Ames Science Directorate’s Stars of the Month, July 2024

The NASA Ames Science Directorate recognizes the outstanding contributions of (pictured left to right) Ryan T. Scott, Mike Kubo, Ehsan (Sam) Gharib-Nezhad, and Kristen Okorn. Their commitment to the NASA mission represents the talent, camaraderie, and vision needed to explore this world and beyond. Space Biosciences Star: Ryan T. Scott Ryan Scott, a Space Biosciences Research Branch (SCR) scientist, serves as the Science Lead for the Open Science Data Repository (OSDR) and chairs the Ames Life Sciences Data Archive (ALSDA) analysis working group, where he guides the efforts of nearly…

Read More

Visit with NASA SCaN

1 min read Preparations for Next Moonwalk Simulations Underway (and Underwater) GAVRT students visiting JPL’s Charles Elachi Mission Control Center NASA Interested in having a NASA SCaN expert speak to your class or group? The SCaN program is accepting requests for visits (both virtual and in-person) during the coming calendar year. Request a virtual visit below. Request a visit with the SCaN team at: NASA Glenn NASA Goddard NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory Social Media Stay connected with our program on social media. Facebook logo @NASASCaN @NASASCaN Linkedin logo @NASA Share…

Read More

Managing Heat

4 min read Preparations for Next Moonwalk Simulations Underway (and Underwater) Science in Space: July 2024 This time of year, managing heat is on everyone’s mind. Especially now, as May 2024 marked a full year of record-high monthly temperatures – an unprecedented streak, according to scientists from NASA’s Goddard Institute for Space Studies in New York. NASA experts analyze data from thousands of land-, sea-, and sky-based instruments to calculate Earth’s global temperature. Knowing how hot it is helps scientists, health care workers, and public officials plan for and respond…

Read More

NASA Releases First Integrated Ranking of Civil Space Challenges

3 min read Preparations for Next Moonwalk Simulations Underway (and Underwater) NASA astronaut Kate Rubins uses a hammer to get a drive tube into the ground to collect a pristine soil sample during a nighttime simulated moonwalk in the San Francisco Volcanic Field in Northern Arizona on May 16, 2024. Surviving and operating through the lunar night was identified as a top-ranked 2024 Civil Space Challenge, and tests such as these help NASA astronauts and engineers practice end-to-end lunar operations. NASA/Josh Valcarcel This spring, NASA published a document overviewing almost…

Read More

Experience the Launch of NASA’s SpaceX Crew-9 Mission

Digital content creators are invited to register to attend the launch of the ninth SpaceX Dragon spacecraft and Falcon 9 rocket that will carry astronauts to the International Space Station for a science expedition mission. This mission is part of NASA’s Commercial Crew Program.  Launch of NASA’s SpaceX Crew-9 mission is targeted for no earlier than mid-August from Launch Complex 39A at the agency’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The launch will carry NASA astronauts Zena Cardman, commander; Nick Hague, pilot; and Stephanie Wilson, mission specialist; along with Roscosmos cosmonaut…

Read More

Robotic Assembly and Outfitting for NASA Space Missions

NASA is turning to the 3D modeling experts in the community for ideas and designs to use or enhance the current state of modular robotic construction techniques. Robotic building of structures in space is an active area of research for NASA and might prove to be a path towards sustainable and scalable space exploration. This technology is essential for establishing critical long-term orbital and Lunar surface infrastructure including power/communication towers, research stations, radiation shielding for habitats, and more. Award: $2,000 in total prizes Open Date: July 15, 2024 Close Date:…

Read More

NASA Technology Soars at Selfridge Air Show

1 min read Preparations for Next Moonwalk Simulations Underway (and Underwater) Tim Campbell, a NASA solar system ambassador, shares highlights of a moon rock with visitors inside the Journey to Tomorrow traveling exhibit. Credit: NASA/Christopher Hartenstine NASA’s Glenn Research Center staff traveled to Michigan for the Selfridge Air National Guard Base air show, open house, and STEAM Expo, June 8 and 9. NASA’s Journey to Tomorrow, a 53-foot traveling exhibit, was a popular feature that showcased exploration in air and space. Additionally, experts from NASA’s Fission Surface Power project shared information…

Read More

Happy Birthday, Meatball! NASA’s Iconic Logo Turns 65

3 min read Preparations for Next Moonwalk Simulations Underway (and Underwater) A painter applies a fresh coat of paint to the NASA “meatball” logo on the north façade of Glenn Research Center’s Flight Research Building, or hangar, in 2006. Credit: NASA/Marvin Smith On July 15, 2024, NASA’s logo is turning 65. The iconic symbol, known affectionately as “the meatball,” was developed at NASA’s Lewis Research Center in Cleveland (now called NASA Glenn). Employee James Modarelli, who started his career at the center as an artist and technical illustrator, was its…

Read More

NextSTEP Q: CIS Capability Studies III – Lunar User Terminals & Network Orchestration and Management System

NASA’s Artemis missions aim to establish a sustained lunar presence on and around the Moon. Communications and navigation technologies will be critical to enabling the safety, science, and operations of our astronauts and missions. NASA Solicitation Number: NNH16ZCQ001K-1_Appendix-Q-LUTNOMS July 8, 2024 – Solicitation Released Solicitation Overview NASA’s long-term vision to provide for a resilient space and ground communications and navigation infrastructure in which space mission users can seamlessly “roam” between an array of space-based and ground-based networks has been bolstered by innovative studies delivered by industry through the Next Space…

Read More