roman Space Telescope and a tutorial on the NASA Astrophysics Data System Science Explorer. • Early-career researchers will gain access to tools and information on upcoming missions like the Ultraviolet Explorer and the Compton Spectrometer and Imager.

• NASA extended the planned operational lifespan of the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope to over 20 years following a super-precise engine burn. • The telescope was originally scheduled for a primary five-year mission followed by a five-year extension. • This extension allows the telescope to collect significantly more data on the universe over two decades instead of ten.

• NASA scientists used the Hubble and James Webb Space Telescopes to study Trans-Neptunian Objects, which are icy bodies located beyond the orbit of Neptune. • The research focused on how these distant solar system objects retain chemical or physical signatures that reflect their past environments. • These findings help astronomers understand the early history and evolution of the solar system's outermost regions.

• The Expedition 75 crew performed science hardware maintenance and spacesuit upkeep aboard the International Space Station on Thursday. • One crew member disconnected and stowed physics hardware used for crystal growth research inside the Destiny Microgravity Science Glovebox. • These maintenance tasks ensure that critical research equipment and safety gear remain operational for astronauts living in orbit.

• NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory discovered a rare cosmic object 11.8 billion light-years away that emits X-rays. • This object is a "little red dot," a type of compact galaxy that typically does not shine in X-rays despite being powered by a black hole. • The discovery provides a potential explanation for how black holes grow into supermassive versions early in the universe's history.

• The Expedition 75 crew members conducted research activities aboard the International Space Station on Wednesday, focusing on vein scans, ultra-hot physics, and Earth observations. • Crew members performed tasks such as swapping out spacesuit components and servicing life support gear to maintain the station's systems. • The research activities and maintenance work are crucial for the crew's survival and the success of the mission, as well as for advancing knowledge in the fields of medicine and physics.

• Dr. Ernie Hildner, a solar physics expert, reflected on his career in a 2013 interview, which included serving as Chief of the Solar Physics branch at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center. • He spent 19 years as the Director of NOAA's Space Environment Center, now known as the Space Weather Prediction Center, where he oversaw significant scientific discoveries and technological advancements. • His work helped transform space weather from a niche research area into a vital operational service, impacting the way scientists and officials understand and prepare for solar activity.

• NASA is seeking virtual panelists and/or external reviewers for Atmosphere, a program designated as ROSES A.14. • The program is looking for participants to provide feedback and review proposals, with the goal of advancing scientific research in the field of atmosphere science. • This opportunity allows individuals to contribute to the development of NASA's atmosphere-related research projects and initiatives.

• NASA's Genesis spacecraft crash-landed in the Utah desert on September 8, 2004, after its parachutes failed to deploy. • The mission was the agency's first attempt to return samples to Earth since the Apollo 17 mission in 1972. • A basic design flaw caused the crash, which shattered the collected solar wind particles gathered from the sun.

• NASA announced a call for proposals on Tuesday, Sept. 8, to develop the technology and infrastructure required to establish a Moon Base in the lunar South Pole region. • The solicitation targets specific capability gaps such as power generation, oxygen extraction, and the production of construction materials on the lunar surface. • These advancements are necessary for humans to maintain long-term operations and sustain exploration efforts on the Moon.

• NASA’s Curiosity rover photographed a valley called Valle Grande in June 2026, discovering a vast field of honeycomb-like ground fractures. • The rover captured images of small polygonal fractures that measure between 4 and 8 centimeters across. • Researchers are analyzing the chemistry and imagery of these textures to determine the geological processes that formed them.

• NASA funded an early-stage spacecraft concept called "Slingshot" to develop new techniques for mapping minerals on the moon, asteroids, and Martian moons. • Project lead Sobron noted that landing in the wrong location could bankrupt a company or end an entire exploration program due to the high cost of failure. • This technology aims to reduce the financial risk of space mining by proving the existence of valuable resources before expensive landing missions occur.

• NASA selected two science instruments for astronauts to deploy on the Moon's surface during the Artemis IV mission to the lunar south polar region. • These specific tools are designed to improve scientific knowledge of the lunar environment. • The data gathered will support NASA's long-term goals for further exploration of the Moon and future missions to Mars.

• NASA issued 10 new awards through its Planetary Instrument Concepts for the Advancement of Solar System Observations (PICASSO) program. • The PICASSO23 projects focus on creating technology to explore diverse environments ranging from the hot surface of Mercury to icy worlds at the Solar System's edge. • These awards expand the available portfolio of instruments that NASA can use to develop future planetary exploration missions.

