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The sample return capsule from NASA’s OSIRIS-REx mission shortly after touching down in the desert, Sunday, Sept. 24, 2023, in Utah. The sample sealed inside has surprised scientist who have only begun to analyze it. Credit: NASA/Keegan Barber
Historic OSIRIS-REx Asteroid Sample Holds Surprises

The parent of Bennu was deep in the solar system, held many of the building blocks of life, and likely contained salty brines below the surface. 

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A 3D printer at a facility of NASA partner RPM Innovations additively manufactures a large-scale aerospike rocket engine nozzle using one of Elementum 3D’s specialized, 3D-printable aluminum alloys. Credit: RPM Innovations Inc.
NASA Technology Improves Life on Earth

Spinoff publication highlights innovations for space that improve everyday life for millions. 

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NASA Astronaut Bruce McCandless II reaches a maximum distance of about 100 yards from the Space Shuttle Challenger before reversing direction in his manned maneuvering unit (MMU) and returning to the spacecraft again and again during the nearly seven-hour untethered spacewalk. Credit: NASA
This Month in NASA History: Untethered Spacewalk Becomes a Reality

Long envisioned in science fiction, NASA’s Manned Maneuvering Unit was built to support critical tasks during the shuttle era.

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Artist concept of the Earth Return Orbiter (ERO)–one of the flight missions making up the Mars Sample Return campaign to bring martian rock and atmospheric samples back to Earth. This European Space Agency (ESA) orbiter would be the first interplanetary spacecraft to capture samples in orbit and make a return trip between Earth and Mars. Credits: NASA/ESA/JPL-Caltech/GSFC
NASA Exploring Mars Sample Return Architecture

Sky Crane landing, commercial options are being considered to return samples from Mars to Earth.

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The Blue Ghost lander will attempt to land in the Mare Crisium, an impact basin that may provide NASA with the first geophysical measurements that are representative of the bulk of the Moon. Research indicates that the Apollo missions landed in a region that is compositionally distinct from the rest of the lunar surface. Credit: NASA
CLPS Mission Heads for Vast Basalt Plain

Third spaceflight in the program will carry a varied NASA payload of scientific instruments to the lunar surface.

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On Jan. 5, 1972, President Richard M. Nixon and Dr. James C. Fletcher, NASA Administrator, discussed the proposed Space Shuttle vehicle in San Clemente, Calif. The President announced that day that the United States should proceed at once with the development of an entirely new type of space transportation system. Credit: NASA
This Month in NASA History: Nixon OKs Shuttle Program

The nation chooses to reduce spending after Apollo, focusing on a versatile, reuseable spacecraft for low-Earth orbit.

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Engineers and technicians stack the left aft assembly for the Artemis II SLS (Space Launch System) solid rocket booster inside the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in late November. Credit: NASA/Glenn Benson
NASA Moving Forward with Artemis II

Investigation into Artemis I heatshield reveals link between material permeability and skip reentry maneuver.

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NASA is developing the Roman Space Telescope to search for exoplanets, create vast maps of the universe, and learn more about dark matter and dark energy. In September 2024, Dr. Lucas Paganini, deputy program executive for the Roman Space Telescope, was a guest on the Small Steps, Giant Leaps podcast, discussing the challenges and rewards of keeping a large, high-profile project moving forward. Credit: NASA
Small Steps, Giant Leaps Begins 7th Year

Podcast highlights the work of NASA’s technical workforce. 

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This Month in NASA History: Mariner 2 Arrives at Venus

Team met technical challenges to gather first data from another planet.

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