Alcowep Astronomy blog » Etiqueta » Astronomy

Archivo de la etiqueta: Astronomy

Career Spotlight: Mechanic (Ages 14-18)

por | |
Deja un comentario

Career Spotlight: Mechanic (Ages 14-18)

4 Min Read

Career Spotlight: Mechanic (Ages 14-18)

What does a mechanic do?

Machines and engines are all around us. They power everything from cars and boats to airplanes and even rockets. Mechanics are experts who know how machinery works, especially engines, and how to fix them.

When you think of a mechanic, you might picture someone working on cars. But mechanics can be experts on all kinds of machinery.

What are some of the different types of work mechanics do at NASA?

At NASA, mechanics perform a variety of functions. For example, aerospace mechanics maintain the airplanes studied at NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California. These might include research planes studying the environment or experimental aircraft testing new wing designs.

At NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, mechanics keep machines like the crawler-transporters in top working condition. These massive machines carry rockets from the building where they are assembled to the launch pad.

Mechanics at the agency’s Michoud Assembly Facility in New Orleans ensure the fleet of barges used to carry powerful rocket sections are maintained and ready to use. These large ships have been used for decades to carry rocket parts to various NASA centers for testing and launches.

Aerojet Rocketdyne technicians inspect the engine controller
Mechanics from Aerojet Rocketdyne inspect the engine controller of an RS-25 rocket engine at NASA’s Stennis Space Center in Mississippi.
NASA

How can I become a mechanic?

There are many options that provide the training needed to get started as a mechanic. Different types of mechanics require different types of training and certifications. Here are a few examples.

Automotive mechanic: Automotive mechanics are experts at the interconnected systems in cars and trucks. After getting a high school diploma or GED, seek out trade or technical schools that have mechanic training programs. These provide hands-on experience. Further training may be required to work on specific types of automobiles. Certifications can help you advance specific skills and demonstrate proficiency.

Heavy equipment mechanic: The path to a career as a heavy equipment mechanic often begins with a two-year degree. Look for a program at your local community college or technical school. Opportunities to begin working right after high school are also available. You may start by doing basic tasks or by being paired with a senior mechanic to build skills. Most heavy equipment mechanics go through three to four years of hands-on training before taking certification and licensing tests.

Aircraft mechanic: Maintaining and repairing aircraft requires a special skillset. Community colleges and technical schools offer programs approved by the Federal Aviation Administration. These programs can fast-track your route to a career. They provide hands-on experience and help you prepare for tests needed to receive your certifications.

For many mechanic roles, military service is also a way to get training and certifications.

How can I start preparing today to become a mechanic?

In high school, take courses in math, science, and industrial technology. Check out any career and technical education programs your school might offer. Read repair manuals and look for online tutorials to figure out the basics of how machines work.

You can also gain useful experience through part-time work. Look for jobs or shadowing opportunities at your local repair shop.

Begin researching training programs, community colleges, and apprenticeship opportunities. Compare options to see which pathway seems right for you. This will help you understand program requirements and ensure you’re ready to take the next step.

Rebekah Tolatovicz, a mechanical technician lead, works inside the Artemis III Orion crew module NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
NASA

What skills will I need to be a successful mechanic?

Mechanics must be good problem solvers. Troubleshooting repairs on complex machinery requires logical thinking and patience. Being detail-oriented is critical to make sure measurements are correct and safety specifications are met.

Keeping up with the latest technology is important, too. Mechanics use computer equipment and electronic sensors to run diagnostics. And machinery technology can evolve rapidly with new advancements like electric vehicles and drones. Take initiative and stay curious.

The best part is knowing that people’s safety depends on the quality of your work. It’s rewarding to watch an aircraft take off with confidence, knowing you helped make it happen.

Wissam Habbal

Wissam Habbal

Aircraft Mechanic, Armstrong Flight Research Center

Additional Resources

Keep Exploring

Discover More Topics From NASA

For Students Grades 9-12


NASA Internship Programs


Next Gen STEM for Careers


Careers

Powered by WPeMatico

Get The Details…
Kaitlyn Adams

Behind the Lens: Meet NASA Johnson’s Photographers

por | |
Deja un comentario

Behind the Lens: Meet NASA Johnson’s Photographers

7 Min Read

Behind the Lens: Meet NASA Johnson’s Photographers

NASA Johnson Space Center’s Imagery Acquisition Group poses for a group photo on Aug. 10, 2026.

