| In this week’s newsletter, learn where and when to join us for live coverage of the launch of NASA’s Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope — the agency’s next‑generation observatory designed to investigate some of the universe’s most profound mysteries; find details about the Congressional Space Medal of Honor that President Donald J. Trump awarded to NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, and Christina Koch, as well as CSA (Canadian Space Agency) astronaut Jeremy Hansen, on Friday for their service during the Artemis II mission; and discover how Pandora, NASA’s newest exoplanet mission, is making unique observations of worlds beyond our solar system and the stars they orbit. Plus, more stories you might have missed. |
| MISSIONS The Launch of Roman: Watch Live With NASA |
| Join us for live coverage of the launch of NASA’s Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope— the agency’s next‑generation observatory built to investigate some of the universe’s most profound mysteries. Named for NASA’s first chief astronomer, the Roman Space Telescope combines sharp infrared vision with a field of view at least 100 times larger than that of the agency’s Hubble Space Telescope. Its wide, detailed surveys will help scientists study dark energy and dark matter, discover and analyze exoplanets, map billions of galaxies, examine black holes, and explore objects ranging from those in our solar system to the edge of the observable universe. NASA and SpaceX are targeting no earlier than 7:26 a.m. EDT on Sunday, Aug. 30, for Roman’s liftoff aboard a SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket from Launch Complex 39A at Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Live launch coverage begins at 6:20 a.m. WAYS TO WATCH |
 | PODCAST SERIES Meet Roman NASA is about to launch the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope, which will change the way we see the universe and settle essential questions about some of the biggest mysteries out there. In a new limited series, Curious Universe takes you behind the scenes with NASA scientists and engineers who made Roman a reality—no Ph.D. required. LISTEN |
| HUMANS IN SPACE President Honors Artemis II Crew President Donald J. Trump awarded NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, and Christina Koch, and CSA (Canadian Space Agency) astronaut Jeremy Hansen with the Congressional Space Medal of Honor Friday for their service during the Artemis II mission. He presented the awards during a ceremony at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston, honoring the first medal recipients since 2023. LEARN MORE |  |
 HUMANS IN SPACE U.S. Spacewalk 99 NASA astronaut Jessica Meir and ESA (European Space Agency) astronaut Sophie Adenot will conduct a spacewalk outside of the International Space Station on Tuesday, Sept. 1, to replace a retroreflector that supports spacecraft navigation during rendezvous and docking operations. Live coverage begins at 7 a.m. EDT. LEARN MORE |  HUMANS IN SPACE NASA Astronaut Jonny Kim DepartsNASA astronaut Jonny Kim departed NASA on Thursday after nearly a decade of service. Kim launched to the space station in April 2025 aboard the Soyuz MS‑27 spacecraft to conduct scientific research during Expeditions 72 and 73. During the mission, he orbited Earth 3,920 times, traveled nearly 104 million miles, and contributed to a broad range of scientific investigations spanning technology development, Earth science, biology, and human research critical for future exploration. LEARN MORE |
 | Pandora, NASA’s newest exoplanet mission, is making unique observations of worlds beyond our solar system and the stars they orbit. The mission will determine the atmospheric make-up of at least 20 exoplanets, including the presence of hazes, clouds, and water. |
 | During the Aug.12 total solar eclipse over Europe, scientists worked to solve a long-standing mystery: why the Sun’s outer atmosphere—the corona—is far hotter than its visible surface. To capture the data they needed, pilots from NASA’s Johnson Space Center flew the WB‑57F high‑altitude research aircraft from Ellington Field in Houston to Iceland, positioning the team to observe the corona more clearly as they flew through the path of totality. |
 | At the center of our solar system, the Sun influences every planet that orbits it. In two recent NASA-funded studies, scientists uncovered how ancient events in the Sun’s history may have helped create Earth’s unique climate and driven previously unexplained climatic shifts. |
| Do You Know? |
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| On Nov. 7–8, NASA will host MAX POWER, an exposition of air and space technologies at the agency’s Kennedy Space Center in Houston in celebration of America’s 250th anniversary. But did you know a similar expo was held at the center in 1976 for the bicentennial? From May 30 to Sept. 7, 1976, visitors were invited to explore exhibits showcasing American achievements in science and technology. |
| What was the name of the bicentennial exposition? A. America 200 B. Horizons ‘76 C. Vision of the Future USA D. Third Century America |
| Find out the answer in next week’s NASA newsletter! |
 | Last week, we asked what the acronym MISSE stands for. The answer? Materials International Space Station Experiment. Over the last quarter century, MISSE has become one of NASA’s most important long-duration materials research platforms. Mounted on the exterior of the International Space Station, each MISSE unit exposes samples directly to the space environment—including atomic oxygen, micrometeoroid impacts, ultraviolet radiation, vacuum, and extreme temperature swings. Studying how materials and components hold up to these conditions helps engineers develop spacecraft hardware that can withstand long exposures in low Earth orbit, as well as future missions to the Moon, Mars, and beyond. |
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| Step into the newly reimagined exhibit space at NASA Headquarters in Washington, where space exploration comes to life. Wander through immersive exhibits, get an up‑close look at Apollo and Artemis artifacts, and join in‑person events at the James Webb Auditorium. Then, unwind with a coffee or tea — and maybe a NASA‑themed donut — from the pop‑up café before browsing space‑inspired gifts at the NASA Employee Exchange Store. Whether you’re captivated by today’s cutting‑edge missions or inspired by the history of America’s space program, NASA Headquarters offers a welcoming gateway to explore, learn, and experience NASA up close. |
| Upcoming Events |
 WED, SEPT. 16 3:30 p.m. EDT Revolutionizing Medicine – In Space Dr. Lisa Carnell, director of NASA’s Biological and Physical Sciences Division, will discuss how studying human cells in deep space can advance healthcare on Earth, the Moon, and beyond. REGISTER |  FRI, SEPT. 25 11 a.m. EDT From Drone Deliveries to Wildfire Tracking Acting Director of Airspace Operations and Safety Program, Parimal Kopardekar, will discuss how NASA is defining the future of our skies with drone delivery; aircraft that can identify, monitor, and suppress wildfires; and automations that support faster, safer air travel. REGISTER |  MON-FRI 8:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. EDT Earth Information Center Learn how scientists collect and interpret data from a variety of sources to give us the big picture of what we know about our home planet. Explore high-resolution data visualizations, investigate three interactive experiences, and watch short, narrated videos displayed on NASA’s hyperwall. PLAN YOUR VISIT |
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