NASA Science (original) (raw)

Boxy, SmallSat in orbit over the Moon

Lunar Trailblazer

Launching in 2024, the goal of Lunar Trailblazer is to understand the form, abundance, and distribution of water on the Moon, and the lunar water cycle.

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Artist Rendering of NISAR

NISAR

Launching in 2025, NISAR will systematically map Earth and study changes to ice sheets, glaciers, and sea ice in fine detail, as climate change warms the air and ocean.

More about NISAR

3 spacecraft are shown on an equally spaced on orbit path above the earth showing the north america visible below.

GeoXO

GeoXO will advance observations of Earth’s weather, atmosphere and ocean for short-term forecasts and warnings and long-term planning for the effects of our changing planet.

More about GeoXO

NASA’s Parker Solar Probe Makes History With Closest Pass to Sun

Operations teams have confirmed NASA’s mission to “touch” the Sun survived its record-breaking closest approach to the solar surface on…

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An illustration showing the Parker Solar Probe spacecraft — a flat shield facing the Sun, with instruments and antennae on the other side, near the Sun, which has solar material ejecting off of it.

Featured Video

NASA 2025: To the Moon, Mars, and Beyond

Preparing to orbit and do science on the Moon, investigating how solar wind interacts with Mars, and demonstrating quiet supersonic flight are just a FEW of the milestones we have planned for 2025.

Watch on YouTube

spotlight

New Explorer Series Posters and Wallpapers

Astrobiology and Ocean Worlds, the latest entries in our Explorer Series, have officially launched and are ready for download now!

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NASA Science is Delivering

NASA Science is delivering: every second of every day, of every week, of every year. 2024 is proving to be yet another year of exceptional scientific discovery and achievement. From soft landing back on the Moon a few months ago, to celebrating the Heliophysics Big Year and a Total Solar Eclipse in the contiguous United States, to receiving stunning imagery from James Webb, NASA Science is as busy as ever. Recently launched earth science missions are also providing us unprecedented views of our planet and incredible insight into the health of our oceans and atmosphere, and helping decision-makers improve lives on Earth and safeguard our future. And we are charting a new, sustainable path for Mars Sample Return.

Looking ahead, we have many exciting launches on the horizon. At NASA, we are fortunate that our science and exploration endeavors are inextricably linked and help us discover and innovate for the benefit of humanity. Together, we explore to advance scientific understanding. Ultimately, exploration enables science, and science enables exploration.

The NASA Science team is continuing to deliver for the benefit of all.

Read Nicky Notes

How we Look at Earth

Earth Observatory

Images, stories, and discoveries about the environment. Where every day is Earth Day.

Earth Science Data

Free and open access to an immense archive of Earth science data empowers users to better understand and protect our home planet.

Earth Information Center

See how the planet is changing in ways that affect the lives and livelihoods of individuals across the globe.

Climate Change

From the unique vantage point in space, NASA collects critical long-term observations of our changing planet.

An Ocean in Bloom

From the far reaches of space, NASA scientists aim to expand their knowledge of how our ocean, atmosphere, and ecosystems interact with one another.

World of Change

Earth is constantly changing. World of Change documents how our planet’s land, oceans, and atmosphere are changing over time.

earth information center

Explore our changing planet

Earth is our home, shared with millions of species. Rapid changes like rising temperatures and more frequent extreme weather are transforming our planet. For over 50 years, observations from space and ground have monitored these changes, guiding critical decisions in areas like agriculture and air quality. By understanding how our actions affect Earth's systems, we can help mitigate these impacts. Discover more about how you can make a difference in safeguarding our planet.

Visit the Earth Information Center

SCience

By the Numbers

Science is interconnected; no important question stands alone. The Science Mission Directorate (SMD) is an organization where discoveries in one scientific discipline have a direct route to other areas of study. This flow is something extremely valuable and is rare in the scientific world.

Learn More about Science by the Numbers

An artist’s concept of a landscape. The concept is composed of dusky purples, oranges, golds, and greens. In the left foreground, a young woman wearing a white dress basks in the rays of a solar eclipse. She stands under a bright orange fall tree rooted to the side of a rocky mountain trail. The scene overlooks a valley with a river running through the middle towards distant hazy blue mountains. Nocturnal animals – including a fox, owl, possum, and bat – emerge to investigate the sudden onset of night. A deer stands on a grassy knoll at right in front of a line of fall colored trees. The Milky Way trails across the sky, leading up from the young woman to the eclipse and glittering stars at top right. Two hot air balloons float in the distance. This concept was created in celebration of the Heliophysics Big Year, which is bookended by the Annular Eclipse in October of 2023 and the Total Solar Eclipse in April of 2024. It also serves as the cover of the 2024 NASA Science Planning Guide.

SMD Community Town Hall Meetings

View upcoming and past community town hall meetings.

Town Hall Meetings

NASA Science Strategy

Our science strategy articulates a forward-thinking vision and presents a comprehensive, cohesive and long-term roadmap for all NASA activities.

Science Strategy

People of NASA Science

Meet the individuals who are instrumental in enabling the realization of NASA Science’s extraordinary mission.

People of Science

NASA Science Careers

Discover career opportunities at NASA Science, where innovation, growth and collaboration shape the future of scientific exploration.

Science Careers