Feed aggregator
Betelgeuse and the Crab Nebula: Stellar Death and Rebirth
NASA, ESA, G. Dubner (IAFE, CONICET-University of Buenos Aires) et al.; A. Loll et al.; T. Temim et al.; F. Seward et al.; VLA/NRAO/AUI/NSF; Chandra/CXC; Spitzer/JPL-Caltech; XMM-Newton/ESA; and Hubble/STScI
What happens when a star dies? In 2019, Betelgeuse dimmed in brightness, sparking speculation that it may soon explode as a supernova. While it likely won’t explode quite yet, we can preview its fate by observing the nearby Crab Nebula.
A view of the constellations Orion and Taurus, along with notable features: Betelgeuse in Orion, and Aldebaran and the Crab Nebula in Taurus. Stellarium Web
Betelgeuse is easy to find as the red-hued shoulder star of Orion. A variable star, Betelgeuse, usually competes with the brilliant blue-white Rigel for the position of the brightest star in Orion. Betelgeuse is a young star, estimated to be a few million years old, but due to its giant size, it leads a fast and furious life. This massive star, known as a supergiant, exhausted the hydrogen fuel in its core and began to fuse helium instead, which caused the outer layers of the star to cool and swell dramatically in size. Betelgeuse is one of the few stars for which we have any detailed surface observations, due to its vast size – somewhere between the diameters of the orbits of Mars and Jupiter – and its relatively close distance of about 642 light-years. Betelgeuse is also a “runaway star,” with its remarkable speed possibly triggered by a merger with a smaller companion star. If that is the case, Betelgeuse may actually have millions of years left! So, Betelgeuse may not explode soon after all, or it might explode tomorrow! We have much more to learn about this intriguing star.
This image of the Crab Nebula combines data from five different telescopes: The Very Large Array (radio) in red; Spitzer Space Telescope (infrared) in yellow; Hubble Space Telescope (visible) in green; XMM-Newton (ultraviolet) in blue; and Chandra X-ray Observatory (X-ray) in purple. It is known as the expanding gaseous remnant from a star that self-detonated as a supernova, briefly shining as brightly as 400 million suns. NASA, ESA, G. Dubner (IAFE, CONICET-University of Buenos Aires) et al.; A. Loll et al.; T. Temim et al.; F. Seward et al.; VLA/NRAO/AUI/NSF; Chandra/CXC; Spitzer/JPL-Caltech; XMM-Newton/ESA; and Hubble/STScI
The Crab Nebula (M1) is relatively close to Betelgeuse in the sky, in the nearby constellation of Taurus. Its ghostly, spidery gas clouds result from a massive explosion; a supernova observed by astronomers in 1054! A backyard telescope allows you to see some details. Still, only advanced telescopes reveal the rapidly spinning neutron star found in its center: the last stellar remnant from that cataclysmic event. These gas clouds were created during the giant star’s violent demise and expand ever outward to enrich the universe with heavy elements like silicon, iron, and nickel. These element-rich clouds are like a cosmic fertilizer, making rocky planets like our own Earth possible. Supernovae also send out powerful shock waves that help trigger star formation. In fact, if it weren’t for a long-ago supernova, our solar system – along with all of us – wouldn’t exist! You can learn much more about the Crab Nebula in a video from NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope: bit.ly/CrabNebulaVisual
Want to know more about the life cycle of stars? Explore stellar evolution with “The Lives of Stars” activity and handout at bit.ly/starlifeanddeath, part of our SUPERNOVA! toolkit.
Originally posted by Dave Prosper: February 2020
Last Updated by Kat Troche: December 2025
How Scientists Are Decoding Hawaiian Monk Seal Communication
Researchers uncover 20 new underwater calls from Hawaii’s endangered monk seals.
Earth from Space: Manicouagan crater
Space Station Research Supports New FDA-Approved Cancer Therapy
NASA opens the International Space Station for scientists and researchers, inviting them to use the benefits of microgravity for private industry research, technology demonstrations, and more. Today, half of the crew’s time aboard station is devoted to these aims, including medical research that addresses complex health challenges on Earth and prepares astronauts for future deep space missions.
Supported by knowledge gained from space station experiments, researchers at Merck Research Labs received approval in September from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for a new injectable version of a medication used to treat several types of early-stage cancers called pembrolizumab, also known by its brand name KEYTRUDA. The development of the injectable formula has been supported by research efforts aboard the space station through the ISS National Laboratory, resulting in reduced treatment times while maintaining its efficacy.
Originally, the treatment was delivered during an in-office visit via infusion therapy into the patient’s veins, a process that could take up to two hours. Initial delivery improvements reduced infusion times to less than 30 minutes every three weeks. The newly approved subcutaneous injectable form takes about one minute every three weeks, promising to reduce cost and significantly reduce treatment time for patients and healthcare providers.
UV imaging of a ground control sample (left) and spaceflight sample (right) from Merck’s research shows the much more uniform size and distribution of crystals grown in microgravity. These results helped researchers to refine ground-based production of uniform crystalline suspensions required for an injectable version of KEYTRUDA.Merck
Since 2014, Merck has flown crystal growth experiments to the space station to better understand how crystals form, including the monoclonal antibody used in this cancer treatment. Monoclonal antibodies are lab-made proteins that help the body fight diseases. This research focused on producing crystalline suspensions that dissolve easily in liquid, making it possible to deliver the medication by injection. In microgravity, the absence of gravity’s physical forces allows scientists to grow larger, more uniform, and higher-quality crystals than those grown in ground-based labs, advancing medication development and structural modeling.
Research aboard the space station has provided valuable insights into how gravity influences crystallization, helping to improve drug formulations. The work of NASA and its partners aboard the space station improves lives on Earth, grows a commercial economy in low Earth orbit, and prepares for human exploration of the Moon and Mars.
