Volunteers Needed for Moon and Mars Simulation

Posted on by onespaceman2000
Image (Credit): A crew inside NASA’s Human Exploration Research Analog. (NASA)

Do you need to get away from the ordinary for something more stimulating (and possibly away from the constant political news)? How about going into isolation to assist NASA with future Moon and Mars missions?

NASA is looking for a few hardy souls to start a new virtual space mission in August 2027 at the Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas. Volunteers must meet a variety of criteria, including being between 30 and 55 years old and willing to spend approximately 14-months on this mission, which includes 12 months in two different confined habitats and two months of pre- and- post-mission training and data collection. Oh yeah, you cannot have a history of sleepwalking or taking sleeping aids.

The volunteers will basically live and work in isolation and confinement while performing simulated missions related to interplanetary transit and planetary surface operations. This will also include simulated rover missions and spacewalks.

You can read all about it on this NASA info page, which includes an email address to ask more questions as well as an application form.

It’s not for everyone, but maybe it’s for you.

By the way, even if the White House cuts off the funding after you start the program, at least you will still be in Houston rather than half-way on your way to Mars with no way to get back.

The Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope Is Taking Names

Posted on by onespaceman2000
Image (Credit): Artist’s rending of the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope. (NASA)

If you want to be part of a NASA mission, you have until July 12th to get your name to NASA so it can be added to the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope.

All of the submitted names will be uploaded to an secure digital card that will be attached to the space telescope. These names (and maybe yours) will then be stationed about one million miles away from Earth. As of this moment, NASA already has 145,949 names.

It is not the same as having an exoplanet named after you, but your name will be attached to the observatory that will be finding and analyzing exoplanets and more.

The current schedule calls for the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope to be launched on August 30th.

Go to this link to provide your name and learn more about the space telescope’s upcoming mission.

Podcast: You Can Provide Comments on Proposed Grant Rules Impacting NASA

Posted on by onespaceman2000
Image (Credit): Information from OMB’s “Learn About the Regulatory Process” page. (OMB)

As noted in a prior posting, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) is politicizing the grant process for science, including space-related grants.

A recent episode of the Planetary Society’s Planetary Radio podcast covered this proposed change and suggested ways that all of us can push back on these changes.

For specific guidance on what you can do, this page from the Planetary Society provides useful instructions. As the site states:

The OMB proposal would allow political appointees to usurp agency autonomy and cancel any grant at any time if that person decides the work is no longer convenient. The proposed rules would make scientific peer review only advisory while political appointees decide what (and who) gets funded.

The site provides clear instructions to help you write at least two paragraphs that can then be used to challenge this proposed policy. In this case, form letters are not helpful because they would be grouped together as one comment.

The American Astronomical Society has its own page explaining how you can respond to this particular OMB proposal.

And remember, if you want to submit comments but remain anonymous rather that providing all of your personal details to OMB or even the Planetary Society, you are allowed to do that as well per these OMB instructions. So don’t let that be a factor that holds you back.

Comments must be submitted by July 13th, so that still gives everyone a month to think this through and put forward a solid set of concerns.

Time to Advocate for NASA on the Hill

Posted on by onespaceman2000
Image (Credit): Former Planetary Society CEO Bill Nye in front of the NASA building in Washington, DC. (The Planetary Society)

There is no rest for the weary when it comes to reminding Congress about the importance of NASA. Even with last week’s successful Artemis II mission, it will be another uphill battle for supporters of NASA pushing against proposed White House cuts to NASA’s programs in Fiscal Year 2027.

Fortunately, the Planetary Society is making such advocacy easier by sponsoring another Day of Action in Washington, DC on April 19th and 20th. This gives you the chance to reach out to your own members of Congress and highlight all of the great work NASA has already accomplished as well as plans for the future.

You can register to participate at the Planetary Society’s Day of Action site. Registration includes:

  • Online and in-person advocacy training from The Planetary Society’s space policy team;
  • At least three meetings with congressional offices booked for you by The Planetary Society with opportunities for more; and
  • Access to special events, social gatherings, and space-themed experiences for you and fellow members while you’re in D.C.

Here is a comment from one of the earlier participants, Marko K.:

As I am a late bloomer in my passion for space, participating in the day of action has introduced me to people similar to myself and others who have dedicated their lives with this love of the cosmos. It is an extremely fulfilling experience to help promote funding for NASA and instill the importance of supporting it to the decision-makers in our government.

It is very encouraging that Congress reversed most of the Fiscal Year 2026 cuts proposed by the White House last year. When you add the successful Moon mission just last week, it should be an easy sell to Congress. Even so, eternal vigilance is needed here.

Even if you cannot participate in this event, sending a letter to your congressional members is the next best thing. We need to maintain pressure if we want to reverse these potential cuts so NASA can continue with its great work.

NASA’s 2026 Student Launch Challenge is Underway

Posted on by onespaceman2000
Credit: NASA

If you are a student looking for an opportunity to be part of the space program, you have until September 22nd to provide NASA with plans to design, build, and launch high-powered rockets containing a scientific or engineering payload. This is part of the 2026 Student Launch challenge. The challenge is open to students from middle school, high school, and college. The final launches of these rockets are scheduled for April 25, to be held at Bragg Farms in Toney, Alabama.

First started in 2000, the competition in 2025 brought together almost 1,000 students. The winning team came from James Madison University (pictured below), closely followed by North Carolina State University and The University of Alabama in Huntsville.

This is a great opportunity for those with a love of space rockets. All of the details for entry can be found on NASA’s competition website.

Image (Credit): 2025 winning team participants from James Madison University with their high-powered rocket prior to launch. (NASA/Krisdon Manecke)