Credits:
NASA/Robert Markowitz

The Imagery Acquisition Group at NASA’s Johnson Space Center poses for a group photo in Houston, Texas on Aug. 10, 2026. Back row, from left, are NASA photographers Bill Stafford, James Blair, supervisor Mark Sowa, and NASA photographers Robert Markowitz and Luna Posadas Nava. Front row, from left, are NASA photographers Morgan Gridley, Helen Arase Vargas, and former NASA photographer Josh Valcarcel.
NASA/Robert Markowitz

Photographers at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston have documented some of the most defining moments in human spaceflight. 

From astronaut training and engineering tests to mission control operations and milestone celebrations, their images preserve the history of exploration while capturing the people and teams behind the missions shaping the next era.  

Meet the photographers behind the lens and explore the stories behind the images that have helped tell NASA’s story. 

Robert Markowitz 

NASA photographer Robert Markowitz flies aboard a T-38 aircraft during flight operations.
NASA/Robert Markowitz

Being able to help tell the human spaceflight story, frame by frame, has been an incredible adventure.

Robert Markowitz

Robert Markowitz

NASA Photographer

For more than three decades, NASA photographer Robert Markowitz has documented the people and milestones that have shaped NASA’s human spaceflight program. His career has spanned the space shuttle program, 25 years of continuous human presence aboard the International Space Station, and Artemis II. 

“My favorite part of this job has always come down to the range of assignments we take on and the people I get to work with every day,” Markowitz said. 

One of Markowitz’s early career highlights came during the filming of “Apollo 13,” when he served as the behind-the-scenes still photographer for nearly every KC-135 zero-gravity flight. “Looking back as a 25-year-old photographer at Johnson, I don’t think I fully appreciated how unique an opportunity it was to be there documenting those moments,” he said. 

Markowitz says the job has challenged him to grow as both a photographer and a communicator. Whether photographing dozens of individual portraits in a day or coordinating a 300-person group photo, each assignment has strengthened his ability to adapt, collaborate, and connect with people. 

“This work has shaped not just my career, but my life,” he said. “Being part of a team that captures and preserves the story of human spaceflight continues to be one of the great honors of my time at Johnson.” 

NASA’s Artemis II flight control team works on console in the White Flight Control Room in the Mission Control Center in Houston during the mission’s lunar flyby on April 6, 2026.
NASA/Robert Markowitz

Former Expedition 1 crewmembers Yuri Gidzenko, Bill Shepherd, and Sergei Krikalev celebrate the International Space Station’s 25th anniversary of continuous human habitation at Space Center Houston on Jan. 19, 2026.
NASA/Robert Markowitz

The Counterweight-Offload Astronaut Suited Test and Evaluation Rig is displayed in Johnson’s Space Vehicle Mockup Facility.
NASA/Robert Markowitz

NASA’s Artemis II training team gathers in front of the Orion spacecraft mockup at the Space Vehicle Mockup Facility at Johnson Space Center on May 6, 2026.
NASA/Robert Markowitz

Country music artist Garth Brooks performs from mission control during a live event with the Expedition 52 crew aboard the International Space Station. From left are Dina Contella, deputy manager for the International Space Station in NASA’s Low Earth Orbit Program; NASA astronaut Stephanie Wilson; Garth Brooks; and Norm Knight, Flight Operations Director.
NASA/Robert Markowitz

Members of the Apollo 13 movie cast and crew take part in a zero-gravity flight aboard a KC-135 aircraft, owned by NASA at the time. Floating from left are actor Tom Hanks, who portrayed astronaut Jim Lovell; director Ron Howard; actor Bill Paxton, who portrayed astronaut Fred Haise; actor Kevin Bacon, who portrayed astronaut Jack Swigert; actor Gary Sinise, who portrayed astronaut Thomas Mattingly; and executive producer Todd Hallowell.
NASA/Robert Markowitz


Bill Stafford

NASA photographer Bill Stafford photographs an event in the Teague Auditorium at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston.
NASA/David DeHoyos

I love figuring out how to frame a single image so it captures not just a moment, but the significance behind it.

Bill Stafford

Bill Stafford

NASA Photographer

NASA photographer Bill Stafford’s path to Johnson began during his senior year of college, when a friend who was completing a photography internship at the center told him about an opening on the photography team. With a longtime interest in science and technology, Stafford saw the opportunity to combine those interests with photography in an extraordinary environment. 