Keep Exploring Discover More Topics From NASASpace Station Research Results
Station Benefits for Humanity
International Space Station
Humans In Space
Space Station Research Supports New FDA-Approved Cancer Therapy
NASA opens the International Space Station for scientists and researchers, inviting them to use the benefits of microgravity for private industry research, technology demonstrations, and more. Today, half of the crew’s time aboard station is devoted to these aims, including medical research that addresses complex health challenges on Earth and prepares astronauts for future deep space missions.
Supported by knowledge gained from space station experiments, researchers at Merck Research Labs received approval in September from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for a new injectable version of a medication used to treat several types of early-stage cancers called pembrolizumab, also known by its brand name KEYTRUDA. The development of the injectable formula has been supported by research efforts aboard the space station through the ISS National Laboratory, resulting in reduced treatment times while maintaining its efficacy.
Originally, the treatment was delivered during an in-office visit via infusion therapy into the patient’s veins, a process that could take up to two hours. Initial delivery improvements reduced infusion times to less than 30 minutes every three weeks. The newly approved subcutaneous injectable form takes about one minute every three weeks, promising to reduce cost and significantly reduce treatment time for patients and healthcare providers.
UV imaging of a ground control sample (left) and spaceflight sample (right) from Merck’s research shows the much more uniform size and distribution of crystals grown in microgravity. These results helped researchers to refine ground-based production of uniform crystalline suspensions required for an injectable version of KEYTRUDA.MerckSince 2014, Merck has flown crystal growth experiments to the space station to better understand how crystals form, including the monoclonal antibody used in this cancer treatment. Monoclonal antibodies are lab-made proteins that help the body fight diseases. This research focused on producing crystalline suspensions that dissolve easily in liquid, making it possible to deliver the medication by injection. In microgravity, the absence of gravity’s physical forces allows scientists to grow larger, more uniform, and higher-quality crystals than those grown in ground-based labs, advancing medication development and structural modeling.
Research aboard the space station has provided valuable insights into how gravity influences crystallization, helping to improve drug formulations. The work of NASA and its partners aboard the space station improves lives on Earth, grows a commercial economy in low Earth orbit, and prepares for human exploration of the Moon and Mars.
Keep Exploring Discover More Topics From NASASpace Station Research Results
Station Benefits for Humanity
International Space Station
Humans In Space
Could Advanced Civilizations Communicate like Fireflies?
In a new paper, a team of researchers explores how non-human species (in this case, fireflies) could inform new approaches in the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence (SETI).
Curiosity Blog, Sols 4743-4749: Polygons in the Hollow
- Curiosity Home
- Science
- News and Features
- Multimedia
- Mars Missions
- Mars Home
3 min read
Curiosity Blog, Sols 4743-4749: Polygons in the Hollow NASA’s Mars rover Curiosity acquired this close-up image of polygon-shaped features in the “Monte Grande” boxwork hollow. Similar polygonal patterns in various strata were seen previously, elsewhere in Gale Crater. Curiosity captured the image using its Mars Hand Lens Imager (MAHLI), located on the turret at the end of the rover’s robotic arm, on Dec. 11, 2025 — Sol 4745, or Martian day 4,745 of the Mars Science Laboratory mission — at 16:55:37 UTC. NASA/JPL-Caltech/MSSS
Written by Lucy Lim, Planetary Scientist at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center
Earth Planning Date: Friday, Dec. 12, 2025
The weekend drive starting from the “Nevado Sajama” drill site brought Curiosity back into the “Monte Grande” boxwork hollow. We’ve been in this hollow before for the “Valle de la Luna” drill campaign, but now that the team has seen the results from both the “Valle de la Luna” and “Nevado Sajama” drilled samples, we’ve decided that there’s more work to do here.
Overall science goals here included analysis of the other well-exposed bedrock block in Monte Grande to improve our statistics on the composition of the bedrock in the hollows, and also high-resolution imaging and compositional analysis of portions of the walls of the hollow, other than those that had been covered during the Valle de la Luna campaign. These are part of a systematic mini-campaign to map a transect over the hollow-to-ridge structure from top to bottom at this site.
The post-drive imaging revealed a surprise — Valle de la Luna’s neighboring block was covered with polygons! As it turned out, the rover’s position during our previous visit for the Valle de la Luna drill campaign happened to have stood in the way of imaging of the polygonal features on this block so this was our first good look at them. We have seen broadly similar polygonal patterns in various strata in Gale Crater before — recently in the layered sulfate units (for instance, during Sols 4532-4533 and Sols 4370-4371) but we hadn’t seen them in the bottom of a boxwork hollow. Interestingly, this block looks more rubbly in texture than many of the previously observed polygon-covered blocks.
We’re interested in the relationship of the visibly protruding fracture-filling material here to fracture-filling materials seen in previous polygons, and also in the relationship of the polygonal surface on top to the more chaotic-appearing exposures lower on the block, and to the equivalent strata in the nearby wall of the hollow. We therefore planned a super-sized MAHLI mosaic that will support three-dimensional modeling of the upper and lower exposed surfaces of the polygon-bearing block. Several APXS and ChemCam LIBS observations targeted on the polygon centers and polygon ridges were also planned, to measure composition. Meanwhile, Mastcam has been busy planning stereo images of the nearby hollow wall in addition to the various blocks on the hollow floor.
The hollow also included freshly exposed light-toned material from where the rover had driven over and scuffed some bedrock, so another APXS measurement and a ChemCam LIBS went to the scuffed patch to measure the fresh surface.
We’ll be driving on Sol 4748. As we drive we’ll be taking a MARDI “sidewalk” observation, to image the ground beneath the rover as we approach the wall for a closer view, and hopefully some contact science in next week’s plans.
-
Want to read more posts from the Curiosity team?
-
Want to learn more about Curiosity’s science instruments?
