News
FEATURED STORY
NASA to Explore Two Landing Options for Returning Samples from Mars
Both potential options would use a Multi-Mission Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generator (MMRTG) that can provide power and heat through the dust storm season at Mars, allowing for reduced complexity.
To maximize chances of successfully bringing the first Martian rock and sediment samples to Earth for the benefit of humanity, NASA announced Tuesday a new approach to its Mars Sample Return Program. The agency will simultaneously pursue two landing architectures, or strategic plans, during formulation, encouraging competition and innovation, as well as cost and schedule savings.
Learn More
“If Voyager 2 had arrived just a few days earlier, it would have observed a completely different magnetosphere at Uranus. The spacecraft saw Uranus in conditions that only occur about 4% of the time.”
Jamie Jasinski
NASA Scientist on New Findings from Old Data Harvested from Voyager 2 in 2024.
All Articles
Read about the latest discoveries and innovations powered by radioisotope power.
NASA to Explore Two Landing Options for Returning Samples from Mars
To maximize chances of successfully bringing the first Martian rock and sediment samples to Earth for the benefit of humanity, NASA announced Tuesday a new approach to its Mars Sample Return Program. The agency will simultaneously pursue two landing architectures,…
NASA Mars Orbiter Spots Retired InSight Lander to Study Dust Movement
New images taken from space show how dust on and around InSight is changing over time — information that can help scientists learn more about the Red Planet. NASA’s Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO) caught a glimpse of the agency’s retired…
After 60 Years, Nuclear Power for Spaceflight is Still Tried and True
Six decades after the launch of the first nuclear-powered space mission, NASA is embarking on a bold future of human exploration and scientific discovery.
Perseverance Pays Off for Student Challenge Winners
As radioisotopes power the Perseverance rover to explore Mars, perseverance “powered” three winners to write essays each year till they achieved their mission goal of winning NASA’s Power to Explore Challenge. These students explored behind the scenes at NASA's Glenn…
Here’s How Curiosity’s Sky Crane Changed the Way NASA Explores Mars
Twelve years ago, NASA landed its six-wheeled science lab using a daring new technology that lowers the rover using a robotic jetpack. NASA’s Curiosity rover mission is celebrating a dozen years on the Red Planet, where the six-wheeled scientist continues…
Here’s How AI Is Changing NASA’s Mars Rover Science
Artificial intelligence is helping scientists to identify minerals within rocks studied by the Perseverance rover. Some scientists dream of exploring planets with “smart” spacecraft that know exactly what data to look for, where to find it, and how to analyze…
Ed Stone, Former Director of JPL, Voyager Project Scientist, Dies
Known for his steady leadership, consensus building, and enthusiasm for engaging the public in science, Stone left a deep impact on the space community. Edward C. Stone, former director of NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern California, and longtime project…
