National Aeronautics and Space Administration  - NASA News

Imagine this: NASA's Voyager 1, the plucky probe launched back in 1977, is barreling toward a mind-blowing milestone, set to hit one light-day from Earth by November 2026. That's NDTV reporting on the sheer scale of our cosmic neighborhood, reminding us how far human ingenuity has taken us.But closer to home, NASA's gearing up for high-stakes action on the International Space Station. Astronauts kick off two spacewalks this January during Expedition 74, prepping for roll-out solar array upgrades, swapping cameras, and rerouting fluid systems—vital for keeping the station powered and humming for years ahead, per NASA's own news release. Meanwhile, veteran astronaut Brig. Gen. Nick Hague just retired after 374 days in space and key EVAs, shifting to the U.S. Space Force, marking a leadership pivot amid transitions.The big shadow? The FY26 President's Budget Request slashes science funding—32% off Planetary Science to $1.9 billion, axing Mars Sample Return and missions like DAVINCI and VERITAS; 66% cuts to Astrophysics and Heliophysics, killing Chandra, Fermi, and more, as detailed by the American Astronomical Society. Congress funds NASA only through late January via continuing resolution, per SpacePolicyOnline, fueling uncertainty for Artemis launches like the possible early February Artemis II window.For everyday Americans, this means fewer breakthroughs in climate tech, exoplanet hunts, and Mars dreams that inspire kids and drive jobs. Businesses like SpaceX and Blue Origin face contract tweaks on HLS for Artemis III, potentially delaying lunar landings to 2028 or later, hitting supply chains. States with NASA centers, like Florida and Texas, brace for workforce ripples, while international partners on ISS and Artemis feel the strain on collaborations.Experts note data analysis will boost yields from surviving missions, with ROSES solicitations in June 2025 and Hubble Cycle 34 proposals early 2026.Watch those January spacewalks briefings and Artemis updates post-January funding cliff. Dive deeper at nasa.gov or science.nasa.gov. Tune your voice to Congress on budgets—your input shapes the stars.Thanks for tuning in, listeners—subscribe for more. This has been a Quiet Please production, for more check out quietplease.ai.For more http://www.quietplease.aiGet the best deals https://amzn.to/3ODvOtaThis content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI

NASA is gearing up for a historic year in space, and this week is already shaping up to be monumental. The biggest headline hitting the space community right now is that NASA astronauts are about to conduct critical spacewalks at the International Space Station to prepare for the installation of brand new roll-out solar arrays. These missions mark the first spacewalks of 2026, and they're happening right now in January.On January eighth, veteran astronaut Mike Fincke and first-time spacewalker Zena Cardman will exit the station's Quest airlock to prepare the power systems for those new solar arrays. This is historic for Cardman, but it's equally significant for Fincke, who'll be tying the record for most spacewalks by any NASA astronaut with his tenth mission outside the station. These solar arrays are crucial because they'll provide additional power for the orbiting laboratory and support the station's eventual controlled deorbit. Then on January fifteenth, two more astronauts will replace high-definition cameras, install navigational aids for visiting spacecraft, and relocate ammonia servicer components.Beyond the spacewalks, NASA is making waves at the American Astronomical Society meeting happening this week in Phoenix. The space agency is unveiling timelines for its flagship missions, including the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope, which is scheduled to launch no later than September twenty twenty-six. Roman will have a field of view about one hundred times larger than Hubble, fundamentally changing how we observe galaxies and stars. NASA is also detailing progress on the Habitable Worlds Observatory, a future mission designed to search for potentially habitable exoplanets.For American citizens, these developments mean NASA is actively preparing our space infrastructure for the next generation of discoveries. The spacewalks ensure the International Space Station remains operational and powered for years to come, while the new telescopes promise to revolutionize our understanding of the universe. The spacewalks will be available to watch through NASA's YouTube channel and various social media platforms, so listeners can tune in to see history unfold in real time.As we look ahead, the James Webb Space Telescope continues its groundbreaking observations, and skywatchers should know that Jupiter reaches opposition on January tenth, making it brighter and larger than any other time this year. If you want to stay updated on these missions and engage with NASA's work, visit NASA dot gov for live coverage and detailed mission information.Thank you for tuning in to this week's space update. Be sure to subscribe for more NASA news and developments as they happen. This has been a Quiet Please production. For more, check out quietplease dot ai.For more http://www.quietplease.aiGet the best deals https://amzn.to/3ODvOtaThis content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI

