NASA-Supported Solar Sail Could Take Science to New Heights
As NASA’s exploration continues to push boundaries, a new solar sail concept selected by the agency for development toward a demonstration mission could carry science to new destinations. The Diffractive Solar Sailing project was selected for Phase III study under the NASA Innovative Advanced Concepts program. Les Johnson, lead for two of NASA’s upcoming solar sail missions at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama, is a co-investigator.
Upper Stage Propulsion System for Future Artemis Mission Reaches Major Milestone
While the Artemis I team prepares for its upcoming mission, NASA and contractor teams are already building rockets to support future Artemis Moon missions. In United Launch Alliance’s factory in Decatur, Alabama, major components have been completed for the Artemis III interim cryogenic propulsion stage (ICPS) that will provide the power to send astronauts to the Moon.
Hubble Captures a Galactic Dance
A new NASA Hubble Space Telescope image shows the large spiral galaxy, NGC 3227, wrapped in a turbulent gravitational dance with its companion, the elliptical galaxy NGC 3226. The twosome – collectively known as Arp 94 – is relatively nearby, between 50 and 60 million light-years away toward the constellation Leo, the Lion.
Soil, Sutures, Climate Modeling Among Investigations Riding SpaceX CRS-25 Dragon to Space Station
The 25th SpaceX cargo resupply services mission carrying scientific research and technology demonstrations to the International Space Station is scheduled for launch June 9 from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Learn more about the experiments aboard the Dragon capsule, including studies of the immune system, wound healing, soil communities, and cell-free biomarkers.
Marshall Associate Director Rae Ann Meyer Walks with Quiet Strength
Rae Ann Meyer knows a thing or two about flexibility in leadership. Meyer recently was tapped to be associate director of NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama, but during her 33-year tenure at NASA, she has worn many different hats. She has served in positions from deputy manager of the Marshall Engineering Directorate’s Flight Mechanics and Analysis Division to deputy manager of Marshall’s Science and Technology Office.
For more information or to learn about other happenings at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center, visit NASA Marshall. For past issues of the ICYMI newsletter, click here.