Article
1 day ago
3 min read Curiosity Blog, Sols 4731-4742: Finishing Up at Nevado Sajama
Article
1 week ago
2 min read Curiosity Blog, Sols 4723-4730: Digging Into Nevado Sajama
Article
1 week ago
Keep Exploring Discover More Topics From NASA Mars
Mars is the fourth planet from the Sun, and the seventh largest. It’s the only planet we know of inhabited…
All Mars Resources
Explore this collection of Mars images, videos, resources, PDFs, and toolkits. Discover valuable content designed to inform, educate, and inspire,…
Rover Basics
Each robotic explorer sent to the Red Planet has its own unique capabilities driven by science. Many attributes of a…
Mars Exploration: Science Goals
The key to understanding the past, present or future potential for life on Mars can be found in NASA’s four…
Curiosity Blog, Sols 4743-4749: Polygons in the Hollow
- Curiosity Home
- Science
- News and Features
- Multimedia
- Mars Missions
- Mars Home
3 min read
Curiosity Blog, Sols 4743-4749: Polygons in the Hollow NASA’s Mars rover Curiosity acquired this close-up image of polygon-shaped features in the “Monte Grande” boxwork hollow. Similar polygonal patterns in various strata were seen previously, elsewhere in Gale Crater. Curiosity captured the image using its Mars Hand Lens Imager (MAHLI), located on the turret at the end of the rover’s robotic arm, on Dec. 11, 2025 — Sol 4745, or Martian day 4,745 of the Mars Science Laboratory mission — at 16:55:37 UTC. NASA/JPL-Caltech/MSSSWritten by Lucy Lim, Planetary Scientist at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center
Earth Planning Date: Friday, Dec. 12, 2025
The weekend drive starting from the “Nevado Sajama” drill site brought Curiosity back into the “Monte Grande” boxwork hollow. We’ve been in this hollow before for the “Valle de la Luna” drill campaign, but now that the team has seen the results from both the “Valle de la Luna” and “Nevado Sajama” drilled samples, we’ve decided that there’s more work to do here.
Overall science goals here included analysis of the other well-exposed bedrock block in Monte Grande to improve our statistics on the composition of the bedrock in the hollows, and also high-resolution imaging and compositional analysis of portions of the walls of the hollow, other than those that had been covered during the Valle de la Luna campaign. These are part of a systematic mini-campaign to map a transect over the hollow-to-ridge structure from top to bottom at this site.
The post-drive imaging revealed a surprise — Valle de la Luna’s neighboring block was covered with polygons! As it turned out, the rover’s position during our previous visit for the Valle de la Luna drill campaign happened to have stood in the way of imaging of the polygonal features on this block so this was our first good look at them. We have seen broadly similar polygonal patterns in various strata in Gale Crater before — recently in the layered sulfate units (for instance, during Sols 4532-4533 and Sols 4370-4371) but we hadn’t seen them in the bottom of a boxwork hollow. Interestingly, this block looks more rubbly in texture than many of the previously observed polygon-covered blocks.
We’re interested in the relationship of the visibly protruding fracture-filling material here to fracture-filling materials seen in previous polygons, and also in the relationship of the polygonal surface on top to the more chaotic-appearing exposures lower on the block, and to the equivalent strata in the nearby wall of the hollow. We therefore planned a super-sized MAHLI mosaic that will support three-dimensional modeling of the upper and lower exposed surfaces of the polygon-bearing block. Several APXS and ChemCam LIBS observations targeted on the polygon centers and polygon ridges were also planned, to measure composition. Meanwhile, Mastcam has been busy planning stereo images of the nearby hollow wall in addition to the various blocks on the hollow floor.
The hollow also included freshly exposed light-toned material from where the rover had driven over and scuffed some bedrock, so another APXS measurement and a ChemCam LIBS went to the scuffed patch to measure the fresh surface.
We’ll be driving on Sol 4748. As we drive we’ll be taking a MARDI “sidewalk” observation, to image the ground beneath the rover as we approach the wall for a closer view, and hopefully some contact science in next week’s plans.
-
Want to read more posts from the Curiosity team?
-
Want to learn more about Curiosity’s science instruments?
Article
1 day ago
3 min read Curiosity Blog, Sols 4731-4742: Finishing Up at Nevado Sajama
Article
1 week ago
2 min read Curiosity Blog, Sols 4723-4730: Digging Into Nevado Sajama
Article
1 week ago
Keep Exploring Discover More Topics From NASA Mars
Mars is the fourth planet from the Sun, and the seventh largest. It’s the only planet we know of inhabited…
All Mars Resources
Explore this collection of Mars images, videos, resources, PDFs, and toolkits. Discover valuable content designed to inform, educate, and inspire,…
Rover Basics
Each robotic explorer sent to the Red Planet has its own unique capabilities driven by science. Many attributes of a…
Mars Exploration: Science Goals
The key to understanding the past, present or future potential for life on Mars can be found in NASA’s four…
Did Astronomers Just Find a ‘Superkilonova’ Double Explosion? Maybe.
Astronomers may have just seen the first ever ‘superkilonova,’ a combination of a supernova and a kilonova. These are two very different kinds of stellar explosions, and if this discovery stands, it could change the way scientists understand stellar birth and death.
Roman soldiers defending Hadrian’s Wall had intestinal parasites
Roman soldiers defending Hadrian’s Wall had intestinal parasites
Moon Mascot: NASA Artemis II ZGI Design Challenge
4 min read
Preparations for Next Moonwalk Simulations Underway (and Underwater) A graphic for the Moon Mascot: NASA Artemis II ZGI Design Challenge.Freelancer
Whose Moon Mascot design will join the Artemis II astronauts on their historic voyage around the Moon in early 2026?
Between March 7 and Jun. 16, 2025, NASA worked with crowdsourcing company Freelancer to seek design ideas from global creators for a zero gravity indicator that will fly aboard the agency’s Artemis II test flight.
Zero gravity indicators are small, plush items carried aboard spacecraft to provide a visual indication of when the spacecraft and its crew reach space.
