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Lion Nebula Roars in Webb's Sights
Lion Nebula Roars in Webb’s Sights
Observing across the starry “plains” of space, NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope has taken new images of NGC 2392, nicknamed the Lion Nebula. The nebula’s “mane” is clear and detailed in this image released on Aug. 10, 2026, due to Webb’s high-resolution imaging.
See more images of the Lion Nebula from Webb.
Image: NASA, ESA, CSA, STScI; Image Processing: Alyssa Pagan (STScI)
Lion Nebula Roars in Webb’s Sights
Observing across the starry “plains” of space, NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope has taken new images of NGC 2392, nicknamed the Lion Nebula. The nebula’s “mane” is clear and detailed in this image released on Aug. 10, 2026, due to Webb’s high-resolution imaging.
See more images of the Lion Nebula from Webb.
Image: NASA, ESA, CSA, STScI; Image Processing: Alyssa Pagan (STScI)
National Academy of Sciences pulls climate chapter from judges’ manual
President Donald Trump and other Republican officials had criticized this chapter as biased against fossil fuel companies
The ESCAPE Mission Will Study the Evolution of Exoplanet Atmospheres
Exoplanets need to be habitable for a long time for complex life to develop. To sustain habitability, exoplanets need to retain their atmospheres. But many exoplanets are exposed to extreme ultraviolet light and coronal mass ejections that can strip atmospheres away. A new mission aims to understand these processes and help exoplanet scientists identify exoplanets that can stay habitable for meaningful lengths of time.
Percy Sees An 'Eclipse' of Earth, From Mars
Sure. It may not look like much. But sometimes, the 'wow' factor in an image lies in knowing just what you're seeing. While most of us are eagerly awaiting Wednesday’s total solar eclipse across the North Atlantic and Spain, robotic emissaries on the Martian surface have recently given us a look at an astronomical occlusion of a different sort, as Phobos crossed in front of Earth.
NASA Telescopes Create Colorful ‘Craft’ From Nearby Nebula
Like a collage made of layered sheets of colored cellophane, a vibrant new image layers observations of a famous star-forming nebula from NASA space telescopes. The resulting cosmic “craft” reveals new details about the star formation region known as 30 Doradus, or the Tarantula Nebula.
Located in the Large Magellanic Cloud, a small neighbor galaxy to the Milky Way about 160,000 light-years from Earth, the Tarantula has thousands of young stars embedded in a vibrant honeycomb-like structure of gas and dust.
X-ray: NASA/CXC/Ohio State Univ./J. Rodriguez et al; Infrared: NASA/ESA/CSA/STScI; Optical: NASA/ESA/STScI; Image Processing: NASA/CXC/SAO/P. Edmonds
Like a collage made of layered sheets of colored cellophane, a vibrant new image layers observations of a famous star-forming nebula from NASA space telescopes. The resulting cosmic “craft” reveals new details about the star formation region known as 30 Doradus, or the Tarantula Nebula.
Located in the Large Magellanic Cloud, a small neighbor galaxy to the Milky Way about 160,000 light-years from Earth, the Tarantula has thousands of young stars embedded in a vibrant honeycomb-like structure of gas and dust.
The new composite image contains X-rays from NASA’s Chandra X-ray Observatory, which has repeatedly observed the Tarantula Nebula over the course of its mission, in the layer that appears in blue. The X-ray data reveals gas blown away by winds from the surfaces of young, massive stars and heated to millions of degrees by shock waves, like sonic booms from supersonic jets.
The red represents infrared data from NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope showing thousands of young stars, plus swaths of cool dust that will provide the ingredients to form new stars and planets. Optical data in the green layer from NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope uncovers hydrogen gas that is warmer than seen with Webb, as well as some individual stars through the nebula.
The composite image shows the full Hubble and Webb images of this region, as well as a large section of the Chandra image, all recently published in a research paper in the Astrophysical Journal. In some regions the blue Chandra layer stands alone, and in others it combines with either the red Webb data or the green Hubble data. In the middle region all three images overlap to provide a holistic view in red, orange, yellow, green, and blue.
Previously, astronomers had studied the amount and the impact of energy produced by winds from young, massive stars in the Tarantula Nebula. Scientists expect that much of this energy should heat gas so that it produces X-rays. However, the research paper shows that there is much less X-ray-emitting gas in the nebula than expected. This led researchers to ask: Where has this energy gone and what tamed the Tarantula Nebula?
By studying the data from Chandra, Hubble, and Webb, combined with data from NASA’s retired Spitzer Space Telescope, the team concluded the Tarantula may be losing energy from several sources.
