Weekends on the Space Station

Weekends on the Space Station

Life on the International Space Station (ISS) is not all science and no play. Astronauts like Jessica Meir and Jack Hathaway use their weekends to complete housekeeping tasks, including haircuts. Meir was seen using an electric razor attached to a vacuum to keep the station's atmosphere clean in microgravity.

NASA to Cover Northrop Grumman Cargo Spacecraft Departure

NASA is set to cover the departure of Northrop Grumman's Cygnus XL cargo spacecraft from the ISS on Thursday, March 12. The spacecraft, which delivered over 11,000 pounds of supplies and science investigations, will be undocked using the space station's Canadarm2 robotic arm. Watch the live coverage on NASA+, Amazon Prime, and the agency's YouTube channel.

Did Earth Life Actually Begin on Mars?

A new study published in the journal PNAS Nexus suggests that asteroid impacts could have allowed microbes to survive the journey from Mars to Earth, potentially seeding life on our planet. The research found that a hardy bacterium can withstand pressures similar to those generated by asteroid impacts, opening up new possibilities for the origins of life in our solar system.

Making New Solar Activity Connections From Old Data

A recent study has made new connections between solar activity and old data, potentially leading to more accurate predictions of solar storms and coronal mass ejections. The research, a collaboration between Germany's Max Planck Institute, the Southwest Research Institute, and the Aryabhatta Research Institute of Observational Science, analyzed over a century of solar observations from the Kodaikanal Solar Observatory in India.

Beginner Telescopes: A Review of the Celestron StarSense Explorer LT 70AZ

For those interested in gazing up at the stars, the Celestron StarSense Explorer LT 70AZ is a beginner telescope that delivers. With decent magnifications and a user-friendly interface, this telescope is perfect for anyone looking to explore the night sky.

Key Facts

• Who: NASA, Northrop Grumman, Max Planck Institute, Southwest Research Institute, Aryabhatta Research Institute of Observational Science
• What: Spacecraft departure, research on interplanetary life, solar activity predictions, telescope review
• When: March 12, 2026 (spacecraft departure), recently published research and review
• Where: International Space Station, Mars, Earth, India (Kodaikanal Solar Observatory)
• Impact: New insights into space exploration, potential origins of life, improved solar activity predictions

What to Watch

As space exploration continues to advance, we can expect more breakthroughs in our understanding of the universe. From the ISS to Mars and beyond, the possibilities are endless. Keep an eye out for future updates on NASA's activities, new research on interplanetary life, and innovations in solar activity predictions.