NASA Watch

"UFO Update: NASA Astronaut Reveals Planned Test for Extraterrestrial Life" -- @Newsweek newsweek.com/ufo-update-nas… Keith's note: You have to wonder if @NASA PAO even bothers to pay attention to things these days when astronauts are interviewed. Its not "extraterrestrial life" (it comes from Earth) and "declassified UFO disclosures" are not even remotely relevant. (sigh) Cue the media questions about aliens. @NASASpox @GeorgeAlderman_ "Menon added that he plans to publicly share the results of those tests, especially in the wake of the U.S. government's decision to declassify multiple UFO sightings. "Now that it's declassified, I could totally tell you if I encounter them. So I for sure will follow up with this if I have any interaction with extraterrestrials. I give you that solemn promise. But it wasn't something that I necessarily set out to do," he added."

أكملت مع أخي هزاع والزملاء تدريبًا حول علوم الجيولوجيا نظَّمته وكالة ناسا في ولاية نيو مكسيكو الأمريكية.. هذا التدريب أساسي من أجل تحضير رواد الفضاء لمهمات استكشاف وجهات جديدة مثل القمر، ويتيح لنا التعرف بالعين المجردة إلى الحالة الجيولوجية العامة لمنطقة معينة من خلال عينات الصخور المتواجدة هناك..

NASA launch bottlenecks underscore the strategic value of domestic launch capabilities In my latest "The Observer" column, I discuss down why developing domestic launch sites ensures sovereign access to space for critical defence and civil payloads and that more investment is needed. Read the column here. ⬇️ spaceq.ca/nasa-launch-bo… #Aerospace #SupplyChain #SpaceEconomy #Defence #CanadianSpace #SpaceQ

Two observatories, two anniversaries, one nebula🌌🎉 One year after NSF–DOE Rubin Observatory First Look & 36 years of @NASAHubble, we’re revisiting the Trifid Nebula as seen by both. Also known as M20, Trifid is a stellar nursery about 5,000 light-years away in the Milky Way.

SpaceX Starfall seen from ~30 miles west of the pad

Have you checked out the recap for GLOBE’s “Observe Like Artemis Challenge” that was held 22 April through 22 May? Find results from the Challenge and more at tinyurl.com/3buzs6bw! Be sure to watch the recording of the GO Connect conversation with members of NASA’s Artemis II Lunar Science team.

What will the acting @NASAOIG reveal about fraud at @NASA? Tune in on Wednesday to find out. science.house.gov/hearings?Conte…

The NASA TechLeap Prize: Robotically Manipulated Payload Challenge is open! 🦾🤖 NASA Flight Opportunities seeks proposals for a payload that can be manipulated by a robotic arm in low Earth orbit. Phase 1 registration closes on July 29! Learn more: rmpc.nasatechleap.org

Senate Appropriations markup of CJS bill (and others) that had been rescheduled for Thurs has been postponed again. Word is it's bc Sen. Mitch McConnell is absent due to illness and Rs need his vote bc they have only a 1-vote margin and some issues (esp Justice) are very partisan

If you have ever been curious what it actually looks like to break space systems and have not grabbed our book yet, this is a good moment to fix that. Barnes & Noble is running a preorder sale through Friday, June 26. Get 25% off sitewide plus an extra 10% for Premium Members using code PREORDER25. "The Spacecraft Hacker's Handbook" is part of the deal. Get it here: barnesandnoble.com/w/the-spacecra… #infosec #space #security #pentesting #hacking

WatchBlog post: The Next Outpost: NASA’s Plans for Replacing the Aging International Space Station gao.gov/blog/next-outp…

This was just posted on Facebook by Tim Gagnon "Saddened to learn of the passing of Todd Halvorson today from mutual friend Jim Banke. Todd was a journalist who was a credit to his profession. In 2011 when he retired from the Florida Today newspaper he paid me the compliment to commission me to create a special patch honoring his “Space Team crew mates.” In 2019 both he and Jim were added to the exclusive list of "The Chroniclers" at the Kennedy Space Center press site in Florida. The Chroniclers honors exemplary journalists as well as government and industry communicators who worked at KSC to tell the NASA story. My condolences to his wife Annis, his family, friends and all who knew and loved him. Rest in Peace."

