NASA is a place where space and science intersect, continually seeking new answers. NASA, which stands for National Aeronautics and Space Administration, is always seeking ways to enhance its technology, information, and discoveries.
Science Missions
NASA’s current science missions…. Using the James Webb Space Telescope, they are going to observe formations of the first galaxies, starting back from the beginning of time. Also looking inside dust clouds(where stars and possible planetary systems will form).
Human Missions
NASA’s Human Mission, the most recent ones being the Antarctic Stations, Expedition 73, and the NASA Space Radiation Lab.
Antarctic Stations
The Antarctic Stations are perfect for the realistic conditions in long-term space missions. Helping astronauts prepare for what it will be like in space and maybe even on a planet. Antarctica’s climate, isolation, terrain, and temperature will be very helpful for training. This mission will provide help in prototype systems and technologies for use on the Moon and Mars.
Expedition 73
Expedition 73 began in April of 2025 and is coming to an end in December. A total of 7 crew members are on this mission, and 23 Crew and Cargo missions have taken place so far, the most recent being the Cygnus NG-23 Capture/Installation launch, which took place on September 18th. Only one spacewalk has taken place so far, done by Anne McClain and Nichole Ayers on May 1st.
NASA Space Radiation
The NASA Space Radiation helps to assess the health risks of cosmic radiation. NASA has teamed with the United States Department of Energy to make this lab happen. According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, “Radiation from space is called cosmic radiation, which is constantly hitting the Earth. Our solar system’s Sun and other stars in the galaxy emit a constant stream of cosmic radiation. In the United States, a person gets about 5% of their annual radiation exposure from cosmic radiation.” Cosmic radiation is not good for the health of any living thing.
Future Missions
The only future missions going on right now are Artemis II and Gateway
Artemis II
Four astronauts will venture around the Moon, the first crewed mission in NASA’s goal to establish longer missions on the Moon for science and more exploration. This flight will be 10 days long, the flight will also help with confirming systems and hardware needed for human lunar exploration missions. Artemis II is the replacement for the uncrewed Artemis I, which was a flight test in 2022 that lasted 25 days. Artemis II will launch in April of 2026.
Gateway
International teams of astronauts will explore the mysteries of deep space with Gateway, humanity’s first space station around the moon. Gateway will help with the future Artemis Missions to return to the moon and also be the first human mission to Mars and beyond. Gateway will be a small space station, serving as an outpost for multi-purpose lunar missions. NASA will work with commercial and international partners to build and make this happen; however, Gateway will not launch anytime before 2027. The international partners working with NASA are CSA, ESA, JAXA, and MBRSC.
