After the first test flights in 2025, Lockheed Martin will transfer the plane to NASA. Then, after acoustic testing over California's Edwards Air Force Base and Armstrong Flight Research Center, NASA will fly the X-plane over select U.S. cities in 2026 and 2027.

The SPHEREx comprises two main sections — the bottom half is the spacecraft with the onboard computer, telecom system, solar array, and other parts, while the top half is the payload, which includes the BAE Systems-built telescope and also the cones that act as thermal shields to keep the observatory cool.

NASA and Lockheed Martin recently released photos of the X-59 "quiet" supersonic jet conducting tests of its afterburner, blasting out a column of fire while in the hangar.

NASA recently paid tribute to the Challenger crew and other fallen astronauts during its annual Day of Remembrance.

To comply, NASA has sought to sanitize Mars rovers at a threshold of no more than 300,000 bacterial spores on any surface. That process has revealed plenty of microbes that can survive high temperatures, low nutrients, and a lack of moisture.

Satellite imagery has captured smoke billowing from wildfires south of the border, fueled by similar conditions to the devastating blazes in Los Angeles.

Wilmore, 61, and Williams, 58, are veteran astronauts and are both naval officers and former test pilots. Williams has been a NASA astronaut since 1998, and Wilmore since 2000. Both have plenty of experience in space.

Caltech scientists published a study using NASA Curiosity rover imagery showing the past existence of warm water on Mars.

The orders in question, Ending Radical and Wasteful Government DEI Programs and Preferencing, as well as one titled Initial Rescissions of Harmful Executive Orders and Actions, are aimed at eliminating "immense public waste and shameful discrimination," according to the White House.

SpaceX is targeting a 4½-hour launch window for another Starlink mission from 2:21 p.m. to 6:52 p.m., an FAA operations plan advisory shows.

Bankers are reportedly gearing up to offload debt used to fund Elon Musk’s social network, for which he paid $44 million in 2022 including $13 billion in financing. Morgan Stanley is leading the charge, hoping to sell senior debt at between 90 and 95 cents on the dollar, reports the WSJ.