First, up to half of the hot gas is leaking through the shell walls of the gas and dust structures and escaping the nebula. Next, there is stirring and mixing between the cold gas near the shell walls and some of the hot gas, lowering the overall temperature of the gas. Finally, comparisons with computer simulations suggest the Tarantula may be losing energy through conduction. This involves direct physical contact between hot and cooler material, like with a frying pan on a burner, causing the hot and cooler material to equalize in temperature. In the case of the Tarantula Nebula, the hot gas would be conducting heat by being in direct contact with the cooler gas in the shells, especially in the densest regions. This scenario does not necessarily involve mixing the hot and cooler gas.
The combination of these three channels for losing large amounts of energy leads to this colorful and complex display revealed by NASA’s telescopes working together.
Tarantula Nebula / 30 Doradus, cropped version. X-ray: NASA/CXC/Ohio State Univ./J. Rodriguez et al; Infrared: NASA/ESA/CSA/STScI; Optical: NASA/ESA/STScI; Image Processing: NASA/CXC/SAO/P. Edmonds
The paper describing these results was led by Jennifer Rodriguez of The Ohio State University in Columbus. Additional authors on the paper include Laura Lopez, Ohio State; Lachlan Lancaster, Columbia University in New York City; Anna Rosen, San Diego State University; Omnaraynai Nayak, Space Telescope Science Institute in Baltimore; Sebastian Lopez, Ohio State; Tyler Holland-Ashford, NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland; and Trinity Webb, Ohio State.
NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama, manages the Chandra program. The Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory’s Chandra X-ray Center controls science operations from Cambridge, Massachusetts, and flight operations from Burlington, Massachusetts.
To learn more about Chandra, visit:
About the Author Megan WatzkeShare
Details Last Updated Aug 12, 2026 Editor Lee Mohon Contact Megan Watzke Joel Wallace joel.w.wallace@nasa.gov Location Marshall Space Flight Center Related Terms Explore More 4 min read NASA Space Telescope Maps Magnetic Fields of ‘Lighthouse’ PulsarArticle
1 month ago
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Article
1 month ago
5 min read NASA’s Chandra Discovers Possible Supernova Remnant in Galactic Center
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2 months ago
Keep Exploring Discover More Topics From NASA Chandra X-ray Observatory
The Chandra X-ray Observatory is the world’s most powerful X-ray telescope.
Hubble Space Telescope
Since its 1990 launch, the Hubble Space Telescope has changed our fundamental understanding of the universe.
James Webb Space Telescope
Webb is the premier observatory of the next decade, serving thousands of astronomers worldwide. It studies every phase in the…
Universe
NASA Telescopes Create Colorful ‘Craft’ From Nearby Nebula
Like a collage made of layered sheets of colored cellophane, a vibrant new image layers observations of a famous star-forming nebula from NASA space telescopes. The resulting cosmic “craft” reveals new details about the star formation region known as 30 Doradus, or the Tarantula Nebula.
Located in the Large Magellanic Cloud, a small neighbor galaxy to the Milky Way about 160,000 light-years from Earth, the Tarantula has thousands of young stars embedded in a vibrant honeycomb-like structure of gas and dust.
X-ray: NASA/CXC/Ohio State Univ./J. Rodriguez et al; Infrared: NASA/ESA/CSA/STScI; Optical: NASA/ESA/STScI; Image Processing: NASA/CXC/SAO/P. EdmondsLike a collage made of layered sheets of colored cellophane, a vibrant new image layers observations of a famous star-forming nebula from NASA space telescopes. The resulting cosmic “craft” reveals new details about the star formation region known as 30 Doradus, or the Tarantula Nebula.
Located in the Large Magellanic Cloud, a small neighbor galaxy to the Milky Way about 160,000 light-years from Earth, the Tarantula has thousands of young stars embedded in a vibrant honeycomb-like structure of gas and dust.
The new composite image contains X-rays from NASA’s Chandra X-ray Observatory, which has repeatedly observed the Tarantula Nebula over the course of its mission, in the layer that appears in blue. The X-ray data reveals gas blown away by winds from the surfaces of young, massive stars and heated to millions of degrees by shock waves, like sonic booms from supersonic jets.
The red represents infrared data from NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope showing thousands of young stars, plus swaths of cool dust that will provide the ingredients to form new stars and planets. Optical data in the green layer from NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope uncovers hydrogen gas that is warmer than seen with Webb, as well as some individual stars through the nebula.
The composite image shows the full Hubble and Webb images of this region, as well as a large section of the Chandra image, all recently published in a research paper in the Astrophysical Journal. In some regions the blue Chandra layer stands alone, and in others it combines with either the red Webb data or the green Hubble data. In the middle region all three images overlap to provide a holistic view in red, orange, yellow, green, and blue.
