Latest news with #OSIRIS-REx
NBC News
21-07-2025
- Politics
- NBC News
NASA loses another senior official as tension grows about the agency's future
The director of NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center announced her resignation Monday, marking yet another high-profile departure as questions loom about the agency's budget and future. Makenzie Lystrup, who has served as director of the center in Maryland since April 2023, will leave the agency on Aug. 1, according to a NASA statement. Goddard oversees a number of key NASA missions, including the Hubble Space Telescope, the Solar Dynamics Observatory and the OSIRIS-REx mission that collected samples from an asteroid. Lystrup's resignation comes less than two months after Laurie Leshin stepped down as director of NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California. The departures are playing out as NASA and other government agencies contend with significant cuts to funding and personnel, as part of a broader push to shrink the size of the federal workforce. Questions are swirling internally at NASA and on Capitol Hill about how the space agency can accomplish its work with far fewer personnel and why such cuts are moving ahead before Congress has authorized the agency's budget. Meanwhile, more than 2,000 senior-level employees are set to leave NASA as part of an effort to cut the agency's workforce, as was first reported by Politico. Those include people in senior positions of management and individuals with specialized skills, Politico reported, raising concerns about a 'brain drain' at the space agency. Workers at the space agency have until Friday to accept 'deferred resignations,' buyouts or early retirement offers. President Donald Trump's proposed budget for 2026 would slash about 25%, or more than $6 billion, from NASA's budget. The steepest cuts would come out of the agency's space science, Earth science and mission support divisions, according to the budget blueprint. If enacted by Congress, the budget would also phase out NASA's Space Launch System rocket and Orion spacecraft, which the agency was developing to return astronauts to the moon. In response to the budget blueprint, more than 280 current and former NASA employees signed a letter to Sean Duffy, NASA's interim administrator, stating that the Trump administration's recent policies 'have or threaten to waste public resources, compromise human safety, weaken national security, and undermine the core NASA mission.' The letter, known as the Voyager Declaration, said the changes have caused 'catastrophic impacts' to the agency's workforce, and have 'prioritized political momentum over human safety, scientific advancement, and efficient use of public resources.' Before NASA's prior acting administrator Janet Petro was replaced by Duffy, employees pressed her to explain how the budget cuts and restructuring underway served the best interests of the space agency, according to internal correspondence read by NBC. It's not clear if Lystrup and Leshin's departures are related to the ongoing turmoil at NASA and other government agencies. In NASA's announcement about Leshin's resignation, it said she was stepping down 'for personal reasons.' The agency did not provide a reason for Lystrup's resignation. In an internal email obtained by NBC News, Lystrup said she leaves with 'confidence' in the Goddard's leadership team 'and all of you who will shape the next chapter of this center.' 'I am honored to have been part of this incredible journey with you,' she wrote in the email. 'It has been my privilege.' NASA said Monday that Cynthia Simmons, who currently serves as Goddard's deputy director, will take over as acting center director in August.
Time of India
20-06-2025
- Science
- Time of India
5 most unique asteroid facts that one should know
When we think of space, usually planets, stars, or black holes steal the spotlight. But asteroids, which also form a crucial part, are as interesting and full of mysteries that are yet to be studied fully by science. In recent decades, missions like NASA's OSIRIS-REx and Japan's Hayabusa have brought back samples, helping us understand these space rocks better than ever. But despite all we've learned, there are still many surprising things about them that most people don't know. Here are five of the most unique and mind-blowing facts about asteroids The Tunguska event shows their destructive power On June 30, 1908, a massive explosion over Siberia flattened 2,000 square kilometers of forest, yet left no visible crater. Known as the Tunguska event, it's believed to have been caused by an asteroid or comet fragment exploding in the atmosphere. Had it struck a populated area, the devastation would have been catastrophic. This incident is one of the important reasons behind the founding of Asteroid Day. Representative Image Asteroids were once called planets When the first few asteroids, Ceres, Pallas, Juno, and Vesta, were discovered in the early 1800s, astronomers actually classified them as planets. They orbited the Sun just like the others, so the logic made sense at the time. But as more and more of these objects were found between Mars and Jupiter, it became clear they belonged to a unique category. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Free P2,000 GCash eGift UnionBank Credit Card Apply Now Undo By the mid-19th century, the term 'asteroid' became the norm. Interestingly, Ceres had some exceptional traits that is why it was reclassified as a dwarf planet in 2006. Most asteroids live between two planets Today, over a million asteroids have been identified, and the majority of them orbit the Sun in the space between Mars and Jupiter. This region is known as the Main Asteroid Belt. However, asteroids aren't limited to just that area. Some travel near Earth, others remain at Jupiter's Lagrange points, and these asteroids are referred to as Trojan asteroids. A few asteroids even orbit closer to the Sun than Venus. Despite their small size, they're everywhere, and scientists are discovering more with new missions. They are not remains of a broken planet A popular myth suggests the asteroid belt was once a planet that broke apart. But in reality, the total mass of all asteroids in the belt is only about 4% of our Moon. That's not nearly enough to make up a planet. Instead, scientists believe these rocks are leftover building blocks from the early solar system. Due to the powerful gravity of Jupiter, these bits and pieces never formed into a full planet and have been drifting in space ever since. Some asteroids grow tails like comets While comets are known for their glowing tails, some asteroids in the Main Belt have been spotted doing the same. These strange 'active asteroids' occasionally release dust and gas, creating a comet-like appearance. Scientists think this may happen because they contain water ice, which evaporates when exposed to sunlight. In some cases, these could actually be ancient comets that have lost most of their icy material. Either way, they blur the line between two very different types of space objects.
