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Station Nation: Erin Edwards, Deputy Branch Chief for Crew Operations and Capsule Communicator 

2026-02-04 19:52

As a member of the Crew Operations Office, Erin Edwards and her team manage astronaut candidate training schedules, including field medical exercises, land survival, and underwater operations at NASA’s Neutral Buoyancy Laboratory in Houston. She also develops and tests new training programs to keep crews mission-ready.  

Along with her role as a crew operations officer, Edwards works in the International Space Station Mission Control Center as a capsule communicator, or capcom, and instructor. As a capcom, she must be fluent in the language of the spacecraft and its operations to clearly relay important information to the crew, especially during dynamic operations. 

Read on to learn about Edwards’ career with NASA and more! 

A woman at a desk with a headset on smiles and looks up.
Erin Edwards serves as a capsule communicator, or capcom, in the International Space Station Mission Control Center in Houston.
NASA/James Blair

Where are you from? 

Port Moody, British Columbia, Canada. 

How long have you been working for NASA? 

I’ve been at NASA for two years. My term here with the military is three years. 

What was your path to NASA? 

Super random! I’m a Canadian military pilot, previously working in the Canadian Special Operations Forces Command as an aircraft commander on the CH-146 Griffon. While we use a lot of space-based assets in aviation, the leap to human spaceflight was unexpected.  

An opportunity for an officer to work in the astronaut office as a capcom arose a few years ago. As a lifelong space nerd, I figured it would be an amazing opportunity. I applied and was interviewed, and before long, was posted to NASA’s Johnson Space Center as the first Canadian non-astronaut to be posted as a capcom and later as an operations officer. 

How would you describe your job to family or friends that may not be familiar with NASA? 

My team and I organize the unassigned crew and astronaut candidates’ work lives! As a capcom, I help translate what the engineers are saying in the flight control room for the astronauts aboard the station, and I help with the station activities as call sign Houston. More recently I’ve been assigned as the TH57 Helicopter Project Pilot at AOD to help get that fleet integrated for more lunar-focused Space Flight Readiness Training. 

What advice would you give to young individuals aspiring to work in the space industry or at NASA? 

Just go for it! You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take, as Wayne Gretzky said. My background as a military helicopter pilot, Navy diver, and mining engineer may appear to have no relevance to NASA, but that diverse experience has turned out to be useful here as an operations officer for astronaut training. I wouldn’t have known that if I hadn’t thrown my hat in the ring. No matter your technical background, there’s probably a place for it in spaceflight. Your experience has unique ways of benefiting such complex, multifaceted programs like spaceflight—so give it a shot! 

Is there a space figure you’ve looked up to or someone that inspires you?  

Spaceflight isn't something we can do on our own, there are many integrated teams comprised of many different types of people all pulling together to make the impossible happen.

Erin Edwards

Erin Edwards

Deputy Branch Chief for Crew Operations and Capsule Communicator

Honestly, there isn’t a single person, but I think what NASA and my own country’s space program, like others, have committed themselves to as a giant team is what has inspired me over the years. I think I was inspired by that, the mission, and the culture of a united effort of so many to do hard things. 

What is your favorite NASA memory or the most meaningful project you’ve worked on during your time with NASA? 

There are two! After only a few months at NASA, I was told by my soon-to-be boss, James ‘Vegas’ Kelly, that I was selected to take over NASA astronaut Jonny Kim’s operations job. This was a huge vote of confidence for me as a new team member from Canada. The second was sending my first transmission to the station as a qualified capcom, which was incredibly cool. I am just a big nerd from a small town in Canada, and never in a million years did I think I would be at NASA at that console, so it was a little mind blowing. 

A person in a dive suit holds a Canadian flag underwater.
Erin Edwards during diving operations at NASA’s Neutral Buoyancy Laboratory in front of the Canadarm2 mock-up.
NASA/Tess Caswell

What do you love sharing about station? 

Everyone is playing their part to accomplish important science and experiments that we can't do anywhere else. 

