National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)

The U.S. space agency managing the Artemis program, including the Space Launch System rocket and Orion spacecraft. - Artemis II targeting early April 2026 launch; Artemis III repurposed for Earth-orbit docking test in 2027; first lunar landing now Artemis IV in 2028

No human has traveled beyond low-Earth orbit since December 1972. On January 17, 2026, NASA rolled its 322-foot Space Launch System (SLS) rocket to the launch pad at Kennedy Space Center. A rare arctic outbreak delayed the wet dress rehearsal to February 2, which completed propellant loading but encountered a hydrogen leak, valve issues, and other anomalies. On February 21, teams identified a helium flow interruption in the SLS interim cryogenic propulsion stage (ICPS), prompting preparations to roll the rocket back to the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) and eliminating the March launch window. Artemis II still targets early April 2026.

Updated Yesterday

NASA operates the United States segment of the ISS and contracts commercial companies to deliver cargo, conduct research, and prepare for the station's eventual deorbit. - Managing ISS operations through 2030 while transitioning to commercial stations

For over two decades, the International Space Station has been the only place where humans can grow tissues, crystals, and cells in ways impossible on Earth. On February 26, a SpaceX Dragon capsule undocked after 185 days, carrying frozen stem cell samples and bioprinted liver tissue back from orbit—research that scientists say cannot be replicated at any ground-based laboratory. The capsule also completed six orbital reboosts during its stay, marking the first time a commercial cargo vehicle has routinely helped keep the station from falling out of the sky.

Updated 2 days ago

The United States space agency coordinates global eclipse observation campaigns and funds research on solar-terrestrial interactions. - Active eclipse research coordinator

An annular solar eclipse swept across Antarctica on February 17, 2026, creating a 'ring of fire' visible for 2 minutes and 20 seconds when the Moon covered 96% of the Sun. Research stations including Concordia and Mirny recorded temperature drops and wildlife behavior changes during the brief darkening—data that adds to more than a century of eclipse science that has yielded discoveries from helium to confirmation of general relativity.

Updated Feb 17

The U.S. space agency operating the American segment of the ISS and coordinating commercial crew missions. - Managing evacuation and ISS transition

NASA's first medical evacuation from the International Space Station (ISS) occurred on January 14, 2026, when SpaceX Crew Dragon undocked carrying four astronauts home six weeks early due to a serious but stable medical condition with one crew member. This ended a 25-year streak without such an event, despite statistical models predicting one every three years. The crew splashed down safely off California on January 15 after 167 days in space.

Updated Feb 14

Federal agency responsible for U.S. civil space program, aeronautics research, and space science. - Received $24.44B in appropriations plus $10B supplemental from One Big Beautiful Bill Act

For 80 years, federal science funding enjoyed bipartisan protection. President Trump's fiscal year 2026 budget proposed ending that consensus, calling for cuts of 57% to the National Science Foundation (NSF), 47% to NASA's science programs, and 40% to the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Congress said no. On January 30, 2026, Trump signed a spending bill that preserves most science agency budgets—passed by votes of 397-28 in the House and 82-15 in the Senate.

Updated Jan 30

NASA is trying to land humans on the Moon again while defending its science core from severe proposed cuts. - New administrator sworn in as White House order tightens exploration deadlines and demands procurement and program reviews.

One day after his 67–30 confirmation, Jared Isaacman was sworn in on Dec. 18, 2025 as NASA’s 15th administrator—walking directly into a White House-driven acceleration campaign that now has his name on the clock, not just the contracts.

Updated Dec 20, 2025