Previously, astronomers had studied the amount and the impact of energy produced by winds from young, massive stars in the Tarantula Nebula. Scientists expect that much of this energy should heat gas so that it produces X-rays. However, the research paper shows that there is much less X-ray-emitting gas in the nebula than expected. This led researchers to ask: Where has this energy gone and what tamed the Tarantula Nebula?
By studying the data from Chandra, Hubble, and Webb, combined with data from NASA’s retired Spitzer Space Telescope, the team concluded the Tarantula may be losing energy from several sources.
First, up to half of the hot gas is leaking through the shell walls of the gas and dust structures and escaping the nebula. Next, there is stirring and mixing between the cold gas near the shell walls and some of the hot gas, lowering the overall temperature of the gas. Finally, comparisons with computer simulations suggest the Tarantula may be losing energy through conduction. This involves direct physical contact between hot and cooler material, like with a frying pan on a burner, causing the hot and cooler material to equalize in temperature. In the case of the Tarantula Nebula, the hot gas would be conducting heat by being in direct contact with the cooler gas in the shells, especially in the densest regions. This scenario does not necessarily involve mixing the hot and cooler gas.
The combination of these three channels for losing large amounts of energy leads to this colorful and complex display revealed by NASA’s telescopes working together.
Tarantula Nebula / 30 Doradus, cropped version. X-ray: NASA/CXC/Ohio State Univ./J. Rodriguez et al; Infrared: NASA/ESA/CSA/STScI; Optical: NASA/ESA/STScI; Image Processing: NASA/CXC/SAO/P. EdmondsThe paper describing these results was led by Jennifer Rodriguez of The Ohio State University in Columbus. Additional authors on the paper include Laura Lopez, Ohio State; Lachlan Lancaster, Columbia University in New York City; Anna Rosen, San Diego State University; Omnaraynai Nayak, Space Telescope Science Institute in Baltimore; Sebastian Lopez, Ohio State; Tyler Holland-Ashford, NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland; and Trinity Webb, Ohio State.
NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama, manages the Chandra program. The Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory’s Chandra X-ray Center controls science operations from Cambridge, Massachusetts, and flight operations from Burlington, Massachusetts.
To learn more about Chandra, visit:
About the Author Megan WatzkeShare
Details Last Updated Aug 11, 2026 Editor Lee Mohon Contact Megan Watzke Joel Wallace Location Marshall Space Flight Center Related Terms Explore More 4 min read NASA Space Telescope Maps Magnetic Fields of ‘Lighthouse’ PulsarArticle
1 month ago
5 min read NASA’s Chandra Examines Milky Way at Arms’ Length
Article
1 month ago
5 min read NASA’s Chandra Discovers Possible Supernova Remnant in Galactic Center
Article
2 months ago
Keep Exploring Discover More Topics From NASA Chandra X-ray Observatory
The Chandra X-ray Observatory is the world’s most powerful X-ray telescope.
Hubble Space Telescope
Since its 1990 launch, the Hubble Space Telescope has changed our fundamental understanding of the universe.
James Webb Space Telescope
Webb is the premier observatory of the next decade, serving thousands of astronomers worldwide. It studies every phase in the…
Universe
Robots Could Build Massive Metamaterial Radars in Orbit
Tracking the debris orbiting at high velocity in space is only going to get harder over time. We have ground-based radar systems, such as the Space Fence, designed to detect pieces down to around 10 cm. But finding objects smaller than that, which can still cause a lot of damage traveling at 17,000 miles per hour, requires completely new thinking. One potential solution is a new idea from Dr. David Smith of Duke University, who was recently funded for a NASA Innovative Advanced Concepts (NIAC) Phase I grant to build robotically assembled electromagnetic metamaterials for long-range space situational awareness.
107 years ago, the Eddington total eclipse experiment helped prove Einstein’s theory of relativity
The Eddington experiment used a solar eclipse to prove Albert Einstein’s general theory of relativity
Building the Moon Base: NASA Stories at the Ion
As NASA prepares to return astronauts to the lunar surface for longer stays and increasingly complex operations, building the Moon Base will require new ideas, advanced technologies, and expertise across many fields.
During NASA Stories at the Ion on July 30, Shatel Bhakta, principal systems engineer for NASA’s Moon Base Program, presented “Building the Moon Base: Challenges and Opportunities at the Lunar South Pole.” He discussed the work required to establish a sustained human presence at the Moon.