Erin Edwards

Erin Edwards

Deputy Branch Chief for Crew Operations and Capsule Communicator

People always seem surprised at how big the teams are that support the station and how collaborative of an effort it is. It stretches across disciplines, centers, and even countries. That information is critical for solving problems here on Earth. 

November 2, 2025, marked 25 years of continuous human presence. What does this milestone mean to you? 

A quarter century of science and partnership aboard the orbital laboratory is a testament to what we can do as a global society when we really want to. To me personally, being able to be here with people who have worked in space or help train the people going next is such a full circle situation. I dreamed of working on a team like this, and it happened 20 years later. That opportunity to fulfill a dream and represent Canada as part of the ISS program means a lot to me! 

If you could have dinner with any astronaut, past or present, who would it be? 

I was never able to meet Sally Ride. I think I would have loved to ask her some questions and hear her story in person. 

Do you have a favorite space-related memory or moment that stands out to you? 

Dr. Robert Thirsk, a Canadian astronaut, spoke to my elementary school in 1996, which he had attended years earlier. I was in sixth grade, and it was a formative interaction. Hearing him talk so passionately about his shuttle mission and life with his team aboard the orbiter was absolutely lifechanging. I didn’t know how I was going to do it, but I decided then that I wanted to work in space. That set my course for life. I’ll likely never get to space, but I got pretty close, and it is really something to pursue a goal like that for so long and have it work out, almost 

What are some of the key projects you have worked on during your time at NASA? What have been your favorite? 

Being able to put my operational helicopter background to use in helping to build the helicopter flight program here has been a really cool and unexpected opportunity! I happened to be the right person at the right time with the right skill set to make a difference in that aspect of training. I’m proud of that. 

Erin Edwards pictured in her role as a Royal Canadian Air Force helicopter pilot, where she built skills that she leverages in her work at NASA.
Canadian Armed Forces/Erin Edwards

What are your hobbies/things you enjoy doing outside of work? 

I’m in my forties, but still really like playing contact rugby, which is such a fun sport. Between the tactics, teamwork, bashing into people on the pitch, and a cheeky beer after a game, it’s a great way to spend a weekend. I run a lot and, when I can, climb â€“ any kind of climbing, sport, bouldering, trad, ice climbing. All of it! 

Day launch or night launch? 

Night launch! 

Favorite space movie? 

Apollo 13. Obviously. 

NASA Worm or Meatball logo? 

Meatball! 

The NASA Meatball logo

NASA and its partners have supported humans continuously living and working in space since November 2000. After 25 years of continuous human presence, the space station remains a training and proving ground for the future of commercial space stations, deep space missions, enabling NASA’s Artemis campaign, lunar exploration, and future Mars missions. 

Every day, we are conducting exciting research aboard our orbiting laboratory that will help us explore farther into space and bring benefits back to people on Earth. You can keep up with the latest news, videos, and pictures about space station science on the Station Research & Technology news page. It is a curated hub of space station research digital media from Johnson and other centers and space agencies.  

Sign up for our weekly email newsletter to get the updates delivered directly to you.  

Follow updates on social media at @Space_Station on X, and on the space station accounts on Facebook and Instagram.  

TB 26-01 Evaluation of Adhesive and Solvent Alternatives for Polymeric Bonding Applications

2026-02-04 18:09

The NASA Engineering and Safety Center (NESC) conducted a technical assessment to evaluate alternatives to dichloromethane, traditionally used for bonding transparent polymeric materials. This effort was initiated in response to potential regulatory restrictions under the EPA Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), which could impact critical bonding processes used in spaceflight hardware and experimental systems.

Download PDF: Evaluation of Adhesive and Solvent Alternatives for PolymericBonding Applications

ARMD Research Solicitations (Updated Feb. 4)

2026-02-04 18:00

8 min read

Preparations for Next Moonwalk Simulations Underway (and Underwater)

A graphic showing various airplanes over a sun-drenched New York City skyline. with the words "Aeronautics Research Opportunities" overlaid on top.
NASA / Lillian Gipson/Getty Images

THIS PAGE WAS UPDATED ON FEBRUARY 4, 2026

This Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate (ARMD) solicitations page compiles the opportunities to collaborate with NASA’s aeronautical innovators and/or contribute to their research to enable new and improved air transportation systems.

