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Differences in the skulls of carnivorous dinosaurs suggest some dinosaurs ripped flesh while others crushed bones

Mathematicians who call themselves ultrafinitists think that extremely large numbers are holding back science, from logic to cosmology, and they have a radical plan to do something about it

Mathematicians who call themselves ultrafinitists think that extremely large numbers are holding back science, from logic to cosmology, and they have a radical plan to do something about it

Kids crave approval from their peers. Chatbots offer an alternative to IRL relationships, but they can come at a price  

Explore the space between the stars from the safety of a virtual cockpit with the best space flight simulation games.

The Artemis II crew (from left to right) CSA (Canadian Space Agency) Jeremy Hansen, mission specialist; Christina Koch, mission specialist; Victor Glover, pilot; and Reid Wiseman, commander, don their Orion Crew Survival System Suits for a multi-day crew module training beginning Thursday, July 31, 2025 at the agency’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Behind the crew, wearing clean room apparel, are members of the Artemis II closeout crew. NASA/Rad Sinyak

The first crew slated to fly in NASA’s Orion spacecraft during the Artemis II mission around the Moon early next year entered their spacecraft for a multi-day training at the agency’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Crew donned their spacesuits July 31 and boarded Orion to train and experience some of the conditions they can expect on their mission.

NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, and Christina Koch, and CSA (Canadian Space Agency) astronaut Jeremy Hansen participated in a suited crew test and crew equipment interface test, performing launch day and simulated orbital activities inside Orion.

Every milestone in the Artemis campaign brings us closer to landing Americans back on the Moon and pushing onward to Mars.

sEAN dUFFY

acting NASA Administrator

“In about six months, Artemis II astronauts will journey around the Moon for the first time in 53 years,” Duffy said. “America rallied behind Apollo because it represented the best of us – now it’s Artemis’ turn. They’re not just carrying a flag – they’re carrying the pride, power, and promise of the United States of America.”

With Orion powered on, the suited crew test was a close representation of what the crew can expect on launch day. The crew began the day by suiting up inside the spaceport’s Multi-Operation Support Building, donning their Orion crew survival system spacesuits, boarding the zero-emission crew transportation vehicles, and entering Orion, which is currently inside the Multi-Payload Processing Facility, where engineers have loaded its propellants over the course of several weeks.

Once in Orion, the crew performed several launch day activities, including communications checkouts and suit leak checks. For the first time, the crew was connected to the spacecraft and its communications and life control systems, and all umbilicals were connected while the spacecraft operated on full power.

Teams simulated several different ground and flight conditions to give the crew more experience managing them in real time. Some of the activities simulated scenarios where the crew was challenged to address potential issues while in space such as leaks and failure of the air revitalization system fan, which is needed to provide oxygen and remove carbon dioxide from the cabin. Getting this hands-on experience and learning how to act fast to overcome potential challenges during flight helps ensure the crew is ready for any scenario.

The test provides astronauts the ability to train on the actual hardware they will use during flight, allowing them and support teams the opportunity to familiarize themselves with the equipment in configurations very close to what will be experienced during flight. It also allows teams to verify compatibility between the equipment and systems with flight controller procedures, so they can make any final adjustments ahead of launch.

This test brings together the Artemis II crew and the Orion spacecraft that will carry them to the Moon and back.

Shawn Quinn

NASA's Exploration Ground Systems Program manager

“It signifies the immense amount of work that our operations and development teams put into making sure we are ready for launch.” Quinn said. “They have meticulously planned each operation, timing them to perfection – and now we put it to the test.”

Exchanging their spacesuits for cleanroom garments for the crew equipment interface test, and with the spacecraft powered off, the crew also performed many of the activities they are likely to do in flight and conducted additional equipment checks. The crew practiced removing and stowing the foot pans on the pilot and commander seats, which will allow them to have more open space in the cabin after launch. They also accessed the stowage lockers and familiarized themselves with cameras, associated cables and mounts, and the environmental control and life support system hardware.

In addition to getting practical experience with the actual hardware they’ll use in space, they also prepared for life in deep space, reviewing cabin labels, sleep arrangements and checklists, and the hygiene bay.

Through the Artemis campaign, NASA will send astronauts to explore the Moon for scientific discovery, economic benefits, and to build the foundation for the first crewed missions to Mars – for the benefit of all. 