Through its growing partnership with Rice University and the Ion, NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston hosts recurring talks connecting agency experts with entrepreneurs, researchers, students, and industry leaders. The series gives Houston’s innovation community a closer look at the people and ideas shaping the future of exploration.
Shatel Bhakta, principal systems engineer for NASA’s Moon Base Program, presents during NASA Stories at the Ion. At left is Laura Neder, head of platform for the Rice Alliance for Technology and Entrepreneurship and the Ion District. NASA/Sumer Loggins
Laura Neder, head of platform for the Rice Alliance for Technology and Entrepreneurship and the Ion District, welcomed attendees and introduced Monte Goforth, acting director of Business Development and Technology Integration at Johnson. Goforth delivered opening remarks on the value of sharing NASA’s work beyond the agency and bringing people together to support future exploration before introducing Bhakta.
Bhakta outlined how NASA is working toward long-duration human exploration of the lunar South Pole through the agency’s Moon Base Program.
As part of that effort, NASA is taking a step-by-step approach to Moon Base development. Early robotic missions and technology demonstrations will help NASA gather data about the lunar environment, test systems, and reduce risks before expanding infrastructure and human operations.
“This is probably going to be the most challenging endeavor NASA has ever undertaken,” Bhakta said.
Meeting that challenge will require collaboration between NASA and its commercial and international partners to develop solutions for operating in extreme environmental conditions.
Unlike the Apollo landing sites, areas near the lunar South Pole contain steep slopes, deep craters, and lighting conditions that change throughout the year. The Sun remains low on the horizon, creating shifting shadows that can complicate navigation and leave solar panels without sunlight for extended periods, increasing the need for energy storage and other power sources.
Because of the region’s rugged terrain, crews, rovers, and other surface systems may not always have a clear line of sight to Earth. NASA will need communications infrastructure to relay signals across the lunar South Pole.
Bhakta explained that Moon Base may not be a single cluster of connected structures. Terrain, lighting, power, and landing constraints could require habitats and other systems to be distributed across the lunar surface.
Attendees listen as Shatel Bhakta, principal systems engineer for NASA’s Moon Base Program, discusses the challenges of establishing a sustained human presence at the Moon. NASA/Sumer Loggins
Lunar regolith, or Moon dust, remains one of the greatest challenges. Without mitigation, the sharp and clingy substance could damage equipment and spacesuits while posing health risks to astronauts. Its electrostatic properties can also change depending on lighting and environmental conditions.
Understanding how lunar regolith behaves will be essential to ensuring crews can safely live and work on the lunar surface.
Some permanently shadowed regions near the lunar South Pole may not have received direct sunlight for billions of years and may contain water ice and other volatile materials. These resources could support future exploration, but using them will require new mobility, power, and processing systems.
The Moon will also serve as a proving ground for missions farther into the solar system. Operating on the lunar surface will help NASA learn how crews, equipment, and infrastructure perform away from Earth before future human missions to Mars.
As NASA develops these capabilities, Bhakta explained that keeping the Moon Base architecture adaptable will require understanding how individual systems connect and work together.
“Don’t deal with the technology directly,” Bhakta said. “Deal with the interfaces.”
From left, Monte Goforth, acting director of Business Development and Technology Integration at NASA’s Johnson Space Center; Shatel Bhakta, principal systems engineer for NASA’s Moon Base Program; and Laura Neder, head of platform for the Rice Alliance for Technology and Entrepreneurship and the Ion District, pose during NASA Stories at the Ion. NASA/Sumer Loggins
Building the Moon Base will take more than engineers and scientists. NASA will need communicators, business professionals, researchers, and people from many other fields to help solve problems and share the agency’s work.
“There are many ways to contribute,” Bhakta said. “Don’t be afraid that your skill set does not fit in.”
Moon Base build-up will offer multiple entry points for industry and international collaborators to participate, innovate, and contribute. From early demonstrations to long-term surface operations, there are multiple solicitations currently open.
Find more information at:
www.nasa.gov/moonbase-solicitations
About the AuthorSumer Loggins Share Details Last Updated Aug 11, 2026 Related Terms Explore More 5 min read NASA Completes Astronaut-Deployed Science Instrument for Lunar SurfaceNASA has declared “wrenches down” on the first completed payload designed for Artemis astronauts to…
Article 20 hours ago 3 min read NASA’s Lunar Development and Test Facility Prepares Artemis Hardware for Moon Article 5 days ago 2 min read Ames Science Stars of the Month – August 2026 Article 1 week ago Keep Exploring Discover More Topics From NASAMissions
Humans in Space
Climate Change
Solar System
Building the Moon Base: NASA Stories at the Ion
As NASA prepares to return astronauts to the lunar surface for longer stays and increasingly complex operations, building the Moon Base will require new ideas, advanced technologies, and expertise across many fields.
