NASA NEAR SPACE NETWORK SERVICES

May 10 2026SCIENCE

Curiosity’s rocky hiccup and other science highlights this week

NASA’s Curiosity rover hit an unexpected snag on Mars when a chunk of rock refused to let go after drilling. The stubborn slab, nicknamed Atacama, weighed about 30 pounds—roughly as heavy as a big dog—and stuck to the drill bit like glue. Engineers had to tilt, spin, and shake the drill for days bef

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Apr 29 2026SCIENCE

SpaceX’s Falcon Heavy Hopes to Lift ViaSat-3F 3 Into Orbit

SpaceX is gearing up for a big launch from Kennedy Space Center, where the powerful Falcon Heavy rocket will carry the newest ViaSat-3F 3 satellite into a geosynchronous transfer orbit. The launch window opens at 10:13 a. m. on Wednesday, April 29, and the company has until 11:38 a. m. to push it of

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Apr 25 2026SCIENCE

NASA’s new flying lab: a 777 turned into the ultimate Earth detective

NASA just got a hand-me-down plane that used to fly thousands of passengers around the world. But this isn’t any ordinary jet—it’s now the biggest flying science lab in the agency’s fleet. After a year of heavy-duty upgrades in Texas, the former Japan Airlines Boeing 777 landed at NASA’s Langley Res

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Apr 23 2026SCIENCE

Space Mission: Roman Telescope Set for September Launch

NASA plans to send its newest eye into space by early September. The Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope, which will be launched on a SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket, is scheduled for this year’s launch window. The mission aims to complete its journey by May 2027 at the latest. The Roman telescope was ann

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Apr 12 2026SCIENCE

NASA’s Next Moon Mission: Why Artemis III Matters More Than You Think

NASA’s upcoming Artemis III mission isn’t just another spaceflight—it’s a critical stepping stone for humanity’s return to the Moon and beyond. Unlike earlier missions, this one focuses on testing new tech in real lunar conditions before astronauts attempt longer stays. The mission will push the lim

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Apr 11 2026SCIENCE

NASA’s Real‑Life TIE Fighters: From Ion Engines to Light‑Speed Dreams

NASA’s space programs and the Star Wars universe share more than a fan base. The TIE fighter, famous for its sleek twin‑engine design and blue ion trails, actually reflects technologies NASA has tested. The name “TIE” is short for Twin Ion Engines, a concept that first appeared in 1990s jet‑propulsi

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Apr 11 2026SCIENCE

How astronauts land safely after coming back from space

Spacecraft returning to Earth need a soft landing, and water has been the go-to choice for decades. The idea isn’t just about avoiding a hard crash—it’s also about control. When a capsule hits water at the right speed, the ocean acts like a giant cushion, spreading out the shock. But getting to that

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Apr 11 2026EDUCATION

Why reading skills could be the key to fixing more than just grades

Nearly two-thirds of American fourth graders can't read well enough for their grade level, and this isn't just a classroom problem. Kids who struggle with reading often end up in hospital emergency rooms more often, have fewer job opportunities, and face higher chances of ending up in legal trouble

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Apr 10 2026SCIENCE

How astronauts use tiny lab tools to study space dangers

Space travel isn’t just about rockets and moon landings—it’s also a giant science experiment. NASA’s Artemis II mission sent four astronauts on a test flight around the Moon, but hidden among them were four tiny lab tools no bigger than USB drives. These aren’t ordinary gadgets; they’re organ chips

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Apr 07 2026SCIENCE

Artemis II: A New Milestone Beyond Earth

NASA’s Artemis II has taken a giant leap, sending four astronauts on a seven‑hour orbit around the moon that pushes them farther from Earth than any human has ever traveled. The crew, made up of three Americans and one Canadian, reached more than 250 000 miles away during the flyby. This milestone m

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