Science

Saudi Arabia, represented by the Saudi Space Agency (SSA) and King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), has launched the first biological samples of their kind from the Middle East to space as part of the BioGravity-1 mission aboard SpaceX CRS-35 to the International Space Station, with support from NASA, Saudi Press Agency reported. The launch is part of a long-term research program supporting scientific efforts against Alzheimer's disease and multiple sclerosis through three consecutive missions. The milestone strengthens the Kingdom's role in microgravity research and expands the use of space science and technology in health and life sciences research.

Registration is open for the 2026 NASA Space Apps Challenge, a two-day global event on Saturday, Nov. 14 and Sunday, Nov. 15, where teams work to create solutions inspired by NASA's most ambitious exploration goals and making use of the agency's free and open data. The annual challenge, often called a hackathon, is an intensive, collaborative problem-solving experience where participants tackle real-world challenges created by NASA subject matter experts. This year's Space Apps Challenge collectively supports three major focus areas: returning humans to the Moon, preparing for missions deeper into the solar system, and expanding understanding of the universe. Participants do not have to be programmers. Students, scientists, engineers, designers, storytellers, technologists, and space enthusiasts of all ages and experience levels can contribute their skills. "At NASA, science is for everyone, and we're inviting the next generation to help tackle some of humanity's most critical challenges in space through the NASA Space Apps Challenge," said Nicky Fox, associate administrator, Science Mission Directorate, NASA Headquarters in Washington.

NASA is accelerating the development of three SkyFall Mars helicopters, which are to depart for the Red Planet in 2028 aboard the Space Reactor-1 Freedom spacecraft. The vehicle, equipped with a nuclear power system, is expected to deliver a capsule containing the aircraft to Mars’ northern hemisphere in spring, when the risk of dust storms is lower, Space.com reports. Independent landingThe three identical helicopters are planned to be released into the Martian atmosphere at an altitude of approximately 1,000 meters. After separation, they are expected to deploy, descend and land on the planet’s surface independently. This deployment method does not involve a single-use lander or a rover carrier, as was the case with Ingenuity, which operated alongside Perseverance. SkyFall is being developed based on the experience of Ingenuity, which completed 72 flights in Jezero Crater, although it was initially designed for only five. The new vehicles will be slightly larger but will operate according to the same principle. They are being designed for six months of operation, with the goal of extending this to one Earth year. More current news is available on the UA.

A Great Dane may tower over a Chihuahua, but it’s the little dog that will probably celebrate far more birthdays. Some small breeds live nearly twice as long as their much larger cousins. It’s one of the great paradoxes of the animal kingdom: larger animals generally live longer than smaller animals when comparing different species. An elephant can outlive a mouse by decades, and some whales survive for nearly two centuries. However, larger animals die younger when comparing individuals within the same species.

Tracking invisible climate-warming gas from space used to be a long shot. That was until a team of scientists proved that orbit-based monitoring could work. In a study published on October 14 in Nature, researchers from the Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability conducted the largest controlled test of space-based methane monitoring ever. They timed 481 controlled methane releases in Casa Grande, Arizona, matching them with overpasses from 11 different satellites.

A University of Missouri astronomer is leading a team of 130 researchers from 62 institutions — including NASA, the California Institute of Technology, Princeton University and Harvard University — on an ambitious mission to capture an unprecedented view of the early universe. Haojing Yan, a professor of physics and astronomy in Mizzou’s College of Arts and Science, heads the international team behind the Roman eXtreme Deep Field (RXDF), a project that will use NASA’s newest flagship space observatory, the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope, to create one of the deepest and widest views of the early universe ever made.

Botteon et al.; Infrared: UKIDSS-GPS; Radio: ASTRON/LOFAR; Image processing: NASA/CXC/SAO/N. Astronomers have used NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory to break down the cause of a remarkable formation of radio waves they have nicknamed the "Treble Clef" because its distinct shape strongly resembles the musical symbol. The researchers discovered the Treble Clef is likely caused by an outburst from a supermassive black hole, followed by a collision of two galaxy clusters. A paper describing the findings, led by Andrea Botteon of the National Institute for Astrophysics, or INAF, in Italy, is published Wednesday in the Astronomy & Astrophysics journal.

Published: October 15, 2026 at 12:18p.m. EDTThe planet’s widest glacier is melting “more aggressively” than previously projected, meaning its impacts on global sea level rise could be double current estimates, according to new research by a team of glaciologists. Thwaites Glacier in West Antarctica — nicknamed the Doomsday Glacier because of the catastrophe its collapse would trigger — is a huge wildcard when it comes to forecasting global sea level rise. The Florida-sized glacier, which lies in one of the least accessible places on Earth, has been retreating for decades and its melting ice currently contributes around four per cent to global sea level rise. But the mechanisms behind its retreat are exceptionally complex, making it tricky to precisely map out its future. It’s a vital task, however, as Thwaites holds enough water to raise sea levels by more than two feet if it were to collapse. Because it also acts as a cork holding back the vast Antarctic ice sheet, it could ultimately lead to around 10 feet of sea level rise, devastating coastal communities from Miami to Manila.

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NASA astronaut Christina Koch is taking on a new role that will keep her in Earth's orbit, for now. Seven months after she made history by becoming the first woman to journey around the moon, Koch will become NASA's acting deputy chief engineer in November. The post will make her ineligible for future spaceflights, the agency announced Tuesday. Koch — an N. C. State University alumna who grew up in Jacksonville, N. C. — will helm NASA's engineering community by supporting "technical oversight, mission readiness, and engineering excellence" across the space agency's projects, according to a release. She takes the position as NASA sets its sights on establishing a permanent presence on the moon and bringing humans to Mars within the next decade. "Christina has seen NASA engineering from both sides of the equation: developing complex systems on the ground and trusting them with her life in space," NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman said.

Registration is open for the 2026 NASA Space Apps Challenge, a two-day global event on Saturday, Nov. 14 and Sunday, Nov. 15, where teams work to create solutions inspired by NASA’s most ambitious exploration goals and making use of the agency’s free and open data. The annual challenge, often called a hackathon, is an intensive, collaborative problem-solving experience where participants tackle real-world challenges created by NASA subject matter experts. This year’s Space Apps Challenge collectively supports three major focus areas: returning humans to the Moon, preparing for missions deeper into the solar system, and expanding understanding of the universe. Participants do not have to be programmers. Students, scientists, engineers, designers, storytellers, technologists, and space enthusiasts of all ages and experience levels can contribute their skills. "At NASA, science is for everyone, and we’re inviting the next generation to help tackle some of humanity’s most critical challenges in space through the NASA Space Apps Challenge,” said Nicky Fox, associate administrator, Science Mission Directorate, NASA Headquarters in Washington.

TORONTO - Canadian artificial intelligence firm Cohere says it has signed a letter of intent to purchase a cybersecurity business.

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"Just like here on Earth, Mars helicopters can cover distance quickly and can go places that might be impossible to reach by ground."