During NASA Stories at the Ion on July 30, Shatel Bhakta, principal systems engineer for NASA’s Moon Base Program, presented “Building the Moon Base: Challenges and Opportunities at the Lunar South Pole.” He discussed the work required to establish a sustained human presence at the Moon.
Through its growing partnership with Rice University and the Ion, NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston hosts recurring talks connecting agency experts with entrepreneurs, researchers, students, and industry leaders. The series gives Houston’s innovation community a closer look at the people and ideas shaping the future of exploration.
Shatel Bhakta, principal systems engineer for NASA’s Moon Base Program, presents during NASA Stories at the Ion. At left is Laura Neder, head of platform for the Rice Alliance for Technology and Entrepreneurship and the Ion District. NASA/Sumer LogginsLaura Neder, head of platform for the Rice Alliance for Technology and Entrepreneurship and the Ion District, welcomed attendees and introduced Monte Goforth, acting director of Business Development and Technology Integration at Johnson. Goforth delivered opening remarks on the value of sharing NASA’s work beyond the agency and bringing people together to support future exploration before introducing Bhakta.
Bhakta outlined how NASA is working toward long-duration human exploration of the lunar South Pole through the agency’s Moon Base Program.
As part of that effort, NASA is taking a step-by-step approach to Moon Base development. Early robotic missions and technology demonstrations will help NASA gather data about the lunar environment, test systems, and reduce risks before expanding infrastructure and human operations.
“This is probably going to be the most challenging endeavor NASA has ever undertaken,” Bhakta said.
Meeting that challenge will require collaboration between NASA and its commercial and international partners to develop solutions for operating in extreme environmental conditions.
Unlike the Apollo landing sites, areas near the lunar South Pole contain steep slopes, deep craters, and lighting conditions that change throughout the year. The Sun remains low on the horizon, creating shifting shadows that can complicate navigation and leave solar panels without sunlight for extended periods, increasing the need for energy storage and other power sources.
Because of the region’s rugged terrain, crews, rovers, and other surface systems may not always have a clear line of sight to Earth. NASA will need communications infrastructure to relay signals across the lunar South Pole.
Bhakta explained that Moon Base may not be a single cluster of connected structures. Terrain, lighting, power, and landing constraints could require habitats and other systems to be distributed across the lunar surface.
Attendees listen as Shatel Bhakta, principal systems engineer for NASA’s Moon Base Program, discusses the challenges of establishing a sustained human presence at the Moon. NASA/Sumer LogginsLunar regolith, or Moon dust, remains one of the greatest challenges. Without mitigation, the sharp and clingy substance could damage equipment and spacesuits while posing health risks to astronauts. Its electrostatic properties can also change depending on lighting and environmental conditions.
Understanding how lunar regolith behaves will be essential to ensuring crews can safely live and work on the lunar surface.
Some permanently shadowed regions near the lunar South Pole may not have received direct sunlight for billions of years and may contain water ice and other volatile materials. These resources could support future exploration, but using them will require new mobility, power, and processing systems.
The Moon will also serve as a proving ground for missions farther into the solar system. Operating on the lunar surface will help NASA learn how crews, equipment, and infrastructure perform away from Earth before future human missions to Mars.
As NASA develops these capabilities, Bhakta explained that keeping the Moon Base architecture adaptable will require understanding how individual systems connect and work together.
“Don’t deal with the technology directly,” Bhakta said. “Deal with the interfaces.”
From left, Monte Goforth, acting director of Business Development and Technology Integration at NASA’s Johnson Space Center; Shatel Bhakta, principal systems engineer for NASA’s Moon Base Program; and Laura Neder, head of platform for the Rice Alliance for Technology and Entrepreneurship and the Ion District, pose during NASA Stories at the Ion. NASA/Sumer LogginsBuilding the Moon Base will take more than engineers and scientists. NASA will need communicators, business professionals, researchers, and people from many other fields to help solve problems and share the agency’s work.
“There are many ways to contribute,” Bhakta said. “Don’t be afraid that your skill set does not fit in.”
Moon Base build-up will offer multiple entry points for industry and international collaborators to participate, innovate, and contribute. From early demonstrations to long-term surface operations, there are multiple solicitations currently open.
