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Khabre desk
Recent reporting, analysis and explainers from the NASA desk.
technology
NASA says a September power-saving change will let Voyager 1’s remaining science instruments operate longer than previously anticipated. The spacecraft’s signal also returned after a brief communications loss in October.
science
NASA ended science operations of the Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory after atmospheric drag at its low orbit made steady astronomical observations impossible. The spacecraft leaves a public archive of nearly 22 years of multiwavelength data.
technology
NASA says Sierra Lobo will provide the closed Brayton cycle system that converts heat from SR-1 Freedom’s fission reactor into electricity. The spacecraft is planned to carry a three-helicopter science mission to Mars, launching in late 2028.
technology
NASA’s SpaceX Crew-12 returned to Earth on Oct. 8, 2026, after 237 days aboard the International Space Station. The crew completed more than 3,792 Earth orbits and conducted research on health and technologies for future missions.
technology
NASA’s attempt to raise the Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory’s orbit ended after the LINK spacecraft developed communications and orientation-control problems. NASA and Katalyst Space scaled back the mission, while Swift’s team used observation planning to slow its descent for several months.
technology
NASA and Boeing plan an uncrewed Starliner-1 flight to evaluate propulsion-system changes before a crewed return mission currently planned for 2028. NASA also intends to add two Starliner station flights and certify Vulcan for crew transport.
science
NASA says its 10 astronaut candidates are approximately halfway through a nearly two-year training programme. Recent exercises included lunar geology fieldwork, aircraft flights, altitude-chamber runs and water-survival training.
science
NASA will host a free International Observe the Moon Night event on Sept. 19 at its Goddard Space Flight Center Visitor Center in Maryland. People worldwide can also participate through local observations, virtual events and other activities.
technology
NASA has completed Deep Space Station 23, a 34-metre radio antenna at its Goldstone complex in California. The antenna began operational tracking in August and is designed to increase the Deep Space Network’s flexibility and capacity for deep-space missions.
science
NASA’s Dragonfly rotorcraft has received its flight electrical harness, while the International Astronomical Union has named its planned Titan landing region Ahmakiq Undae.
science
A NASA sounding-rocket experiment used five detectors to sample a sporadic E layer simultaneously, revealing more complex internal structure in the ionosphere than single-point measurements could show.
science
NASA's Pandora mission has begun science observations aimed at separating exoplanet atmospheric signatures from changes in their host stars, with at least 20 planets planned for detailed study.
technology
NASA says its X-59 quiet-supersonic research aircraft has completed 25 test flights and is preparing for the phase that will directly measure its intended quieter sonic signature.