| In this week’s newsletter, discover how to follow NASA’s Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope as it begins its three‑month, million‑mile journey to unlock some of the universe’s darkest mysteries; get the details on when and where to watch live coverage of the Roscosmos Progress 96 spacecraft launch to the International Space Station; and explore NASA Headquarters’ newly reimagined exhibit space in Washington, where the story of space exploration comes alive. Plus, more stories you might have missed. |
| MISSIONS Dark Universe-Seeking Mission Launches |
| Now on a three-month, million-mile journey to its final orbit, NASA’s Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope will soon reveal the universe’s darkest secrets. The mission launched at 7:26 a.m. EDT on Aug. 30 aboard a SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket from Launch Complex 39A at the agency’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Roman pairs a large field of view with crisp infrared vision to explore vast swaths of the sky and probe deeply into cosmic history. This flagship mission will help astronomers explore dark matter, dark energy, and worlds outside of our solar system, known as exoplanets. Roman is the fourth primary mission NASA has launched on a Falcon Heavy rocket. Earlier this year, the agency’s Launch Services Program worked with SpaceX to accelerate the launch date to accommodate the space telescope’s early completion. MISSION UPDATES |
 | THE UNIVERSE A Giant Atmospheric Pattern Recent observations from NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope have revealed a giant, evolving ten‑sided atmospheric wave encircling Saturn’s south pole. This marks the first time a large, regularly shaped jet stream has been seen in the planet’s southern hemisphere. The structure closely resembles Saturn’s well‑known northern hexagon, yet it shows distinct differences — suggesting scientists may be witnessing the emergence of a new atmospheric phenomenon on the giant gas planet. HUBBLE OBSERVATIONS |
| HUMANS IN SPACE Progress 96 Launch NASA will provide live coverage as the Roscosmos Progress 96 spacecraft launches and docks with the International Space Station beginning Wednesday, Sept. 9. The unpiloted spacecraft, carrying about three tons of food, fuel, and supplies for the station crew, is scheduled to lift off at 12:15 p.m. EDT on Sept. 9. After a two-day journey, Progress 96 is expected to dock autonomously on Friday, Sept. 11. WAYS TO WATCH |  |
 THE SOLAR SYSTEM Dragonfly Gets Wired Up Peering into the clean room at the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory in Laurel, Maryland, one of the first things you notice about NASA’s Dragonfly rotorcraft is the dozens of silver cables weaving around and through its structure. These bundles of wires, connectors, and cables form Dragonfly’s electrical harness — the lander’s “nervous system,” designed to securely transmit power and data between its computers, actuators, sensors, science instruments, and battery. Dragonfly, the first-of-its-kind rotorcraft to explore another world, will fly to various locations on Saturn’s moon Titan to investigate the moon’s habitability. LEARN MORE |  HUMANS IN SPACE A Month of Spacewalks The Expedition 75 crew wrapped up a busy month with four spacewalks outside the International Space Station. On Aug. 6, NASA astronauts Jessica Meir and Anil Menon installed a modification kit on the station’s starboard truss for a future roll‑out solar array; Menon and European Space Agency astronaut Sophie Adenot then removed a failed space‑to‑ground antenna on Aug. 18 and installed a spare on Aug. 25; and the final spacewalk on Sept. 1 saw Meir and Adenot spend six hours and 49 minutes installing a navigation aid, collecting exterior microbial samples, and preparing a cosmic particle detector for upgrades. LEARN MORE |
| More NASA News |
 | What’s Up? In September, skywatchers can use the Moon to locate the red star Antares and the Teapot asterism in the evening sky, spot brilliant Venus, and see the Harvest Moon near Saturn and Neptune. |
 | During a ceremony hosted by NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman at the agency’s headquarters in Washington on Aug. 31, the Republic of Türkiye signed the Artemis Accords, joining the growing international coalition of like-minded nations dedicated to peaceful, transparent space exploration. |
 | After 25 test flights, NASA’s X‑59 quiet supersonic experimental aircraft continues to steadily meet performance goals set by its team. This successful series of tests keeps the aircraft on track to enter a new phase later this year, when the agency will evaluate the sonic “thumps” the X‑59 is designed to produce while flying faster than the speed of sound. |
| Do You Know? |
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| Fifty years ago this week, NASA’s Viking 2 lander touched down on the surface of Mars, becoming the second spacecraft ever to successfully operate from the Martian surface. Though designed for a 90-day mission, Viking 2 far exceeded expectations, conducting science operations on Mars for more than 1,280 days — over three and a half years — before its final transmission in April 1980. It is just one of NASA’s planetary explorers that lasted far longer than expected. |
| Which spacecraft has operated the longest on another planet or moon in our solar system? A. Viking 1 B. Yutu-2 C. Opportunity D. Curiosity |
| Find out the answer in next week’s NASA newsletter! |
 | Last week, we asked what the name of the bicentennial exposition held at the agency’s Kennedy Space Center in 1976 was. The answer? Third Century America. Running from May 30 to Sept. 7, 1976, Third Century America featured 15 geodesic domes clustered around the Vehicle Assembly Building, showcasing science and technology contributions from government agencies, industry, and universities. Exhibits included a Saturn V rocket, lifting-body vehicles, a full-scale model of Spacelab, a space shuttle model, and even a working model of the Viking lander. More than half a million visitors experienced this forward-looking celebration of American innovation as the nation marked its 200th birthday. |
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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 Parimal Kopardekar, acting director of NASA’s Airspace Operations and Safety Program, 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, SEPT. 28 11 a.m. EDT Flight on Other Worlds Explore how flying robots are reshaping planetary exploration in this talk with NASA experts. Learn about Ingenuity, the first helicopter to fly on Mars; meet the new SkyFall trio designed to map subsurface ice and scout the terrain; and look ahead to Dragonfly, a rotorcraft headed to Saturn’s moon Titan to study the chemical building blocks that may have preceded life. REGISTER |
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