Technology Highlights

Bracewell Nulling Interferometry Enables Astronomers to See the Glow of Alien Stardust
Universe
Nov 9, 2021
The search for and characterization of extra-solar planets (‘exoplanets’) that might host life is one of NASA’s highest ambitions. But observing exoplanets and distinguishing them from the scattered light coming from the stars that they orbit is a difficult challenge.
Surviving the Lunar Night: DRPS Could Enable the Power to Explore
Solar System
Oct 12, 2021
Dynamic Radioisotope Power Systems may enable lunar science payloads to survive and thrive during the harsh lunar night.
Photograph of two men wearing breathing masks and sitting in a lab with blue metal cases holding computer equipment.
Q: How Do You Water Plants in Space? A: Omni-Gravitational Hydroponics
Space Experiments
Sep 28, 2021
NASA is demonstrating that even without the help of gravity, hydroponic plant watering methods can enable plant habitats aboard crewed or robotic space missions.
Photograph of a woman on the ISS next to the hydroponics research experiment with orange fluid in clear boxes connected by tubes.
Using Ultraviolet Light to Suppress Electrostatic Noise in Gravitational Wave Observatories
Universe
Sep 14, 2021
Gravitational waves are minute ripples in space-time caused by the most energetic events in the universe—like the collision of two supermassive black holes. To detect gravitational waves, we will measure the tiny variations in the motion of purely free-falling test masses housed in three Sun-... Read More
Photograph of two women and one man in a testing lab with computers and hardware on the desks
Small Sensor Could Provide Big Insights into Earth’s Radiant Energy
Earth
Aug 31, 2021
A team at NASA’s Langley Research Center is developing a new state-of-the-art sensor and satellite platform to enable continued monitoring of Earth’s radiant energy system. The small, lightweight sensor will provide higher resolution data, and will allow us to learn more about important Earth... Read More
Satellite map image of the earth showing solar radiation in green
Frosty: A Micro-fabricated Optical Seismometer to Measure Minute Forces in a Mighty Environment
Solar System
Aug 16, 2021
Icy worlds like Jupiter’s moon Europa are prime targets of study to achieve one of NASA’s longstanding goals – to determine whether or not we are alone in the universe.
Artist illustration of Europa, Jupiter's moon, a blue image indicating the icy surface glow.
Developing Tiny Micro-Shutter Arrays to Answer Big Questions
Universe
Aug 3, 2021
Advanced technology micro-shutters enable NASA to study galaxy evolution across cosmic time.
Two scientists wearing white lab jumpers in a lab; the male on the left is wearing blue rubber gloves and holding an array prototype that looks like a small grid.
Innovative Technology Measures Muscle Strength of Worms in Space to Prepare Astronauts for Future Missions
Space Experiments
Jul 20, 2021
Loss of muscle mass and strength in astronauts remains an issue for space exploration. A NASA-funded research team has developed a new device called the NemaFlex chip to measure muscle strength over multiple generations of worms born and raised on the International Space Station (ISS).
Group photo of 6 research scientists in blue and white lab gear holding lab equipment.
Rediscovering the Lost Art of Fluxgate Magnetometer Cores
Sun
Jul 6, 2021
A NASA-sponsored team is rediscovering and improving lost techniques to develop high-fidelity instruments needed to make the magnetic field measurements that enable many of the nation’s space science and space weather missions.
Photo of three men in a lab wearing dark lab jackets and face masks; one man is standing and pointing at the equipment while looking at the other two seated men.
Novel Algorithms Merge Ground- and Space-based Data to Forecast Air Pollution Events
Earth
Jun 22, 2021
A NASA-sponsored team is developing machine-learning software to forecast air pollution events in Los Angeles.
Photo of a hazy sunrise behind the LA landscape.
Controlling the Temperature of Telescope Mirrors to Search for Earth-like Planets
Universe
May 18, 2021
“Are we alone in the universe?” may be one of the most compelling questions of our generation.  Direct imaging of planetary systems around other stars to detect and characterize Earth-like planets that could sustain life requires telescopes that are larger and more stable than any previous... Read More
Photo of large mirror being assembled in a NASA facility.
New “Moon Duster” Will Help Clean NASA Assets in Space
Space Experiments
May 4, 2021
To help protect future space assets and astronauts from dangerous effects that arise from Moon/Mars dust exposure, NASA is developing a new technology that will utilize electron beams/ultraviolet light to remove dust.
Solar Sail Propulsion: Enabling New Destinations for Science Missions
Apr 20, 2021
PROJECT Solar Cruiser technology demonstration mission SNAPSHOT To enable missions to reach novel and otherwise difficult or impossible destinations for observing the Sun, NASA is developing the 1653 m2 Solar Cruiser solar sail system for flight demonstration in 2025.
The ‘Bird’ with an Eagle Eye…for Infrared
Earth
Apr 6, 2021
HOT BIRD isn’t hot or a bird. It’s the world-class infrared detector that could revolutionize the way we see our planet from space.
Nanofabricated Mirrors and Gratings Will Enable More Powerful Space Telescopes
Universe
Mar 23, 2021
A NASA-sponsored team at the MIT Space Nanotechnology Lab is developing high-performance space instrumentation for more powerful future X-ray telescopes that will study the dynamics of the high-energy universe.
Photo of mirror and hardware