The Artemis II crew (from left to right) CSA (Canadian Space Agency) Jeremy Hansen, mission specialist; Christina Koch, mission specialist; Victor Glover, pilot; and Reid Wiseman, commander, don their Orion Crew Survival System Suits for a multi-day crew module training beginning Thursday, July 31, 2025 at the agency’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Behind the crew, wearing clean room apparel, are members of the Artemis II closeout crew. NASA/Rad Sinyak

The first crew slated to fly in NASA’s Orion spacecraft during the Artemis II mission around the Moon early next year entered their spacecraft for a multi-day training at the agency’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Crew donned their spacesuits July 31 and boarded Orion to train and experience some of the conditions they can expect on their mission.

NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, and Christina Koch, and CSA (Canadian Space Agency) astronaut Jeremy Hansen participated in a suited crew test and crew equipment interface test, performing launch day and simulated orbital activities inside Orion.

Every milestone in the Artemis campaign brings us closer to landing Americans back on the Moon and pushing onward to Mars.

sEAN dUFFY

acting NASA Administrator

“In about six months, Artemis II astronauts will journey around the Moon for the first time in 53 years,” Duffy said. “America rallied behind Apollo because it represented the best of us – now it’s Artemis’ turn. They’re not just carrying a flag – they’re carrying the pride, power, and promise of the United States of America.”

With Orion powered on, the suited crew test was a close representation of what the crew can expect on launch day. The crew began the day by suiting up inside the spaceport’s Multi-Operation Support Building, donning their Orion crew survival system spacesuits, boarding the zero-emission crew transportation vehicles, and entering Orion, which is currently inside the Multi-Payload Processing Facility, where engineers have loaded its propellants over the course of several weeks.

Once in Orion, the crew performed several launch day activities, including communications checkouts and suit leak checks. For the first time, the crew was connected to the spacecraft and its communications and life control systems, and all umbilicals were connected while the spacecraft operated on full power.

Teams simulated several different ground and flight conditions to give the crew more experience managing them in real time. Some of the activities simulated scenarios where the crew was challenged to address potential issues while in space such as leaks and failure of the air revitalization system fan, which is needed to provide oxygen and remove carbon dioxide from the cabin. Getting this hands-on experience and learning how to act fast to overcome potential challenges during flight helps ensure the crew is ready for any scenario.

The test provides astronauts the ability to train on the actual hardware they will use during flight, allowing them and support teams the opportunity to familiarize themselves with the equipment in configurations very close to what will be experienced during flight. It also allows teams to verify compatibility between the equipment and systems with flight controller procedures, so they can make any final adjustments ahead of launch.

This test brings together the Artemis II crew and the Orion spacecraft that will carry them to the Moon and back.

Shawn Quinn

NASA's Exploration Ground Systems Program manager

“It signifies the immense amount of work that our operations and development teams put into making sure we are ready for launch.” Quinn said. “They have meticulously planned each operation, timing them to perfection – and now we put it to the test.”

Exchanging their spacesuits for cleanroom garments for the crew equipment interface test, and with the spacecraft powered off, the crew also performed many of the activities they are likely to do in flight and conducted additional equipment checks. The crew practiced removing and stowing the foot pans on the pilot and commander seats, which will allow them to have more open space in the cabin after launch. They also accessed the stowage lockers and familiarized themselves with cameras, associated cables and mounts, and the environmental control and life support system hardware.

In addition to getting practical experience with the actual hardware they’ll use in space, they also prepared for life in deep space, reviewing cabin labels, sleep arrangements and checklists, and the hygiene bay.

Through the Artemis campaign, NASA will send astronauts to explore the Moon for scientific discovery, economic benefits, and to build the foundation for the first crewed missions to Mars – for the benefit of all. 

Measuring binary star systems' basic properties has proved exceedingly difficult.

The Krasheninnikov volcano, located less than 150 miles away from the epicenter of Russia’s July 29 earthquake, began erupting on August 3

The day seemed particularly promising on July 31, 2025.

Space hurricanes can shake Earth's magnetic field and scramble satellites without a solar storm in sight.

A new detection tool can accurately spot deepfake videos featuring any AI manipulation, from face swaps to completely synthetic AI-generated content

A new detection tool can accurately spot deepfake videos featuring any AI manipulation, from face swaps to completely synthetic AI-generated content

Can “finitism” possibly describe the real world?

Rocket Lab launched its fifth mission for the Japanese Earth-imaging company iQPS early Tuesday morning (Aug. 5), sending a synthetic aperture radar satellite to orbit.

JWST observations of light sources before the first galaxies should have formed are raising new questions about our galactic origins

The lowdown on the Environmental Protection Agency’s move to repeal of the “endangerment” finding. Also, how did a juicy ketchup ingredient help create a starchy tuber?

