James Webb telescope spots strange ‘super-puff’ planet frantically chasing its own atmosphere through space
New James Webb telescope observations of the 'super-puff' planet WASP-107b show that the exoplanet's runaway atmosphere is frantically escaping into space. A "super-puff" exoplanet is leaking a lot of helium into space, new observations show — and may be in the process of losing a lot of its atmosphere. A large plume of helium gas was spotted evaporating from the giant planet, known as WASP-107b, according to research based on observations from the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST). The results, published Monday (Dec. 1) in the journal Nature Astronomy, show that the gas spanned an area nearly five times
From Hatch to Orbit: The NASA Scientist Who Made the Chili Pepper the Future of Space Food
When Jacob Torres decided to pursue a master’s thesis at Purdue University, he was following a long tradition: studying in the Neil Armstrong building and finding inspiration in the legacy of NASA engineers and astronauts. But while his initial sights were set on high-tech engineering—like applying for roles on the Mars 2020 rover project, the Solar Parker probe, or 3D printing components for spacesuits—Torres's destiny lay elsewhere. A last-minute application for a role in "plant growth for food production in microgravity" led him to the Kennedy Space Center (KSC). “It said plant growth for food production in microgravity I
The Space Pen Story: How Fisher Pens Made History with NASA
Discover the fascinating story behind the Fisher Space Pen—the pen that writes upside down, underwater, and even in zero gravity. Eric Bond, Vice President of Sales and Marketing, shares the innovation that made it possible, its legacy in every NASA mission since 1968, and how this iconic tool continues to inspire the future of space exploration. Susan Wise: Welcome to Stars Launch Pod, brought to you by starsciences.org, where we connect, collaborate, and accelerate. My name is Susan Wise, I’m your host, and joining me is Eric Bond, Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Fisher Space Pen.
Revolutionizing Space Water Systems: Dr. Paul Westerhoff on UV Light, Biofilms & the ISS
Join host Susan Wise as she talks with Dr. Paul Westerhoff, Regents Professor at Arizona State University, about his groundbreaking work using UV light to control biofilms on the International Space Station. Discover how this innovative, chemical-free technology could revolutionize water systems both in space and here on Earth—from keeping astronauts safe to transforming how we manage clean water and prevent contamination. Susan Wise: Welcome to Stars Launch Pod: Space, Technology, and Research Sciences, brought to you by Starsciences.org, where we connect, collaborate, and accelerate. I'm your host, Susan Wise, and joining us on the podcast today is
4 key things NASA just revealed about the interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS
Since the interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS was discovered this past July — just the third confirmed object to arrive from another star — astronomers have been closely following its passage through our solar system. As the icy visitor brightened on its coast toward the sun, the public narrative brightened too, with online rumors casting it as a possible alien spacecraft during the recent 43-day-long government shutdown when NASA could not comment on the object or release new images. Last week, with the shutdown over, NASA held a long-awaited briefing in which it shared observations and early analysis from more than
Beyond the Pickaxe: How Swarm Robotics and “Touchless Mining” Are Paving Humanity’s Way to Mars
The ambition to expand humanity beyond Earth's ecosystem and into the solar system requires a foundational economic engine. For Jim Keravala, the CEO and Chief Architect of Offworld, that engine is mining. Caravala notes that the first stage of industrialization, whether on Earth or extraterrestrially, is typically mining, followed by construction, manufacturing, and fabrication. Offworld's vision is built on this sequence, pioneering a revolutionary swarm robotic mining architecture. "The premise around Offworld is really born from our vision and passion about seeing humanity expand beyond Earth's ecosystem into the solar system," Caravala explains. The Robot Puppies and 24/7 Mining