For the first eight minutes after liftoff, the crew and their indicator nearby will still be pushed into their seats by gravity, and the force of the climb into space. When the main engines of the SLS (Space Launch System) rocket’s core stage cut off, gravity’s restraints are lifted, but the crew will still be strapped safely into their seats – their zero gravity indicator’s ability to float will provide proof that they’ve made it into space.
Artemis II marks the first time that the public has had a hand in creating a crew’s mascot.
The MissionOver the course of about ten days, four astronauts will travel approximately 685,000 miles from Earth, venture around the Moon, and return home. The flight will—for the first time with astronauts—test NASA’s human deep space exploration capabilities, including the agency’s Exploration Ground Systems, SLS (Space Launch System) rocket, and Orion spacecraft.
NASA has a long history of flying zero gravity indicators for human spaceflight missions. Many missions to the International Space Station include a plush item. A plush Snoopy rode inside Orion during NASA’s uncrewed Artemis I mission.
NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, and Christina Koch, and CSA (Canadian Space Agency) astronaut Jeremy Hansen will venture around the Moon and back. The mission is the first crewed flight under NASA’s Artemis campaign and is another step toward missions on the lunar surface and helping the agency prepare for future human missions to Mars.
The ContestThe Artemis II astronauts attended SXSW 2025 on March 7, 2025, and sat on a panel to discuss their upcoming mission around the Moon and answer questions from the audience. During the panel, commander Reid Wiseman showed the audience his zero gravity indicator from his Expedition 40 mission to the International Space Station. His zero gravity indicator was a toy giraffe named Giraffiti. Wiseman’s mother gifted Giraffiti to his oldest daughter when she was born. When Wiseman embarked on his first mission to space, his kids gave him Giraffiti to take with him to space.
“This little guy spent every day with me in my crew quarters,” said Wiseman. “It was a connection back home to my kids.”
June 4, 2014NASA Astronaut Reid Wiseman photographed in front of the Cupola windows during his Expedition 40 mission with his zero gravity indicator, Giraffiti.NASA March 7, 2025NASA astronaut Reid Wiseman shows the zero gravity indicator, “Giraffiti” used during his launch to the International Space Station as he and fellow Artemis II astronauts announce that NASA is seeking design ideas from global creators for a zero gravity indicator that will fly aboard the agency’s Artemis II test flight, Friday, March 7, 2025, at SXSW in Austin, Texas.NASA/Bill Ingalls March 7, 2025NASA astronaut Reid Wiseman shows the zero gravity indicator, “Giraffiti” used during his launch to the International Space Station as he and fellow Artemis II astronauts announce that NASA is seeking design ideas from global creators for a zero gravity indicator that will fly aboard the agency’s Artemis II test flight, Friday, March 7, 2025, at SXSW in Austin, Texas.NASA/Bill IngallsThen, Wiseman and the other crew members revealed that they were opening up the opportunities to people of all ages from all over the world to design the zero gravity indicator for the Artemis II mission around the Moon.
What better way to fly a mission around the Moon than to invite the public inside NASA’s Orion spacecraft with us and ask for help in designing our zero gravity indicator?Reid Wiseman
NASA Astronaut and Commander of the Artemis II Mission
The Moon Mascot contest was hosted by the freelancing and crowdsourcing company Freelancer on behalf of the agency through the NASA Tournament Lab. The contest lasted about three months and received thousands of submissions from over 50 countries. Over the course of the contest, the agency hosted a Twitch stream on NASA’s Twitch channel to discuss zero gravity indicators and practice creating a design with a live artist. Adobe also released an Adobe Express template to help participants with their designs.
An Adobe Express template for the Moon Mascot competition. Adobe The Finalists
On Aug. 22, NASA and Freelancer announced the 25 finalists of the contest. These designs – ideas spanning from Moon-related twists on Earthly creatures to creative visions of exploration and discovery – were selected from more than 2,600 submissions from over 50 countries, including from K-12 students. The finalists represent 10 countries including the United States, Canada, Colombia, Finland, France, Germany, Japan, Peru, Singapore, and Wales.
Lucas Ye | Mountain View, California“Rise” Kenan Ziyan | Canyon, Texas“Zappy Zebra” Royal School, SKIES Space Club | Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada“Luna the Space Polar Bear” Garden County Schools | Oshkosh, Nebraska“Team GarCo” Richellea Quinn Wijaya | Singapore“Parsec – The Bird That Flew to the Moon” Anzhelika Iudakova | Finland“Big Steps of Little Octopus” Congressional School | Falls Church, Virginia“Astra-Jelly” Congressional School | Falls Church, Virginia“Harper, Chloe, and Mateo’s ZGI” Alexa Pacholyk | Madison, Connecticut“Artemis” Leila Fleury | Rancho Palos Verdes, California“Beeatrice” Oakville Trafalgar School | Oakville, Ontario, Canada“Lepus the Moon Rabbit” Avon High School | Avon, Connecticut“Sal the Salmon” Daniela Colina | Lima, Peru“Corey the Explorer” Caroline Goyer-Desrosiers | St. Eustache, Quebec, Canada“Flying Squirrel Ready for Its Take Off to Space!” Giulia Bona | Berlin, Germany“Art & the Giant” Tabitha Ramsey | Frederick, Maryland“Lunar Crust-acean” Gabriela Hadas | Plano, Texas“Celestial Griffin” Savon Blanchard | Pearland, Texas“Soluna Flier” Ayako Moriyama | Kyoto, Japan“MORU: A Cloud Aglow with Moonlight and Hope” Johanna Beck | McPherson, Kansas“Creation Mythos” Guillaume Truong | Toulouse, France“Space Mola-mola (aka Moon Fish) Plushie” Arianna Robins | Rockledge, Florida“Terra the Titanosaurus” Sandy Moya | Madrid, Colombia“MISI: Guardian of the Journey” Bekah Crowmer | Mooresville, Indiana“Mona the Moon Moth” Courtney John | Llanelli, Wales“Past, Present, Future” The WinnerOnce the crew has selected a final design, NASA’s Thermal Blanket Lab will fabricate it for flight. The indicator will be tethered inside the Orion spacecraft before launch.