SwRI’s advanced modeling indicates that the formation of Pluto and Charon may parallel that of the Earth-Moon system. In the resulting “kiss-and-capture” regime, Pluto and Charon collide and initially stick together before separating a stable orbit. #TechTuesday

NASA, Boeing committed to Starliner-1 launch despite unclear timeline 📰: spaceflightnow.com/2026/06/23/nas…

Meet Arunima, a high schooler from India who dreams of setting foot on Mars. 🚀 With @mitopenlearning's free physics & math resources, she now has the tools to start theorizing low-cost interplanetary exploration — bringing her one step closer to making that dream a reality. Help us support the next generation of global scientists like Arunima. 🪐 Give now: bit.ly/4xgOhkm Image by Moisescu Florentina's Images via Canva.com.

NASA Names Sean Gallagher as Chief Information Officer NASA has selected Sean Gallagher as the agency’s chief information officer (CIO). In this role, he is responsible for the agency’s entire portfolio of Information Technology products and services. Gallagher has been serving in an acting capacity since January and his permanent role is effective immediately. “Sean Gallagher’s leadership has been instrumental in strengthening NASA’s IT foundation and ensuring our workforce has the secure, modern tools needed to enable groundbreaking missions every day,” said NASA Deputy Administrator Matt Anderson. “As CIO, Sean will continue advancing the agency’s technology capabilities to support discovery, innovation, and mission success across NASA.” Most recently, Gallagher also has served as the deputy chief information officer for Operations in the Office of the Chief Information Officer at NASA Headquarters in Washington, as well as a senior advisor for Transformation. This team provides services to tens of thousands of end users located in the U.S. and abroad in support of NASA missions, enabling discoveries, faster data sharing, increased workforce productivity, and more. Gallagher has worked with all NASA centers to implement efficient and effective IT operating models. Previously, Gallagher was the CIO of NASA’s Glenn Research Center in Cleveland, leading IT initiatives for aeronautics, space, research and engineering, and test missions. He joined NASA in 2012 as Glenn’s deputy CIO and previously worked at Booz Allen Hamilton as a senior associate supporting a variety of federal, defense, and commercial customers. Gallagher developed his leadership and management experience as a Signal Corps officer in the United States Army. He also served as a platoon leader managing the combat service support readiness of a tactical communications unit, a human resource manager for the 40th Signal Battalion, and as a network engineer for the 11th Signal Brigade. He has a bachelor’s degree in physics from John Carroll University and a master’s degree in computer information systems from the University of Phoenix. For more information about NASA’s missions, visit: nasa.gov

Mark your calendars! We are excited to announce the @NASA Space Apps Challenge will be held November 14-15, 2026! 🗓️ This two-day hackathon gives you the chance to use NASA’s open data to address the most pressing challenges in Earth and space exploration. Discovery awaits at the NASA #SpaceApps Challenge 🚀

NASA is proud to see 31 Artemis Accords partners in the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The same spirit that brings nations together here on Earth is helping shape the future of exploration on the Moon. Through the Artemis Accords, we’re advancing the safe and peaceful exploration of space together. Welcome to the U.S. and we will see you soon on the Moon! Learn more about the Artemis Accords: go.nasa.gov/2WYqVQr

Heads up @NASA Family: Isaac Hollingsworth, a Geospatial Scientist at @NASAJohnson was also impacted by the same fire as Chase Gibson. Isaac could also really use some help. gofundme.com/f/help-isaac-r… "On Saturday the 20th, lightning struck my apartment building at Pearce on the Lake apartments, causing a fire that destroyed everything I owned. I lost my home and all of my belongings, and now I’m working to figure out how to move forward and rebuild." @tennesseetech @NASAArtemis

Investigations and Oversight Subcommittee Hearing - Safeguarding Federal Research Funds: The False Claims Act's Role in Combating Grant Fraud DATE: June 24, 2026 TIME: 10:00 am EDT science.house.gov/2026/6/investi… - Robert Steinau, Senior Official Performing the Duties of Inspector General, National Aeronautics and Space Administration Office of the Inspector General