Technology Highlights

Protecting Future Planetary Missions from Extreme Heat
Solar System
Mar 1, 2022
All space missions that involve atmospheric entry of a probe or science payload must utilize a Thermal Protection System (TPS) to protect the payload from the extreme heat experienced during atmospheric entry. 
A Novel Approach to Growing Gardens in Space
Space Experiments
Feb 15, 2022
A NASA-sponsored team is developing soilless nutrient delivery and recovery technologies that will be demonstrated via plant tests aboard the International Space Station.
Photo of a man working on plants under grow lights
NEID: A New, Ultra-Precise Window into Nearby Worlds
Universe
Feb 1, 2022
NEID will be used to characterize exoplanets discovered by NASA’s Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS).
Photo of three lab scientists in white lab gear wearing turquoise gloves and installing a prism into a white metal piece of equipment
Unlocking the Sun’s X-rays
Sun
Jan 18, 2022
NASA has developed a new type of instrument that can provide key information to predict and understand solar flares.
Photo of a large metal instrument in a lab
New Instrument Brings Next-generation Molecular Analysis of Mars into Sharp Focus
Solar System
Jan 4, 2022
To address the growing need for in situ molecular analysis of Mars samples at fine spatial scales, NASA is developing the miniature LITMS instrument, which combines a laser and gas chromatograph mass spectrometer with a precision subsampling system. LITMS executes a powerful search for... Read More
Exploring How Radiation Exposure Will Affect Life Forms on the Way to Mars
Space Experiments
Dec 14, 2021
A NASA-sponsored team has developed a discovery environment that enables researchers to explore information on radiation exposure from numerous spaceflight experiments and extend our understanding of how radiation affects life forms in space.
Photograph of three team members working at a table with a flask containing a yellow-green fluid, a clear canister with a rooted plant and a metal box.
SMARTIE Computer Tiles Could Provide Satellites with Advanced Data Processing Power
Earth
Nov 30, 2021
A team of researchers are working on a novel computer-tile technology that could help space-based remote sensors process data more efficiently.
Photo of 3 cubesats in orbit above the earth taken from the ISS.
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.