NASA Astronomy Picture of the Day

July 5, 2025

Ou4: The Giant Squid Nebula

Difficult to capture, this mysterious, squid-shaped interstellar cloud spans nearly three full moons in planet Earth's sky. Discovered in 2011 by French astro-imager Nicolas Outters, the Squid Nebula's bipolar shape is distinguished here by the telltale blue emission from doubly ionized oxygen atoms. Though apparently surrounded by the reddish hydrogen emission region Sh2-129, the true distance and nature of the Squid Nebula have been difficult to determine. Still, one investigation suggests Ou4 really does lie within Sh2-129 some 2,300 light-years away. Consistent with that scenario, the cosmic squid would represent a spectacular outflow of material driven by a triple system of hot, massive stars, cataloged as HR8119, seen near the center of the nebula. If so, this truly giant squid nebula would physically be over 50 light-years across.

https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/astropix.html

NASA’s high-tech device detects human life beneath rubble

Saturday July 5, 2025

NASA has developed a powerful life-saving device that can detect even the tiniest human movement beneath rubble or snow after a disaster.

The technology, known as FINDER (Finding Individuals for Disaster and Emergency Response), uses advanced microwave radar sensors to sense a trapped person’s heartbeat or breathing—even if they’re buried under concrete or debris.

It was designed specifically for emergency situations like earthquakes, building collapses, or avalanches.

FINDER was created in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and was first developed in response to the 2010 Haiti earthquake. Since then, it has been tested, refined, and released for commercial and rescue use.

The technology has proven useful in real-life disasters, including the massive earthquakes in Türkiye and Syria in 2023, where NASA also used its satellites to provide real-time images of damage zones to support rescue operations.

NASA’s role in disaster management doesn’t stop there. The EMIT instrument onboard the International Space Station is used to analyze dust particles and detect possible gas leaks after disasters, helping authorities respond faster and more safely.

Moreover, NASA’s satellite data allows experts to predict aftershocks following an earthquake, enabling better planning and protection. These tools show how space technology can play a vital role in saving lives and guiding rescue missions on the ground.

This growing scientific support highlights the real-world impact of space research—not just for exploring planets, but for protecting people here on Earth.

https://dailytimes.com.pk/1329901/nasas-high-tech-device-detects-human-life-beneath-rubble/

>>23279719

The not-so-elusive deep water vampire Doge

Ronald Gamble: Goodbye NASA

July 4, 2025

In what will soon become commonplace another valuable and valued employee is leaving NASA: Ronald Gamble, Jr, Ph.D., a Theoretical Astrophysicist in the Astrophysics Science Division at NASA GSFC.

He posted this on LinkedIn: “An amazing thing happens when you pursue a dream and achieve it — you transform. It is a metamorphosis that forever changes you.

These last four years at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center and The University of Maryland have been the most transformative and invigorating time in my career and I will never forget the work and connections I’ve made.” (more below)

At 4 years old I told my mom ‘I’m going to work at NASA’, and in 2021 on my mother’s birthday that dream came true. It was a gift to her (and both my parents) that all the worry and prayers were fulfilled.

Their son became a “NASA Astrophysicist”. Ever since then I called NASA home and finally found my “astro-family”.

I still recall the sleepless nights in school, the rejection letters from programs and jobs, even people from my own community saying ‘give up’ ‘choose a different career that will get you a job’.

But what I remember most is the fire that ignited when I received my coveted offer letter from the Astrophysics Science Division & The University of Maryland – College Park. I felt truly unstoppable.

I have an incredible amount of gratitude towards Rita M. Sambruna at NASA and Abebe Kebede at my alma mater North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University for sparking this flame!

During my time at NASA I have conducted my own research on the essence of black holes and galactic jets. Topics that most students at HBCUs dream about because they do not have the resources to study it.

I created on the most impactful student development programs in astrophysics, the NASA Cosmic Pathfinders Program, that reached over 600+ participants across six continents.

I’ve contributed to reviews of legendary NASA missions and help create a transformative program that spanned the agency in the MOSAICS program.