The winner of the contest and the design that will accompany the astronauts on their historic mission will be unveiled closer to launch. Launch is currently targeted for early next year, with launch opportunities as soon as February 2026.
About the AuthorThalia K. Patrinos Share Details Last Updated Dec 18, 2025 Related Terms Explore More 9 min read 2025 in Review: Highlights from NASA in Silicon Valley Article 2 days ago 3 min read NASA’s DiskSat Technology Demo Launches to Low Earth Orbit Article 2 days ago 10 min read NASA Langley Research Center: 2025 Year in Review Article 3 days ago Keep Exploring Discover More Topics From NASAMissions
Humans in Space
Climate Change
Solar System
Moon Mascot: NASA Artemis II ZGI Design Challenge
4 min read
Preparations for Next Moonwalk Simulations Underway (and Underwater) A graphic for the Moon Mascot: NASA Artemis II ZGI Design Challenge.FreelancerWhose Moon Mascot design will join the Artemis II astronauts on their historic voyage around the Moon in early 2026?
Between March 7 and Jun. 16, 2025, NASA worked with crowdsourcing company Freelancer to seek design ideas from global creators for a zero gravity indicator that will fly aboard the agency’s Artemis II test flight.
Zero gravity indicators are small, plush items carried aboard spacecraft to provide a visual indication of when the spacecraft and its crew reach space.
For the first eight minutes after liftoff, the crew and their indicator nearby will still be pushed into their seats by gravity, and the force of the climb into space. When the main engines of the SLS (Space Launch System) rocket’s core stage cut off, gravity’s restraints are lifted, but the crew will still be strapped safely into their seats – their zero gravity indicator’s ability to float will provide proof that they’ve made it into space.
Artemis II marks the first time that the public has had a hand in creating a crew’s mascot.
The MissionOver the course of about ten days, four astronauts will travel approximately 685,000 miles from Earth, venture around the Moon, and return home. The flight will—for the first time with astronauts—test NASA’s human deep space exploration capabilities, including the agency’s Exploration Ground Systems, SLS (Space Launch System) rocket, and Orion spacecraft.
NASA has a long history of flying zero gravity indicators for human spaceflight missions. Many missions to the International Space Station include a plush item. A plush Snoopy rode inside Orion during NASA’s uncrewed Artemis I mission.
NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, and Christina Koch, and CSA (Canadian Space Agency) astronaut Jeremy Hansen will venture around the Moon and back. The mission is the first crewed flight under NASA’s Artemis campaign and is another step toward missions on the lunar surface and helping the agency prepare for future human missions to Mars.
The ContestThe Artemis II astronauts attended SXSW 2025 on March 7, 2025, and sat on a panel to discuss their upcoming mission around the Moon and answer questions from the audience. During the panel, commander Reid Wiseman showed the audience his zero gravity indicator from his Expedition 40 mission to the International Space Station. His zero gravity indicator was a toy giraffe named Giraffiti. Wiseman’s mother gifted Giraffiti to his oldest daughter when she was born. When Wiseman embarked on his first mission to space, his kids gave him Giraffiti to take with him to space.
“This little guy spent every day with me in my crew quarters,” said Wiseman. “It was a connection back home to my kids.”
June 4, 2014NASA Astronaut Reid Wiseman photographed in front of the Cupola windows during his Expedition 40 mission with his zero gravity indicator, Giraffiti.NASA March 7, 2025NASA astronaut Reid Wiseman shows the zero gravity indicator, “Giraffiti” used during his launch to the International Space Station as he and fellow Artemis II astronauts announce that NASA is seeking design ideas from global creators for a zero gravity indicator that will fly aboard the agency’s Artemis II test flight, Friday, March 7, 2025, at SXSW in Austin, Texas.NASA/Bill Ingalls March 7, 2025NASA astronaut Reid Wiseman shows the zero gravity indicator, “Giraffiti” used during his launch to the International Space Station as he and fellow Artemis II astronauts announce that NASA is seeking design ideas from global creators for a zero gravity indicator that will fly aboard the agency’s Artemis II test flight, Friday, March 7, 2025, at SXSW in Austin, Texas.NASA/Bill IngallsThen, Wiseman and the other crew members revealed that they were opening up the opportunities to people of all ages from all over the world to design the zero gravity indicator for the Artemis II mission around the Moon.
What better way to fly a mission around the Moon than to invite the public inside NASA’s Orion spacecraft with us and ask for help in designing our zero gravity indicator?Reid Wiseman
NASA Astronaut and Commander of the Artemis II Mission
The Moon Mascot contest was hosted by the freelancing and crowdsourcing company Freelancer on behalf of the agency through the NASA Tournament Lab. The contest lasted about three months and received thousands of submissions from over 50 countries. Over the course of the contest, the agency hosted a Twitch stream on NASA’s Twitch channel to discuss zero gravity indicators and practice creating a design with a live artist. Adobe also released an Adobe Express template to help participants with their designs.
An Adobe Express template for the Moon Mascot competition. Adobe The FinalistsOn Aug. 22, NASA and Freelancer announced the 25 finalists of the contest. These designs – ideas spanning from Moon-related twists on Earthly creatures to creative visions of exploration and discovery – were selected from more than 2,600 submissions from over 50 countries, including from K-12 students. The finalists represent 10 countries including the United States, Canada, Colombia, Finland, France, Germany, Japan, Peru, Singapore, and Wales.
