University Park PA (SPX) Mar 30, 2026
Tardigrades, commonly known as water bears, may be better suited by a new name: Tardiguardians of the Galaxy. Unlike the fictional ragtag team of unenthusiastic heroes, the microscopic animals are providing real insight into how humans could adapt extraterrestrial resources to support space exploration, as well as whether such resource...

Los Angeles CA (SPX) Mar 30, 2026
What happens when a solar superstorm slams into Mars? ESA scientists now have their clearest answer yet, thanks to coordinated observations by the agency's Mars Express and ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter (TGO). In May 2024, the largest solar storm in more than two decades struck Earth, driving the atmosphere into overdrive and producing vivid...

Los Angeles CA (SPX) Mar 30, 2026
Researchers explore recycling plant and human waste into fertilizer to transform barren moon and Mars surfaces into fertile fields for extraterrestrial agriculture. Their work appears in ACS Earth and Space Chemistry. 'In lunar and Martian outposts, organic wastes will be key to generating healthy, productive soils,' explains Harrison Co...

Los Angeles CA (SPX) Mar 30, 2026
Luna Labs has selected University of North Carolina at Greensboro chemistry professor Nicholas Oberlies to lead a NASA-funded study of fungi as potential construction materials for future missions to the moon and Mars. The project examines whether fungal growth combined with local regolith could form durable structural elements for off-wor...

London, UK (SPX) Mar 11, 2026
A NASA humanoid robot that helped pioneer advanced walking and manipulation capabilities for future Mars missions has returned to the United States after a 10 year deployment in Scotland. The robot, known as Valkyrie, has been based at the University of Edinburgh under a long term lease agreement with NASA's Johnson Space Center in Texas. Va...