Webtagr - Technology News Summarizer

NASA Mourns Apollo 8's Jim Lovell

2025-08-09

NASA released a statement mourning the passing of Apollo 8 Command Module Pilot Jim Lovell, who died on August 7th. Lovell, a pioneering astronaut in both the Gemini and Apollo programs, was the first to orbit the Moon and famously led the crew of Apollo 13 to safety. NASA lauded his courage, calm under pressure, and inspiring legacy, highlighting his contributions to future Artemis missions.

(www.nasa.gov)

Tech Astronaut

NASA's X-59 Quiet Supersonic Jet Completes First Taxi Tests

2025-07-22

NASA's X-59 experimental quiet supersonic aircraft successfully completed its first low-speed taxi tests on July 10th at U.S. Air Force Plant 42 in Palmdale, California. This marks a significant step towards the aircraft's first flight, with further high-speed taxi tests planned in the coming weeks. The tests focused on validating critical systems like steering and braking, ensuring the aircraft's stability and control. The X-59 is part of NASA's Quesst mission to demonstrate quieter supersonic flight, aiming to replace the sonic boom with a softer 'thump'. Data collected will inform the development of new noise regulations for supersonic commercial flights.

(www.nasa.gov)

Tech

Apollo Lunar Surface Journal: A Living Document of Moon Landings

2025-05-29

The Apollo Lunar Surface Journal, released in December 2017, meticulously documents the lunar surface operations of the six astronaut crews who landed on the Moon from 1969 to 1972. It features a corrected transcript of all communications, extensive commentary from astronauts, and a wealth of photos, maps, and supporting documents. This 'living document' is constantly updated and aims to make the lunar experience more accessible, inviting readers to help ensure its accuracy.

(www.nasa.gov)

Tech

NASA Open-Sources Peer Review Tool for Enhanced Software Development

2025-05-15

NASA's Stennis Space Center has released its first open-source software: a peer review tool designed to streamline and enhance collaborative software application development. Built from years of internal experience using LabVIEW, the tool automates parts of the review process, improving code comparison and comment functionality. This ultimately leads to better software quality and more efficient development. Now available to the public, the tool is intended to be a community-driven project, constantly refined and improved by developers worldwide.

(www.nasa.gov)

Development

SPHEREx: NASA's All-Sky Mapping Observatory Begins Science Operations

2025-05-02

After weeks of preparation, NASA's SPHEREx space observatory has commenced its science mission, capturing approximately 3,600 unique images daily to create an unprecedented map of the cosmos. Mapping the entire sky in 102 infrared wavelengths, SPHEREx aims to unlock mysteries about the universe's origins, galaxy evolution, and the building blocks of life. By using spectroscopy, it will create four all-sky maps, investigating cosmic inflation and searching for water in distant galaxies. The mission's vast dataset will be publicly available, furthering astronomical research.

(www.nasa.gov)

Tech Space Observatory Infrared Spectroscopy

Moon Shot: NASA Successfully Tracks GPS Signals on the Lunar Surface

2025-03-05

NASA and the Italian Space Agency achieved a historic milestone with the Lunar GNSS Receiver Experiment (LuGRE), successfully acquiring and tracking Earth-based navigation signals from the Moon's surface for the first time. This breakthrough enables autonomous navigation for future lunar and Martian missions, reducing reliance on Earth-based tracking. LuGRE, aboard Firefly Aerospace's Blue Ghost lander, received signals from both GPS and Galileo constellations, marking a significant advancement in deep space navigation technology. This achievement paves the way for more precise and efficient navigation solutions for future space exploration.

(www.nasa.gov)

Tech Lunar Navigation

Bennu Sample Reveals Building Blocks of Life

2025-02-03

NASA's OSIRIS-REx mission returned samples from asteroid Bennu, revealing molecules crucial for life on Earth, including amino acids and nucleobases, along with evaporite deposits suggesting conditions conducive to life were widespread in the early solar system. While not direct evidence of extraterrestrial life, the findings significantly increase the odds of life forming elsewhere. The high abundance of ammonia, crucial for forming complex molecules, is particularly noteworthy. The research highlights the importance of sample-return missions in unraveling the mysteries of life's origins.

(www.nasa.gov)

Tech asteroid Bennu

NASA Unveils Dual-Path Strategy for Martian Sample Return

2025-01-14

To maximize the chances of successfully returning the first Martian rock and sediment samples to Earth, NASA announced a new approach to its Mars Sample Return (MSR) program. The agency will pursue two parallel landing architectures, leveraging existing sky crane technology and exploring new commercial capabilities. This dual-path strategy aims to reduce costs and timelines while increasing mission success. The ultimate goal is to unlock the mysteries of Mars, investigate the possibility of past life, and pave the way for future human exploration. A final decision on the program architecture is expected in the latter half of 2026.

(www.nasa.gov)

Tech Mars Sample Return

NASA and Axiom Space Alter Commercial Space Station Assembly Order

2024-12-29

NASA and Axiom Space have revised the assembly sequence for Axiom Space's commercial space station. The new plan prioritizes launching the Payload, Power, and Thermal Module first, enabling Axiom Station to become a free-flying destination as early as 2028, independent of the International Space Station (ISS). This accelerates Axiom Station's operational capabilities, reduces reliance on the ISS, and prepares for the ISS's decommissioning no earlier than 2030. NASA continues to support the R&D of multiple commercial space stations to maintain US leadership in microgravity research and to serve future space exploration goals.

(www.nasa.gov)

Tech Commercial Space Station