Lucas Ye | Mountain View, California“Rise” Kenan Ziyan | Canyon, Texas“Zappy Zebra” Royal School, SKIES Space Club | Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada“Luna the Space Polar Bear” Garden County Schools | Oshkosh, Nebraska“Team GarCo” Richellea Quinn Wijaya | Singapore“Parsec – The Bird That Flew to the Moon” Anzhelika Iudakova | Finland“Big Steps of Little Octopus” Congressional School | Falls Church, Virginia“Astra-Jelly” Congressional School | Falls Church, Virginia“Harper, Chloe, and Mateo’s ZGI” Alexa Pacholyk | Madison, Connecticut“Artemis” Leila Fleury | Rancho Palos Verdes, California“Beeatrice” Oakville Trafalgar School | Oakville, Ontario, Canada“Lepus the Moon Rabbit” Avon High School | Avon, Connecticut“Sal the Salmon” Daniela Colina | Lima, Peru“Corey the Explorer” Caroline Goyer-Desrosiers | St. Eustache, Quebec, Canada“Flying Squirrel Ready for Its Take Off to Space!” Giulia Bona | Berlin, Germany“Art & the Giant” Tabitha Ramsey | Frederick, Maryland“Lunar Crust-acean” Gabriela Hadas | Plano, Texas“Celestial Griffin” Savon Blanchard | Pearland, Texas“Soluna Flier” Ayako Moriyama | Kyoto, Japan“MORU: A Cloud Aglow with Moonlight and Hope” Johanna Beck | McPherson, Kansas“Creation Mythos” Guillaume Truong | Toulouse, France“Space Mola-mola (aka Moon Fish) Plushie” Arianna Robins | Rockledge, Florida“Terra the Titanosaurus” Sandy Moya | Madrid, Colombia“MISI: Guardian of the Journey” Bekah Crowmer | Mooresville, Indiana“Mona the Moon Moth” Courtney John | Llanelli, Wales“Past, Present, Future” The WinnerOnce the crew has selected a final design, NASA’s Thermal Blanket Lab will fabricate it for flight. The indicator will be tethered inside the Orion spacecraft before launch.
The winner of the contest and the design that will accompany the astronauts on their historic mission will be unveiled closer to launch. Launch is currently targeted for early next year, with launch opportunities as soon as February 2026.
About the AuthorThalia K. Patrinos Share Details Last Updated Dec 18, 2025 Related Terms Explore More 9 min read 2025 in Review: Highlights from NASA in Silicon Valley Article 2 days ago 3 min read NASA’s DiskSat Technology Demo Launches to Low Earth Orbit Article 2 days ago 10 min read NASA Langley Research Center: 2025 Year in Review Article 3 days ago Keep Exploring Discover More Topics From NASAMissions
Humans in Space
Climate Change
Solar System
NASA Announces 2025 International Space Apps Challenge Global Winners
NASA Space Apps announced Thursday 10 winners of the 2025 NASA Space Apps Challenge. During this two-day hackathon, participants gathered at 551 local events across 167 countries and territories to showcase their STEM skills and proposed ways to transform NASA’s open data into actionable tools.
Participants work on their projects at the NASA Space Apps Challenge in Austin, Texas, at one of more than 50 local events held in the United States.NASA Space Apps
More than 114,000 participants came together to address challenges created by NASA subject matter experts. These challenges ranged in complexity and topic, tasking participants with everything from leveraging artificial intelligence, to improving access to NASA research, and developing tools to evaluate air quality.
“The Space Apps Challenge puts NASA’s free and open data into the hands of explorers around the world,” said Karen St. Germain, director, NASA Earth Science Division at NASA Headquarters in Washington. “With participants as varied as NASA enthusiasts, future scientists, regional decision-makers and members of the public, this challenge demonstrates the excitement of discovery and the real-world applications of agency data. Space apps also fosters a global community of creative and innovative ideas.”
The winners were determined from more than 11,500 project submissions and judged by subject matter experts from NASA and agency partners:
Best Use of Science Award: SpaceGenes+
Team Members: Saloni T.
Challenge: Build a Space Biology Knowledge Engine
Country/Territory: Germany
Team SpaceGenes+ created an interactive dashboard designed to help researchers uncover how radiation and microgravity together impact astronaut health at the molecular level. It gives researchers and mission planners an easy way to identify important molecular changes, supporting more effective protection strategies for long-duration spaceflight.
Learn more about SpaceGenes+’ project
Best Use of Data Award: Resonant Exoplanets
Team Members: Adhvaidh S., Gabriel S., Jack A., Sahil S.
Challenge: A World Away: Hunting for Exoplanets with AI
Country/Territory: United States
Team Resonant Exoplanets developed an AI-powered system that ingests large sets of telescope and satellite data, including spectra from missions like the James Webb Space Telescope. This tool automatically analyzes data for exoplanets and detects possible biosignatures, rather than identifying them manually.
Learn more about Resonant Exoplanets’ project
Best Use of Technology Award: Twisters
Team Members: Fernando A., Marcelo T., Mariana D., Regina R., Regina F.
Challenge: Will It Rain on My Parade?
Country/Territory: Mexico
Team Twisters developed SkySense, a web-app platform that uses NASA Earth observation data and AI analysis to provide ultra-local, personalized weather predictions and to analyze weather variables such as rain, wind, temperature, humidity, and visibility, generating real-time risk assessments and suggesting the safest time windows for activities.
Learn more about Twisters’ project
Galactic Impact Award: Astro Sweepers: We Catch What Space Leaves Behind
Team Members: Harshiv T., Pragathy S., Pratik J., Sherlin D., Yousra H., Zienab E.
Challenge: Commercializing Low Earth Orbit (LEO)
Country/Territory: Universal Event
Team Astro Sweepers developed an end-to-end orbital debris compliance and risk intelligence platform that automatically ingests public orbital data to generate Debris Assessment Software reports and compute the Astro Sweepers Risk Index for every resident space object. This project considers the operational, regulatory, and environmental challenges of commercialized space travel.
Learn more about Astro Sweepers’ project
Best Mission Concept Award: PureFlow
Team Members: Esthefany M., João F., Laiza L., Lara D., Pedro H., Thayane D.
Challenge: Your Home in Space: The Habitat Layout Creator
Country/Territory: Brazil
PureFlow developed an interactive systems engineering platform that allows users to design, model in 3D, and validate space habitats, and then test the design against real space-weather threats, such as solar storms. This system considers the critical functions required for living in space, including waste management, power, life support, communications, and more.