Before astronauts venture around the Moon on Artemis II, the agency’s first crewed mission to the Moon since Apollo, Mark Cavanaugh is helping make sure the Orion spacecraft is safe and space-ready for the journey ahead.  

As an Orion integration lead at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston, he ensures the spacecraft’s critical systems— in both the U.S.-built crew module and European-built service module—come together safely and seamlessly. 

Mark Cavanaugh stands in front of a mockup of the Orion spacecraft inside the Space Vehicle Mockup Facility at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston.NASA/Robert Markowitz

With nearly a decade of experience at NASA, Cavanaugh currently works within the Orion Crew and Service Module Office at Johnson. He oversees the technical integration of the European Service Module, which provides power, propulsion, and life support to Orion during Artemis missions to the Moon. His work includes aligning and verifying essential systems to keeping the crew alive, including oxygen, nitrogen, water storage, temperature regulation, and spacecraft structures. 

In addition to his integration work, Cavanaugh is an Orion Mission Evaluation Room (MER) manager. The MER is the engineering nerve center during Artemis flights, responsible for real-time monitoring of the Orion spacecraft and real-time decision-making. From prelaunch to splashdown, Cavanaugh will lead a team of engineers who track vehicle health and status, troubleshoot anomalies, and communicate directly with the flight director to ensure the mission remains safe and on track. 

Mark Cavanaugh supports an Artemis I launch attempt from the Passive Thermal Control System console on Aug. 29, 2022, in the Orion Mission Evaluation Room at NASA’s Johnson Space Center.NASA/Josh Valcarcel

Cavanaugh’s passion for space exploration began early. “I’ve wanted to be an aerospace engineer since I was six years old,” he said. “My uncle, who is also an aerospace engineer, used to take me to wind tunnel tests and flight museums as a kid.” 

That passion only deepened after a fifth-grade trip from Philadelphia to Houston with his grandfather. “My dream of working at NASA Johnson started when I visited the center for the first time,” he said. “Going from being a fifth grader riding the tram on the tour to contributing to the great work done at Johnson has been truly incredible.” 

Turning that childhood dream into reality did not come with a straight path. Cavanaugh graduated from Pennsylvania State University in 2011, the same year NASA’s Space Shuttle Program ended. With jobs in the space industry in short supply, he took a position with Boeing in Houston, working on the International Space Station’s Passive Thermal Control System. He later supported thermal teams for the Artemis Moon rocket called the Space Launch System, and the Starliner spacecraft that flew astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams during their Boeing Crew Flight Test mission, before a mentor flagged a NASA job posting that turned out to be the perfect fit. 

He joined NASA as the deputy system manager for Orion’s Passive Thermal Control System, eventually stepping into his current leadership role on the broader Orion integration team. “I’ve been very lucky to work with some of the best and most supportive teammates you can imagine,” he said. 

Mark Cavanaugh with his mother, Jennifer, in front of the Artemis I Orion spacecraft following the thermal vacuum test at the Space Environments Complex at NASA’s Neil Armstrong Test Facility in Sandusky, Ohio.

Cavanaugh says collaboration and empathy were key to solving challenges along the way. “I’ve learned to look at things from the other person’s perspective,” he said. “We’re all working toward the same incredible goal, even if we don’t always agree. That mindset helps keep things constructive and prevents misunderstandings.” 

He also emphasizes the importance of creative problem-solving. “For me, overcoming technical challenges comes down to seeking different perspectives, questioning assumptions, and not being afraid to try something new—even if it sounds a little ridiculous at first.” 

Mark Cavanaugh riding his motorcycle on the Circuit of the Americas track in Austin, Texas.

Outside of work, Cavanaugh fuels his love of speed and precision by riding one of his three motorcycles. He has even taken laps at the Circuit of the Americas track in Austin, Texas.  

When he is not on the track or in the control room, Cavanaugh gives back through student outreach. “The thing I always stress when I talk to students is that nothing is impossible,” he said. “I never thought I’d get to work in the space industry, let alone at NASA. But I stayed open to opportunities—even the ones that didn’t match what I originally imagined for myself.” 

Explore More 5 min read Chief Training Officer Teresa Sindelar Touches the Future of Human Spaceflight Article 3 weeks ago 3 min read Aaisha Ali: From Marine Biology to the Artemis Control Room  Article 4 weeks ago 2 min read I Am Artemis: Joe Pavicic Article 4 weeks ago

A strange shift in Earth's rotation is making our days milliseconds shorter — and scientists are racing to understand why.