Most opportunities to participate in research are officially announced through the Web-based NASA Solicitation and Proposal Integrated Review and Evaluation System, better known as NSPIRES. You are encouraged to visit the NSPIRES web site, create an account, and sign up for automated email announcements.

Other types of collaborative opportunities, such as those involving Requests for Information or academic research contests, also are included on this page.

This ARMD Solicitations page has four major sections:

Upcoming Key Dates

March 20, 2026
NASA Aerospace Skilled Technical Workforce Hubs Proposal deadline.

Currently Open Solicitations

Students visit the Glenn Manufacturing Facility and learn about careers in the manufacturing fields with a focus and interest in science, technology, engineering, and math.
High school students visit the Glenn Research Center Manufacturing Facility and learn about careers in the STEM manufacturing field.
NASA/Marvin Smith

FY26 NASA Aerospace Skilled Technical Workforce Hubs (NAS_Hub)

This opportunity seeks proposals to establish state or regionally focused Skilled Technical Workforce Hubs (NAS_Hubs) that will serve as strategic centers for developing and sustaining a skilled technical workforce aligned with aerospace industry and NASA mission needs. The NAS_Hub Notice of Funding Opportunity has been released and may be found in NASA’s Solicitation and Proposal Integrated Review and Evaluation System (NSPIRES) on the NAS_Hub landing page.

Key Dates

  • Pre-Proposal Webinar: February 18, 2026, 2:00 to 3:00 p.m. ET
  • Office Hours Session: March 3, 2026, 2:00 to 3:00 p.m. ET
  • Proposal Deadline: March 20, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. ET
  • Anticipated Award Notification: June 2026

About the Opportunity

The rapid expansion of the space economy and renewed national priorities in human space exploration have created an urgent demand for a robust skilled technical workforce—individuals in critical science- and engineering-based roles who do not require a bachelor’s degree. To address nationwide shortages and ensure U.S. competitiveness in aerospace and defense, NASA’s Office of STEM Engagement is launching the NASA Aerospace Skilled Technical Workforce Hubs (NAS_Hub) initiative.

Through this notice NASA seeks lead organizations to establish hubs that:

  • Collaborate with aerospace employers to align education and training with industry-defined workforce needs.
  • Partner with community colleges and high school Career and Technical Education programs to deliver hands-on, industry-aligned learning experiences.
  • Coordinate with state or regional workforce development system.
  • Build clear and sustainable employment pathways into high-demand aerospace technical careers.

NAS_Hubs will serve as focal points for aligning education, workforce, industry, and government partners to accelerate workforce readiness over a three-year period of performance.

Eligibility

Eligible applicants include:

  • State, county, city, township, special district, and tribal governments
  • Public and private institutions of higher education
  • Nonprofit organizations
  • For-profit organizations and small businesses

Proposals must include partnerships with, at a minimum:

  • Three aerospace industry collaborators supporting NASA’s work
  • Community college career and technical education program
  • High school career and technical education program
  • State or regional workforce development system
  • NASA Center or other NASA facility

Award Information

  • Maximum Annual Award: $500,000
  • Maximum Total Award: $1,500,000 over three years
  • Cost Sharing: Not required

How to Apply

Proposals must be submitted electronically via NSPIRES. Registration in NSPIRES and an active SAM.gov registration are required.

Pre-Proposal Webinar and Technical Assistance

NASA will host an interactive pre-proposal webinar for the NAS_Hub opportunity on Feb. 18, 2026, from 2:00 to 3:00 p.m. ET. This session will provide an in-depth overview of this funding opportunity, including program goals, eligibility requirements, proposal preparation guidance, and submission tips. Proposers will also have the opportunity to receive technical assistance and clarification from NASA staff. Prior to attending a webinar, proposers are strongly encouraged to review the full NAS_Hub notice and to check the NAS_Hub landing page in NSPIRES regularly for updates and additional guidance.

