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Read about the latest discoveries and innovations powered by radioisotope power.

Engineers in cleanroom suits insert a cylindrical device into a spacecraft.

After 60 Years, Nuclear Power for Spaceflight is Still Tried and True

5 min read

Six decades after the launch of the first nuclear-powered space mission, NASA is embarking on a bold future of human exploration and scientific discovery.

Article2 weeks ago
Thre children, a boy and two girls, sit on a model rock formation.

Perseverance Pays Off for Student Challenge Winners

3 min read

As radioisotopes power the Perseverance rover to explore Mars, perseverance “powered” three winners to write essays each year till they achieved their mission goal of winning NASA’s Power to Explore Challenge. These students explored behind the scenes at NASA's Glenn…

Article3 months ago

Here’s How Curiosity’s Sky Crane Changed the Way NASA Explores Mars

5 min read

Twelve years ago, NASA landed its six-wheeled science lab using a daring new technology that lowers the rover using a robotic jetpack. NASA’s Curiosity rover mission is celebrating a dozen years on the Red Planet, where the six-wheeled scientist continues…

Article3 months ago

Here’s How AI Is Changing NASA’s Mars Rover Science

6 min read

Artificial intelligence is helping scientists to identify minerals within rocks studied by the Perseverance rover. Some scientists dream of exploring planets with “smart” spacecraft that know exactly what data to look for, where to find it, and how to analyze…

Article4 months ago

Ed Stone, Former Director of JPL, Voyager Project Scientist, Dies

5 min read

Known for his steady leadership, consensus building, and enthusiasm for engaging the public in science, Stone left a deep impact on the space community. Edward C. Stone, former director of NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern California, and longtime project…

Article5 months ago

NASA Announces Winners of Power to Explore Challenge

3 min read

NASA announced the winners on Wednesday of the third annual Power to Explore Challenge, a national writing competition designed to teach K-12 students about the power of radioisotopes for space exploration. The competition asked students to learn about NASA’s Radioisotope…

News Release

NASA Names Finalists of the Power to Explore Challenge

3 min read

NASA has selected the nine finalists of the Power to Explore Challenge, a national competition for K-12 students featuring the enabling power of radioisotopes. NASA selected nine finalists out of the 45 semifinalist student essays in the Power to Explore…

Article7 months ago