Learn more about PureFlows’ project
Most Inspirational Award: Photonics Odyssey
Team Members: Manish D., M. K., Prasanth G., Rajalingam N., Rashi M., Sakthi R.
Challenge: Commercializing Low Earth Orbit (LEO)
Country/Territory: India
Photonics Odyssey reimagined satellite internet as a sovereign national infrastructure rather than a private service, proposing a phased-array antenna approach that reduces ground dependency and expands broadband access to remote regions of India. The concept aims to help connect more than 700 million people who lack access to broadband internet.
Learn more about Photonics Odysseys’ project
Best Use of Storytelling Award: HerCode Space
Team Members: Alice R., Joselyn R., Paula C., Pierina J.
Challenge: Stellar Stories: Space Weather Through the Eyes of Earthlings
Country/Territory: Universal Event
HerCode Space combined NASA data and heliophysics concepts with powerful storytelling and vibrant illustrations to teach kids how space weather affects daily life and why it matters. HerCode Science hopes their story, “A Solar Tale,” can bridge science and imagination, and bring heliophysics to life in classrooms, libraries, and outreach programs.
Learn more about HerCode Spaces’ project
Global Connection Award: Gaia+LEO
Team Members: Adam H., Katia L., Prajwal S., Upendra K.
Challenge: Commercializing Low Earth Orbit (LEO)
Country/Territory: United States
Team Gaia+LEO developed a mixed-integer optimization framework that co-designs orbital and terrestrial data-center networks to support large-scale AI training and climate modeling in orbit. Their goal is to reduce the power, and water demands of Earth-based systems and help accelerate the shift toward space-based, green computing within the emerging orbital economy.
Learn more about Gaia+LEOs’ project
Art & Technology Award: Zumorroda-X
Team Members: Alaa A., Esraa A., Malak S., Mennatulla E.
Challenge: NASA Farm Navigators: Using NASA Data Exploration in Agriculture
Country/Territory: Egypt
Team Zumorroda-X created mini games that allow players to step into the shoes of a farmer who sets off on an epic journey around the world. Through this game, players can learn how farmers globally adapt to heat waves, flooding, and other environmental challenges.
Learn more about Zumorroda-Xs’ project
Local Impact Award: QUEÑARIS
Team Members: Borax Q., Carlos Y., Marcelo S., Máximo S., Oscar M., Pamela P.
Challenge: BloomWatch: An Earth Observation Application for Global Flowering Phenology
Country/Territory: Peru
Team QUEÑARIS’ project addresses critical water scarcity in Peru’s second-largest city, Arequipa, caused by the degradation of queñua forests, which are vital for water retention. Their platform combines native microorganisms, NASA satellite data, drones, and artificial intelligence to accelerate tree growth, identify the best areas for reforestation, and monitor ecosystem health.
Learn more about QUEÑARIS’ project
Stay up to date with #SpaceApps by following these accounts:
X: @SpaceApps
Instagram: @nasa_spaceapps
Facebook: @spaceappschallenge
YouTube: @NASASpaceAppsChallenge
NASA Space Apps is funded by NASA’s Earth Science Division through a contract with Booz Allen Hamilton, Mindgrub, and SecondMuse.
To learn more about what inspired these winning projects, visit:
https://www.spaceappschallenge.org
Explore More 6 min read NASA International Space Apps Challenge Announces 2024 Global Winners Article 11 months ago 5 min read 2023 NASA International Space Apps Challenge Announces 10 Global WinnersTen teams from around the world have been named the Global Winners of the 2023…
Article 2 years ago Share Details Last Updated Dec 18, 2025 Related TermsNASA Announces 2025 International Space Apps Challenge Global Winners
NASA Space Apps announced Thursday 10 winners of the 2025 NASA Space Apps Challenge. During this two-day hackathon, participants gathered at 551 local events across 167 countries and territories to showcase their STEM skills and proposed ways to transform NASA’s open data into actionable tools.
Participants work on their projects at the NASA Space Apps Challenge in Austin, Texas, at one of more than 50 local events held in the United States.NASA Space AppsMore than 114,000 participants came together to address challenges created by NASA subject matter experts. These challenges ranged in complexity and topic, tasking participants with everything from leveraging artificial intelligence, to improving access to NASA research, and developing tools to evaluate air quality.
“The Space Apps Challenge puts NASA’s free and open data into the hands of explorers around the world,” said Karen St. Germain, director, NASA Earth Science Division at NASA Headquarters in Washington. “With participants as varied as NASA enthusiasts, future scientists, regional decision-makers and members of the public, this challenge demonstrates the excitement of discovery and the real-world applications of agency data. Space apps also fosters a global community of creative and innovative ideas.”
The winners were determined from more than 11,500 project submissions and judged by subject matter experts from NASA and agency partners:
Best Use of Science Award: SpaceGenes+
Team Members: Saloni T.
Challenge: Build a Space Biology Knowledge Engine
Country/Territory: Germany
Team SpaceGenes+ created an interactive dashboard designed to help researchers uncover how radiation and microgravity together impact astronaut health at the molecular level. It gives researchers and mission planners an easy way to identify important molecular changes, supporting more effective protection strategies for long-duration spaceflight.
Learn more about SpaceGenes+’ project
Best Use of Data Award: Resonant Exoplanets
Team Members: Adhvaidh S., Gabriel S., Jack A., Sahil S.
Challenge: A World Away: Hunting for Exoplanets with AI
Country/Territory: United States
Team Resonant Exoplanets developed an AI-powered system that ingests large sets of telescope and satellite data, including spectra from missions like the James Webb Space Telescope. This tool automatically analyzes data for exoplanets and detects possible biosignatures, rather than identifying them manually.
Learn more about Resonant Exoplanets’ project
Best Use of Technology Award: Twisters
Team Members: Fernando A., Marcelo T., Mariana D., Regina R., Regina F.
