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Historic Photos of NASA's Cavernous Wind Tunnels
18 days ago
- NASA and its predecessor, NACA, extensively used wind tunnels to test vehicle designs throughout the 20th century.
- Specialized wind tunnels at Langley and Ames centers studied effects like high speed, turbulence, icing, and ionization.
- Some facilities were enormous, including an 80x120-foot tunnel still operating at Ames Research Center.
- In the 1990s, consolidation occurred due to surplus tunnels and advances in computer simulations, leading to demolitions.
NASA launches robot to save Swift telescope falling to Earth
16 days ago
- NASA funded the launch of the spacecraft LINK to rescue the Swift observatory, which is at risk of crashing due to atmospheric drag from solar activity.
- Swift, launched in 2004, is crucial for studying high-energy cosmic explosions, and its orbit has fallen from 373 to 220 miles, with a rescue needed before it drops below 186 miles.
- Katalyst Space Technologies designed and built the three-armed LINK robot in eight months for this unprecedented mission, aiming to grab Swift and raise its orbit over 2-3 months back to 373 miles.
- The rescue involves LINK approaching, circling, and gently lifting Swift without sudden boosts, with success potentially paving the way for saving other telescopes like Hubble.
- The mission is high-risk but deemed worth it due to Swift's unique scientific value in observing brief, powerful cosmic events that reveal the dawn of the cosmos.
NASA has a bold plan to save Swift Observatory from destruction
9 days ago
- NASA's Swift Observatory is at risk of falling out of orbit due to increased solar storms.
- A rescue mission, launching a commercial robotic spacecraft named LINK by Katalyst Space, aims to boost the telescope's orbit.
- This is the first attempt to service a satellite not designed for in-space capture.
- If successful, the mission will extend the observatory's life and test new capabilities for future missions.
- The launch, using Northrop Grumman's Pegasus XL rocket, was postponed due to an issue; a new date is pending.
- Swift studies gamma-ray bursts and has operated since 2004, but lacks propulsion to counter atmospheric drag.
- Without intervention, Swift has a high chance of uncontrolled reentry by 2026.
Pluto fly-by mission wakes after long sleep nearly 9.5B kilometres from Earth
5 days ago
- NASA's New Horizons spacecraft woke from hibernation on June 23 after being in sleep mode since August 7, 2025, now located 9.5 billion kilometers from Earth.
- The mission has explored Pluto and the Kuiper Belt, including a fly-by of Pluto in 2015 and the snowman-shaped object Arrokoth in 2019.
- New Horizons is collecting data on Kuiper Belt objects' rotations, shapes, and the distribution of gas and dust, revealing surprises like extended dust beyond the belt.
- Instruments measure galactic cosmic rays and heliosphere shielding, helping understand space threats and solar system protection.
- Hibernation periods have been crucial for conserving resources and extending the spacecraft's lifespan since its 2006 launch, with over 20 hibernations since 2007.
- The mission is currently in its second phase, set to conclude in 2029, but may continue to interstellar space if the spacecraft remains healthy.
Photos: 50 Years Since Viking 1 Landed on Mars
3 hours ago
- On July 20, 1976, Viking 1 became the first successful Mars lander in history.
- NASA's Viking Program included two pairs of orbiters and landers sent to Mars.
- The mission gathered a vast amount of data and imagery from 1976 to 1982.

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Historic Photos of NASA's Cavernous Wind Tunnels

NASA launches robot to save Swift telescope falling to Earth

NASA has a bold plan to save Swift Observatory from destruction

Pluto fly-by mission wakes after long sleep nearly 9.5B kilometres from Earth

Photos: 50 Years Since Viking 1 Landed on Mars