• NASA issued Amendment 72 for the A.17 Hydrosphere solicitation to request research on the physics of Earth's water. • The program focuses on three specific scientific disciplines: ocean physics, terrestrial hydrology, and precipitation science. • This opportunity allows researchers to secure funding to study how water moves and interacts across the ocean, land, and atmosphere.

• NASA is preparing to launch the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope to survey a billion galaxies and trace the evolution of the universe. • The project utilizes decades of research into detector technology and contributions from the United States spy program. • Astronomers will use the resulting data to attempt to answer some of the most puzzling questions in the field of space science.

• NASA's Science Mission Directorate (SMD) and Human Spaceflight Mission Directorate (HSMD) have released the final text for the fifth Solar System Exploration Research Virtual Institute (SSERVI) Cooperative Agreement Notice. • The notice, officially designated as NNH26ZDA016C, outlines the framework for the CAN-5 agreement. • This initiative is critical for fostering collaborative research and advancing the scientific goals of solar system exploration.

• NASA's Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope has successfully separated from the second stage of a SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket. • This flagship mission is designed to conduct vast, deep surveys of the cosmos, focusing on dark matter, dark energy, and exoplanets. • The telescope's capabilities will allow astronomers to study objects ranging from our own solar system to galaxies at the edge of the observable universe.

• NASA has awarded a $700 million contract to Jeff Bezos' spaceflight company, Blue Origin, to develop its next Mars telecommunications orbiter. • The project requires Blue Origin to design and deliver the orbiter to NASA by the deadline of December 31, 2028. • This mission is critical for establishing reliable communication infrastructure to support future robotic and human exploration of the Red Planet.

• NASA has launched the Nancy Grace Roman Telescope into space to conduct advanced astronomical research. • The mission focuses on probing the mysteries of dark matter and dark energy, discovering new exoplanets, and studying stars. • This telescope is critical for expanding our understanding of the universe's expansion and the composition of distant galactic systems.

• NASA's Swift space telescope has resumed its science observations after a private rescue mission failed to boost its decaying orbit. • The nearly 22-year-old observatory is now focusing on maximizing its remaining operational time to study the cosmos. • This development is critical because the telescope's orbit continues to decay, meaning it will eventually re-enter Earth's atmosphere and be destroyed.

• NASA is developing the Nancy Grace Roman Telescope as part of a broader strategy to expand cosmic exploration beyond the capabilities of the Hubble Space Telescope. • The mission aims to complement existing observatories by exploring the universe across a diverse spectrum, including infrared, visible, ultraviolet, X-ray, and gamma ray wavelengths. • This initiative matters because it allows scientists to uncover new mysteries of the universe that were previously invisible or inaccessible to single-wavelength telescopes.

• NASA has issued Amendment 71 for the A.16 Cryosphere solicitation, seeking high-impact research proposals focused on glaciers, ice sheets, and sea ice. • Proposed investigations must leverage existing data from NASA's airborne campaigns and satellite missions to address urgent challenges in cryospheric science. • The initiative aligns with the National Academy of Sciences' 2018 Decadal Survey, "Thriving on Our Changing Planet," to ensure research targets the most critical Earth observation priorities.

• NASA has launched the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope, named after the agency's first chief astronomer and first female executive. • The telescope is embarking on a multi-year mission to map the universe and investigate the mysteries of dark energy and dark matter. • In addition to deep-space exploration, scientists expect the telescope to discover thousands of new planets within our own galaxy.

• NASA is developing the Nancy Grace Roman space telescope, a powerful new instrument designed to explore nearly every facet of astrophysics. • The telescope's primary mission focuses on investigating dark matter, dark energy, and the search for alien planets. • Scientists are particularly anticipating "absolute surprises," hoping the telescope will discover previously unknown phenomena that cannot be predicted.

• On August 31, 1965, NASA's Super Guppy cargo plane successfully completed its first test flight. • Designed with a massive, whale-like fuselage, the aircraft was engineered to transport oversized components that were too large for conventional planes. • The plane was critical to the Apollo program, as it allowed NASA to move large rocket stages and spacecraft parts between different facilities across the U.S.

• NASA has launched the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope, which is now embarking on a three-month, million-mile journey to reach its final orbit. • The telescope utilizes a wide field of view combined with high-resolution infrared vision to survey vast areas of the sky and probe cosmic history. • This flagship mission aims to uncover the "darkest secrets" of the universe by studying dark matter, dark energy, and exoplanets outside our solar system.

• On August 31, 2026, OpenAI acquired tens of thousands of Mac minis to facilitate the training of specialized computer-use agents. • SpaceX has expanded its manufacturing capabilities by beginning to cast turbine blades to address supply shortages in gas plants. • NASA launched a new flagship telescope, continuing its efforts to expand deep-space observation and astronomical research.