#space technology

All articles tagged with "space technology"

Example of an electric propulsion thruster (this image features an electric Hall thruster) that could be used to send humans to Mars one day. (Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech)

NASA’s Lithium-Plasma Thruster Hits 120 Kilowatts in Propulsion Test

NASA engineers have tested a next-generation electric propulsion system using lithium metal vapor, setting a U.S. record at 120 kilowatts and pointing toward faster deep-space missions.

Key Takeaways

NASA tested a lithium-vapor electric thruster at 120 kilowatts.
The system could support faster, more fuel-efficient deep-space travel if scaled up.

DT Editorial Team·May 3, 2026·via universetoday.com

NASA’s Artemis II test showed laser communications can change how crews and Earth stay connected

During Artemis II, NASA used an optical communications payload on Orion to send high-definition video, data, and voice over laser links, marking a first for a crewed mission at lunar distance.

Key Takeaways

NASA tested an optical communications system on Orion during Artemis II.
The payload exchanged 484 gigabytes of data over laser links during the mission.

DT Editorial Team·May 2, 2026·via phys.org

Light-driven ‘metajets’ hint at a new way to steer microscopic flight

Texas A&M researchers say nanoscale metasurfaces let tiny devices lift and maneuver under laser illumination alone, suggesting new possibilities for light-based propulsion.

Key Takeaways

Researchers say nanoscale metasurfaces let tiny devices move under laser light alone.
The experiment demonstrated lifting and steering in multiple directions.

DT Editorial Team·Apr 30, 2026·via newatlas.com

NASA puts fresh seed funding behind small-business technologies for the Moon, Mars and Earth

NASA selected more than 30 companies for SBIR and STTR awards worth about $16.3 million, backing early-stage technologies ranging from advanced batteries and propulsion to in-space manufacturing and robotic gripping.

DT Editorial Team·Apr 22, 2026·via nasa.gov

Innovation

The push to move AI computing into orbit is gaining attention, but the technology, economics, and thermal engineering needed to make it practical remain far from settled.

DT Editorial Team·Apr 3, 2026·via technologyreview.com

Space

NASA says a set of technology and science demonstrations will fly on SpaceX’s Transporter-16 mission, with experiments spanning space weather, magnetic-field sensing, in-space communications, logistics, and thermal-prote

DT Editorial Team·Mar 29, 2026·via nasa.gov

#space technology

NASA’s Lithium-Plasma Thruster Hits 120 Kilowatts in Propulsion Test

NASA’s Artemis II test showed laser communications can change how crews and Earth stay connected

Light-driven ‘metajets’ hint at a new way to steer microscopic flight

NASA puts fresh seed funding behind small-business technologies for the Moon, Mars and Earth

NASA’s Lithium-Plasma Thruster Hits 120 Kilowatts in Propulsion Test

NASA’s Artemis II test showed laser communications can change how crews and Earth stay connected

Light-driven ‘metajets’ hint at a new way to steer microscopic flight

NASA puts fresh seed funding behind small-business technologies for the Moon, Mars and Earth

Orbital Data Centers Remain a Radical AI Idea With Very Earthbound Obstacles

NASA readies a dense slate of technology tests for a March 30 Falcon 9 rideshare launch