• MAVEN Communication Issues

    This time last year we were celebrating the 10th anniversary of NASA’s Mars Atmosphere and Volatile EvolutioN (MAVEN) spacecraft entering orbit around Mars. Today we are wondering about the future of that spacecraft after NASA lost contact with it. As of earlier today, all NASA would say is the following: The spacecraft and operations teams…

  • Space Stories: Crew Returns from ISS, Isaacman Nomination Advances, and Robotic Spacecraft to Save Space Telescope

    Here are some recent space-related stories of interest. —CBS News: “3-man Crew Undocks from International Space Station, Wrapping Up 8-month Stay“ A NASA astronaut and two cosmonaut crewmates strapped into their Soyuz ferry ship and undocked from the International Space Station on Monday, heading for landing on the steppe of Kazakhstan to wrap up an eight-month mission…With…

  • Astronomy Question: The Demise of Skylab

    Two-Part Multiple Choice:  Part 1: When the US space station Sklyab fell from the sky in 1979, what country was hit with falling debris? A. ArgentinaB. AustraliaC. New ZealandD. Papua New Guinea Part 2: What was the size of the fine that this country tried to impose on NASA as compensation for the falling debris?…

  • Space Quote: China, the Moon, and the Military

    “Politically, China’s lunar program has demonstrated an ability to undertake cutting edge scientific programs, as demonstrated in the innovative Chang’e-4 and Chang’e-6 probes. In terms of direct military benefits, its value is more limited. China is not in a direct space race with any other state, nor is it racing to establish settlements or “space…

  • Television: Pluribus

    The sixth episode of Apple TV+’s Pluribus dropped this week. If you haven’t heard of the new series, you may want to check in. It starts like the movie Contact, has elements of 3 Body Problem (including the clock), and turns into The Last Man on Earth, though in this case its an angry, lone…

  • Pic of the Week: Virgo Galaxy Cluster

    This week’s image comes from the Planetary Society’s recent competition to find the best space exploration images. It shows the Virgo galaxy cluster, which was the winning entry. The image was released on June 23, 2025 by the Vera C. Rubin Observatory located in Chile. The Virgo galaxy cluster is comprised of anywhere between 1,300…

  • Today’s Confirmation Hearing for NASA Administrator

    Jared Isaacman appeared before the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation earlier today for his second confirmation hearing. Overall, everything went well and he should be ready for a full Senate vote next week that will make him NASA’s next administrator. In his prepared testimony, he laid our five goals: The success of the…

  • Space Stories: Russia Destroys Own Cosmonaut Launch Site, Cosmonaut Removed from ISS Crew, and Martian Drainage Systems (Not Canals)

    Here are some recent space-related stories of interest. —The Independent: “Russia Accidentally Destroys its Only Way of Sending Astronauts to Space“ Russia’s only crewed-mission launch site has suffered major damage following a rocket launch on Thursday. The Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan will be unable to host launches until repairs are made, according to the space agency…

  • Vote Scheduled for Next Week on NASA Nominee Jared Isaacman

    After almost a year of rudderless leadership, NASA may be getting an administrator before the end of the calendar year. Maybe. On December 8, the Senate plans to vote on Jared Isaacman’s nomination to become NASA’s administrator. But first, Mr. Isaacman needs to attend a December 3rd nomination hearing with the Senate’s Committee on Commerce,…

  • NSS Space Settlement Contest

    The National Space Society (NSS) has announced its sixth Martine Rothblatt Space Settlement in Our Lifetime competition. To compete you only need to (1) be a student, academician, entrepreneur, or member of the broader space community – which is pretty broad – and (2) develop a business plans that will help to enable space settlement…