Find more information at:
www.nasa.gov/moonbase-solicitations
About the AuthorSumer Loggins Share Details Last Updated Aug 11, 2026 Related Terms Explore More 5 min read NASA Completes Astronaut-Deployed Science Instrument for Lunar SurfaceNASA has declared “wrenches down” on the first completed payload designed for Artemis astronauts to…
Article 12 hours ago 3 min read NASA’s Lunar Development and Test Facility Prepares Artemis Hardware for Moon Article 5 days ago 2 min read Ames Science Stars of the Month – August 2026 Article 1 week ago Keep Exploring Discover More Topics From NASAMissions
Humans in Space
Climate Change
Solar System
NASA Funds 'Interworld Slingshot' Concept to Map Solar System Resources
In-situ Resource Utilization (ISRU) is going to be a critical technical component of any human expansion out into the solar system. Our first challenge with utilizing those resources, though, is finding them. We know how, at least in theory - send a probe to an asteroid, or a particular part of the Moon, and take a sample, maybe analyze that sample with some spectrographs, or send it back to Earth to be poked and prodded. The problem with this methodology is simple - it’s expensive. Sending dedicated probes to every near-Earth asteroid, or every potentially interesting site near a lunar base is prohibitively expensive. So a new NASA Institute for Advanced Concepts (NIAC) grant explores a different opportunity - using a single, relatively small spacecraft to visit multiple ISRU locations, and figure out their composition from tens of kilometers away.
NASA Shares Station Research Today Supporting Moon, Mars Tomorrow
The International Space Station has been busy throughout 2026, as it continues to be a bustling workspace for astronauts conducting a variety of scientific experiments that lay the groundwork for missions to the Moon and beyond.
NASA’s Artemis II mission in April was the first crewed flight around the Moon in more than 50 years, marking a major milestone for humanity’s return to the lunar surface. While the mission validated key systems needed for future deep space human exploration, work aboard the International Space Station continues to support those goals. Astronauts on the orbiting laboratory are testing technologies, studying how the human body adapts to long-duration spaceflight, and conducting experiments to help ensure crews can live and work safely in deep space. Research aboard the space station, coupled with Artemis and Moon Base programs, will continue to demonstrate how NASA is preparing for sustained astronaut exploration of the Moon and, eventually, Mars.
Optimizing space technologyTo view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video
ESA (European Space Agency) astronaut Sophie Adenot activates the European Enhanced Exploration Exercise Device (E4D), marking the start of a two-year technology demonstration.ESA/NASAAstronauts aboard the International Space Station demonstrate and optimize innovative technologies to support exploration missions, reduce the technology footprint, and fine-tune systems ahead of travel beyond low Earth orbit.
Exercise equipment is important for long-duration spaceflight. On average, astronauts lose between 1% and 1.5% of their bone density each month while in microgravity, increasing the potential risk for fractures and other bone-related issues. Regular exercise can help counteract these effects and keep astronauts healthy. The European Enhanced Exploration Exercise Device (E4D) is a compact, versatile system now being tested aboard the space station for exploration crews. The system supports a variety of exercises, can simulate different gravity levels and may lead to even more compact exercise technology for exploration crews.
During deep space missions, astronauts may need medical care but could be too far from Earth to receive a resupply spacecraft with additional equipment. To prepare for that possibility, researchers are testing medical technologies aboard the station. One of these investigations, the Intravenous Fluid Generation – Mini (IVGEN Mini),evaluates producing intravenous (IV) fluids using the station’s potable water supply. Because commercially available IV fluids have a shelf life of only about 16 months, successful demonstrations of this technology could help meet medical needs while reducing launch mass and volume.
Medical care is one hurdle crews may face during future missions, while another is the limited time astronauts have to complete tasks that require human intervention. Robotic technologies, such as the Test facility for lab-aUtomation System in Kibo (TUSK), may help address these time constraints. This investigation studies how microgravity affects delicate robotic operations that rely on precise movement. Insights could help improve the design of future automated systems that can execute tasks independently, freeing up astronauts’ valuable time during future missions.
Studying the body in space NASA astronauts Jessica Meir and Chris Williams collect frozen research samples from inside the International Space Station’s Destiny laboratory module.ESA/Sophie Adenot
Astronauts also serve as test subjects. They collect biological samples, conduct medical exams, and perform scans to understand how bodies adapt to life in space. This research helps scientists and medical personnel understand the effects of spaceflight and protects crew health as missions extend farther into the solar system.
Past research shows weightlessness during spaceflight can sometimes disrupt astronauts’ normal blood flow, which may increase health risks for conditions, such as blood clots.The Spaceflight Thrombosis and Risk Factors (Venous Haemostasis) experiment examines changes in blood flow to identify unique physiological correlations and create preventative measures for at-risk crew members.
