Author: NeRD

NASA delays Artemis missions again. What could this mean for the moon, Mars and space leadership?

NeRD

NASA’s first two crewed Artemis moon missions have been pushed back to 2026 and 2027, respectively, and the move could have big ramifications for the agency’s Artemis program and competition with China for leadership in space. Artemis 2, which will send a crew of three Americans and a Canadian astronaut around the moon, was due to launch in September 2025. The mission has now been moved back to April 2026, NASA announced on Dec. 5. Artemis 3 — which is set to put humans on the surface of our nearest…

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What time is the NASA Parker Solar Probe’s closest sun flyby ever on Christmas Eve?

NeRD

A NASA spacecraft is about to give astronomers an epic early Christmas present with the closest ever flyby of the sun on Dec. 24, but if you’re wondering exactly when the ambitious solar encounter will occur, don’t worry. We’ve got you covered. The NASA spacecraft, called the Parker Solar Probe, is on course for what will be a record-setting close flyby of the sun on Christmas Eve, when it will fly through the star’s outer atmosphere at 6:53 a.m. EST (1153 GMT) and pass within 3.8 million miles (6.1 million…

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Space2Sea Antarctica: William Shatner, Neil deGrasse Tyson and NASA astronauts talk exploration and science from the Drake Passage

NeRD

Space2Sea Antarctica marks the inaugural voyage in a series produced by FUTURE of SPACE (FoS). This innovative journey blends Earth’s uncharted territories with the inspiring narrative of human curiosity and exploration. It encapsulates the core mission of FoS to: Embrace New Frontiers, Celebrate the Human Experience, and Elevate the Conversation. Student journalist Gabe Castro-Root of American University is chronicling the mission for FoS. You can read his latest dispatch below. Astronauts, scientists and explorers gathered aboard an Antarctica-bound ship on Friday for a panel discussion aimed at inspiring young people’s…

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Daffy Duck’s ‘full moon’ and Porky Pig fend off alien invasion in ‘The Day The Earth Blew Up: A Looney Tunes Movie’ (trailer)

NeRD

The Day the Earth Blew Up: A Looney Tunes Movie | Official Teaser (2025) Only in Theaters Feb 28 – YouTube Watch On Aiming for a worldwide release on Feb. 28, 2025, “The Day The Earth Blew Up: A Looney Tunes Movie” has had a circuitous and oft-delayed path to the big screen after being abandoned by incoming Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav as a direct-to-streaming feature, before eventually getting a theatrical presentation courtesy of the most unlikely indie distribution partner. Now check out the first hilarious trailer which…

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See how ‘Ahsoka’ brought ‘Clone Wars’ Anakin Skywalker to live-action in this behind-the-scenes clip (exclusive video)

NeRD

Just in time for Old St. Nick’s annual trek across the sky and straight down your chimney, Sony Pictures Home Entertainment, which now handles all of Disney’s physical media production and distribution, just launched “The Mandalorian” season 3 and “Ahsoka” season 1 onto 4K Ultra HD Steelbook on Dec. 3. This prestigious pair of Disney+ Original “Star Wars” shows is presented as part of the Lucasfilm Collector’s Editions series and comes supercharged with 4K Ultra HD Dolby Vision and Atmos audio. These two snazzy Collector’s Editions arrive in glossy SteelBook…

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Planes, drones or UFOs: What are people seeing in the New Jersey sky?

NeRD

The recent sightings of puzzling unidentified aircraft in New Jersey and other states have triggered yet another round of unanswered questions — and fueled conspiracy theories. For one, the odd objects have sparked a visual public mayday and melee — one that might be mirroring elements of the ongoing unidentified anomalous phenomenon (UAP) issue, spurring talk of secretive saucer crashes by run-amok alien crewmembers with expired driver licenses. Mischaracterization of what’s seen. Public anxiety about what’s not known. Government officials seemingly not clear on what’s happening. Toss in Capitol Hill…

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This Week In Space podcast: Episode 141 —Holiday Special 2024

NeRD

Holiday Special 2024 – TWiS Crew’s Childhood Space Obsessions – YouTube Watch On On Episode 141 of This Week In Space, are joined by producer Anthony and our old pal Ant Pruitt to celebrate and discuss a wide variety of topics, from first space memories to our favorite space toys to what spaceflight means to each of us. It’s a warm “family reunion” you won’t want to miss! Join us for some holiday cheer, and Tariq’s “Tiny Tim” moment… Download or subscribe to this show at: https://twit.tv/shows/this-week-in-space. Get episodes ad-free…

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NASA Ames Astrogram – December 2024

NeRD

2024 Year in Review – Highlights from NASA in Silicon Valley by Tiffany Blake As NASA’s Ames Research Center in California’s Silicon Valley enters its 85th year since its founding, join us as we take a look back at some of our highlights of science, engineering, research, and innovation from 2024. Ames Arc Jets Play Key Role in Artemis I Orion Spacecraft Heat Shield Findings  A block of Avcoat undergoes testing inside an arc jet test chamber at NASA Ames. The test article, configured with both permeable (upper) and non-permeable (lower)…

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NASA Exhibit Puts Visitors in Test Conductor Seat

NeRD

3 min read Preparations for Next Moonwalk Simulations Underway (and Underwater) NASA’s Stennis Space Center near Bay St. Louis, Mississippi, is helping the Artemis Generation learn how to power space dreams with an interactive exhibit at INFINITY Science Center. The engine test simulator exhibit at the official visitor center of NASA Stennis provides the chance to experience the thrill of being a NASA test engineer by guiding an RS-25 engine through a simulated hot fire test. “It is an exhilarating opportunity to feel what it is like to be a…

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NASA Selects Four Commercial Companies to Support Near Space Network

NeRD

NASA has selected multiple companies to expand the agency’s Near Space Network’s commercial direct-to-Earth capabilities services, which is a mission-critical communication capability that allows spacecraft to transmit data directly to ground stations on Earth. The work will be awarded under new Near Space Network services contracts that are firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contracts. Project timelines span from February 2025 to September 2029, with an additional five-year option period that could extend a contract through Sept. 30, 2034. The cumulative maximum value of all Near Space Network Services contracts is $4.82 billion. Some…

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