Yahoo
18-06-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Two NASA employees cited for their civic service, 'spirit of exploration'
June 17 (UPI) -- Two NASA employees are being cited for their civic work in the nation's space industry. The Samuel J. Heyman Service to America Medals, also known as the Sammies, recognize outstanding federal employees addressing many of the country's greatest challenges. Rich Burns from NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Md., and John Blevins of Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Ala., were chosen out of 350 nominees and are a part of the 23 individuals and teams to earn this achievement. "Rich and John exemplify the spirit of exploration and service that defines NASA and our nation's civil servants," said acting NASA Administrator Janet Petro. "Their leadership, ingenuity and dedication have not only advanced America's space program but also inspired the next generation of innovators. We are proud to see their achievements recognized among the very best of federal service." Burns worked as a project manager of Origins, Spectral Interpretation, Resource Identification, and Security - Regolith Explorer (OSIRIS-REx). This mission started on Sept. 18, 2016, with a goal of retreiving a sample of an asteroid. "It's humbling to accept an award based on the achievements of the amazingly talented, dedicated, and innovative OSIRIS-REx team," Burns said. "I consider myself privileged to be counted among a team of true explorers who let no obstacle stand in the way of discovery." Blevins was the chief engineer of the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket. He led the team as part of Artemis l, first test flight on Nov. 16, 2022. He's currently leading the engineering team of Artemis II as that project prepares for the first crewed lunar mission. "This is a reflection on the hard work and dedication of the entire Artemis Team," Blevins said. "I am working with an incredibly competent, dedicated team agency-wide that goes above and beyond to promote the space exploration goals of our nation. I am honored to accept the award on their behalf." A ceremony will be held in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday and a live-stream on the Sammies website.
UPI
17-06-2025
- Science
- UPI
Two NASA employees cited for their civic service, 'spirit of exploration'
June 17 (UPI) -- Two NASA employees are being cited for their civic work in the nation's space industry. The Samuel J. Heyman Service to America Medals, also known as the Sammies, recognize outstanding federal employees addressing many of the country's greatest challenges. Rich Burns from NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Md., and John Blevins of Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Ala., were chosen out of 350 nominees and are a part of the 23 individuals and teams to earn this achievement. "Rich and John exemplify the spirit of exploration and service that defines NASA and our nation's civil servants," said acting NASA Administrator Janet Petro. "Their leadership, ingenuity and dedication have not only advanced America's space program but also inspired the next generation of innovators. We are proud to see their achievements recognized among the very best of federal service." Burns worked as a project manager of Origins, Spectral Interpretation, Resource Identification, and Security - Regolith Explorer (OSIRIS-REx). This mission started on Sept. 18, 2016, with a goal of retreiving a sample of an asteroid. "It's humbling to accept an award based on the achievements of the amazingly talented, dedicated, and innovative OSIRIS-REx team," Burns said. "I consider myself privileged to be counted among a team of true explorers who let no obstacle stand in the way of discovery." Blevins was the chief engineer of the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket. He led the team as part of Artemis l, first test flight on Nov. 16, 2022. He's currently leading the engineering team of Artemis II as that project prepares for the first crewed lunar mission. "This is a reflection on the hard work and dedication of the entire Artemis Team," Blevins said. "I am working with an incredibly competent, dedicated team agency-wide that goes above and beyond to promote the space exploration goals of our nation. I am honored to accept the award on their behalf." A ceremony will be held in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday and a live-stream on the Sammies website.
CBS News
11-06-2025
- Science
- CBS News
Tiny fragment of asteroid giving Field Museum scientists a glimpse 4.6 billion years into the past
The Field Museum is the new temporary home to a tiny piece of pristine asteroid. The fragment of the asteroid Bennu, on loan from NASA, won't be on display for visitors, but will give scientists the chance to study an asteroid sample uncontaminated by Earth's atmosphere. A tiny, black fragment might not seem exciting, until a scientist explains it's a specimen from space. "It's an honor of a lifetime to be able to study this sample," said Field Museum curator Dr. Philipp Heck. How did Heck feel when the little rock first arrived at the museum and he held the vial containing the sample? "It was amazing. I was looking forward to that moment for a long time," he said. NASA's OSIRIS-REx mission was planned decades ago. In 2016, a spacecraft launched. In 2018, it arrived at Bennu, a near-Earth asteroid as wide as the Sears Tower is tall. The mission collected pieces of the asteroid and brought them back to Earth in 2023. "This is the first U.S. mission that sends a spacecraft to the asteroid and brings a sample back to Earth," said University of Chicago graduate student Yuke Zheng, who is part of the OSIRIS-REx sample analysis team. "It's a tiny, dark, black fragment that is fragile, so we want to protect it very carefully." She'll use the museum's scanning electron microscope to get an up-close look at a tiny sample of Bennu. "What struck me is how dark the sample is. I had never seen such a dark sample," Heck said. The fragment is like a time capsule, taking scientists back 4.6 billion years. "We believe Bennu contains part of the ingredients for life, and part of the ingredients of the formation of Earth," Heck said. Suddenly, a fragment at the bottom of a vial can have you pondering your place in the universe. "I've never studied a pristine sample from an asteroid," Heck said.