Even with all of the awards and accolades that I have received, my most cherished accomplishment during my time has been the impact I have been able to provide to students.

Mentorship is at my core and it has been one my motivations for all that I have accomplished.

What’s next? — my path isn’t set yet, so there’s more updates to come. I am looking for positions in which I can continue to study the wonders of the universe and make an impact on students’ careers in STEM.

As my time at NASA comes to a close I will continue to make sure students build careers at their fullest potential and continue my scientific pursuits. That’s my job and my passion.

Please reach out if you have any opportunities that support my next steps.

I will officially say ‘goodbye’ to NASA and UMD – College Park on September 30th, but I’m saying ‘see you later’ to all my friends and family across the STEM universe.

A special shoutout to my Cosmic Origins & Physics of the Cosmos teams, the APD engagement team, AstroComms, Curious Universe, and social media teams, and ALL MY MENTEES!

Take care and stay curious

Cuídate y mantén la curiosidad

Dr. Ronald S. Gamble, Jr

https://nasawatch.com/personnel-news/ronald-gamble-goodbye-nasa/

https://spaceflightnow.com/2025/07/05/republican-backed-reconciliation-bill-passes-includes-funding-for-iss-artemis-programs-space-shuttle-relocation/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hEyLK506WLQ

Republican-backed reconciliation bill passes, includes funding for ISS, Artemis programs, Space Shuttle relocation

July 5, 2025

A massive tax and spending package passed by the Senate on Wednesday was approved by the House on Thursday and signed by President Donald Trump on Friday, July 4.

The bill, H.R. 1, also referred to as the ‘One Big Beautiful Bill’ Act, was passed through the reconciliation process, meaning it required a simple majority in both chambers of Congress, avoiding impacts from the filibuster.

It is separate from the Fiscal Year 2026 appropriations bills, which include the funding for NASA’s budget along with other agencies, however, there are provisions that do concern America’s space agency.

Moon and Mars

The legislation earmarks $9.995 billion to be available until Sept. 30, 2032, for projects that have backing by politicians in states that have held key roles in NASA’s Artemis program.

The biggest chunk of that is $4.1 billion set aside “for the procurement, transportation, integration, operation and other necessary expenses of the Space Launch System for Artemis Mission 4 and 5.”

The bill states that no less than $1.025 billion should be spent on the heavy lift rocket each year FY26-FY29.

It also includes $20 million to fund the Orion spacecraft “for use with the Space Launch System on the Artemis 4 Mission and reuse in subsequent Artemis Missions.”

These two items run counter to the proposed NASA budget from the White House, which sought to end the SLS and Orion programs following the launch of the Artemis III mission.

The bill also preserves funding to the tune of $2.6 billion for the Gateway, a lunar space station being built through international cooperation from countries, like Canada, Japan, the United Arab Emirates and the European Space Agency (ESA).

The legislation states that at least $750 million should be spent on the Gateway during Fiscal Years 2026, 2027 and 2028.

Both Northrop Grumman and Thales Alenia Space serve as prime contractors for Gateway for the HALO (Habitation and Logistics Outpost) and I-HAB (International Habitation) modules respectively.

Maxar Technologies was selected as the prime on the PPE (Power and Propulsion Element) module.

The PPE and HALO are scheduled to launch onboard a SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket no earlier than December 2027, less than a year earlier than the planned Artemis 4 mission, but a report published by the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) in July 2024 expressed some concerns regarding NASA’s mass management plan.

The bill also includes $700 million for a new undertaking referred to as “a high-performance Mars telecommunications orbiter.”

The legislation necessitates that it work both for the Mars Sample Return mission, which the White House also wants nixed, and for future Mars missions, both crewed and robotic.

A stipulation for the funds is that it must go to a commercial company that received funding from NASA in FY24 or FY25 for commercial designs for a MSR mission. That company also needs to be able to deliver such an orbiter by the end of 2028.

