NPR Topics: Space https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=1026 NPR coverage of space exploration, space shuttle missions, news from NASA, private space exploration, satellite technology, and new discoveries in astronomy and astrophysics. en Copyright 2024 NPR - For Personal Use Only Story API Shim 1.2.24 Sun, 30 Mar 2025 13:52:42 -0400 https://media.npr.org/images/podcasts/primary/npr_generic_image_300.jpg?s=200 NPR Topics: Space https://www.npr.org/sections/space/ NASA's Curiosity Rover finds intriguing molecules in ancient Mars mud A science experiment aboard NASA's Curiosity rover has found tantalizing traces of possible past life on Mars. But there could be other explanations for where these compounds came from. Fri, 28 Mar 2025 17:15:39 -0400 https://www.npr.org/2025/03/28/nx-s1-5341448/nasas-curiosity-rover-finds-intriguing-molecules-in-ancient-mars-mud https://www.npr.org/2025/03/28/nx-s1-5341448/nasas-curiosity-rover-finds-intriguing-molecules-in-ancient-mars-mud A science experiment aboard NASA's Curiosity rover has found tantalizing traces of possible past life on Mars. But there could be other explanations for where these compounds came from.

]]> Lennon Sherburne Parts of America will experience a partial solar eclipse this weekend The partial solar eclipse will be visible in various locations in the U.S. Northeast. Wed, 26 Mar 2025 05:00:00 -0400 https://www.npr.org/2025/03/26/nx-s1-5340098/partial-solar-eclipse-march https://www.npr.org/2025/03/26/nx-s1-5340098/partial-solar-eclipse-march

The partial solar eclipse will be visible in various locations in the U.S. Northeast.

(Image credit: Bill Ingalls/NASA)

]]> Chandelis Duster NASA website axes a pledge to land a woman and a person of color on the moon In deference to President Trump's anti-DEI order, the space agency has removed a promise to send the "the first woman, first person of color" to walk on the moon aboard the Artemis III mission. Tue, 25 Mar 2025 12:18:24 -0400 https://www.npr.org/2025/03/25/g-s1-55665/nasa-moon-dei-artemis https://www.npr.org/2025/03/25/g-s1-55665/nasa-moon-dei-artemis

In deference to President Trump's anti-DEI order, the space agency has removed a promise to send the "the first woman, first person of color" to walk on the moon aboard the Artemis III mission.

(Image credit: Gregg Newton)

]]> Scott Neuman Dark energy is weakening and the universe could (eventually) collapse, study says The <a href="https://www.desi.lbl.gov/"target="_blank" >Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument</a> (DESI) is studying dark energy and the accelerated expansion of the universe. Thu, 20 Mar 2025 13:38:11 -0400 https://www.npr.org/2025/03/20/nx-s1-5333843/dark-energy-weakening-universe-collapse-desi https://www.npr.org/2025/03/20/nx-s1-5333843/dark-energy-weakening-universe-collapse-desi

The Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument (DESI) is studying dark energy and the accelerated expansion of the universe.

(Image credit: NASA/ESA/CSA/A. Pagan (STScI)/R. Jansen (ASU))

]]> Chandelis Duster New 'baby pictures' of the cosmos show the universe in its infancy If our 13.8 billion-year-old cosmos could be considered middle-aged, researchers note these new images captured around its 380,000th birthday represent a snapshot of the universe as a newborn. Thu, 20 Mar 2025 06:00:00 -0400 https://www.npr.org/2025/03/20/nx-s1-5333235/new-pictures-universe-atacama-telescope https://www.npr.org/2025/03/20/nx-s1-5333235/new-pictures-universe-atacama-telescope

If our 13.8 billion-year-old cosmos could be considered middle-aged, researchers note these new images captured around its 380,000th birthday represent a snapshot of the universe as a newborn.

(Image credit: ACT Collaboration; ESA / Planck Collaboration)

]]> Joe Hernandez Astronaut Sunita Williams' ancestral village celebrates her return to Earth Residents of Sunita William's ancestral village and her Indian relatives celebrate her safe landing. She and another astronaut returned to Earth this week after more than nine months in space. Wed, 19 Mar 2025 18:59:17 -0400 https://www.npr.org/2025/03/19/nx-s1-5333322/astronaut-sunita-williams-ancestral-village-celebrates-her-return-to-earth https://www.npr.org/2025/03/19/nx-s1-5333322/astronaut-sunita-williams-ancestral-village-celebrates-her-return-to-earth Residents of Sunita William's ancestral village and her Indian relatives celebrate her safe landing. She and another astronaut returned to Earth this week after more than nine months in space.

]]> Diaa Hadid How astronauts adjust when back on Earth after being in space Astronauts face several risks during spaceflight, including exposure to radiation. Wed, 19 Mar 2025 06:00:00 -0400 https://www.npr.org/2025/03/19/nx-s1-5328806/astronauts-spaceflight-risks https://www.npr.org/2025/03/19/nx-s1-5328806/astronauts-spaceflight-risks

Astronauts face several risks during spaceflight, including exposure to radiation.

(Image credit: Keegan Barber)

]]> Chandelis Duster 2 NASA astronauts return to Earth after unexpectedly long mission in space NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams returned to Earth after spending nine months on the International Space Station. It was supposed to be an eight-day mission but hit a snag. Wed, 19 Mar 2025 04:28:23 -0400 https://www.npr.org/2025/03/19/nx-s1-5332192/2-nasa-astronauts-return-to-earth-after-unexpectedly-long-mission-in-space https://www.npr.org/2025/03/19/nx-s1-5332192/2-nasa-astronauts-return-to-earth-after-unexpectedly-long-mission-in-space NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams returned to Earth after spending nine months on the International Space Station. It was supposed to be an eight-day mission but hit a snag.

]]> Brendan Byrne This astronaut spent over 100 days in space. Here's how he says that affected him Jack Fischer spent more than 100 days aboard the International Space Station in 2017. He described to NPR what being in space for so long does to the body and what it feels like to return home. Wed, 19 Mar 2025 04:24:01 -0400 https://www.npr.org/2025/03/19/nx-s1-5332181/astronauts-space-body-effects-jack-fischer https://www.npr.org/2025/03/19/nx-s1-5332181/astronauts-space-body-effects-jack-fischer

Jack Fischer spent more than 100 days aboard the International Space Station in 2017. He described to NPR what being in space for so long does to the body and what it feels like to return home.

(Image credit: Sergei Ilnitsky)

]]> A Martínez Two astronauts are finally returning from an unexpectedly long stay at the ISS After months in space, astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore are finally scheduled to return home in a SpaceX capsule on Tuesday evening. Tue, 18 Mar 2025 18:33:34 -0400 https://www.npr.org/2025/03/18/nx-s1-5331240/two-astronauts-are-finally-returning-from-an-unexpectedly-long-stay-at-the-iss https://www.npr.org/2025/03/18/nx-s1-5331240/two-astronauts-are-finally-returning-from-an-unexpectedly-long-stay-at-the-iss After months in space, astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore are finally scheduled to return home in a SpaceX capsule on Tuesday evening.

]]> Geoff Brumfiel