NASA essentials

This is a time of big changes for NASA. The space agency is trying to reshape itself and decide where it wants to go next. Here's a roundup of the latest NASA happenings that will shape its future.

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NASA transforming, looks to further develop hypervelocity jets

As NASA prepares to reshape itself, one of the areas that could gain increased research and development attention is hypersonic air or spacecraft that could travel in the Earth's atmosphere or between here and other planets.

NASA gives Mars rover extra smarts

NASA today said it upgraded the software controlling its Mars Rover Opportunity to let it make its own decisions about what items like rocks and interesting red planet formations to focus its cameras on.

NASA Mars Spirit rover battles winter onslaught

After weeks of trying to trying to get its Mars rover Spirit better positioned to handle the Martian winter, NASA said the spacecraft is now beginning full winter operations as best it can.

NASA space shuttle gearing up for big phase outWhile politicians banter about NASA’s budget and the future of manned space flight, the space agency is prepping the critical technology its remaining four space shuttle missions will deliver to complete the International Space Station.

10 NASA space technologies that may never see the cosmos

If further manned exploration of the moon and beyond is significantly delayed or nixed altogether, what does that mean for the myriad technologies NASA already has in development? Here we take a look at some of the best NASA technology currently in development that might never get to space.

NASA, cosmos community turn up volume on International Space Station

While NASA budget-keepers focus on setting future priorities for the space agency, many in the world space community is trying to turn attention to the benefits a mostly complete International Space Station will provide global science.

NASA telescopes watch cosmic violence, mysteries unravel

In the past few months there has been a burst of new photos and information from all manner of NASA's spacecraft and telescopes. The devices, ranging from the Hubble to Kepler the Spitzer telescopes, are delivering new information on everything from massive supergiant stars to new planets. Here we've gathered up some of them for a quick look.

NASA may transform but major problems remain

In announcing its 2011 budget, the government proposed making some sweeping changes to NASA. But no matter how radical any NASA shift might be, the space agency needs to address some common, and long-standing challenges if it expects to truly move toward the future.

NASA solar probe rockets toward rendezvous with Sun

NASA used a United Launch Alliance Atlas rocket to blast its 6,800 pound Solar Dynamics Observatory into an orbit 22,300 miles above Earth.

NASA building cloud service for climate modeling

NASA is aiming to improve its climate research capabilities by creating a software-as-a-service interface for scientists and students who need to build complex climate models.