Astronauts also may experience changes to their cardiovascular and respiratory systems during spaceflight, which could affect blood pressure regulation. Research with the Causal Analysis of Cardiorespiratory Coupling on the ISS (CARDIOBREATH) uses the Bio-Monitor “smart shirt” to track heart rate, blood pressure, breathing rate, and activity during exercise sessions aboard the orbiting complex. Results will improve understanding of cardiovascular health in microgravity and inform treatments for cardiorespiratory risks during and after long-duration missions.
Maintaining mental health in space is as important as physical health. Prolonged isolation and confinement can impact a crew member’s sleep, morale, and decision-making. The Mind/Body Practices for Deep Space Exploration (RelaxPro) experiment evaluates non-invasive practices, such as meditation, to develop a structured system to reduce stress and improve sleep on future missions.
Spacecraft are a critical aspect of deep space missions, providing shelter from the harsh environment of space, along with oxygen, water, and other life-support systems. Testing systems aboard the International Space Station allows researchers to refine technologies for next generation spacecraft traveling beyond low Earth orbit.
The Fiber-optic Active Dosimeter (Lumina) demonstrates real-time radiation monitoring using optical fibers that darken when exposed to radiation. Monitoring ionizing radiation keeps astronauts safe and remains one of the key challenges for future deep space exploration.
Many spacecraft use cryogenic, or extremely cold, fuels for propulsion. These fuels must remain cold to stay in liquid form, but temperature fluctuations in space can cause them to slowly evaporate and escape the tank, affecting fuel efficiency. The Zero Boil-Off Tank Noncondensables (ZBOT-NC)investigation evaluates how gases that do not liquify at low temperatures impact pressure control, evaporation, and condensation rates inside propellant tanks. Data from this experiment will help validate models and support the design of more efficient cryogenic fuel storage systems.
As the crew’s living environment, the spacecraft must also be monitored for microbial activity to help ensure a safe and healthy habitat. The Genomic Enumeration of Antibiotic Resistance in Space (GEARS) investigation surveys the space station for antibiotic-resistant organisms to better understand how bacteria may adapt in space. The study uses DNA sequencing techniques to advance onsite identification and diagnostic capabilities that will be important for future missions.
International Space Station science still is buzzing for the remainder of 2026. To learn more about ongoing research aboard the space station, visit:
Share Details Last Updated Aug 11, 2026 Related Terms Keep Exploring Discover More Topics From NASAInternational Space Station
Space Station Research and Technology
Space Station Research Results
Humans In Space
NASA Shares Station Research Today Supporting Moon, Mars Tomorrow
The International Space Station has been busy throughout 2026, as it continues to be a bustling workspace for astronauts conducting a variety of scientific experiments that lay the groundwork for missions to the Moon and beyond.
NASA’s Artemis II mission in April was the first crewed flight around the Moon in more than 50 years, marking a major milestone for humanity’s return to the lunar surface. While the mission validated key systems needed for future deep space human exploration, work aboard the International Space Station continues to support those goals. Astronauts on the orbiting laboratory are testing technologies, studying how the human body adapts to long-duration spaceflight, and conducting experiments to help ensure crews can live and work safely in deep space. Research aboard the space station, coupled with Artemis and Moon Base programs, will continue to demonstrate how NASA is preparing for sustained astronaut exploration of the Moon and, eventually, Mars.
Optimizing space technologyTo view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video
ESA (European Space Agency) astronaut Sophie Adenot activates the European Enhanced Exploration Exercise Device (E4D), marking the start of a two-year technology demonstration.ESA/NASAAstronauts aboard the International Space Station demonstrate and optimize innovative technologies to support exploration missions, reduce the technology footprint, and fine-tune systems ahead of travel beyond low Earth orbit.
Exercise equipment is important for long-duration spaceflight. On average, astronauts lose between 1% and 1.5% of their bone density each month while in microgravity, increasing the potential risk for fractures and other bone-related issues. Regular exercise can help counteract these effects and keep astronauts healthy. The European Enhanced Exploration Exercise Device (E4D) is a compact, versatile system now being tested aboard the space station for exploration crews. The system supports a variety of exercises, can simulate different gravity levels and may lead to even more compact exercise technology for exploration crews.
During deep space missions, astronauts may need medical care but could be too far from Earth to receive a resupply spacecraft with additional equipment. To prepare for that possibility, researchers are testing medical technologies aboard the station. One of these investigations, the Intravenous Fluid Generation – Mini (IVGEN Mini),evaluates producing intravenous (IV) fluids using the station’s potable water supply. Because commercially available IV fluids have a shelf life of only about 16 months, successful demonstrations of this technology could help meet medical needs while reducing launch mass and volume.