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>>23279799

Space station, space centers and space shuttle

H.R. 1 funds the International Space Station to the tune of $1.25 billion, with the order that the funds be dolled out in increments of no less than $250 million during FY25-29.

The White House is seeking to greatly reduce the amount of funds that go towards both operations of the ISS as well as the science conducted onboard.

$325 million is also set aside to fulfill a contact with SpaceX that NASA announced in June 2024.

This is for the development and delivery of the U.S. Deorbit Vehicle, which is designed to slowly lower the orbit of the space station before bringing it down over the Pacific Ocean after the end of its operational life in 2030.

The legislation sets aside $1 billion for unspecified “improvements” to the “manned spaceflight centers” of NASA, which include:

$300 million – Johnson Space Center (Houston, Texas)

$250 million – Kennedy Space Center (Cape Canaveral, Florida)

$120 million – Stennis Space Center (Pearlington, Mississippi)

$100 million – Marshall Space Flight Center (Huntsville, Alabama)

$30 million – Michoud Assembly Facility (New Orleans, Louisiana)

There is also $85 million put aside for the transfer of a space vehicle.

The bill doesn’t offer specifics on this, but both of Texas’ Republican senators, John Cornyn and Ted Cruz backed a proposal to relocate the Space Shuttle Discovery from its current location in the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum in Washington D.C. to JSC.

Cornyn introduced the “Bring the Space Shuttle Home” Act in April, which was co-sponsored by Cruz.

“There is no better final home for Space Shuttle Discovery than JSC, where these explorers of tomorrow can learn from and be inspired by the incredible legacy of those who changed the history of the world in Houston, where giant leaps in human spaceflight started,” said Gov. Abbott in a letter of support dated June 6, 2025.

“We would have to take the Shuttle apart to move it at this point,” said Lori Garver, the former NASA Deputy Administrator under President Barack Obama, wrote on X.

“The aircraft transport was decommissioned and it wouldn’t hold up that distance on a barge or highway (bridges/trees/power lines). If this is the priority for our tax dollars, we are doomed.”

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https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/exclusive-biology-beyond-earth-how-international-space-station-is-shaping-human-life-in-space-8826700

Exclusive - Biology Beyond Earth: How Space Station Is Shaping Human Life in Space

Jul 05, 2025 08:56 am IST

NASA astronaut Suni Williams works on the Plant Water Management at the space station.

Indian astronaut Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla is visiting a home away from Earth that has seen continuous human presence for a quarter of a century and is floating around 400 kilometres above Earth.

For most millennials, the idea of humans living and working in space has been a constant reality. Since November 2000, the International Space Station (ISS), a football-field-sized laboratory orbiting 400 kilometres above Earth, has hosted a continuous human presence.

But beyond the awe of astronauts floating in microgravity, the ISS has quietly become one of the most important biological laboratories in human history.

In an exclusive conversation with NDTV, influential NASA biologist Dr Sharmila Bhattacharya shared how two decades of biological research aboard the ISS are not only preparing us for long-duration missions to the Moon and Mars but also transforming our understanding of human health on Earth.

A Living Lab in Orbit

"The first few years were about building the station," Dr Bhattacharya explained. "But for the last 15 to 20 years, we've been doing very active science as an international community."

That science spans a wide range of biological disciplines. Researchers studied how spaceflight affects muscle loss, bone density, cardiovascular health, immune function, and even kidney-stone formation.

These studies are essential because space is an extreme microgravity environment, radiation and isolation take a toll on the human body.

And yet, astronauts have not only survived but thrived. "They go fit and come back fit," said Dr. Bhattacharya.

"But that's because they're some of the fittest people on Earth and follow strict exercise and diet regimens."

The Brain in Space

One of the most fascinating areas of research has been the effect of spaceflight on the brain. Dr Bhattacharya's team used fruit flies, Drosophila, as a model organism to study neurological changes.

"We found that in space, there were definite effects on the brain," she said. To test whether these effects could be mitigated, her team created artificial gravity using a centrifuge aboard the ISS.

