NASA Science
NASA Science seeks to discover the secrets of the universe, search for life elsewhere, and protect and improve life on Earth and in space.
Hunt for near-earth asteroids and comets
september 14, 2024
Exploring Jupiter's Ocean World
![](https://science.nasa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/moreaboutinomn1.jpg?w=4096&format=jpeg)
NASA Science is Delivering
NASA Science is delivering: every second of every day, of every week, of every year. 2024 is proving to be yet another year of exceptional scientific discovery and achievement. From soft landing back on the Moon a few months ago, to celebrating the Heliophysics Big Year and a Total Solar Eclipse in the contiguous United States, to receiving stunning imagery from James Webb, NASA Science is as busy as ever. Recently launched earth science missions are also providing us unprecedented views of our planet and incredible insight into the health of our oceans and atmosphere, and helping decision-makers improve lives on Earth and safeguard our future. And we are charting a new, sustainable path for Mars Sample Return.
Looking ahead, we have many exciting launches on the horizon. At NASA, we are fortunate that our science and exploration endeavors are inextricably linked and help us discover and innovate for the benefit of humanity. Together, we explore to advance scientific understanding. Ultimately, exploration enables science, and science enables exploration.
The NASA Science team is continuing to deliver for the benefit of all.
![Dr. Nicky fox casually chats with undergraduate students over coffee in a laboratory at the University of Delaware. Students take notes in front of a whiteboard while seated around Dr. Fox.](https://science.nasa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/rsch-phys-nasa-fox-dspoc-visit-ek-041824-007.jpg?w=4096&format=jpeg)
Featured Missions
Our mission milestones showcase the breadth and depth of NASA science.
![Artist Rendering of NISAR](https://science.nasa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/NISAR_Over_Earth_Artist_Concept.jpeg?w=4096&format=jpeg)
NISAR
Launching in 2024, NISAR will systematically map Earth and study changes to ice sheets, glaciers, and sea ice in fine detail, as climate change warms the air and ocean.
![Artist's rendering of NASA's Europa Clipper](https://science.nasa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/europa-clipper.jpg?w=4096&format=jpeg)
Europa Clipper
Launching October 10, 2024, Europa Clipper’s main science goal is to determine whether there are places below the surface of Jupiter’s icy moon, Europa, that could support life.
![Artist's concept of the Lucy orbiter with its distinctive round solar panels as it flies past a Trojan asteroid near Jupiter.](https://science.nasa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/final-lucy-1600.jpg?w=4096&format=jpeg)
Lucy
Launched in October 2021, Lucy will explore a record-breaking number of asteroids, flying by three asteroids in the solar system’s main asteroid belt, and by eight Trojan asteroids that share an orbit around the Sun with Jupiter.
Into The Field With NASA: Valley Of Ten Thousand Smokes
To better understand Mars, NASA's Goddard Instrument Field Team headed deep into the backcountry of Katmai National Park.
Read the Story![Seven people, with large backpacks, hiking down a hill of lumpy snow dusted with beige volcanic ash. Behind them is a steep wall of dirt with streaks of fresh green shrubbery. The people appear tiny against the landscape and are all in the left half of the image. On the right are overlapping views of three distinct geological formations: a light-colored slope in the foreground, a tan and orange river gorge in the middle ground, and snow-capped mountains in the background, under a partly cloudy sky.](https://science.nasa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/vtts1-hikeoutlandscape.jpg?w=4096&format=jpeg)
Calling All Kids: Explore Europa Through Art
Join the NASA Space Place art challenge and imagine what's beneath Europa’s icy surface. Submit artwork by Sept. 30 for a chance to be featured by NASA!
Join the Space Place Art Challenge![An illustration of Jupiter, its moon Europa, and the Europa Clipper spacecraft; against a space backdrop in shades of purple and pink, two circles look like wood-grain plaques — Europa, at lower left, taking up about half of the frame, and Jupiter, smaller in the upper right. Hovering over Europa, a view of Clipper looks like a tan and gray lollipop shape, with black rectangles extending horizontally from either side of the round candy part.](https://science.nasa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/europa-art-challenge-square-no-text.png?w=4096&format=png)
What’s Up: September 2024 Skywatching Tips from NASA
Five planets each make appearances, the Harvest supermoon shows us a partial eclipse on Sept. 17th, then slices through the Pleiades. Plus International Observe the Moon Night and solar sail sightings!
More September Skywatching Tips2024 NASA Space Apps Challenge
NASA invites a global community of innovators, technologists, storytellers, and problem solvers to register for the 2024 NASA Space Apps Challenge, the largest annual global hackathon. The annual event, held this year on October 5-6, fosters innovation through international collaboration by providing an opportunity for participants to utilize NASA’s free and open data and space-based data from space agency partners.
More about the 2024 NASA Space Apps Challenge![A montage showing several participants in NASA's Space Apps Challenge.](https://science.nasa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/2024-spaceapps-announcement-feature.jpg?w=4096&format=jpeg)
By the Numbers
Science is interconnected; no important question stands alone. The Science Mission Directorate (SMD) is an organization where discoveries in one scientific discipline have a direct route to other areas of study. This flow is something extremely valuable and is rare in the scientific world.
Learn More about Science by the Numbers![A complex info graphic with text, numbers, icons on a dark blue background laid out in a circular design](https://science.nasa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/07.21_SciencebytheNumbers-1-jpg-e1689964440266.webp?w=4096&format=png)
Lunar Discovery and Exploration
NASA scientists are focused on studying Earth’s Moon, which holds keys that will unlock a deeper understanding of our planet, solar system, and the origins of life.
Learn more about Lunar Discovery and ExplorationWhat's out there?
Explore our changing planet
Earth is our home, shared with millions of species. Rapid changes like rising temperatures and more frequent extreme weather are transforming our planet. For over 50 years, observations from space and ground have monitored these changes, guiding critical decisions in areas like agriculture and air quality. By understanding how our actions affect Earth's systems, we can help mitigate these impacts. Discover more about how you can make a difference in safeguarding our planet.
Visit the Earth Information Center![Animated GIF of Spacecraft Over Earth](https://science.nasa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Animated_GIF_of_Spacecraft_Over_Earth.gif?w=4096&format=png)