Stafford approaches each assignment as a technical challenge and a storytelling opportunity. Whether working around constraints in lighting, timing, or access, he uses composition, visual psychology, and an understanding of how a viewer’s eye moves through an image to shape the final photograph. 

“My favorite part of the job is the problem-solving that comes with it,” Stafford said. 

Working at Johnson has sharpened those instincts as he photographs spacecraft, hardware, astronauts, and the people behind NASA’s human spaceflight missions. 

“So many of the subjects I photograph carry weight and history that I want the image to reflect,” he said. 

NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman (right) and Victor Glover (left) participate in an Artemis II entry simulation at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston.
NASA/Bill Stafford

NASA’s Joint Extravehicular Activity and Human Surface Mobility Program test team conducts a mock spacewalk to prepare for lunar surface operations and technology development for future Artemis missions.
NASA/Bill Stafford

NASA astronaut and Expedition 75 Flight Engineer Anil Menon participates in photography training at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston.
NASA/Bill Stafford

NASA’s Exploration Extravehicular Mobility Unit is photographed inside a thermal vacuum chamber at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston.
NASA/Bill Stafford

Participants test technology during NASA Spacesuit User Interface Technologies for Students (SUITS) test week at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston.
NASA/Bill Stafford


James Blair  

NASA photographer James Blair prepares to capture imagery during a flight operations assignment.
NASA

I truly enjoy capturing candid photos of people during decisive moments.

James Blair

James Blair

NASA Photographer

From newspapers across the country to working as a photographer and photo editor for a publication in Ecuador, NASA photographer James Blair began his career in photojournalism. Photography has taken him around the world, a path that has continued at Johnson with assignments ranging from astronaut training to geology field training in Iceland. 

“Since I was very young, I have always been fascinated by spaceflight and the technology it takes to reach beyond Earth’s atmosphere,” Blair said. 

At Johnson, Blair combines that fascination with his photojournalism background to document the people and technology shaping NASA’s next era of exploration. 

“I enjoy documenting the new hardware that is being developed to return us to the Moon,” he said. “From spacesuits to rovers and potential lunar habitats, I get to show the world what NASA has in store for the future of human spaceflight.” 

U.S. Navy divers and Artemis II astronauts aboard an inflatable raft are approached by helicopters and lifted away to the recovery ship after egressing NASA’s Orion spacecraft.
NASA/James Blair

Artemis II crew members Christina Koch (middle) and Victor Glover (right) participate in an Artemis lunar imaging training using an Orion crew configuration at NASA’s Johnson Space Center.
NASA/James Blair

From left, JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency) astronaut Aki Hoshide and NASA astronaut candidates Yuri Kubo and Cameron Jones participate in an Artemis geology field training expedition in Iceland.

From left, EVA task officer Bridget Scheib, chief training officer John Ray, NASA astronaut candidate Cameron Jones, geology instructor and Artemis science officer Kelsey Young, associate research scientist Patrick Whelley, geology instructor and Artemis curation lead Juliane Gross, and JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency) astronaut Aki Hoshide participate in an Artemis geology field training expedition in Iceland.
NASA/James Blair

From left, Artemis IV chief training officer Bryce Prescott, geology instructor Jacob Richardson, and NASA astronaut Zena Cardman participate in an Artemis geology field training expedition in Iceland.
NASA/James Blair


Helen Arase Vargas 

NASA photographer Helen Arase Vargas captures a news conference on lunar terrain vehicles for Artemis missions at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston on April 3, 2024.
NASA/Robert Markowitz

I’ve always liked the idea of my work serving the public interest.

Helen Arase Vargas

Helen Arase Vargas

NASA Photographer

NASA photographer Helen Arase Vargas began her career in photojournalism and reporting in Southern California before joining Boeing’s scientific photography team in El Segundo. Her experience photographing aerospace sparked an unexpected interest that eventually led her to Johnson. 

“The best part of the job is my coworkers; cheesy, but there is so much to learn from everyone,” Arase Vargas said. “Our core team has so much knowledge. They are all quick to offer help and are great humans.” 

Arase Vargas says much of the work at Johnson reflects the journalism ethics she learned early in her career and fulfills her desire to serve the public interest.  

The range and volume of assignments also helped her become more comfortable working in different environments while continuing to develop her craft. 