"We were able to partially reverse some of the defects we saw in the nervous system," she noted. This has major implications for future missions, especially those lasting years, such as a round trip to Mars.

Preparing for Mars

A journey to Mars could take six to nine months one way, with astronauts staying for several months before returning. That means humans will need to survive in deep space for up to two years, facing elevated radiation and reduced gravity.

"The ISS has taught us a lot about microgravity," Dr Bhattacharya said. "But the Moon has one-sixth Earth's gravity, and Mars has one-third. We need to understand how partial gravity affects biology."

A recent collaboration between NASA and the Japanese Space Agency used mice to study biological changes under different gravity levels-Earth, Moon, Mars, and microgravity.

"It was a really interesting experiment," she said, adding that "because it helped identify thresholds where certain biological systems begin to change."

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>>23279850

Plants in Space: More Than Just Food

Beyond human biology, the ISS has also become a greenhouse in orbit. Astronauts have successfully grown lettuce, tomatoes, and other crops. "Some of the tomatoes were very well appreciated by the crew," Dr. Bhattacharya said.

Plant habitats on the ISS are not just functional; they are emotional anchors. "They're well-lit, so when crew members celebrate birthdays or holidays, they often gather near the plants. It's like the beautiful garden in space."

These experiments are crucial for future missions, where astronauts will need to grow their food. They also help scientists understand how plants respond to microgravity, which could lead to agricultural innovations back on Earth.

The Microbial Frontier

Space is also a frontier for microbiology. Dr Bhattacharya's team studied how bacteria behave in space and found that some, like Serratia marcescens, became more virulent after spaceflight.

"They killed fruit flies faster than bacteria that hadn't gone to space," she said.

Interestingly, this increased pathogenicity disappeared when the bacteria were grown again on Earth. "We wanted to understand the molecular biology behind that change and what made them more dangerous in space," she explained.

"These enclosed environments give us insights into microbial ecosystems, not just in space but also in places like submarines or hospitals on Earth," Dr Bhattacharya said.

Astronauts as Test Subjects

Over 600 astronauts have flown to space, many of them to the ISS. Their bodies have become invaluable data sources.

"We've grown multiple generations of fruit flies, Caenorhabditis elegans, and even plants in space," Dr. Bhattacharya said, adding that "Now we're doing longer and longer experiments."

One of the most exciting upcoming studies involves MRI scans of astronauts' brains before and after spaceflight, as part of the Axiom 4 mission.

"Given what we've seen in fruit flies, I'm very interested to see what the human data shows," she said.

The End of an Era, and the Start of Another

The ISS is expected to be retired by 2031. But Dr Bhattacharya is optimistic. "I celebrate what the ISS has given us," she said. "But I'm also looking forward to the next platform."

That next step could be a commercial space, perhaps Axiom, Haven, or VAST. China already has its space station, and India is planning one too.

"The more platforms we have in space, the more science we can do as a global community," she said.

Why It Matters for Earth

While the focus is often on preparing for Mars, the benefits of space biology are already being felt on Earth.

From understanding immune responses to developing better exercise regimens, the research done in orbit is improving healthcare on the ground.

"Basic biology helps us understand not just how to live in space, but how to live better on Earth," Dr Bhattacharya said.

A New Age of Exploration

As humanity looks beyond Earth, the ISS stands as a testament to what international cooperation and scientific curiosity can achieve.

It has been a proving ground for the biology of the future where humans may one day live on the Moon, Mars, or even beyond.

And thanks to scientists like Dr. Sharmila Bhattacharya, we're not just dreaming about that future, we're building it, one fruit fly at a time.

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https://www.rudebaguette.com/en/2025/07/next-gen-space-watch-a-bold-new-timepiece-built-for-exploration-is-taking-aim-at-omegas-celestial-legacy/

https://www.barrelhand.com/monolith

Next-Gen Space Watch: A Bold New Timepiece Built for Exploration Is Taking Aim at Omega’s Celestial Legacy

July 5, 2025 at 9:54 AM

In the realm of space exploration, the role of watches has long been dominated by a single name: Omega.

