Jet Propulsion Laboratory

NASA Reports Serious Issue with Voyager 1, Farthest Man-Made Object in Space

NASA reported that Voyager 1, the farthest man-made object in space, has encountered a serious issue, leading to the loss of its ability to send engineering and science data back to Earth. The recent malfunction in Voyager 1’s computer system has raised concerns at NASA, posing a significant challenge for the continuation of the mission. If the issue persists, it could mark the end of an era for Voyager 1, signifying the conclusion of an extraordinary journey that has contributed immensely to scientific knowledge and inspired countless individuals to explore the cosmos.

JPL Announces Significant Workforce Reduction

JPL, managed by Caltech and funded by NASA, announces a significant reduction in workforce due to lower budget and lack of FY24 appropriation from Congress. Approximately 530 employees and 40 contractors will be impacted, with the aim of protecting against deeper cuts later in the fiscal year.

NASA Rover Finds Damaged Helicopter on Mars

NASA’s Perseverance rover has discovered the damaged Ingenuity helicopter on Mars, grounded after a rough landing. The imagery of the desolate Martian landscape highlights the challenges of exploring the planet. With Ingenuity unable to fly, the rover will continue its search for evidence of past Martian life alone.

NASA Requests Private Space Companies for Mars Missions

We are one step closer to a private, for-profit, libertarian utopia on Mars as NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratories has requested private space companies to outline how they would complete one of four different missions to the Red Planet, as reported…

20th Anniversary of NASA’s Spirit and Opportunity Mars Rovers

20 years ago, on January 3 and 24, 2004, NASA’s Spirit and Opportunity Mars rovers made history by landing on the Red Planet. This month marks the 20th anniversary of their groundbreaking mission, which has had a profound impact on…

NASA’s Ingenuity Mars Helicopter Goes Silent After 72nd Red Planet Flight

NASA’s Ingenuity Mars helicopter has gone incommunicado. The dropout occurred on Thursday (Jan. 18), during Ingenuity’s 72nd Red Planet flight. Data sent during the flight indicates it successfully climbed to its assigned maximum altitude of 40 feet (12 meters), but…

NASA’s Mars Sample Return Program Faces Budget Overruns and Schedule Delays

NASA’s ambitious Mars Sample Return program, a collaborative effort with the European Space Agency (ESA), is facing significant challenges, with budget overruns and schedule delays threatening its success. The program, which aims to retrieve and analyze samples from the Red…

NASA’s Ingenuity Mars Helicopter Inspires Changes in Mars Sample Return Plans

As the Ingenuity Mars helicopter continues to exceed expectations, NASA is incorporating the lessons learned from its operations into the evolving plans for Mars Sample Return. The helicopter, which was initially expected to perform only five flights, has now completed…