For Arase Vargas, documenting the Artemis II crew’s return to Ellington Field in Houston came with a heightened sense of responsibility.  

“The world is watching, and all that imagery must be rushed out by the lab,” she said. “Your photo could be the one that ends up on every news site, and you don’t want to miss capturing the joy and celebration the moment deserves.” 

NASA’s Artemis II crew returns to Ellington Field in Houston following the mission on April 11, 2026.
NASA/Helen Arase Vargas

The Artemis III crew poses for an official portrait in Houston, Texas. In the back row, from left, are NASA astronauts Andre Douglas and Frank Rubio. In the front row, from left, are ESA (European Space Agency) astronaut Luca Parmitano and NASA astronaut Randy Bresnik.
NASA/Helen Arase Vargas

ESA (European Space Agency) astronaut Sophie Adenot poses in an Extravehicular Mobility Unit during a portrait session at NASA’s Johnson Space Center.
NASA/Helen Arase Vargas

NASA’s 2025 Astronaut Candidate Class participates in geology training at Rio Grande del Norte National Monument in New Mexico on May 20, 2026.
NASA/Helen Arase Vargas

HAV_2695.NEF
The 2025 Astronaut Candidate Class poses for a holiday photo during wilderness survival training at Fort Rucker in Alabama. 
NASA/Helen Arase Vargas

NASA teams conduct nighttime operations training with a Lunar Terrain Vehicle Ground Test Unit at Johnson Space Center’s Rock Yard.
NASA/Helen Arase Vargas


Luna Posadas Nava 

NASA photographer Luna Posadas Nava documents the Artemis II crew return at Ellington Field in Houston.
NASA/Luna Posadas Nava

I have used the camera as a bridge between curiosity and understanding.

Luna Posadas Nava

Luna Posadas Nava

NASA Photographer

NASA photographer Luna Posadas Nava’s path to Johnson spans emerging technology, optics and imaging systems, and photographing artists across the East Coast. Her work grew from a desire to visualize and expand the boundaries of what is possible. 

Joining Johnson shortly before the launch of NASA’s Artemis II mission, one of Posadas Nava’s first experiences was helping bring Moon Joy to the world. She documented the Science Evaluation Room, where scientists worked together to conduct real-time lunar science observations during the mission’s lunar flyby. 

Posadas Nava said it was inspiring to witness the team at work and especially meaningful to see so many women contributing to the mission’s science. 

Seeing the response from women in her own life and online reinforced for Posadas Nava the power of representation through photography. 

“When we see ourselves in stories, we imagine new futures,” she said. “I hope my work helps more people see themselves in the story of exploration, because what we see shapes what we believe is possible.” 

The Artemis II lunar science team celebrates in the Science Evaluation Room following the mission’s successful lunar flyby. Artemis II Deputy Lunar Science Lead Marie Henderson stands at left. From the right foreground are lunar science team members Ariel Deutsch; Maria Banks, behind her; Ryan Watkins, to her right; and Sara Schmidt.
NASA/Luna Posadas Nava

Artemis II deputy lunar science lead Jacob Richardson, left, and Artemis II lunar science team member Kiarre Dumes react to the astronauts’ verbal observations of the Moon during the mission’s lunar flyby on April 6, 2026.
NASA/Luna Posadas Nava

Artemis II science officer Angela Garcia, left, and lunar science team member Kiarre Dumes discuss science operations in the Science Evaluation Room at NASA’s Johnson Space Center.
NASA/Luna Posadas Nava

NASA engineers and teams from the Rock and Roll with NASA Challenge test rover prototypes at NASA’s Johnson Space Center Rock Yard in Houston on July 31, 2026.
NASA/Luna Posadas Nava

NASA’s Artemis III crew participates in a video shoot for the crew announcement at NASA’s Johnson Space Center on June 3, 2026.
NASA/Luna Posadas Nava

The Expedition 73 crew attends a debrief and awards ceremony at Space Center Houston on June 16, 2026.
NASA/Luna Posadas Nava


David DeHoyos 

NASA photographer David DeHoyos is photographed during an assignment in the Space Vehicle Mockup Facility at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston.
NASA

I am very aware of the importance of preserving history and what it means to others when our images are shared with the world.

David DeHoyos

David DeHoyos

NASA Photographer

Growing up in Houston during the Apollo era, NASA photographer David DeHoyos knew from an early age that he wanted to be part of the space industry. His interest in photography began with his mother’s Kodak Instamatic camera and continued through school and a decade working in photo labs. In 1991, that path brought him to Johnson’s photo lab and eventually behind the camera as a NASA photographer. 

