NASA GeneLab’s Post

Hubble Space Telescope Demonstrates Operational Resilience with Innovative Pointing Mode In a testament to engineering ingenuity and adaptive problem-solving, NASA has successfully transitioned the Hubble Space Telescope to an alternate pointing mode following a gyroscope malfunction. This strategic shift ensures the continuation of Hubble's groundbreaking observations and potentially extends its operational lifespan. Key points:  ● Successful implementation of single-gyro mode  ● Minimal impact on scientific operations  ● Potential for exploring previously unreachable areas of the universe  ● Dr. Jennifer Wiseman, NASA scientist, notes: "The new pointing mode allows us to push the boundaries of what Hubble can observe, enabling us to explore previously unreachable areas of the universe with unprecedented clarity." This development underscores the importance of flexible design in space technology and the value of ongoing innovation in extending the life of critical scientific assets. How might this approach to problem-solving and adaptation be applied in other industries or technological fields? Read More: https://lnkd.in/gSe5D_8G #SpaceTechnology #Innovation #NASA #AerospaceEngineering

Why would we want to use X-Ray technology in outer space??? Many recognize the value of this invisible energy here on Earth from its medical applications at a minimum...but what can X-ray tech teach us about the cosmos? Well...two years after the launch of NASA's Imaging X-ray Polarimetry Explorer (IXPE) mission, (December 2021), this satellite has revolutionized our understanding of cosmic phenomena by studying polarized X-ray light. Key achievements include: - Conducting unprecedented studies of supernova remnants - Solving a 40-year-old mystery regarding particle acceleration in blazars - Shedding light on the activity of the supermassive black hole at the center of the Milky Way As a result of these successes, the IXPE mission has been extended for an additional 20 months, continuing observations through at least September 2025. Isn't space technology cool??? #engineering #aerospace #awesome *Gif credit: NASA

Awesome example of cross-industry engineering applications! X-ray tech to see things that our eyes can't see in medicine. X-ray tech to see things that our eyes can't see in space! Love to see stuff like this. And the video illustration is cool too 😊 #engineering #crossfunctionalteams #spacetechnology

What is Webb Observing? See current, upcoming and recent past observations scientists are making with the Webb Space Telescope. Use the "Observation Details + " button (right side of the window) to view each observation's science focus areas, instruments used and more. Note that the sky map showing the target’s location uses imagery from ground-based telescopes, not imagery from the Webb Space Telescope. #nasa #jameswebbspacetelescope #geography

NASA's IMAP probe will launch in 2025 to capture interstellar dust In May next year, NASA plans to launch a spacecraft to capture minuscule dust particles streaming into our solar system from interstellar space, in hopes of studying the very building blocks of our cosmic backyard. The primary goal of the mission, called the Interstellar Mapping and Acceleration Probe (IMAP), is to study the huge, sun-created bubble known as the heliosphere that surrounds our solar system. The heliosphere shields Earth and other planets from cosmic radiation entering our solar system from the outside.MAP will carry 10 science instruments for in situ and remote observations. One of them, the large, drum-shaped Interstellar Dust Experiment (IDEX), is designed to capture and analyze tiny dust particles from outer space that penetrate through the heliosphere and into our solar system. 

Chandra, the most powerful X-ray telescope in history, is proposed for cancellation in the FY25 President's Budget Request. The cut comes as a surprise to the astrophysics community because Chandra has nearly a decade of life remaining. Not to mention, Chandra and Hubble were the top-ranked missions in the 2022 NASA Senior Review. As a Mission Planner and Command Controller for Chandra, I can confidently say Chandra is healthy, efficient, and returning its best-of-mission science. Throughout the past 25 years, Chandra has made groundbreaking discoveries of X-ray emissions from various planets, the existence of dark matter, and the formation of black holes. The loss of a flagship mission like Chandra would be an extinction-level event for X-ray Astronomy. Please consider showing your support by visiting savechandra.org. Take action by signing the letter to Congress or writing to your representatives! It's not too late. Let's save Chandra. #savechandra #chandraxray #nasa