Please note that registration is required for the webinar. Connection details will be provided upon completion of registration. Webinar dates, times, registration links, and connection information will be posted on the NAS_Hub landing page in NSPIRES, which also will feature recordings and presentation materials from the webinar after the event for those unable to attend.

Office Hours Session

March 3, 2026, 2:00 to 3:00 p.m. ET

Last opportunity for questions prior to the proposal deadline. Join the office hours session here.

Contact Information

For technical assistance with NSPIRES
NSPIRES Help Desk available Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–6:00 PM ET
(202) 479-9376
nspires-help@nasaprs.com 

Program Contact

Maria Arredondo
Next Gen STEM Program Manager
NASA Office of STEM Engagement
Mary W. Jackson NASA Headquarters

Email: NAS_Hub@nasaprs.com

Four people in blue shirts holding a certificate pose in front of a white wall with logos.
The Project F.I.R.E. team receives their “Future Game-Changer” award during the 2024 Gateways to Blue Skies forum held at NASA’s Ames Research Center in California. Gateways to Blue Skies is one of several Aeronautics Innovation Challenges open to the academic community.
NASA / Brandon Torres

Aeronautics Innovation Challenges – OPEN

NASA’s nationwide team of aeronautical innovators are committed to giving students of all ages opportunities to solve some of the biggest technical challenges facing the aviation community today. Through NASA-sponsored challenges and competitions, students representing multiple disciplines will put their skills to work by designing and building solutions to real-world problems.

Currently Closed Solicitations

Advanced Capabilities for Emergency Response Operations RFI – CLOSED

View the full ACERO RFI announcement here.

NASA’s Advanced Capabilities for Emergency Response Operations (ACERO) project used this request for information to identify technologies that addressed current challenges facing the wildland firefighting community. NASA was seeking information on data collection, airborne connectivity and communications solutions, unmanned aircraft systems traffic management, aircraft operations and autonomy, and more. This would support development of a partnership strategy for future collaborative demonstrations.

Interested parties were requested to respond to this notice with an information package submitted via https://nari.arc.nasa.gov/acero-rfi no later than 4 pm ET, October 15, 2023. Submissions were accepted only from U.S. companies.

Advanced Air Mobility Mission RFI – CLOSED

View the full AAM RFI announcement here.

This request for information is being used to gather market research for NASA to make informed decisions regarding potential partnership strategies and future research to enable Advanced Air Mobility (AAM). NASA is seeking information from public, private, and academic organizations to determine technical needs and community interests that may lead to future solicitations regarding AAM research and development.

This particular RFI is just one avenue of multiple planned opportunities for formal feedback on or participation in NASA’s AAM Mission-related efforts to develop these requirements and help enable AAM. 

The respond by date for this RFI closed on Feb. 1, 2025, at 6 p.m. EST.

ROA-2025 NRA Amendment 1 – CLOSED

Advanced Air Vehicles Program Fellowship Opportunities

(View the full ROA-2025 NRA Amendment 1 text here.)

This announcement solicits proposals from accredited U.S. institutions for research training grants to begin the academic year. This Notice of Funding Opportunity is designed to support independently conceived research projects by highly qualified graduate students in disciplines needed to help advance NASA’s mission, thus affording these students the opportunity to directly contribute to advancements in STEM-related areas of study. These opportunities are focused on innovation and the generation of measurable research results that contribute to NASA’s current and future science and technology goals.

Research proposals are sought to address the key challenges summarized in the Elements section at the end of the Amendment 1 document, and which reference NASA’s Hypersonic Technology project.

Reflecting the Fiscal Year 2026 budget changes, the Transformational Tools & Technologies project opportunities originally described in this announcement were cancelled. Proposals citing this project will not be evaluated.

