NASA has recently been in the news due to its ongoing Artemis program, which aims to return humans to the Moon by 2024, and its collaboration with private companies like SpaceX for crewed missions. The agency's successful Mars rover missions, particularly Perseverance, have also garnered attention as it searches for signs of past life on the Red Planet. Additionally, NASA's involvement in international partnerships, such as the James Webb Space Telescope, has highlighted its role in advancing space exploration and research.
Established in 1958, NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration) is an independent agency of the U.S. Federal Government. It was created to oversee the nation's civilian space program and aeronautics research. NASA has been pivotal in numerous landmark achievements, including the Apollo Moon-landing missions, the Space Shuttle program, and the International Space Station. Its mission encompasses scientific discovery, technological innovation, and international collaboration in space exploration.
-
The Geminid meteor shower, known for its bright and colorful meteors, peaked on December 14-15, 2024. Despite expectations of up to 150 meteors per hour, visibility was hindered by a nearly full moon, reducing the count to about 15 meteors per hour. Viewing opportunities continue until December 21.
-
Space One's Kairos No. 2 rocket launch from Kushimoto, Japan, failed due to a malfunction during ascent. This incident follows previous delays and a prior launch failure. The rocket was intended to carry five small satellites, including one from Taiwan's space agency.
-
Recent studies reveal a troubling trend: climate change is causing a significant decline in freezing winter days, leading to increased cold-related deaths in the U.S. and affecting ecosystems, agriculture, and winter recreation. The findings highlight the dual impact of warmer winters and extreme cold events, particularly on vulnerable populations.
-
NASA astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore, initially scheduled for an eight-day mission, will remain aboard the International Space Station until late March or April 2025 due to delays with their replacement crew's spacecraft. They are currently celebrating the holidays in orbit, engaging in festive activities despite being away from home.
-
Chinese astronauts Cai Xuzhe and Song Lingdong completed a record-breaking nine-hour spacewalk during the Shenzhou-19 mission, surpassing the previous record of eight hours and 56 minutes. This achievement highlights China's growing ambitions in space exploration as they work on the Tiangong Space Station.
-
NASA's Parker Solar Probe successfully completed its closest approach to the Sun on December 24, 2024, coming within 3.8 million miles of the solar surface. The spacecraft transmitted a beacon confirming its health after enduring extreme temperatures and radiation during the flyby, which aims to enhance our understanding of solar phenomena.
-
The year 2024 saw significant advancements in space exploration, including the successful launches of India's SpaDeX mission and Blue Origin's New Glenn rocket hot-fire test. Meanwhile, the R-7 rocket family celebrated its 2,000th launch, marking a historic milestone in space history. European launch firms faced challenges, with Avio leading the continent's efforts.
-
The Quadrantid meteor shower is set to peak on January 3, 2025, with visibility extending until January 12. Observers in the northern hemisphere, particularly in the UK and US, can expect to see bright meteors, including fireballs, under optimal conditions.
-
On December 30, 2024, a large metallic ring, identified as space debris, crash-landed in Mukuku village, Kenya. The Kenya Space Agency confirmed it is a separation ring from a launch vehicle, raising concerns about the risks posed by increasing space junk to populated areas.
-
Toyota Motor Corp. is investing $44 million in Interstellar Technologies, a Japanese spaceflight startup, to enhance its rocket production capabilities. This move aims to boost Japan's satellite launch capacity and compete with global leaders like SpaceX. The investment was announced during CES 2025 in Las Vegas.
-
NASA has revised its Mars Sample Return mission, reducing costs from $11 billion to under $8 billion. The agency is exploring two options for sample retrieval, with a decision expected next year. This comes as the incoming Trump administration prepares to take office, impacting future funding and direction.
-
The year 2024 has been confirmed as the hottest year on record, with global temperatures averaging 1.6°C above pre-industrial levels. This marks the first time the annual average has exceeded the 1.5°C threshold set by the Paris Agreement, raising concerns about the accelerating climate crisis.