A legendary Great Observatory is proposed for cancellation in the FY25 President’s Budget Request. It’s not too late. On March 11, NASA proposed premature cancellation of Chandra’s mission, due to immense budgetary pressures But Chandra has nearly a decade of life remaining. It remains the vanguard of U.S. Leadership in High Energy Astrophysics. It is returning its best-of-mission science. It is a keystone of synergy with Webb, vastly increasing our return-on-investment. It is a critically-needed discovery engine in the looming era of Time Domain Astrophysics. It is efficient, delivering superbly high science return per taxpayer dollar. Chandra’s mission cannot end when its greatest discoveries lie ahead. Chandra and Hubble were the top-ranked missions in the 2022 NASA Senior Review The loss of Chandra would be an extinction-level-event for X-ray Astronomy in the US, a Nobel-prize winning field that began in the U.S. Let’s save a global treasure. Let’s save Chandra #savechandra #chandraxray #nasa #chandraxrayobservatory https://lnkd.in/dnW8PvfR

🚀 Exciting News from Space! 🌱 SporeSat, an autonomous, free-flying spacecraft, is on a groundbreaking mission to investigate how germinating plant cells sense and respond to gravity. This innovative experiment, featuring the single-celled spores of the aquatic fern *Ceratopteris richardii*, aims to unravel the molecular and biophysical mechanisms underlying gravity sensing in plants. Why is this important? These spores can sense and respond to gravity within hours of germination, with one of the earliest detectable events being the movement of calcium ions through the spores. On Earth, this ion current flows opposite to gravity, helping the spores distinguish up from down. SporeSat will expose these fern spores to different gravity levels, allowing scientists to monitor their calcium ion channel activity and observe how gravitational responses change in various environments. This research holds promise for enhancing our understanding of plant biology and could have far-reaching implications for agriculture and space exploration. Stay tuned for more updates as we explore the fascinating world of plant biology in space! 🔗 Learn more about SporeSat https://lnkd.in/eDxKJFzu #SpaceResearch #PlantBiology #Gravity #SporeSat #NASA #ScientificExperiment #InnovationInSpace NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration

I initially thought this was a prank, but no 😅 I love how curiosity and creativity can be used to discover new things, and even make important breakthroughs. NASA astronaut Don Pettit is back on the International Space Station (ISS), and at 69, he’s now NASA's oldest active astronaut on a long-duration mission. Pettit, along with Russian cosmonauts Alexey Ovchinin and Ivan Vagner, launched aboard Soyuz MS-26 on September 11, 2024, and docked with the ISS just three hours later. During his previous missions, Pettit conducted what he called "science of opportunity" experiments using everyday materials like sugar, salt, and coffee grounds in sealed plastic bags. After shaking them up, he noticed the particles clumped together into fractal-like structures within seconds. Pettit and his team suspected electrostatic forces were at play here, providing a glimpse into how small particles might behave in space and even suggesting clues about how planets could form. Though the setup was simple, these informal experiments hinted at something much bigger. Pettit’s creativity with basic materials showed that even in the microgravity of space, there’s a lot we can learn about natural processes we don’t fully understand yet. Now, in his fourth spaceflight, Pettit will be spending six months on the ISS as part of Expedition 72 before returning to Earth in spring 2025. If you love space and want to be in on the breaking inside conversations in the space economy, feel free to subscribe to my newsletter, Trailblazers. It’s the fastest-growing space newsletter and it’s free! 👉 https://lnkd.in/gfpUsDDC 🎥 Credit: NASA via ISS on IG #space #spaceexploration #research #innovation #spaceeconomy #NASA #ISS #astronaut

NASA is intensifying its dedication to innovation by advancing six cutting-edge technology concepts to the next phase of development. These forward-thinking ideas have the potential to revolutionize space exploration! This article discusses these six innovative concepts that are sure to impress and ignite your imagination. ☄️Fluidic Telescope ☄️Pulsed Plasma Rocket ☄️The Great Observatory for Long Wavelengths ☄️Radioisotope Thermoradiative Cell Power Generator ☄️FLOAT: Flexible Levitation on a Track ☄️ScienceCraft for Outer Planet Exploration These groundbreaking ideas may seem like science fiction, but the innovative thinkers at NASA are determined to bring them to fruition! The future of aerospace is brimming with promise and potential! 📝 https://lnkd.in/g-xSHnsJ #Ezassi #Innovation #AerospaceInnovations #NASAInnovation