DMS
@dallasmars.bsky.social
Bluesky account for the Dallas Mars Society, local chapter of the Mars Society: http://marssociety.org
Reposted by DMS
After 15 years heading The Planetary Society, Bill Nye "The Science Guy" is transitioning from CEO to a new role as Chief Ambassador as well as Vice Chair of the Board of Directors. Current COO Jennifer Vaughn will be the new CEO as of Feb. 17.
www.planetary.org/press-releas...
www.planetary.org/press-releas...
January 26, 2026 at 8:09 PM
After 15 years heading The Planetary Society, Bill Nye "The Science Guy" is transitioning from CEO to a new role as Chief Ambassador as well as Vice Chair of the Board of Directors. Current COO Jennifer Vaughn will be the new CEO as of Feb. 17.
www.planetary.org/press-releas...
www.planetary.org/press-releas...
Reposted by DMS
From NASA
Congratulations to the winners of the 2025-2026 NASA TechRise Student Challenge!
The 60 teams of 6-12 graders from across the U.S. will launch their science and technology experiments on a Virgin Galactic or Worldview Space vehicle this summer: go.nasa.gov/3LWFwZY
Congratulations to the winners of the 2025-2026 NASA TechRise Student Challenge!
The 60 teams of 6-12 graders from across the U.S. will launch their science and technology experiments on a Virgin Galactic or Worldview Space vehicle this summer: go.nasa.gov/3LWFwZY
TechRise (for 6–12 graders) - NASA
Learn about NASA's TechRise competition that enables students in grades 6–12 to propose technologies for development and flight testing.
go.nasa.gov
January 26, 2026 at 8:13 PM
From NASA
Congratulations to the winners of the 2025-2026 NASA TechRise Student Challenge!
The 60 teams of 6-12 graders from across the U.S. will launch their science and technology experiments on a Virgin Galactic or Worldview Space vehicle this summer: go.nasa.gov/3LWFwZY
Congratulations to the winners of the 2025-2026 NASA TechRise Student Challenge!
The 60 teams of 6-12 graders from across the U.S. will launch their science and technology experiments on a Virgin Galactic or Worldview Space vehicle this summer: go.nasa.gov/3LWFwZY
EM has a pretty long track record of overpromising and underperforming on his crazy optimistic timelines. So long as nothing violently RUDs with V. 3 Starship and SH static fire testing, the new pad should be about ready around that time...
Musk says "Starship launch in 6 weeks." That's March 9 if exactly six weeks.
x.com/elonmusk/sta...
x.com/elonmusk/sta...
January 26, 2026 at 10:36 PM
EM has a pretty long track record of overpromising and underperforming on his crazy optimistic timelines. So long as nothing violently RUDs with V. 3 Starship and SH static fire testing, the new pad should be about ready around that time...
Reposted by DMS
Excellent report by Stephen Clark at Ars Technica abt the realities of spacewalking on the Moon, esp v the ISS, and Axiom's suits. Incl stmts by astronauts Kate Rubins (ret) and Mike Barratt to the Natl Academies recently (plus an interview w/Rubins).
arstechnica.com/space/2026/0...
Snip:
arstechnica.com/space/2026/0...
Snip:
January 26, 2026 at 7:43 PM
Excellent report by Stephen Clark at Ars Technica abt the realities of spacewalking on the Moon, esp v the ISS, and Axiom's suits. Incl stmts by astronauts Kate Rubins (ret) and Mike Barratt to the Natl Academies recently (plus an interview w/Rubins).
arstechnica.com/space/2026/0...
Snip:
arstechnica.com/space/2026/0...
Snip:
Reposted by DMS
Around eight minutes later, after completing its mission, the booster returned to planet Earth, landing on the “Of Course I Still Love You” droneship stationed downrange in the Pacific Ocean.
This completes the 593rd overall mission for a Falcon 9 rocket and was SpaceX’s 10th mission of 2026.
This completes the 593rd overall mission for a Falcon 9 rocket and was SpaceX’s 10th mission of 2026.
January 25, 2026 at 6:18 PM
Around eight minutes later, after completing its mission, the booster returned to planet Earth, landing on the “Of Course I Still Love You” droneship stationed downrange in the Pacific Ocean.
This completes the 593rd overall mission for a Falcon 9 rocket and was SpaceX’s 10th mission of 2026.
This completes the 593rd overall mission for a Falcon 9 rocket and was SpaceX’s 10th mission of 2026.
Reposted by DMS
SpaceX has launched the Starlink 17-20 mission at 9:30am PST (17:30 UTC) aboard Falcon 9 booster B1097-6 from Space Launch Complex 4E at the [at]Vandy SFB in California, sending another batch of 25 Starlink v2-mini satellites south toward a sun-synchronous orbit.
[Video Credit 🎥: SpaceX]
[Video Credit 🎥: SpaceX]
January 25, 2026 at 6:17 PM
SpaceX has launched the Starlink 17-20 mission at 9:30am PST (17:30 UTC) aboard Falcon 9 booster B1097-6 from Space Launch Complex 4E at the [at]Vandy SFB in California, sending another batch of 25 Starlink v2-mini satellites south toward a sun-synchronous orbit.
[Video Credit 🎥: SpaceX]
[Video Credit 🎥: SpaceX]
Reposted by DMS
Sol 4788 MAHLI image of a rock with an interesting texture. Taken by the Mars Curiosity Rover.
flic.kr/p/2rTq18U
flic.kr/p/2rTq18U
January 25, 2026 at 6:33 PM
Sol 4788 MAHLI image of a rock with an interesting texture. Taken by the Mars Curiosity Rover.
flic.kr/p/2rTq18U
flic.kr/p/2rTq18U
Reposted by DMS
5,800 kilometers above the surface compared to 400,000 kilometers for our Moon - that gravitational tidal forces are dragging it down. In perhaps 50 million years, Phobos is expected to disintegrate into a ring of debris.
January 25, 2026 at 8:00 AM
5,800 kilometers above the surface compared to 400,000 kilometers for our Moon - that gravitational tidal forces are dragging it down. In perhaps 50 million years, Phobos is expected to disintegrate into a ring of debris.
Reposted by DMS
from even more distant reaches of our Solar System. The larger moon, Phobos, is indeed seen to be a cratered, asteroid-like object in this stunning color image from the robotic Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter, which can image objects as small as 10 meters. But Phobos orbits so close to Mars - about
January 25, 2026 at 8:00 AM
from even more distant reaches of our Solar System. The larger moon, