"That gives us an opportunity to really protect life, when we talk about the radiation dose when we travel between Earth and Mars."

Head of NASA: nuclear propulsion could be "game-changer"

Space Nukes

NASA chief Jim Bridenstine believes that thermal nuclear propulsion technology would be a game-changer for space exploration.

Head of NASA: Nuclear Propulsion Could Be “Game-Changer”

If the tech works, it could halve the travel time to Mars.

The company signed a contract with NASA that dates back to 2016.

This roomy, inflatable habitat could one day take you to Mars

Bouncing to Mars

Aerospace company Sierra Nevada Corporation just showed off its prototype of a 26-feet-across inflatable space habitat module.

This Roomy, Inflatable Habitat Could One Day Take You to Mars

Unfortunately, it's not headed to space any time soon — at least not yet.

"This is all an experiment, but it is an absolutely necessary one."

Annoying PR stunts could fund the future of space travel

Embargo Lift-Off

An increasing wave of companies are launching bizarre space PR stunts, sending various products into orbit. They could fund NASA's future.

Annoying PR Stunts Could Fund the Future of Space Travel

At least they're good for something.

The closest planned flyby will have the spacecraft approach Europa to an altitude of just 16 miles.

NASA is sending a probe to Jupiter's icy moon to look for life

Icy Moon Flyby

NASA has announced it's completing the final designs and planning for constructing and testing a spacecraft that will visit Jupiter's icy moon Europa.

NASA is Sending a Probe to Jupiter’s Icy Moon to Look for Life

Europa's ocean of salty water is one of the most promising places in the solar system to look for life.

“I think people would be shocked how fast they can move.”

Newt Gingrich proposes $2 billion prize to land on the Moon

Last One is a Rotten Egg

Former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich is proposing to award a $2 billion prize to the first private space company to land Americans on the Moon.

Newt Gingrich Proposes $2 Billion Prize to Land on the Moon

NASA skeptics want to put taxpayer money behind Musk, Bezos, and company — not NASA.

Keeping cryogenic fuel tanks at extremely low temperatures is vital — if the tanks heat up at all, the fuel could boil off and be lost.

New tech puts NASA one step closer to fueling spacecraft in space

Space Gas Station

NASA’s Robotic Refuelling Mission 3 just successfully demonstrated the first of three tools designed to refuel NASA spacecraft in space.

New Tech Puts NASA One Step Closer to Fueling Spacecraft in Space

The ability to refuel in space could allow us to travel to distant worlds.

Next Generation Robots: Autonomous Subsurface Explorers

"The big question for NASA is: Is there life beyond Earth?"

These robots could one day explore caves on distant planets

Lava Tubular

DARPA's Subterranean Challenge is kicking off today, and robotics teams from across the nation are mapping underground environments with robots.

These Robots Could One Day Explore Caves on Distant Planets

"If there is life in the solar system, these are the most likely places to harbor it."

An explosion of SpaceX's Crew Dragon capsule during an engine test delayed the launch significantly.

NASA astronauts test SpaceX spacesuits for Crew Dragon launch

Fresh

NASA astronauts Bob Behnken and Doug Hurley got to test out their hot new spacesuits for launch day of the long-awaited SpaceX Crew Dragon test flight.

NASA Astronauts Test SpaceX Spacesuits for Crew Dragon Launch

Will SpaceX be able to launch its Crew Dragon capsule in November?

Kilopower's prototype is about the size of a fridge and technically fits into a rocket.

This nuclear reactor could be shipped to Mars by 2022

KRUSTY in Space

NASA's mobile Kilopower mobile fission nuclear power generator could be sent off to Mars by 2022, according to team members.

This Nuclear Reactor Could Be Shipped to Mars by 2022

A mobile nuclear power system could keep the lights on for astronauts traveling to the Moon or Mars.

NASA can put humans on the Moon — but it's yet to find a solution to its wild hog problem.

NASA's Kennedy Space Center is infested with feral hogs. Really.

Oink Oink

NASA has a major wild hog problem at its Kennedy Space Center, with upwards of 12,000 of the animals terrorizing the campus.

/Nasa