NASA
Dropping power levels threaten InSight mission
Dust accumulation on the solar panels of NASA’s InSight Mars lander is reducing the power to the spacecraft and could force the mission to end within a year.
Mars smallsat mission gets second chance with Rocket Lab
A NASA-funded smallsat mission to Mars that lost its ride last year may get new life through a partnership with Rocket Lab.
Computer problem takes Hubble offline
Spacecraft controllers are continuing to work on a faulty computer memory system on NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope that has stopped telescope operations for nearly a week.
Senate confirms NASA deputy administrator, NOAA administrator
The Senate confirmed the nominations June 17 of a former astronaut to be the deputy administrator of NASA and of an ocean scientist to lead NOAA.
NASA and Boeing close out recommendations from Starliner review
Boeing has completed all the activities recommended by an independent review of the company’s first uncrewed CST-100 Starliner mission, allowing a second uncrewed mission to proceed for launch in late July.
NASA asteroid hunter mission moves into next phase of development
NASA has moved a space telescope designed to look for near Earth asteroids into the next phase of development, a move that, when combined with the agency’s budget proposal, gives advocates of the mission renewed optimism.
Nelson asks Senate appropriators for more HLS funding
NASA Administrator Bill Nelson asked Senate appropriators to provide additional funding so NASA can support a second lunar lander developer, warning that the agency needed to stay ahead of a “very aggressive” Chinese space program.
NASA soliciting proposals for two private astronaut missions
NASA announced June 11 that it is requesting proposals for two private astronaut missions to the International Space Station that would fly between the fall of 2022 and the end of 2023.
ESA selects Venus mission
ESA has selected a Venus orbiter as its next medium-class science mission, just a week after NASA announced the section of two Venus missions of its own.
SOFIA operations continue despite cancellation threat
Despite facing the threat of cancellation for the second straight year, a NASA airborne observatory is continuing with regular operations.
Senate passes NASA authorization act
The Senate approved June 8 a wide-ranging competitiveness bill that includes a NASA authorization act with a controversial provision about competition in the Human Landing System program.
NASA astrophysics director to step down
Paul Hertz, who has led NASA’s astrophysics programs for nearly a decade, will step down by the end of the year to pursue his “next challenge” at the space agency.
Nelson to speak with Rogozin on the future of the ISS
NASA Administrator Bill Nelson says he will soon speak with his Russian counterpart in the hopes of continuing longstanding cooperation between the two countries in space even as Russia’s ties to China grow stronger.