After more than three decades at Johnson, DeHoyos says connecting with people remains one of his favorite parts of the job. He enjoys learning about the people he photographs, sharing what he has learned about Johnson with visitors and new employees, and encouraging the next generation. 

“I keep an assortment of NASA goodies in my camera bag, and the ultimate joy I get is giving a pin or sticker to a child and seeing their little faces just light up,” DeHoyos said. “It just warms my heart to encourage a youngster to work hard and pursue their dreams because that’s how I got here.” 

For DeHoyos, photography is also about preserving moments that can take on greater meaning over time. 

“I love the process of figuring out technical details to create an image that will make someone say, ‘Wow, cool shot, how did you do that?’” he said. 

NASA’s Artemis II commander Reid Wiseman participates in emergency cabin leak training for the Orion spacecraft at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston.
NASA/David DeHoyos

Artemis II Pilot Victor Glover returns to Ellington Field in Houston following the crew’s nearly 10-day mission around the Moon on April 11, 2026.
NASA/David DeHoyos

NASA astronaut Zena Cardman participates in emergency consultation training at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston.
NASA/David DeHoyos

Members of NASA Johnson’s Extravehicular Activity, Robotics, and Crew Operations Division gather for a group photo in the Neutral Buoyancy Laboratory high bay.
NASA/David DeHoyos

NASA astronaut Anil Menon participates in a hardware review run at NASA’s Neutral Buoyancy Laboratory in Houston on April 23, 2025.
NASA/David DeHoyos

The Honeybee Robotics prototype undergoes lunar VSAT (Vertical Solar Array Technology) testing inside Chamber A at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston.
NASA/David DeHoyos


About the Author

Sumer Loggins

Sumer Loggins

Share

Details

Last Updated

Aug 19, 2026

Related Terms

Explore More

3 min read

NASA Student Aviation Challenge Focuses on Nation’s Infrastructure



Article


12 hours ago

6 min read

NASA Glenn’s Legacy Forged Through Decades of Flight Research



Article


16 hours ago

5 min read

NASA Challenge Tests Wheel Designs for Moon Base Mobility



Article


2 days ago

Keep Exploring

Discover More Topics From NASA

Missions


Humans in Space


Climate Change


Solar System

Powered by WPeMatico

Get The Details…
Sumer Loggins

APOD: 2026 August 19 – The Case of the Mysterious Maybe Meteor

por | |
Deja un comentario

APOD: 2026 August 19 – The Case of the Mysterious Maybe Meteor

 

APOD

Astronomy Picture of the Day

Discover the cosmos! Each day a different image or photograph of our fascinating universe is featured, along with a brief explanation written by a professional astronomer.

Juan Pablo Castañeda

The Case of the Mysterious Maybe Meteor

Explanation: Whatdunit? What disappeared while crossing a partially eclipsed Sun? Let’s present the evidence. The 24 frames-per-second video was taken in Spain (40°34’30.3″N 1°12’28.8″W) at 20:28 local time on August 12, 2026. The Perseids meteor shower was at its peak during this time. Is this a meteor? Meteor showers trace back to a region of the sky called a radiant point that corresponds to where the Earth is crossing a comet’s path. The object’s path might trace back to the Perseids’ radiant point in the Perseus constellation. The object trails a smaller angle on the sky than the 0.5 degree Sun and Moon, which is smaller than expected for a meteor. Its brightness does not extend much past the Sun, but a meteor burning up in the sky would not need sunlight to be seen. Perhaps the sunlight is reflecting off of the object? After cross-referencing the location, time, and point in the sky with a flight database, the culprit is found to be an airplane contrail!

Tomorrow’s picture: another mystery

Date: August 19, 2026
Credit & Copyright: Juan Pablo Castañeda
Authors & editors: Keighley Rockcliffe, Robert Nemiroff, Jerry Bonnell, Cecilia Chirenti
Hat tip: William Cooke, David Lee, Peter Brown, Denis Vida, Peter Jenniskens
A service of: ASD at NASA / GSFC,
NASA Science Activation & Michigan Tech. U.


