NASA Announces Selections for Lunar Comms, Network Studies
Science & Technology

NASA Announces Selections for Lunar Comms, Network Studies

NASA Space Technology NASA has selected Intuitive Machines of Houston and Aalyria Technologies Inc. of Livermore, California, to perform capability studies with the goal of advancing space communications and exploration technologies. These studies will allow NASA to gain insights into industry capabilities and innovations to facilitate NASA partnerships with commercial communications and navigation providers.The awards, under the Next Space Technologies for Exploration Partnerships-2 (Next STEP-2) Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) Appendix Q, are firm fixed-price milestone-based contracts.Intuitive Machines is awarded $647,600 — Study Area No. 1, Lunar User Terminals and Network Orchestration — to conduct state-of-the-art studies and demonstrations for a dual-purpose navigation and communication lunar surface user terminal. The terminal will support lunar surface exploration planning and ensure interoperability with future LunaNet compatible service providers working in partnership with NASA, ESA (European Space Agency), and...
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Astrophysicist Gioia Rau Explores Cosmic ‘Time Machines’
Science & Technology

Astrophysicist Gioia Rau Explores Cosmic ‘Time Machines’

NASA Space Technology To shape NASA’s path of exploration forward, Dr. Gioia Rau unravels stars and worlds beyond our solar system.Name:Dr. Gioia RauTitle: AstrophysicistOrganization: Exoplanets and Stellar Astrophysics Laboratory, Astrophysics Division, Science Mission Directorate (Code 667)What do you do and what is most interesting about your role here at Goddard?I’m an astrophysicist who studies both evolved stars, stars that about to die, and exoplanets, planets outside our solar system. I study the stars that once held the elements that are in our body, such as calcium. I also lead the science part of several mission concept studies. And I am really passionate about strategic thinking.How does it feel to achieve your childhood dream of becoming an astrophysicist at NASA?I am from Italy. Growing up, I was always fascinated by NASA. As a child, I watched...
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Three-time Spacewalker Josh Cassada to Retire from NASA
Science & Technology

Three-time Spacewalker Josh Cassada to Retire from NASA

NASA Space Technology Oct. 1, 2024Three-time Spacewalker Josh Cassada to Retire from NASANASA astronaut Josh Cassada retired Oct. 1, after 11 years of service to the agency across multiple programs, including 157 days in space and three spacewalks. Cassada also is a retired United States Navy captain and naval aviator with more than two decades of service.Cassada served as pilot of NASA’s SpaceX Crew-5 mission and Expedition 68 flight engineer aboard the International Space Station, executing myriad maintenance, contingency, and upgrade activities inside the station while also contributing to hundreds of experiments and technology demonstrations. His three spacewalks outside of the orbiting laboratory totaled more than 21 hours, successfully installing a pair of International Space Station Roll-Out Solar Arrays (IROSAs) to boost the station’s electrical capacity. Cassada, alongside crewmate NASA astronaut Frank Rubio, also assembled...
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