Notices of Intent are not required.

A budget breakdown for each proposal is required, detailing the allocation of the award funds by year. The budget document may adhere to any format or template provided by the applicant’s institution. Two pre-proposal teleconferences for potential proposers will be held and meeting links will be posted on NSPIRES.

Proposals were due by 5 p.m. EDT on June 11, 2025.

NASA Research Opportunities in Aeronautics

Competition for NRA awards is open to both academia and industry.

The current open solicitations for ARMD Research Opportunities are ROA-2024 and ROA-2025.

Here is some general information to know about the NRA process.

  • NRA solicitations are released by NASA Headquarters through the Web-based NASA Solicitation and Proposal Integrated Review and Evaluation System (NSPIRES).
  • All NRA technical work is defined and managed by project teams within these four programs: Advanced Air Vehicles ProgramAirspace Operations and Safety Program, Integrated Aviation Systems Program, and Transformative Aeronautics Concepts Program.
  • NRA awards originate from NASA’s Langley Research Center in Virginia, Ames Research Center in California, Glenn Research Center in Cleveland, and Armstrong Flight Research Center in California.
  • Competition for NRA awards is full and open.
  • Participation is open to all categories of organizations, including educational institutions, industry, and nonprofits.
  • Any updates or amendments to an NRA is posted on the appropriate NSPIRES web pages as noted in the Amendments detailed below.
  • ARMD sends notifications of NRA updates through the NSPIRES email system. In order to receive these email notifications, you must be a Registered User of NSPIRES. However, note that NASA is not responsible for inadvertently failing to provide notification of a future NRA. Parties are responsible for regularly checking the NSPIRES website for updated NRAs.
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Last Updated
Feb 04, 2026
Editor
Jim Banke
Contact
NASA Armstrong Contributions Propel Artemis, Deep Space Innovation

2026-02-04 16:57

5 min read

Preparations for Next Moonwalk Simulations Underway (and Underwater)

NASA is leveraging expertise, capabilities, and partnerships across its centers to make Artemis campaign and deep space exploration safer, more reliable, and efficient. At NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California, contributions include technical leadership, unique flight-testing capabilities, and management of a key technology program that advances critical exploration concepts.

Artemis II is an upcoming challenging test flight, and the lessons learned will directly prepare NASA to return humans to the surface of the Moon on Artemis III and beyond, as well as send the first astronauts – Americans – to Mars.

Gulfstream G-III aircraft collects heat shield data

An aircraft lifts off from a runway into a blue sky.
A NASA Gulfstream G-III aircraft lifts off from NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California, on Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2026. Modifications were made to the aircraft to enable it to join three others flying at different altitudes to capture a complete view of the Orion spacecraft’s heat shield during Artemis II reentry. This effort is part of NASA’s Scientifically Calibrated In-Flight Imagery project.
NASA/Carla Thomas

As preparations continue for the Artemis II launch, NASA Armstrong technicians modified a Gulfstream G-III to collect heat shield data during Orion’s reentry. As part of NASA’s Scientifically Calibrated In-Flight Imagery, the G-III will join other aircraft to capture Orion’s thermal protection data.

“Before the Artemis II mission begins, the aircraft will complete a dress rehearsal over the Pacific Ocean to verify the airborne system performance,” said Robert Navarro, NASA Armstrong support aircraft fleet project manager.

Technicians at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston installed sensors and special windows for the imagery mission with assistance from NASA Armstrong technicians.

Measuring Orion’s reentry heat

Technicians at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida meticulously applied more than 180 blocks of ablative material
Inside the Neil Armstrong Operations and Checkout Building high bay at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, from left, technicians Kenny Leidner, Diamond ScharSenstine, Russ Novak and Darlene Beville with ASRC Federal, inspect AVOCAT block bonding on the Artemis II heat shield on July 2, 2020. The heat shield is one of the most critical elements of Orion and will protect the capsule and astronauts during reentry through Earth’s atmosphere. Artemis II is the first crewed mission in a series of missions to the Moon and on to Mars. Artemis II will confirm all of the Orion spacecraft’s systems operate as designed in the actual environment of deep space with astronauts aboard.
NASA/Isaac Watson

NASA Armstrong also assists with the Orion heat shield spectrometer system for Artemis II. The system is designed to collect shock layer radiation data from the heat shield during atmospheric entry, data that will be used to enhance astronaut safety.