Random APOD Generator

Yesterday’s Image
APOD: 2026 August 18 – Perseids from Perseus


Tomorrow’s Image

Powered by WPeMatico

Get The Details…

NASA’s LRO Images Falcon 9 Crater on Moon, Learns New Details

por | |
Deja un comentario

NASA’s LRO Images Falcon 9 Crater on Moon, Learns New Details

3 min read

NASA’s LRO Images Falcon 9 Crater on Moon, Learns New Details

Two-frame animation showing a new crater, with ejecta rays extending outward, appearing on the Moon.
This is an animated before-and-after view of the crater formed after a Falcon 9 upper stage struck the Moon’s surface on Aug. 5, 2026. These images were taken between Aug. 11 and 12 by the Narrow-Angle Camera on NASA’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter. These images are enlarged three times from the original, with north facing up, and they cover an area about a quarter of a mile wide.
NASA Goddard/Intuitive Machines

Between Aug. 11 and 12, NASA’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) captured a series of images of a new crater on the Moon. The crater formed on Aug. 5, when a SpaceX Falcon 9 upper stage impacted the surface following its January 2025 launch of the Firefly Blue Ghost 1 mission.

To capture imagery of the impact, engineers tilted the spacecraft so its cameras would point toward the crater each time LRO passed about 60 miles above the Moon, traveling 1 mile per second. The orbiter circles the Moon from pole to pole every two hours, while the Moon slowly rotates underneath it. To photograph a specific spot, the spacecraft must wait until that location turns into view, which took six days in this case.

Getting the pointing right was only half the challenge; timing had to be accurate as well. If the camera snapped even 10 seconds too early or too late, the target would drift off-center by 10 miles.

An artist concept video showing NASA’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter circling the Moon.
NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center Conceptual Image Lab

Because of the variety of viewing angles, scientists could see the crater under multiple lighting conditions that revealed unique features. In images where the crater rim stood out, scientists measured its 60‑foot width. Scientists also determined the crater is less than 10 feet deep based on the length of its shadow.

To capture these details, LRO used its Narrow-Angle Camera, which can spot features as small as 3 feet wide.

Four black-and-white views of the same cratered lunar surface, each taken from a different angle. A small, bright boulder or mound near the center casts shadows that change direction across the images. The panels are labeled 105°, 90°, 53°, and 37°.
Collected between Aug. 11 and 12 by NASA’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter, six days after a Falcon 9 upper-stage booster impacted the Moon, these images were taken from different viewing angles, bringing out different features. The darker area that fans around the crater in the upper-left image is rougher than the surroundings, as this surface material has been altered over a long time by solar wind, galactic cosmic rays, and micrometeorite impacts. The brighter rays and splotch above the crater in the lower-right image is fresher material that was excavated from deeper below the surface. The pictures are arranged in the order they were taken, starting at the top left and moving toward the bottom right, with the lighting angle from the Sun gradually changing from one image to the next. Each image is enlarged two times and shows an area of the Moon about 1,000 feet wide.
NASA Goddard/Intuitive Machines

The images above show bright and dark rays stretching out from the crater. The darker streaks are made of surface dust and rocks altered over a long time by solar wind, galactic cosmic rays, and micrometeorite impacts. This weathered material was excavated by the collision from 1.5 feet into the lunar surface. The brighter streaks near the crater rim are made of fresh material excavated from deeper underground.

Grayscale view of a cratered surface with two overlapping, vertical translucent shapes—one red and one blue, and three small colored dots.
This image from NASA’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter shows two oval regions where the Falcon 9 upper stage was likely to impact the Moon, based on calculations by engineers with NASA’s Center for Near Earth Object Studies. Both ellipses are 2.1 miles long and 0.4 miles wide. Both predictions use the same booster-trajectory calculations, but only the blue ellipse takes into account the lunar terrain (vs. a smooth sphere). The red and blue dots show predicted impact locations, whereas the cyan dot shows the actual impact site.
NASA/JPL-Caltech

Finding the impact site took global coordination among experts and hobbyists. Independent astronomers first identified the rocket’s trajectory using publicly available data. NASA’s Center for Near Earth Object Studies, which tracks natural objects that could pose hazards to Earth for the agency’s Planetary Defense program, used this opportunity to test and validate tools and techniques for predicting impacts.

Based at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern California, the center incrementally refined the trajectory until identifying the location of impact, which it provided to the Republic of Korea for their Korea Pathfinder Lunar Orbiter (Danuri) team. The team used the high-resolution LUTI camera on Danuri a few hours later to image the crater, finding the prediction was accurate to about 0.6 miles. 

