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A red supergiant star is surrounded by a sphere of dust and gas so large there is no known explanation for what produced it

A red supergiant star is surrounded by a sphere of dust and gas so large there is no known explanation for what produced it

Brain scans capture memory formation in babies, raising new questions about why people forget their earliest years

Earlier this year, astronomers reported possible evidence of life on another planet – but new observations from JWST suggest the apparent biosignature isn’t there after all

Earlier this year, astronomers reported possible evidence of life on another planet – but new observations from JWST suggest the apparent biosignature isn’t there after all

Set your alarm on Wednesday to see some of the summer’s stunning meteor showers.

Ultimately, we do not understand where glitches come from or exactly what's going on inside pulsars.

For Melissa John, protecting the environment is her way of contributing to space exploration while preserving the Earth we call home.  

As the sustainability program lead at NASA’s White Sands Test Facility in Las Cruces, New Mexico, John manages efforts to reduce waste, prevent pollution, and promote eco-conscious practices. Over the past 13 years, she has helped shape a workplace culture that values innovation and environmental responsibility. 

Official portrait of Melissa John. NASA/Brandon Teeples This is how I make a difference — by protecting the land, the community, and hopefully inspiring others to do the same.

Melissa John

Sustainability Program Lead

Through awareness campaigns and outreach events, John empowers employees to be mindful of their environmental impact. Whether she is fostering grassroots connections, leading hands-on events, or recognizing colleagues who prioritize climate-aware actions, John remains dedicated to making a lasting, positive impact on the planet. 

John credits her Diné heritage and cultural values for fueling her passion to protect and preserve Earth for future generations. 

John began her NASA career at White Sands as a document specialist, reviewing schedules and environmental reports. She later transitioned into technical editing and gradually got involved in green initiatives, volunteering her time before eventually stepping into her current leadership role. 

Now, she coordinates a sitewide working group dedicated to reducing the facility’s environmental impact and inspires others to think critically about everyday actions and their ripple effects. 

Melissa John in the propulsion test area near the main water tank at NASA’s White Sands Test Facility in Las Cruces, New Mexico.NASA/Brandon Teeples

John did not always know how she would make her mark. 

“Growing up, I remember a teacher asking how we could make a difference in the world,” she said. “I never forgot that question.” 

During the years she spent working in accounting and in the mining industry, she kept returning to that question. It was not until she joined NASA that she found her answer: 

“This — this is how I make my difference in the world.” 

The work also helped John grow in ways she did not expect. 

“I was painfully shy as a kid and terrified of speaking in front of a crowd,” she said. “But when I took on this role, I knew I had to find my voice. I still have timid moments, but the pride I feel in this work helps me push through. I’ve been through a lot, but I’m still here learning, growing, and showing up for the team I now call family.” 

John credits her strong support system for that transformation. “I am in awe of the women I’ve worked with,” she said. “I hope I can inspire others as they have inspired me.” 

From left to right: Mary Canavan, Melissa John, Amanda Skarsgard, and Pam Egan at the annual Plant Fair Share at White Sands Test Facility.

Whether on Earth or beyond it, John believes that thoughtful action today leads to a brighter tomorrow. She is committed to leaving the world a better place for the next generation. Her legacy is simple: “Clean air, clean water, and clean land — that’s what I want to pass on.”  

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Nebulas are perhaps as famous for being identified

The cast of "Star Trek: Strange New Worlds" has to cover a wide range of dramatic genres, aided in part by the show's ample stockpile of wigs.

A new behind-the-scenes featurette from Hulu's upcoming 'Alien: Earth' show why the series will be pure nightmare fuel.

The European company Eos X Space has acquired Space Perspective, one of its key rivals in the nascent field of stratospheric balloon tourism.

Satellite data allows meteorologists to keep track of the location, structure and intensity of severe weather, helping to keep people safe. Now they're losing access to these satellites.

Mars will be less than four degrees from the crescent moon around sunset on July 28.

After an early morning launch from Florida, SpaceX sent another 24 Starlink satellites into orbit on a Falcon 9 launch from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California early on Sunday, July 27, 2025.

After 20 years of observations, Georgia State University's CHARA (Center for High Angular Resolution Astronomy) has proven its worth. In 2005, The Astrophysical Journal published the first results based on its observations. Since then, more than 275 papers based on CHARA observations have been published, and the facility is still going strong heading into its third decade of operations.

Researchers working with China's Five-hundred-meter Aperture Spherical radio Telescope (FAST) have revealed some of the complexity in a type of cloud in the ISM. They've detected a network of filaments in one Very High Velocity Cloud (VHVC). The observations hint at the complexity that can evolve in these clouds, all without the influence of gravity.

To explore the unknown in deep space, millions of miles away from Earth, it’s crucial for spacecraft to have ample power. NASA’s radioisotope power systems (RPS) that rely on are a viable option for these missions and have been used for over 60 years. Now, NASA is testing a new type of RPS fuel that could become an additional option for future long-duration journeys to extreme environments.

The NASA, JAXA and Roscosmos crew members set to launch next to the International Space Station arrived at Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Saturday, July 26, 2025.

On Episode 170 of This Week In Space, Rod Pyle and Tariq Malik are joined by Dr. Robert O'Brien to discuss powering spacecraft by radioisotope thermoelectric generators (RTGs).