NASA Armstrong’s expertise in integrating technologies, high reliability flight test instrumentation, and flight operations are a match for some Artemis and deep space projects.

“There is nothing that can go to space or come back without going through the atmosphere, so our mission of atmospheric flight research and test is very relevant,” said Brad Flick, NASA Armstrong center director. “We specialize in testing technologies and working through the challenges of flight.”

Testing Orion’s launch abort system

Crane Positions the Orion PA-1 Abort Flight Test Module for Mass Properties Testing
Under the watchful eyes of technicians, a crane positions the Orion Pad Abort-1 Abort Flight Test module for mass properties testing in the Flight Loads Laboratory at NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California.
NASA/Tony Landis
A large number of people stand in front of a mock crew capsule inside an aircraft hangar.
Teamwork was on full display at NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California, on Aug. 13, 2009, as engineers and technicians prepared the Pad Abort-1 vehicle – the Orion launch abort system development test article. After assembly and integration, the mock crew capsule was transported to the U.S. Army’s White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico where it successfully completed its test on May 6, 2010.
NASA/Tony Landis

NASA Armstrong demonstrated that approach when it tested a system to enable Artemis astronauts to escape harm in the event of an emergency on the ground, or in the boost phase of the Orion spacecraft.

“We proved the system could get the astronauts to safety,” said Cathy Bahm, project manager for NASA’s Low Boom Flight Demonstrator. Earlier in her career, she played key roles in engineering, integration, and management for Pad Abort-1 and Ascent Abort-2 that validated the Orion spacecraft’s launch abort system.

Armstrong integrated and tested the capsule and abort system and operations at the launch abort pad at White Sands Test Facility in New Mexico for the Pad Abort-1 test.

“Hopefully we’ll never need it, but knowing I contributed to the safety of future astronauts is a highlight of my career,” Bahm said. “Looking back on it, it was a tremendous accomplishment for the center, the team, and a contribution to the future of space travel.”

Flight Opportunities program advances space tech

A NASA F/A-18 high-performance jet flies a mission.
A NASA F/A-18 research aircraft flies near NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California, on Feb. 24, 2025, testing a commercial precision landing technology for future space missions. The Psionic Space Navigation Doppler Lidar (PSNDL) system is installed in a pod located under the right wing of the aircraft.
NASA

Another contributor to future space travel is the Flight Opportunities program, which matures capabilities needed for NASA missions and commercial applications while strategically investing in the growth of the U.S. commercial spaceflight industry. NASA Armstrong manages the program, which supports flight testing of promising technologies, instruments, and experiments aboard commercial vehicles. Part of the agency’s Space Technology Mission Directorate, the program identifies the best ideas – from industry, academia, and NASA researchers – for flight testing.

Flight Opportunities advanced precision landing and optical communications technologies for future lunar missions.

“Landing safely in shadowed lunar regions is critical,” said Greg Peters, Flight Opportunities program manager.

Another deep space technology Flight Opportunities supported was a vibration isolation platform that helped provide extremely precise pointing for the Deep Space Optical Communications technology demonstration. That instrument used lasers to transmit data between Earth and the Psyche spacecraft from more than 215 million miles away, which could benefit future missions to Mars.

NASA Armstrong tested Doppler Lidar system navigation on an F/A-18 to prepare for Moon and Mars missions.