Medical care is one hurdle crews may face during future missions, while another is the limited time astronauts have to complete tasks that require human intervention. Robotic technologies, such as the Test facility for lab-aUtomation System in Kibo (TUSK), may help address these time constraints. This investigation studies how microgravity affects delicate robotic operations that rely on precise movement. Insights could help improve the design of future automated systems that can execute tasks independently, freeing up astronauts’ valuable time during future missions.
Studying the body in space NASA astronauts Jessica Meir and Chris Williams collect frozen research samples from inside the International Space Station’s Destiny laboratory module.ESA/Sophie AdenotAstronauts also serve as test subjects. They collect biological samples, conduct medical exams, and perform scans to understand how bodies adapt to life in space. This research helps scientists and medical personnel understand the effects of spaceflight and protects crew health as missions extend farther into the solar system.
Past research shows weightlessness during spaceflight can sometimes disrupt astronauts’ normal blood flow, which may increase health risks for conditions, such as blood clots.The Spaceflight Thrombosis and Risk Factors (Venous Haemostasis) experiment examines changes in blood flow to identify unique physiological correlations and create preventative measures for at-risk crew members.
Astronauts also may experience changes to their cardiovascular and respiratory systems during spaceflight, which could affect blood pressure regulation. Research with the Causal Analysis of Cardiorespiratory Coupling on the ISS (CARDIOBREATH) uses the Bio-Monitor “smart shirt” to track heart rate, blood pressure, breathing rate, and activity during exercise sessions aboard the orbiting complex. Results will improve understanding of cardiovascular health in microgravity and inform treatments for cardiorespiratory risks during and after long-duration missions.
Maintaining mental health in space is as important as physical health. Prolonged isolation and confinement can impact a crew member’s sleep, morale, and decision-making. The Mind/Body Practices for Deep Space Exploration (RelaxPro) experiment evaluates non-invasive practices, such as meditation, to develop a structured system to reduce stress and improve sleep on future missions.
Spacecraft are a critical aspect of deep space missions, providing shelter from the harsh environment of space, along with oxygen, water, and other life-support systems. Testing systems aboard the International Space Station allows researchers to refine technologies for next generation spacecraft traveling beyond low Earth orbit.
The Fiber-optic Active Dosimeter (Lumina) demonstrates real-time radiation monitoring using optical fibers that darken when exposed to radiation. Monitoring ionizing radiation keeps astronauts safe and remains one of the key challenges for future deep space exploration.
Many spacecraft use cryogenic, or extremely cold, fuels for propulsion. These fuels must remain cold to stay in liquid form, but temperature fluctuations in space can cause them to slowly evaporate and escape the tank, affecting fuel efficiency. The Zero Boil-Off Tank Noncondensables (ZBOT-NC)investigation evaluates how gases that do not liquify at low temperatures impact pressure control, evaporation, and condensation rates inside propellant tanks. Data from this experiment will help validate models and support the design of more efficient cryogenic fuel storage systems.
As the crew’s living environment, the spacecraft must also be monitored for microbial activity to help ensure a safe and healthy habitat. The Genomic Enumeration of Antibiotic Resistance in Space (GEARS) investigation surveys the space station for antibiotic-resistant organisms to better understand how bacteria may adapt in space. The study uses DNA sequencing techniques to advance onsite identification and diagnostic capabilities that will be important for future missions.
International Space Station science still is buzzing for the remainder of 2026. To learn more about ongoing research aboard the space station, visit:
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Rare Total Solar Eclipse-Perseid Meteor Shower Double-Header August 12th
The only total solar eclipse of the year coincides with the Perseid meteor shower. Here's what you need to know to watch the eclipse.
The post Rare Total Solar Eclipse-Perseid Meteor Shower Double-Header August 12th appeared first on Sky & Telescope.
A total solar eclipse is coming to Europe
When the Moon passes between Earth and the Sun, it casts a shadow onto Earth's surface. For people in the darkest part of this shadow, the face of the Sun is totally blocked out, and its wispy atmosphere becomes visible.
On Wednesday 12 August, such a shadow will cross Greenland, Iceland, northeastern Portugal and Spain. With this being the first total eclipse visible from mainland Spain since 1905, the European Space Agency (ESA) has decided to do something special.
ESA’s live broadcast from the Observatorio Astrofísico de Javalambre will allow anyone to experience this rare phenomenon from anywhere in the world. Meanwhile, the Agency is working with the City and University of León to organise a free in-person event, inviting people to come together for a day of interactive workshops, talks and live observations.
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Scientists are closer than ever to understanding the power of the vagus nerve
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Has science finally made up its mind about coffee’s health benefits?
Doctors used to warn coffee drinkers. Now research reassures them