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Follow mission news or learn about exciting new discoveries from NASA centers and research partners.

  • Stardust-NExT Sending Photos Back to Earth After Comet Encounter

    Stardust-NExT Sending Photos Back to Earth After Comet Encounter

    Feb. 15, 2011

    The Stardust-NExT spacecraft is beaming photos back to Earth from its encounter with Comet Tempel 1. Preliminary data indicate the spacecraft passed about 112 miles from the comet before midnight EST on Feb. 14.

  • Five Things About NASA's Valentine's Day Comet

    Five Things About NASA's Valentine's Day Comet

    Feb. 14, 2011

    Here are five facts you should know about NASA's Stardust-NExT spacecraft as it prepares for a Valentine's "date" with comet Tempel 1. Feel free to sing along!

  • Two-timing spacecraft has date with another comet

    Two-timing spacecraft has date with another comet

    Feb. 14, 2011

    NASA's Stardust spacecraft is hurtling toward a Valentine's Day encounter with a second comet. Stardust flew within 150 miles of comet Wild 2 in 2004, and now has its 'heart' set on comet Tempel 1.

  • JPL Airborne Sensor to Study 'Rivers in the Sky'

    JPL Airborne Sensor to Study 'Rivers in the Sky'

    Feb. 11, 2011

    An advanced JPL sensor is embarking on a NOAA-led airborne field campaign to study atmospheric rivers - narrow regions in the sky that transport huge amounts of water vapor.

  • When Hiberating Microbes Awaken

    When Hiberating Microbes Awaken

    Feb. 11, 2011

    New research sheds light on how microorganisms are able to 'hibernate' for long periods of time. This unique ability of microorganisms affects entire ecosystems on Earth, and could have implications for the transport of organisms between planets.

  • Climate Change to the Core

    Climate Change to the Core

    Feb. 11, 2011

    Researchers have reached a milestone depth of 3,331 meters while drilling in the West Antarctic Ice Sheet Divide. Drilling into the ice will allow scientists to investigate 100,000 years of Earth climate history.

  • Just 5 questions: A La Niña like no other?

    Feb. 10, 2011

    "Floods, droughts, hurricanes and other natural events are to be expected. They are part of the history of every country. Each is unique and, at some level, can be anticipated. Better urban, suburban and agricultural planning will make them less punishing." - Bill Patzert

  • NASA Announces Candidates for Cubesat Space Missions

    NASA Announces Candidates for Cubesat Space Missions

    Feb. 10, 2011

    NASA has selected 20 small satellites, including two from NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, to fly as auxiliary payloads aboard rockets planned to launch in 2011 and 2012.

  • Heading Into the Bonus Round – in Space

    Heading Into the Bonus Round – in Space

    Feb. 10, 2011

    A bonus round is something one usually associates with the likes of a TV game show, not a pioneering deep space mission. Stardust-NExT has traveled farther afield than any of its predecessors and is being sent out again.

  • CALIPSO Spies Polar Stratospheric Clouds

    CALIPSO Spies Polar Stratospheric Clouds

    Feb. 9, 2011

    NASA’s Cloud-Aerosol Lidar and Infrared Pathfinder Satellite Observation (CALIPSO) satellite was in the right place at the right time in early 2011.