Space Exploration

The first of NASA’s three next-generation Tracking and Data Relay Satellites (TDRS), known as TDRS-K, launched at 8:48 p.m. EST Wednesday from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida.

NASA and the Newseum will host a preview for news media of the upcoming NOVA special, "Earth from Space," at noon EST Monday, Feb. 4, at the Newseum, 555 Pennsylvania Ave. NW in Washington.

A star thought to have passed the age at which it can form planets may in fact be creating new worlds. The disk of material surrounding the surprising star called TW Hydrae may be massive enough to make even more planets than we have in our own solar system.

29 Jul 2012 - Curiosity Rover on Track for Early August Landing
Eight days before reaching Mars, NASA's Mars Science Laboratory spacecraft performed a flight-path adjustment scheduled more than nine months ago.

27 Jul 2012 - Opportunity Update
Opportunity is roving at the north end of Cape York on the rim of Endeavour Crater.

24 Jul 2012 - Mars Orbiter Repositioned To Phone Home Mars Landing
NASA's Mars Odyssey spacecraft has successfully adjusted its orbital location to be in a better position to provide prompt confirmation of the August landing of the Curiosity rover.

24 Jul 2012 - Curiosity's Batteries Get a Charge
Today, Curiosity's two lithium ion rechargeable batteries are being recharged to 100 percent of capacity in preparation for entry, descent and landing.

23 Jul 2012 - Maria Zuber Statement Regarding the Passing of Sally Ride
"I am certainly sad for the loss of my friend. But what sadness I feel today is tempered by the pride that I have in knowing her, and learning from her. "

23 Jul 2012 - NASA Offers Condolences on the Passing of Pioneering Astronaut Sally Ride
NASA offers condolences on the passing of pioneering astronaut Sally Ride.

23 Jul 2012 - Prepping MSL's Descent Stage Navigation System for Landing
Today, the two inertial measurement units (IMUs) in Mars Science Laboratory's descent stage are being configured, along with other guidance and control parameters for entry, descent and landing.

23 Jul 2012 - Latest Opportunity Location Map
View the latest Opportunity location map from sol 3,020.

22 Jul 2012 - Trajectory Tracking Continues
Engineers at NASA's Deep Space Network continue to run differential ranging track passes to track Mars Science Laboratory's trajectory.

21 Jul 2012 - Getting a Better Bead on Trajectory
Today, engineers at NASA's Deep Space Network are running two differential ranging track passes to track Mars Science Laboratory's trajectory.

20 Jul 2012 - Curiosity Completes Week of Onboard Computer Preps
Today, backup software for Curiosity's entry, descent and landing is being configured onboard the Mars Science Laboratory spacecraft.

20 Jul 2012 - Opportunity Update
Opportunity is roving at the north end of Cape York on the rim of Endeavour Crater. However, her progress has been impacted by the recent safe mode entry by the relay orbiter, Mars Odyssey.

19 Jul 2012 - More Computer Preps for Curiosity
RCE-A is being swapped back to become Curiosity's prime computer, and RCE-B is returning to backup mode.

18 Jul 2012 - Curiosity Continues Computer Preps, Gets 'Attitude Adjustment'
Today, Curiosity's RCE-A computer, which was swapped with the backup computer yesterday, is being cold reset, or rebooted, while in online, or backup, mode.

17 Jul 2012 - Curiosity Swaps Computers, Gets Updated Arrival Data
Activities continue through July 20 to prepare Curiosity's redundant main computers, or Rover Compute Elements, for arrival at Mars.

17 Jul 2012 - Opportunity Update
Opportunity is still exploring the north end of Cape York on the rim of Endeavour Crater.

17 Jul 2012 - Study Finds Heat is Source of 'Pioneer Anomaly'
Analysis shows the slight, but detectable effect of heat pushing back on NASA's Pioneer 10 and 11 explains unexpected slowing of the spacecraft.