Design challenge: Strong, light structures are necessary in constructing buildings (especially in areas with extreme weather) as well as air and space craft.
Flying more missions than any other shuttle, Discovery carried out every type of mission NASA had to offer, spending a total of 365 days in space, and checking off many firsts in spaceflight.
Over 30 years ago, Discovery ascended into space for the first time, after three thwarted launch attempts. Originally scheduled to lift off in June 1984, Discovery finally launched on August 30.
When most people think of emergency fixes in space, the first incident that comes to mind is the famous Apollo 13 mission.
Watch the fifth episode of our #EZScience series to learn how NASA uses balloon science to better understand our planet and universe.
By studying X-rays in deep space, we can learn about some of the most violent and extreme objects in the universe, such as black holes and the remains of stars that have exploded
Meet astrophysicist Kelly Korreck and spaceflight engineer/website specialist Dana Bolles.
This November, we celebrate 20 years of continuous human presence on the International Space Station--an incredible example of international cooperation.
In the latest episode of #EZScience, learn about the upcoming launch of Perseverance. Dr. E and Dr. Z talk about the technological advancements of the newest Mars rover (and helicopter!).
In the latest episode of #EZScience, learn about the science behind NASA's Perseverance rover that is targeted to launch to the Red Planet on July 30.
Watch the sixth episode of our #EZScience series to learn about the 30th anniversary of NASA's Hubble Space Telescope.
The OSIRIS-REx spacecraft is scheduled to touch down on the asteroid Bennu on October 20, 2020, for its first sample collection attempt.
Discover how spacecraft such as NASA's Parker Solar Probe are exploring the wonders of our closest star.
Dr. E and Dr. Z will share exciting new discoveries being made by NASA and others, and explore their relationship to the Museum's one-of-a-kind collection.
In this "On the Go" episode of #EZScience, we're on the scene at Kennedy Space Center with the rocket that will take the Perseverance rover and the Ingenuity helicopter to Mars.
Earth science is an important priority for NASA. To understand our planet's climate and how it is changing we need to study the Earth from all angles.
Dr. Thomas Zurbuchen and Dr. Ellen Stofan discuss the James Webb Space Telescope upcoming launch, as well as the Hubble Space Telescope backup mirror and historical spectrographs.
Watch the fourth episode of our #EZScience series to learn about NASA's upcoming Mars 2020 rover mission by looking back at the Mars Pathfinder mission and Sojourner rover.
Learn about our search for new planets using the Hubble Space Telescope, NASA's Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite, James Webb Space Telescope and more!
The history of women in astronomy is fascinating and inspiring--women like Caroline Herschel, Phoebe Waterman Haas and Vera Rubin.