NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Electronics That Can Keep Batteries Alive in the Freezing Cold of Lunar Night A spacecraft exploring the Moon may freeze solid during the two-week long lunar night, when temperatures can plunge to -223°C (-369°F). To fix this, scientists at NASA’s Glenn Research Center are developing electronics that help spacecraft survive these icy conditions. During the Moon’s daytime, a spacecraft using these electronics can keep itself powered with solar panels that charge lithium-ion batteries, powering the spacecraft — but at night, the spacecraft can hibernate, shutting down and freezing to conserve energy. When the Sun comes up, the electronics regulate solar power to gradually thaw frozen batteries and safely restart the spacecraft. This new capability was tested with a circuit board made from off-the-shelf commercial components, working stably across temperatures from room temperature down to -200°C (-328°F) — proving it’s tough enough for lunar missions. Glenn is continuing to work on this technology that could enable rovers, landers, and payloads to survive lunar nights without using heaters and a lot of extra batteries. Learn more about this project, its key partners, and its NASA centers on our TechPort database: https://lnkd.in/eKxFivaY

Innovators, technologists, academics, media producers and distributors: Here’s your NASA moonshot. We’re hosting pitch sessions for how we can best share the story of Artemis—including humanity’s return to the surface of the Moon. Apply by Jan. 13: https://lnkd.in/eN5PXH8u

Congratulations to our 2024 NASA FIRST graduates! Over the past year, 60 GS-11 and GS-12 employees have grown as leaders, building skills and connections to shape NASA's future. At NASA, we prioritize leadership development, and we're excited to see the impact these future leaders will have on our mission and beyond! Explore opportunities at nasa.gov/careers.

We’ve officially finalized our LEO Microgravity Strategy, marking a transformative moment in NASA’s efforts to define the next generation of continuous human presence in low Earth orbit. This comprehensive strategy will play a key role in advancing space exploration, benefiting both science and society. Implementing this strategy will set the stage for long-duration missions to future commercial space stations, which is crucial to reduce risk for the human exploration of Mars. Continuous access to low Earth orbit will also help us build the operational expertise needed to tackle future challenges. Together, we are shaping the next chapter in human spaceflight. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/e7ESpFFu

'Tis the season... to gaze into the universe ✨ This star cluster, seen here thanks to our Webb and Chandra space telescopes, resembles a cosmic wreath, with shining stars sparkling among festive clouds: https://lnkd.in/ecXe47Tu

We had a great time meeting so many tech professionals and entrepreneurs last week at the 2024 Techsgiving Summit! If you're interested in a career in tech at NASA, visit our website to learn more: www.nasa.gov/careers

How did planets first form in the early days of our universe? New findings using data from our Webb space telescope confirm an unexpected discovery made by Hubble 20 years ago. Get the full story: https://lnkd.in/edu4vM2a

“It is hugely important to see people who look like you.” The latest episode of our documentary series “The Color of Space” looks at the personal journeys of Black women astronauts like Jeanette Epps and Jessica Watkins – as well as the impact of representation on them and the next generation of space explorers. Watch for free on NASA+: https://lnkd.in/egdPXnnn

"Oxygen makes up 80 percent of your rocket fuel. So, if you’re able to capture that from the Moon, you have basically a gas station on the Moon—and then eventually Mars." Jason Schuler is the project manager for the ISRU Pilot Excavator, or IPEx. The moon mining robot is designed to dig up lunar soil and extract vital resources, such as oxygen, that could be used for future life support systems. Schuler is joined by IPEx’s lead design engineer, Andrew Smith, to discuss how the project came to fruition, challenges and solutions they’ve tackled, and what it takes to mine the Moon on the most recent episode of our “Small Steps, Giant Leaps” podcast. Dig in: https://lnkd.in/e9dWMg42

Higher Ground: After nearly four years of exploration, and grades as steep as 20%, our Perseverance rover has reached the rim of Mars's Jezero Crater. Learn more about how Perseverance made the climb—and where it's rolling next: https://lnkd.in/ebzMn6JG #AGU2024