ALT Setting Sail to Travel Through Space: 5 Things to Know about our New Mission Our Advanced Composite Solar Sail System will launch aboard Rocket Lab’s Electron rocket from the company’s Launch Complex 1 in Māhia, New Zealand no earlier than April 23, at 6 p.m. EDT. This mission will demonstrate the use of innovative materials and structures to deploy a next-generation solar sail from a CubeSat in low Earth orbit. Here are five things to know about this upcoming mission: 1. Sailing on Sunshine Solar sails use the pressure of sunlight for propulsion much like sailboats harness the wind, elimi ..read more

ALT For Earth Day, we’re inviting you to take a moment to celebrate our wonderful water world, Earth. As far as we know, our Blue Marble is the only place in the universe with life, and that life depends on water. Snap a photo of yourself outside and tag it #GlobalSelfie – bonus points if your selfie features your favorite body of water! http://go.nasa.gov/3xFt0H0 Make sure to follow us on Tumblr for your regular dose of space ..read more

ALT Follow, follow the Sun / And which way the wind blows / When this day is done ⁣? ⁣ Today, April 8, 2024, the last total solar eclipse until 2045 crossed North America.⁣ Make sure to follow us on Tumblr for your regular dose of space ..read more

2024 Total Solar Eclipse: Through the Eyes of NASA (Official Broadcast) On Monday, April 8, 2024, there’ll be a total solar eclipse – and it’ll be the last one to cross North America for 20 years. Make sure you’re tuned in to our live broadcast for this exciting event: there’ll be views from along the path of totality, special guests, and plenty of science. Make sure to follow us on Tumblr for your regular dose of space ..read more

ALT Get ready to be dazzled by the true spectrum of solar beauty. From fiery reds to cool blues, explore the vibrant hues of the Sun in a mesmerizing color order. These images were taken in a wavelength of extreme ultraviolet light to clearly see any activity on the surface of the Sun — giving scientists a wealth of data for solar studies ..read more

ALT LaRue Burbank, mathematician and computer, is just one of the many women who were instrumental to NASA missions. 4 Little Known Women Who Made Huge Contributions to NASA Women have always played a significant role at NASA and its predecessor NACA, although for much of the agency’s history, they received neither the praise nor recognition that their contributions deserved. To celebrate Women’s History Month – and properly highlight some of the little-known women-led accomplishments of NASA’s early history – our archivists gathered the stories of four women whose work was critical to NASA ..read more

ALT ALT The Ingenuity Mars Helicopter made history – not only as the first aircraft to perform powered, controlled flight on another world – but also for exceeding expectations, pushing the limits, and setting the stage for future NASA aerial exploration of other worlds. Built as a technology demonstration designed to perform up to five experimental test flights over 30 days, Ingenuity performed flight operations from the Martian surface for almost three years. The helicopter ended its mission on Jan. 25, 2024, after sustaining damage to its rotor blades during its 72nd flight. So, what did we ..read more

nasa: Editor’s Note: This post was updated on March 15, 2024, to reflect new URLs and updated qualifications for applicants. Have you ever wondered if you have what it takes to become a NASA astronaut? The term “astronaut” derives from the Greek word meaning “star sailor.” We’re looking for a new class of astronauts to join the NASA team, and if you’re thinking about applying, there are a few things you should know. Here are a few myths about becoming an astronaut: MYTH: All astronauts have piloting experience. FACT: You don’t need to be a pilot to be an astronaut. Flying experience is not a ..read more

ALT It’s Girl Scout Day! March 12, 2024, is the 112th birthday of Girl Scouts in the United States, and to celebrate, we’re sharing a lithograph of the Girl Scout alumnae who became NASA astronauts. Girl Scouts learn to work together, build community, embrace adventurousness and curiosity, and develop leadership skills—all of which come in handy as an astronaut. For example, former Scouts Christina Koch and Jessica Meir worked together to make history on Oct. 18, 2019, when they performed the first all-woman spacewalk. Pam Melroy is one of only two women to command a space shuttle and became N ..read more

ALT Mohammad AlMulla, born in Dubai, received his commercial pilot’s license from Australia at the age of 19. AlMulla was a training lead with the Dubai Police before becoming an astronaut candidate for the United Arab Emirates. https://mbrsc.ae/team/mohammed_mulla/ Make sure to follow us on Tumblr for your regular dose of space ..read more