Category: Inner Solar System

SpaceX Launches Cargo Dragon Packed with NASA Science to Space Station on Overnight Flight from Florida

For SpaceUpClose.com & RocketSTEM After a days delay due to inclement weather a SpaceX Dragon cargo ship took flight  on a spectacular middle of the night blastoff this morning, Sunday, Aug. 29, carrying over two tons of science and research investigations and supplies for NASA bound for the International Space Station (ISS) from Florida’s Spaceport. Liftoff of the flight proven two

NASA’s Ingenuity Mars Helicopter Captures Aerial View of Perseverance Rover on 11th Successful Flight

For SpaceUpClose.com & RocketSTEM CAPE CANAVERAL, FL – Can you spot NASA’s Perseverance Mars rover mothership in the new aerial photo – shown above – taken by the agency’s Ingenuity Mars Helicopter during its 11th incredible and successful flight above? In addition to photographing Perseverance from above in the thin Martian air Ingenuity is functioning fantastically well as an active

Northrop Grumman Launches Cygnus Resupply Ship with 4 Tons NASA Science and Cargo to ISS

For SpaceUpClose.com & RocketSTEM CAPE CANAVERAL, FL – Northrop Grumman successfully launched their commercial Cygnus resupply spacecraft atop the firms Antares rocket loaded with over four tons of science investigations and cargo for NASA to the International Space Station (ISS) at 6:01 p.m. EDT Tuesday evening, August 11, from NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia. The Cygnus NG-16 cargo freighter

NASA’s Ingenuity Mars Helicopter Captures 3D Surveillance Imagery on 10th Successful Flight

For SpaceUpClose.com & RocketSTEM CAPE CANAVERAL, FL – It’s time to whip out your stereo glasses because NASA’s groundbreaking Ingenuity Helicopter captured its first ever 3D aerial view of Mars while flying above the Red Planet’s surface– and accomplished that during its most complex flight to date on July 24 during its 10th flight overall while functioning as an active aerial

NASA Works to Save Mars InSight Lander’s Stuck Heat Probe

CAPE CANAVERAL, FL- NASA engineers are hard at work trying to save the stuck heat probe on the agency’s InSight lander – which is on a mission to explore the deep interior of Mars since successfully soft landing last November.  This past weekend the team commanded InSight to position its robotic arm to assist the spacecraft’s self-hammering heat probe. Known as “the mole,” the probe

NASA Selects New Technology Partnerships for Moon and Mars Explorations

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FL – NASA has announced the selection of 14 American companies for technology partnerships in the agency’s ‘Tipping Point’ program to help enable the agency’s Moon to Mars exploration approach and return to our nearest neighbor and land astronauts on the Moon by 2024 under the Project Artemis program. The selections address technology areas such as cryogenic propellant production and management, sustainable

NASA Mars 2020 Rover Takes a Spin

CAPE CANAVERAL, FL –  Engineers at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory have taken the agency’s SUV-sized Mars 2020 rover for a spin so to speak. And its all in the name of science ! As assembly of the Mars 2020 rover nears completion, the team needs to determine the six wheeled robots center of gravity so that it can travel smoothly and safely as she

Mars Helicopter Attached to NASA’s Mars 2020 Rover

CAPE CANAVERAL, FL –  The first aircraft set to fly on another planet – namely NASA’s Mars Helicopter – has now been attached to the belly of NASA’s 2020 rover which will deliver it to the surface of the Red Planet during a soft landing via the skycrane maneuver targeted for Jezero Crater in Feb. 2021. “Engineers attached NASA’s Mars Helicopter, which will be the

NASA Invites Students to Name Next Mars Rover

CAPE CANAVERAL, FL –  Student Alert !! NASA needs you to help name the next American rover launching to the Red Planet – Mars!! NASA has announced a naming contest for its next Martian robot to drive across the surface of the Red Planet – starting now. NASA is inviting K-12 students all across the US to help find a