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Jet Propulsion Laboratory

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Mars Pathfinder Ends Mission After Battery Failure on Sept. 27, 1997
space11 days ago

Mars Pathfinder Ends Mission After Battery Failure on Sept. 27, 1997

On September 27, 1997, NASA’s Mars Pathfinder lander transmitted its final data to Earth after its battery failed. The mission, which included the first Mars rover, Sojourner, lasted three months, exceeding its one-month goal. NASA attempted to reestablish contact for five months before officially ending the mission. Pathfinder served as a low-cost technology testbed, validating airbag landing systems and rocker-bogie suspension used in later missions like Spirit and Opportunity.

via Space|
#jet-propulsion-laboratory#mars-exploration#mars-pathfinder
NASA’s Bold ‘Big Bang’ Plan Buys Voyager 2 Another Year of Science
science1 month ago

NASA’s Bold ‘Big Bang’ Plan Buys Voyager 2 Another Year of Science

NASA engineers at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory executed a risky energy-saving move dubbed a 'Big Bang' to shut down nonessential systems and swap in lower-energy options on Voyager 2, preserving enough plutonium-generated power to keep three instruments functioning for about another year. The team plans to apply the same strategy to Voyager 1, extending the spacecrafts’ science while watts dwindle.

via goodnewsnetwork.org|
#jet-propulsion-laboratory#nasa#power-management
NASA to Put JPL Management Up for Bid, Keeping California Lab in Play
space4 months ago

NASA to Put JPL Management Up for Bid, Keeping California Lab in Play

NASA announced it will competitively award the management and operations contract for the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), currently operated by Caltech since 1958, with the current contract through Sept. 30, 2028 and a maximum value of up to $30 billion. The procurement aims to explore alternative management approaches to boost mission performance, innovation, and cost efficiency while preserving JPL’s location and ensuring mission continuity.

via NASA (.gov)|
#caltech#contract-competition#ffrdc
NASA Responds to Federal Probe Into Deaths and Disappearances of Space-Linked Scientists
space-and-spaceflight5 months ago

NASA Responds to Federal Probe Into Deaths and Disappearances of Space-Linked Scientists

NASA says it’s cooperating with a federal probe into 11 missing or dead American scientists—three of whom were tied to NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory—with officials noting there is no confirmed link or national-security threat, though several cases involve sensitive research and the full details are still under investigation.

via Gizmodo|
#investigation#jet-propulsion-laboratory#nasa
Speculation swirls around disappearances at sensitive U.S. labs, but officials see no single plot
science5 months ago

Speculation swirls around disappearances at sensitive U.S. labs, but officials see no single plot

CBS News reports online speculation about the deaths and disappearances of 10 government workers tied to nuclear or space technology, but federal officials say there’s no evidence of a coordinated pattern; the Department of Energy and FBI are involved with no confirmed links across sites like Los Alamos and JPL, and experts caution against drawing connections from disparate cases.

via CBS News|
#jet-propulsion-laboratory#los-alamos-national-laboratory#missing-persons
Widening List of NASA Scientists Dead or Missing Sparks Alarm
science6 months ago

Widening List of NASA Scientists Dead or Missing Sparks Alarm

A growing roster of dead and missing NASA-linked scientists—now reported to include nine individuals—has sparked fresh alarm and law-enforcement attention. The latest case involves Michael David Hicks, a NASA/JPL astronomer who died in 2023, with the Los Angeles County coroner listing arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease and obesity as factors and the manner of death as open, while other listed cases involve Monica Reza (missing in 2025) and other NASA-related researchers tied to missions or to UFO circles. Although not all cases appear connected, the pattern has prompted renewed scrutiny of scientists tied to NASA programs and space research.

via Yahoo|
#jet-propulsion-laboratory#michael-david-hicks#missing-persons
NASA Warns of Multiple Asteroids Approaching Earth Today
science1 year ago

NASA Warns of Multiple Asteroids Approaching Earth Today

NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory is tracking five asteroids set to pass Earth on December 9, 2024. Despite their large sizes, ranging from 32 to 210 feet wide, none of these asteroids pose a threat to the planet as they will pass at safe distances, the closest being 433,000 miles away. This event provides a valuable opportunity for scientific observation and highlights the importance of ongoing space monitoring.

via Moneycontrol|
#asteroids#earth#jet-propulsion-laboratory
NASA's JPL to Cut 325 Jobs Amid Budget Constraints
science-and-technology1 year ago

NASA's JPL to Cut 325 Jobs Amid Budget Constraints

NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in California is laying off 325 employees, about 5% of its workforce, due to budget constraints. This follows a previous layoff of 530 employees earlier this year. The cuts are part of a broader effort to align with reduced funding, including a significant decrease in the budget for the Mars Sample Return mission. Despite generating substantial economic output, NASA has faced budget reductions, impacting projects like the VIPER rover mission to the Moon.

via Futurism|
#budget-cuts#jet-propulsion-laboratory#layoffs
"Voyager 1: Hopeful Signs Amidst Interstellar Challenges"
space-exploration2 years ago

"Voyager 1: Hopeful Signs Amidst Interstellar Challenges"

NASA's Voyager 1 spacecraft, launched in 1977, is showing signs of improvement after experiencing communication issues. The spacecraft, which has been operating for 46 years, has been transmitting gibberish due to a likely issue in its flight data system. The Voyager team at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory is working to restore communication and is "extremely hopeful" after recent promising signs. The team faces unique challenges due to the spacecraft's distance from Earth and the dwindling number of engineers and programmers who worked on the mission. The Voyager probes, carrying golden records with Earth's music and culture, represent a significant achievement in space exploration and may outlive humanity.

via The Pasadena Star-News|
#interstellar-space#jet-propulsion-laboratory#nasa
"Close Call: How Scientists Nearly Killed Ingenuity Before Its Mars Landing"
space-exploration2 years ago

"Close Call: How Scientists Nearly Killed Ingenuity Before Its Mars Landing"

MiMi Aung, a manager at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, made the bold decision to lead the development of a small helicopter, Ingenuity, intended to fly on Mars. Despite facing opposition and funding challenges, Aung and her team persevered, ultimately succeeding in getting Ingenuity to Mars as part of the Perseverance rover mission. This is the inside story of how Aung and a few champions of flying on Mars ultimately prevailed, showcasing the determination and innovation behind the creation of Ingenuity.

via Ars Technica|
#ingenuity#jet-propulsion-laboratory#mars
"Budget Cuts and Layoffs: How Congressional Gridlock is Impacting NASA's Mars Mission"
spacescience2 years ago

"Budget Cuts and Layoffs: How Congressional Gridlock is Impacting NASA's Mars Mission"

NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory laid off 530 employees and 40 contractors due to anticipated budget cuts, affecting about 8% of its workforce, as the agency prepares for potential funding reductions for the Mars Sample Return mission. California lawmakers have protested the cuts, emphasizing the impact on local workers and the setback to scientific and space leadership. The mission, a joint effort with the European Space Agency, has faced delays and cost overruns, prompting an independent review, with recommendations expected in March or April.

via Los Angeles Times|
#budget-cuts#jet-propulsion-laboratory#layoffs