Contributions to Artemis, deep space exploration

April Torres and Angelo De La Rosa remove wire harnesses for signal input for the Orion AA-2 vehicle.
April Torres and Angelo De La Rosa remove wire harnesses for signal input for the Orion Ascent Abort-2 vehicle from electrostatic discharge protective covers at NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center in California.
NASA/Lauren Hughes

NASA Armstrong’s work supporting Artemis and future deep space exploration missions also includes:

  • A NASA F/A-18 based at NASA Armstrong tested an autopilot for the SLS (Space Launch System) that proved sensors would work at the trajectory needed for landing on Mars.
  • NASA Armstrong researchers developed a cryogenic FOSS, called CryoFOSS, to support future deep space missions. CryoFOSS was used during testing of a system designed to liquefy oxygen – as it would on the Moon or Mars – for use as return-trip fuel. By producing fuel on-site, missions could avoid carrying return fuel from Earth, significantly reducing launch weight and overall mission cost.

Under the Artemis campaign, NASA is returning humans to the Moon for economic benefits, scientific discovery, and to prepare for crewed missions to Mars.

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Last Updated
Feb 04, 2026
Editor
Dede Dinius
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NASA Heat Shield Tech Contributes to America’s Space Industry

2026-02-04 16:23

An orange and white streak cuts diagonally through a cloudy sky and down to Earth in the distance. The clouds have an unusual, rippling, wave-like pattern.
Varda Space Industries/William Godward

This Jan. 29, 2026, photo captures the streak the Varda Space Industries W-5 capsule made while returning to Earth. The capsule uses a protective heat shield Varda produced made of cutting-edge material it licensed from NASA. The material, known as C-PICA (Conformal Phenolic Impregnated Carbon Ablator), provides a stronger, less expensive, and more efficient thermal protection coating to capsules, allowing them – and their valuable contents – to return to Earth safely.

Developed at NASA’s Ames Research Center in California’s Silicon Valley, C-PICA sets the standard for heat shields, reflecting the decades of expertise that NASA brings to designing, developing, and testing innovative thermal protection materials. This flight test of Varda-produced C-PICA was supported by NASA’s Flight Opportunities program.

Image credit: Varda Space Industries/William Godward

TechCrunch - Latest

A16z just raised $1.7B for AI infrastructure. Here’s where it’s going.

2026-02-04 20:24

Andreessen Horowitz just raised a whopping â new $15 billion in funding⁠. And a $1.7 billion chunk of that is going to its â infrastructure team⁠, the one responsible for some of its biggest, most prominent AI investments including Black Forrest Labs, Cursor, OpenAI, â ElevenLabs⁠, Ideogram, â Fal⁠ and dozens of others.   A16z â general partner with the infra team Jennifer Li⁠ (who oversees such investments as ElevenLabs â€“ just valued at $11 billion); Ideagram and Fal, has a clear thesis on where the team is looking […]
Tinder looks to AI to help fight ‘swipe fatigue’ and dating app burnout

2026-02-04 18:08

Tinder is testing AI recommendations and insight from your Camera Roll for better matches.
Lunar Energy raises $232M to deploy home batteries that prop up the grid

2026-02-04 17:56

The startup has raised more than $500 million, to date, from investors to build a massive, distributed power plant supported by residential batteries.
Hackers publish personal information stolen during Harvard, UPenn data breaches

2026-02-04 17:56

The prolific cybercrime group ShinyHunters took responsibility for hacking Harvard and the University of Pennsylvania, and published the stolen data on its extortion website.
Roblox’s 4D creation feature is now available in open beta

2026-02-04 17:00

Roblox's highly anticipated 4D creation feature has officially arrived in open beta.
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With the increase in awareness surrounding gender equality and women's rights, the importance of acknowledging and addressing wives' matters has become a trending topic in recent years. Wives play a crucial role in families and society, yet their needs and challenges are often overlooked or brushed aside. It is essential to recognize that wives have their own set of concerns, aspirations, and struggles that deserve attention and support.

With the increase in awareness surrounding gender equality and women's rights, the importance of acknowledging and addressing wives' matters has become a trending topic in recent years. Wives play a crucial role in families and society, yet their needs and challenges are often overlooked or brushed aside. It is essential to recognize that wives have their own set of concerns, aspirations, and struggles that deserve attention and support.

