“Strange and Unexpected” – NASA’s Curiosity Rover Stumbles Upon Yellow Crystals on Mars
Science & Technology

“Strange and Unexpected” – NASA’s Curiosity Rover Stumbles Upon Yellow Crystals on Mars

NASA Space Technology These yellow crystals were revealed after NASA’s Curiosity happened to drive over a rock and crack it open on May 30. Using an instrument on the rover’s arm, scientists later determined these crystals are elemental sulfur — and it’s the first time this kind of sulfur has been found on the Red Planet. Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/MSSSAmong several recent findings, the rover has found rocks made of pure sulfur — a first on the Red Planet.<span aria-describedby="tt" data-cmtooltip="NASANASA, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, is the United States government agency responsible for the nation's civilian space program and for aeronautics and aerospace research. Established in 1958 by the National Aeronautics and Space Act, NASA has led the U.S. in space exploration efforts, including the Apollo moon-landing missions, the Skylab space station, and the Space...
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Senate appropriators say spending bill includes NASA increase
Science & Technology

Senate appropriators say spending bill includes NASA increase

NASA Space Technology Sens. Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.) and Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) discuss their CJS appropriations bill for fiscal year 2025 at the Farnborough International Airshow July 22. Credit: SpaceNews/Jeff FoustFARNBOROUGH, England — The leaders of a Senate appropriations subcommittee say they will increase NASA’s budget and protect the Artemis lunar exploration campaign in an upcoming spending bill even as another senator criticized a “wrongheaded” process.The Senate Appropriations Committee is scheduled to mark up a commerce, justice and science (CJS) spending bill for fiscal year 2025 on July 25. It is one of four bills the committee will consider that day after skipping a traditional subcommittee markup.“We’re very pleased to have reached agreement on our bill,” said Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), chair of the CJS appropriations subcommittee, during a July 22 press conference organized by the...
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NASA’s Curiosity rover accidentally reveals ultra-rare sulfur crystals after crushing a rock on Mars
Science & Technology

NASA’s Curiosity rover accidentally reveals ultra-rare sulfur crystals after crushing a rock on Mars

NASA Space Technology Yellow crystals of pure, elemental sulfur appear inside a crushed Mars rock that NASA's Curiosity rover accidentally drove over.(Image credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/MSSS)NASA's Curiosity Mars rover has accidentally uncovered an abundance of never-before-seen crystals on the Red Planet after inadvertently running over a rock.On May 30, the rover was exploring Gediz Vallis — a channel carved into the steep slopes of Mount Sharp in the heart of Gale Crater — when it accidentally drove over a small rock, cracking it open. When the rover's cameras focused on what the robot had tripped over, scientists spotted peculiar yellow crystals gleaming among the rock's newly exposed innards.The crystals in the cracked rock were too small and delicate for the rover to properly handle. But when the robot drilled into another nearby rock, it revealed the...
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NASA to Host Panels, Forums, and More at Oshkosh 2024
Science & Technology

NASA to Host Panels, Forums, and More at Oshkosh 2024

NASA Space Technology Each summer, aviation enthusiasts and experts from around the planet – including NASA’s aeronautical innovators – descend into a regional airport near Oshkosh, Wisconsin, to attend the Experimental Aviation Association’s AirVenture Oshkosh.The weeklong airshow and fly-in, where droves of pilots arrive in their own aircraft, draws hundreds of thousands of aviation enthusiasts to enjoy aerial demonstrations, static aircraft displays, aviation-related forums, and hands-on activities for people of all ages and all education levels.NASA will appear at Oshkosh with a full slate of interactive exhibits, informative activities, and fascinating people to meet. This year’s event, held July 22-28, is chock-full of things to do and see.If you’re attending Oshkosh this year, here’s a brief summary of what you can expect inside the NASA Pavilion and on the forum stages:Meet and greet opportunities with...
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