Hey listeners, welcome to your space update. NASA's biggest headline this week: President Trump's Executive Order on Ensuring American Space Superiority, issued December 18, refocusing the agency on commercial partnerships and streamlined acquisitions to boost U.S. leadership in orbit and beyond.Under the second Trump Administration, NASA's charging toward Artemis II, the first crewed Moon flyby in over 50 years, set for early 2026. They've fired boosters, tested RS-25 engines, and run recovery drills with the Department of War. New fission power lead Steve Sinacore from Glenn Research Center is spearheading lunar surface tech, while seven nations like Bangladesh and Norway joined the Artemis Accords, now nearing 60 signatories for safe Moon and Mars exploration.Policy shifts include closing NASA's Office of Technology, Policy, and Strategy, Chief Scientist office, and DEI branch per workforce orders. The EO mandates NASA review international pacts by April 17, 2026, prioritizing commercial deals via Space Act Agreements, and reform acquisitions by June 16. Commercial low-Earth orbit stations from Axiom and Starlab hit design milestones ahead of ISS retirement in 2030.For Americans, this means jobs in hypersonics, safer flights, and Mars sims inspiring STEM. Businesses get streamlined contracts, fueling SpaceX Starlink swarm tests and rotating detonation engines. States benefit from university grants for emergency aircraft. Globally, it strengthens U.S. ties via JAXA rover tests and comet 3I/ATLAS observations by 12 NASA craft.NASA Administrator notes, "We're igniting a new golden age," with James Webb unveiling distant galaxies and Roman Telescope prepped for 2026 dark energy hunts. Watch MAVEN Mars orbiter recovery post-January 16 solar conjunction.Eyes on FY2026 budget battles by January 30 CR deadline. Dive deeper at nasa.gov, stream NASA+ on Prime Video. Tune in, subscribe, and explore!Thanks for tuning in, listeners—subscribe for more. This has been a Quiet Please production, for more check out quietplease.ai.For more http://www.quietplease.aiGet the best deals https://amzn.to/3ODvOtaThis content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI

Hey listeners, welcome to your space update. This week's biggest NASA headline? Teams are racing to recontact the MAVEN spacecraft, silent since December 6, just ahead of Mars solar conjunction starting December 29, when Sun interference blacks out signals until January 16. According to NASA's MAVEN blog, they're commanding recovery via Deep Space Network and analyzing data fragments, even enlisting Curiosity rover for sightings that didn't pan out.Shifting to policy, President Trump's December 18 Executive Order on American Space Superiority shakes things up, directing NASA to prioritize commercial solutions in acquisitions, review international partnerships by April 17, 2026, and reform buying processes by June 16. NASA's 2025 recap highlights Artemis II stacking complete for its early 2026 crewed Moon flyby—the first in 50 years—plus 10 new astronaut candidates from 8,000 applicants and seven nations joining the Artemis Accords, now at nearly 60 signatories.These moves boost American citizens with jobs in rocket building across states and inspire via NASA+ on Prime Video, hitting 7.7 million streamed minutes. Businesses score streamlined contracts favoring Space Act Agreements, fueling private innovation. States like Florida gain from Kennedy Center work, while internationally, accords strengthen U.S.-led exploration with partners like Norway and Malaysia. NASA's Europa Clipper and Parker Solar Probe even snagged bonus views of interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS, with principal investigator Dr. Kurt Retherford calling it a "unique and nuanced view."Watch for post-conjunction MAVEN updates January 16 and Artemis milestones. Dive deeper at science.nasa.gov or nasa.gov/news-releases. Tune your telescope for lingering comet views.Thanks for tuning in, listeners—subscribe for more. This has been a Quiet Please production, for more check out quietplease.ai.For more http://www.quietplease.aiGet the best deals https://amzn.to/3ODvOtaThis content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI

Welcome to your weekly space update, listeners. NASA's biggest headline this week: the interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS made its closest approach to Earth on December 19, zipping by at 168 million miles—safe, but a rare cosmic visitor from beyond our solar system. NASA's Parker Solar Probe, Europa Clipper, and a fleet of telescopes captured stunning data, including X-ray glows from its 250,000-mile tail, as revealed by the European Space Agency's XMM-Newton and Japan's XRISM.NASA Associate Administrator Amit Kshatriya confirmed in a press briefing, "It looks and behaves like a comet... but this one came from outside the solar system, which makes it fascinating and scientifically very important." This builds on 2025's Artemis momentum, with the SLS rocket and Orion stacked for Artemis II's early 2026 crewed lunar flyby—the first in over 50 years—paving the way for Americans on Mars. Seven new nations, including Bangladesh and Norway, joined the Artemis Accords, now nearing 60 signatories, boosting safe lunar and Martian exploration.President Trump's new executive order on space superiority demands a strategy within 180 days to counter threats from orbit to cislunar space, plus a 2028 Moon base prototype deadline. Amid budget flatlines from continuing resolutions and office closures like Technology, Policy, and Strategy, NASA pushes innovation—new astronaut candidates from 8,000 applicants train now, and fission power lead Steve Sinacore eyes lunar habitats.For Americans, this means jobs in 50 states from rocket builds and safer flights, inspiring kids via NASA+ streams hitting 7.7 million minutes watched. Businesses gain from partnerships like Motiv Space Systems' robots; states host simulations and university grants. Globally, it strengthens U.S. leadership, drawing allies while eyeing rivals.Watch Artemis II prep and Jared Isaacman's admin moves. Track 3I/ATLAS via NASA's Eyes on the Solar System or skywatching tips for Geminids echoes. Citizens, share your comet sightings on NASA socials.Thanks for tuning in, listeners—subscribe for more. This has been a Quiet Please production, for more check out quietplease.ai.For more http://www.quietplease.aiGet the best deals https://amzn.to/3ODvOtaThis content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI