Ames Research Center

NASA’s Quesst Mission Marks X-59’s Historic First Flight – NASA

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NASA’s Quesst Mission Marks X-59’s Historic First Flight – NASA

NASA’s X-59 quiet supersonic research aircraft took off for its historic first flight on Oct. 28 at 11:14 a.m. EDT from Lockheed Martin Skunk Works in Palmdale, California. The one-of-a-kind aircraft flew for 67 minutes before landing and taxiing to NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California. NASA test pilot Nils Larson flew the … Read more

NASA, Industry Weave Data Fabric with Artificial Intelligence – NASA

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NASA, Industry Weave Data Fabric with Artificial Intelligence – NASA

One of the biggest goals for companies in the field of artificial intelligence is developing “agentic” or autonomous systems. These metaphorical agents can perform tasks without a guiding human hand. This parallels the goals of the emerging urban air mobility industry, which hopes to bring autonomous flying vehicles to cities around the world. One company … Read more

NASA’s Astrobee Robots Advance Through Strategic Partnership – NASA

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NASA’s Astrobee Robots Advance Through Strategic Partnership – NASA

NASA is continuing the Astrobee mission through a collaboration with Arkisys, Inc., of Los Alamitos, California, who was awarded a reimbursable Space Act Agreement to sustain and maintain the robotic platform aboard the International Space Station. As the agency returns astronauts to the Moon, robotic helpers like Astrobee could one day take over routine maintenance … Read more

NASA Selects Blue Origin to Deliver VIPER Rover to Moon’s South Pole – NASA

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NASA Selects Blue Origin to Deliver VIPER Rover to Moon’s South Pole – NASA

As part of the agency’s Artemis campaign, NASA has awarded Blue Origin of Kent, Washington, a CLPS (Commercial Lunar Payload Services) task order with an option to deliver a rover to the Moon’s South Pole region. NASA’s VIPER (Volatiles Investigating Polar Exploration Rover) will search for volatile resources, such as ice, on the lunar surface … Read more

From Supercomputers to Wind Tunnels: NASA’s Road to Artemis II – NASA

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From Supercomputers to Wind Tunnels: NASA’s Road to Artemis II – NASA

Of the many roads leading to successful Artemis missions, one is paved with high-tech computing chips called superchips. Along the way, a partnership between NASA wind tunnel engineers, data visualization scientists, and software developers verified a quick, cost-effective solution to improve NASA’s SLS (Space Launch System) rocket for the upcoming Artemis II mission. This will … Read more

NASA, Partners Push Forward with Remotely Piloted Airspace Integration  – NASA

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NASA, Partners Push Forward with Remotely Piloted Airspace Integration  – NASA

NASA and its partners recently tested a tool for remotely piloted operations that could enable operators to transport people and goods more efficiently within urban areas.   The team’s goal is to ensure that when these remotely piloted aircraft – including electric vertical takeoff and landing vehicles (eVTOLs) – take to the skies, air traffic controllers … Read more

NASA Makes Webby 30s List of Most Iconic, Influential on Internet – NASA

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NASA Makes Webby 30s List of Most Iconic, Influential on Internet – NASA

NASA has earned a spot on The Webby 30, a curated list celebrating 30 companies and organizations that have shaped the digital landscape. “This honor reflects the talent of NASA’s communications professionals who bring our story to life,” said Will Boyington, associate administrator for the Office of Communications at NASA Headquarters in Washington. “Being recognized … Read more

NASA’s X-59 Moves Toward First Flight at Speed of Safety – NASA

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NASA’s X-59 Moves Toward First Flight at Speed of Safety – NASA

As NASA’s one-of-a-kind X-59 quiet supersonic research aircraft approaches first flight, its team is mapping every step from taxi and takeoff to cruising and landing – and their decision-making is guided by safety. First flight will be a lower-altitude loop at about 240 mph to check system integration, kicking off a phase of flight testing … Read more

NASA, War Department Partnership Tests Boundaries of Autonomous Drone Operations – NASA

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NASA, War Department Partnership Tests Boundaries of Autonomous Drone Operations – NASA

Through an ongoing collaboration, NASA and the Department of War are working to advance the future of modern drones to support long distance cargo transportation that could increase efficiency, reduce human workload, and enhance safety.   Researchers from NASA’s Ames Research Center in California’s Silicon Valley recently participated in a live flight demonstration showcasing how … Read more

NASA’s X-59 Nears First Flight – NASA

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NASA’s X-59 Nears First Flight – NASA

As we honor the legacy of aviation pioneers this National Aviation Day, NASA’s X-59 is preparing to push the boundaries of what’s possible in air travel. The quiet supersonic aircraft’s historic first flight is on the horizon, with final ground tests about to begin. Following completion of low-speed taxi tests in July 2025 in Palmdale, … Read more