Before astronauts venture around the Moon on Artemis II, the agency’s first crewed mission to the Moon since Apollo, Mark Cavanaugh is helping make sure the Orion spacecraft is safe and space-ready for the journey ahead.  

As an Orion integration lead at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston, he ensures the spacecraft’s critical systems— in both the U.S.-built crew module and European-built service module—come together safely and seamlessly. 

Mark Cavanaugh stands in front of a mockup of the Orion spacecraft inside the Space Vehicle Mockup Facility at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston.NASA/Robert Markowitz

With nearly a decade of experience at NASA, Cavanaugh currently works within the Orion Crew and Service Module Office at Johnson. He oversees the technical integration of the European Service Module, which provides power, propulsion, and life support to Orion during Artemis missions to the Moon. His work includes aligning and verifying essential systems to keeping the crew alive, including oxygen, nitrogen, water storage, temperature regulation, and spacecraft structures. 

In addition to his integration work, Cavanaugh is an Orion Mission Evaluation Room (MER) manager. The MER is the engineering nerve center during Artemis flights, responsible for real-time monitoring of the Orion spacecraft and real-time decision-making. From prelaunch to splashdown, Cavanaugh will lead a team of engineers who track vehicle health and status, troubleshoot anomalies, and communicate directly with the flight director to ensure the mission remains safe and on track. 

Mark Cavanaugh supports an Artemis I launch attempt from the Passive Thermal Control System console on Aug. 29, 2022, in the Orion Mission Evaluation Room at NASA’s Johnson Space Center.NASA/Josh Valcarcel

Cavanaugh’s passion for space exploration began early. “I’ve wanted to be an aerospace engineer since I was six years old,” he said. “My uncle, who is also an aerospace engineer, used to take me to wind tunnel tests and flight museums as a kid.” 

That passion only deepened after a fifth-grade trip from Philadelphia to Houston with his grandfather. “My dream of working at NASA Johnson started when I visited the center for the first time,” he said. “Going from being a fifth grader riding the tram on the tour to contributing to the great work done at Johnson has been truly incredible.” 

Turning that childhood dream into reality did not come with a straight path. Cavanaugh graduated from Pennsylvania State University in 2011, the same year NASA’s Space Shuttle Program ended. With jobs in the space industry in short supply, he took a position with Boeing in Houston, working on the International Space Station’s Passive Thermal Control System. He later supported thermal teams for the Artemis Moon rocket called the Space Launch System, and the Starliner spacecraft that flew astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams during their Boeing Crew Flight Test mission, before a mentor flagged a NASA job posting that turned out to be the perfect fit. 

He joined NASA as the deputy system manager for Orion’s Passive Thermal Control System, eventually stepping into his current leadership role on the broader Orion integration team. “I’ve been very lucky to work with some of the best and most supportive teammates you can imagine,” he said. 

Mark Cavanaugh with his mother, Jennifer, in front of the Artemis I Orion spacecraft following the thermal vacuum test at the Space Environments Complex at NASA’s Neil Armstrong Test Facility in Sandusky, Ohio.

Cavanaugh says collaboration and empathy were key to solving challenges along the way. “I’ve learned to look at things from the other person’s perspective,” he said. “We’re all working toward the same incredible goal, even if we don’t always agree. That mindset helps keep things constructive and prevents misunderstandings.” 

He also emphasizes the importance of creative problem-solving. “For me, overcoming technical challenges comes down to seeking different perspectives, questioning assumptions, and not being afraid to try something new—even if it sounds a little ridiculous at first.” 

Mark Cavanaugh riding his motorcycle on the Circuit of the Americas track in Austin, Texas.

Outside of work, Cavanaugh fuels his love of speed and precision by riding one of his three motorcycles. He has even taken laps at the Circuit of the Americas track in Austin, Texas.  

When he is not on the track or in the control room, Cavanaugh gives back through student outreach. “The thing I always stress when I talk to students is that nothing is impossible,” he said. “I never thought I’d get to work in the space industry, let alone at NASA. But I stayed open to opportunities—even the ones that didn’t match what I originally imagined for myself.” 

Explore More 5 min read Chief Training Officer Teresa Sindelar Touches the Future of Human Spaceflight Article 3 weeks ago 3 min read Aaisha Ali: From Marine Biology to the Artemis Control Room  Article 4 weeks ago 2 min read I Am Artemis: Joe Pavicic Article 4 weeks ago