After capturing images of the crater, the Danuri mission sent coordinates to NASA’s LRO team to help refine their follow-up imaging sequence. Comparing their new crater images with the pre-impact images, the LRO team updated the crater center coordinates: 19.4759°N, 266.7138°E, 511 meters elevation.

About the Author

NASA Science Editorial Team

NASA Science Editorial Team

Share

Details

Last Updated
Aug 18, 2026

Related Terms

Explore More

3 min read

Next Generation of Planetary Scientists Learn Public Engagement Skills

FORCE is a world-class laboratory that uses high-pressure experimental equipment to recreate the extreme conditions…



Article


1 day ago

5 min read

Hubble Solves Merger Mystery From Milky Way’s Early Years

New Hubble data shows definitive evidence of a dwarf galaxy merging with the young Milky…



Article


1 day ago

6 min read

Chasing Fire Clouds in Utah

NASA aircraft are sampling smoke lofted high into the atmosphere by one of the most…



Article


2 days ago

Keep Exploring

Discover More Topics From NASA

Missions


Humans in Space


Climate Change


Solar System

Powered by WPeMatico

Get The Details…

NASA Student Aviation Challenge Focuses on Nation’s Infrastructure

por | |
Deja un comentario

NASA Student Aviation Challenge Focuses on Nation’s Infrastructure

3 min read

Preparations for Next Moonwalk Simulations Underway (and Underwater)

A photo collage showing drones and aeronautics structures for the Gateways to Blue Skies Challenge. The challenge name, InfraAir: Aviation for Infrastructure Inspection, is shown at the bottom.
Credit: National Institute of Aerospace

NASA’s next Gateways to Blue Skies competition invites collegiate teams to imagine innovative new ways aircraft could inspect land-based infrastructure, such as bridges and tunnels, to improve safety, reliability, and costs by 2035 or sooner.

Infrastructure is the foundation of the nation’s strong economy, global competitiveness, and daily quality of life. When that infrastructure is damaged or in disrepair, it restricts the movement of people, goods, and critical resources like water and energy. Inspections are important throughout the lifetime of infrastructure projects, but they often come with challenges.

Structures such as tunnels, bridges, highways, railways, and electric grids can be massive in size and difficult to reach. They can require disruptive shutdowns to access, or force workers to navigate extreme heights, confined spaces, and hazardous environments. As infrastructure ages and expands, there are opportunities to use innovative airborne platforms to improve current inspection practices.

“The demands for creative solutions like airborne platforms to improve the infrastructure sector are increasing exponentially,” said Steven Holz, Gateways to Blue Skies competition lead, NASA’s Langley Research Center in Hampton, Virginia. “The time is ripe for innovative students to transform how we work with our critical infrastructure, and this competition gives talented students the opportunity to do so.”

Sponsored by NASA’s University Innovation Project, the 2027 Gateways to Blue Skies competition encourages multidisciplinary teams of college students to conceptualize innovations in the world of aviation. Each year, the competition selects a new theme based on a complex challenge facing the Nation. It aims to engage as many students as possible from all backgrounds, majors, and collegiate levels.

The competition is open to teams of two to six students and divided into two phases. In Phase 1, teams will submit a proposal and an accompanying two-minute video, which will be judged by NASA and industry experts. Up to eight finalist teams will each receive a $9,000 prize and advance to Phase 2, where they will present their updated work to a panel of NASA and industry experts at a forum in May 2027. Winners will be offered the opportunity to intern with NASA Aeronautics in the academic year following the forum.

Teams interested in participating in the competition can review guidelines and eligibility requirements posted on the competition website. Teams are encouraged to submit a non-binding Notice of Intent by Monday, Oct. 12, via the website to stay apprised of competition news. Proposal and video submissions are due Feb. 22, 2027. The Gateway to Blue Skies Competition is run by the Aeronautics Division in NASA’s Research and Technology Mission Directorate. NASA’s Center of Excellence for Collaborative Innovation, part of the Prizes, Challenges, and Crowdsourcing Program within the Research and Technology Mission Directorate, manages the challenge contract. The National Institute of Aerospace administers the challenge on behalf of NASA.

Keep Exploring

Discover More Topics From NASA

Aeronautics


University Innovation Project


NASA Prizes, Challenges, and Crowdsourcing


CoECI

Powered by WPeMatico

Get The Details…
Bailey G. Light