Known for its legendary Speedmaster, which played a pivotal role during the Apollo 13 mission, Omega’s association with space is well-cemented.

However, as private space missions gain momentum and NASA prepares for renewed lunar expeditions, a fresh contender has emerged to challenge this legacy.

Enter Barrelhand, a Californian startup aiming to redefine the standard for space-ready timepieces with its groundbreaking creation, the Monolith.

This innovative watch is engineered specifically for the extreme conditions of space, promising to usher in a new era of horological advancement.

The Birth of Barrelhand’s Monolith

Barrelhand’s journey began with a bold vision: to create a watch capable of withstanding the harshest conditions known to humanity.

Founded by Karel Bachand, a mechanical engineer with experience working on NASA projects, Barrelhand set out to address the limitations of traditional space watches.

Bachand’s insights into the challenges faced by astronauts led to the development of the Monolith, a watch that combines cutting-edge 3D printing technology with advanced materials science.

The Monolith’s case is crafted from an aerospace-grade alloy known as scalmalloy, composed of scandium, aluminum, and magnesium. This remarkable material offers the strength of titanium at half the weight, making it ideal for space applications.

With a weight of just about one ounce, every gram saved translates to significant cost reductions in space missions, where transportation expenses can reach $1.4 million per kilogram.

The innovation extends beyond the case, as each component of the Monolith is engineered to withstand the rigors of space.

Redefining Space Watch Standards

Unlike its predecessors, the Monolith is purpose-built for both Intra-Vehicular Activity (IVA) and Extra-Vehicular Activity (EVA).

This distinction sets it apart from Omega’s Speedmaster Skywalker X-33, which is limited to IVA use due to its reliance on electronic components vulnerable to freezing in outer space.

The Monolith’s mechanical movement, derived from the robust Sellita SW300-1b, ensures reliable performance without the risk of electronic failure.

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>>23279874

In designing the Monolith, Barrelhand tackled challenges unique to the space environment. The watch features a shatter-proof crystal designed to dent upon impact, preventing the creation of harmful debris.

Standard rubber gaskets, prone to degradation in extreme cold, were replaced with aerospace-grade fluorosilicone O-ring seals, inspired by the International Space Station’s airlocks.

These innovations demonstrate Barrelhand’s commitment to creating a watch that surpasses existing standards by addressing the unique demands of space travel.

Pioneering Engineering for Extreme Conditions

One of the Monolith’s standout features is its ability to operate within a staggering temperature range of -184°F to 248°F.

Achieving this required groundbreaking engineering, including the integration of an insulating air pocket within the watch’s case.

This design innovation allows the Monolith to function flawlessly in environments that would cripple conventional watches.

Moreover, the Monolith’s resistance to outgassing—a crucial consideration in the enclosed space of a spacecraft—sets it apart.

By using materials that do not emit volatile organic compounds (VOCs), Barrelhand ensures that its watch does not contribute to air quality issues within the International Space Station.

This attention to detail underscores the company’s commitment to creating a truly space-worthy timepiece.

Embracing Innovation and Overcoming Challenges

Barrelhand’s pursuit of excellence in watchmaking extends beyond the technical aspects. By utilizing advanced 3D printing techniques, the company is challenging traditional notions of watch manufacturing.

The precision required to craft intricate components through 3D printing showcases the maturity of this technology and its potential to revolutionize the industry.

However, the journey to see the Monolith in space is not without its challenges. Navigating the complex bureaucratic landscape of NASA’s equipment submission process, while competing with Omega’s established presence, requires strategic perseverance.

Barrelhand’s grassroots approach, engaging directly with astronauts and scientists, highlights the company’s commitment to innovation and its determination to gain acceptance within the space community.

As Barrelhand continues to push the boundaries of what is possible in horology, it raises intriguing questions about the future of space exploration and watchmaking.

Will the Monolith become the new standard for space missions, or will established names continue to dominate the field? How will this new era of innovation impact the broader watch industry?

The answers may shape the course of timekeeping in space for years to come.

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