The Kepler spacecraft remains stable as the process of returning it to science continues. The cause of the anomaly, first reported on April 8, remains under investigation. original
Archive | NASA
Microscopic "Timers" Reveal Likely Source of Galactic Space Radiation
Most of the cosmic rays that we detect at Earth originated relatively recently in nearby clusters of massive stars, according to new results from NASA’s Advanced Composition Explorer (ACE) spacecraft. To source
Development of High-Power Solar Electric Propulsion
A prototype 13-kilowatt Hall thruster is tested at NASA’s Glenn Research Center in Cleveland. This prototype demonstrated the technology readiness needed for industry to continue the development of high-power solar electric propulsion into a flight-qualified system. To source
Preparing the Vehicle Assembly Building for NASA's Next Rocket
A view from below in High Bay 3 inside the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center shows three work platforms installed for NASA’s Space Launch System (SLS) rocket. The platforms will surround and provide access to the SLS rocket and Orion spacecraft for Exploration Mission 1. To source
Liftoff at NASA's 16th Annual Student Launch Challenge
One of dozens of high-powered rockets lifts off on April 16, 2016, during NASA’s 16th annual Student Launch challenge, held near Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama from April 13-16. Nearly 50 middle and high school, college and university teams from 22 states competed in the challenge. To source
Y Marks the Spot
A sinuous feature snakes northward from Enceladus’ south pole like a giant tentacle. To source
Mission Manager Update: Kepler Remains Stable as Health Check Continues
The Kepler spacecraft remains stable as the process of returning it to science continues. The cause of the anomaly, first reported on April 8, remains under investigation. original
Early Ice Breakup of Beaufort Sea Due to Early Warm Temperatures
This image of early ice breakup of the Beaufort Sea, north of Alaska, was taken by the Suomi NPP satellite’s Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) instrument infrared channel, at around 1148 UTC on April 13, 2016. To source
April 14, 1981, Landing of First Space Shuttle Mission
The rear wheels of the space shuttle orbiter Columbia touched down on Rogers dry lake at Edwards Air Force Base, NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center (then Dryden), California, to successfully complete a stay in space of more than two days. Astronauts John W. Young, STS-1 commander, and Robert L. Crippen, pilot, were aboard the vehicle. […]
NASA Awards Contract for Safety Reporting Systems
NASA has awarded a contract to Booz Allen Hamilton Inc. in McLean, Virginia, for the maintenance and operation of incident reporting programs, as well as continuing research and development to improve current and future systems. To source
Night Image of Chicago
Expedition 47 Commander Tim Kopra of NASA captured this brightly lit night image of the city of Chicago on April 5, 2016, from the International Space Station. Kopra (@astro_tim) wrote, “#Goodnight #Chicago from @Space_Station. #CitiesFromSpace” To source
T-38C Passes in Front of the Sun at Supersonic Speed
An Air Force Test Pilot School T-38C passes in front of the sun at a supersonic speed, creating shockwaves that are caught photographically for research. NASA is using a modern version of schlieren imagery to visualize supersonic flow phenomena with full-scale aircraft in flight. The results will help engineers design a quiet supersonic transport. To […]
Mission Manager Update: Kepler Recovered from Emergency and Stable
Mission operations engineers successfully recovered the Kepler spacecraft from Emergency Mode on April 10, 2016. original