Artificial Intelligence

IBM, NASA and Oak Ridge develop a new AI foundation model for weather

The foundation artificial intelligence model will handle specific meteorological data to offer improved accuracy in weather patterns and forecasting.

Modernization

Space missions rely on private sector engagement, NASA official says

The space agency needs to work more closely with its commercial providers to meet critical flight requirements.

Emerging Tech

NASA’s astronauts return after a year living on simulated Mars

Everything about the mission was conducted to simulate an actual Martian environment.

Acquisition

Lockheed Martin tapped to develop NOAA’s new series of weather satellites

Lockheed Martin won a contract to build three satellites for NOAA’s Geostationary Extended Observations program, with the option to develop an additional four spacecraft, under a $2.27 billion award announced on Tuesday.

Acquisition

CACI wins $2B NASA IT centralization job

The space agency is looking to standardize and consolidate how it manages IT systems and applications.

Ideas

NASA’s asteroid sample mission gave scientists around the world the rare opportunity to study an artificial meteor

While very small meteoroids are common, larger ones – bigger than a dishwasher – are not.

Artificial Intelligence

NASA is working to onboard AI tools

The space agency is testing a generative AI capability that officials expect to go live this summer with approvals to use sensitive internal data.

People

NASA names first head of AI

David Salvagnini will take on new roles as the agency’s chief AI officer, helping usher more cohesive AI programming across the space agency.

Cybersecurity

NASA doesn't know if its spacecraft have adequate cyber defenses, GAO warns

The agency encourages its spacecraft programs to use an optional best practices guide when it comes to implementing cybersecurity requirements.

Modernization

NASA’s long-term missions could be hurt by budget caps, lawmakers warn

House Science Chairman Frank Lucas R-Okla., said Congress needs to provide NASA with “sufficient support” to carry out its work.

Emerging Tech

Bipartisan bill seeks to grow NASA program using drones to fight wildfires

New legislation attempts to improve NASA’s Advanced Capabilities for Emergency Response to Operations program so firefighters can more effectively use drones.

Digital Government

NASA delivers Voyager software update across 15 billion miles of space

Scientists and engineers with the space agency were able to successfully repair an issue in one of the probe’s onboard computers from over 15 billion miles away.

Digital Government

NASA releases first official scientifically focused tabletop roleplaying adventure

The module’s creator wanted to build a role-playing adventure that blended traditional gaming elements with the kinds of science and education that NASA projects are well-known for having.

Emerging Tech

Lawmaker seeks to give NASA funding flexibility on interagency research efforts

Legislation from Rep. Eric Sorensen, D-Ill., would allow agencies to transfer funding to NASA to jointly partner on scientific or engineering projects.

Modernization

NASA needs to refocus on supercomputing to keep pace in space, watchdog says

The space agency “needs a renewed commitment and sustained leadership attention” to enhance its overburdened and vulnerable high-end computing assets.

Cybersecurity

Proposed contractor cyber reporting rule sets a ‘significantly problematic’ bar, industry groups say

The groups, which represent tech and cybersecurity companies sometimes contracted by the government, say the proposals are too rigorous and inconsistent.

Artificial Intelligence

Agencies have over 1,200 AI uses planned or in operation, watchdog finds

The massive GAO report found that some agencies — like NASA and the Department of Commerce — have made major investments in artificial intelligence, while others struggled to meet federal requirements.

Ideas

Driving innovation from the middle

COMMENTARY | NASA's Jennifer Elkins is an example of how senior civil servants can affect change in large organizations.

Emerging Tech

NASA celebrates winners of second MarsXR virtual reality astronaut training competition

Most of the winning scenarios enabled players to be scored like in a video game based on their crew’s effectiveness in completing each challenge.

Emerging Tech

NASA probes quantum tech for sensing applications

NASA Deputy Administrator Pam Melroy said the space agency is leveraging quantum-based technologies, like sensing, to better study space and climate change.