Challenge: Will It Rain on My Parade?
Country/Territory: Mexico
Team Twisters developed SkySense, a web-app platform that uses NASA Earth observation data and AI analysis to provide ultra-local, personalized weather predictions and to analyze weather variables such as rain, wind, temperature, humidity, and visibility, generating real-time risk assessments and suggesting the safest time windows for activities.
Learn more about Twisters’ project
Galactic Impact Award: Astro Sweepers: We Catch What Space Leaves Behind
Team Members: Harshiv T., Pragathy S., Pratik J., Sherlin D., Yousra H., Zienab E.
Challenge: Commercializing Low Earth Orbit (LEO)
Country/Territory: Universal Event
Team Astro Sweepers developed an end-to-end orbital debris compliance and risk intelligence platform that automatically ingests public orbital data to generate Debris Assessment Software reports and compute the Astro Sweepers Risk Index for every resident space object. This project considers the operational, regulatory, and environmental challenges of commercialized space travel.
Learn more about Astro Sweepers’ project
Best Mission Concept Award: PureFlow
Team Members: Esthefany M., João F., Laiza L., Lara D., Pedro H., Thayane D.
Challenge: Your Home in Space: The Habitat Layout Creator
Country/Territory: Brazil
PureFlow developed an interactive systems engineering platform that allows users to design, model in 3D, and validate space habitats, and then test the design against real space-weather threats, such as solar storms. This system considers the critical functions required for living in space, including waste management, power, life support, communications, and more.
Learn more about PureFlows’ project
Most Inspirational Award: Photonics Odyssey
Team Members: Manish D., M. K., Prasanth G., Rajalingam N., Rashi M., Sakthi R.
Challenge: Commercializing Low Earth Orbit (LEO)
Country/Territory: India
Photonics Odyssey reimagined satellite internet as a sovereign national infrastructure rather than a private service, proposing a phased-array antenna approach that reduces ground dependency and expands broadband access to remote regions of India. The concept aims to help connect more than 700 million people who lack access to broadband internet.
Learn more about Photonics Odysseys’ project
Best Use of Storytelling Award: HerCode Space
Team Members: Alice R., Joselyn R., Paula C., Pierina J.
Challenge: Stellar Stories: Space Weather Through the Eyes of Earthlings
Country/Territory: Universal Event
HerCode Space combined NASA data and heliophysics concepts with powerful storytelling and vibrant illustrations to teach kids how space weather affects daily life and why it matters. HerCode Science hopes their story, “A Solar Tale,” can bridge science and imagination, and bring heliophysics to life in classrooms, libraries, and outreach programs.
Learn more about HerCode Spaces’ project
Global Connection Award: Gaia+LEO
Team Members: Adam H., Katia L., Prajwal S., Upendra K.
Challenge: Commercializing Low Earth Orbit (LEO)
Country/Territory: United States
Team Gaia+LEO developed a mixed-integer optimization framework that co-designs orbital and terrestrial data-center networks to support large-scale AI training and climate modeling in orbit. Their goal is to reduce the power, and water demands of Earth-based systems and help accelerate the shift toward space-based, green computing within the emerging orbital economy.
Learn more about Gaia+LEOs’ project
Art & Technology Award: Zumorroda-X
Team Members: Alaa A., Esraa A., Malak S., Mennatulla E.
Challenge: NASA Farm Navigators: Using NASA Data Exploration in Agriculture
Country/Territory: Egypt
Team Zumorroda-X created mini games that allow players to step into the shoes of a farmer who sets off on an epic journey around the world. Through this game, players can learn how farmers globally adapt to heat waves, flooding, and other environmental challenges.
Learn more about Zumorroda-Xs’ project
Local Impact Award: QUEÑARIS
Team Members: Borax Q., Carlos Y., Marcelo S., Máximo S., Oscar M., Pamela P.
Challenge: BloomWatch: An Earth Observation Application for Global Flowering Phenology
Country/Territory: Peru
Team QUEÑARIS’ project addresses critical water scarcity in Peru’s second-largest city, Arequipa, caused by the degradation of queñua forests, which are vital for water retention. Their platform combines native microorganisms, NASA satellite data, drones, and artificial intelligence to accelerate tree growth, identify the best areas for reforestation, and monitor ecosystem health.
Learn more about QUEÑARIS’ project
Stay up to date with #SpaceApps by following these accounts:
X: @SpaceApps
Instagram: @nasa_spaceapps
Facebook: @spaceappschallenge
YouTube: @NASASpaceAppsChallenge
NASA Space Apps is funded by NASA’s Earth Science Division through a contract with Booz Allen Hamilton, Mindgrub, and SecondMuse.
To learn more about what inspired these winning projects, visit:
https://www.spaceappschallenge.org
Explore More 6 min read NASA International Space Apps Challenge Announces 2024 Global Winners Article 11 months ago 5 min read 2023 NASA International Space Apps Challenge Announces 10 Global WinnersTen teams from around the world have been named the Global Winners of the 2023…
Article 2 years ago Share Details Last Updated Dec 18, 2025 Related TermsHere’s How Much Practice You Need to Become the Best in the World
Are you a specialist or a generalist? The answer could reveal something about how well you learn and perfect a skill
NASA Lab Completes Engine Checks on New Aircraft
NASA Lab Completes Engine Checks on New Aircraft
Justin Hall, left, controls a subscale aircraft as Justin Link holds the aircraft in place during preliminary engine tests on Friday, Sept. 12, 2025, at NASA’s Armstong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California.
Hall, chief pilot at the center’s Dale Reed Subscale Flight Research Laboratory, and Link, a pilot for small uncrewed aircraft systems, are building the large subscale aircraft to support increasingly complex flight research, offering a more flexible and cost-effective alternative to crewed missions. Once ready, the aircraft will help evaluate new concepts, technologies, and flight controls to support NASA missions on Earth and beyond.
Image Credit: NASA/Christopher LC Clark