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3 months ago Category :
Wholesale Products Trends in 2021: What to Watch Out For

Wholesale Products Trends in 2021: What to Watch Out For

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3 months ago Category :
The Latest Weight Loss Diet Trends: What's Hot in 2022

The Latest Weight Loss Diet Trends: What's Hot in 2022

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2 years ago
Les sports nautiques gagnent en popularité, et pour profiter pleinement de ces activités, il est essentiel de disposer de l'équipement adéquat. Que vous pratiquiez le kayak, le paddle, la planche à voile ou le ski nautique, il existe une large gamme de gadgets et de produits innovants pour améliorer votre expérience en plein air.

Les sports nautiques gagnent en popularité, et pour profiter pleinement de ces activités, il est essentiel de disposer de l'équipement adéquat. Que vous pratiquiez le kayak, le paddle, la planche à voile ou le ski nautique, il existe une large gamme de gadgets et de produits innovants pour améliorer votre expérience en plein air.

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2 years ago
Les beaux jours arrivent et avec eux, l'envie de sortir son vélo pour profiter de l'air frais et du beau temps. Pour être parfaitement équipé pour vos balades à vélo, il est essentiel de disposer des accessoires de cyclisme les plus tendance du moment. Découvrons ensemble les accessoires incontournables pour les amateurs de vélo en cette saison.

Les beaux jours arrivent et avec eux, l'envie de sortir son vélo pour profiter de l'air frais et du beau temps. Pour être parfaitement équipé pour vos balades à vélo, il est essentiel de disposer des accessoires de cyclisme les plus tendance du moment. Découvrons ensemble les accessoires incontournables pour les amateurs de vélo en cette saison.

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2 years ago
Les amateurs de pêche sont toujours à la recherche des derniers équipements pour améliorer leur expérience en plein air. Que vous soyez un pêcheur débutant ou expérimenté, il est essentiel d'avoir le bon équipement pour tirer le meilleur parti de vos sorties de pêche. Aujourd'hui, nous allons explorer les tendances en matière d'équipement de pêche pour vous aider à choisir les meilleurs produits pour vos besoins.

Les amateurs de pêche sont toujours à la recherche des derniers équipements pour améliorer leur expérience en plein air. Que vous soyez un pêcheur débutant ou expérimenté, il est essentiel d'avoir le bon équipement pour tirer le meilleur parti de vos sorties de pêche. Aujourd'hui, nous allons explorer les tendances en matière d'équipement de pêche pour vous aider à choisir les meilleurs produits pour vos besoins.

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2 years ago
Les amateurs de randonnée et de plein air sont toujours à la recherche des derniers équipements et gadgets pour rendre leurs expéditions encore plus agréables et fluides. Voici un aperçu des dernières tendances en matière d'équipement de randonnée :

Les amateurs de randonnée et de plein air sont toujours à la recherche des derniers équipements et gadgets pour rendre leurs expéditions encore plus agréables et fluides. Voici un aperçu des dernières tendances en matière d'équipement de randonnée :

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2 years ago
Les beaux jours arrivent et avec eux, l'envie de partir en plein air pour profiter de la nature. Que vous soyez un amateur de camping chevronné ou que vous découvriez ce loisir pour la première fois, il est essentiel d'avoir les équipements adéquats pour passer un séjour confortable en plein air. Dans cet article, nous allons parler des tendances en matière d'équipement de camping, en mettant en lumière les essentiels à emporter lors de vos escapades en pleine nature.

Les beaux jours arrivent et avec eux, l'envie de partir en plein air pour profiter de la nature. Que vous soyez un amateur de camping chevronné ou que vous découvriez ce loisir pour la première fois, il est essentiel d'avoir les équipements adéquats pour passer un séjour confortable en plein air. Dans cet article, nous allons parler des tendances en matière d'équipement de camping, en mettant en lumière les essentiels à emporter lors de vos escapades en pleine nature.

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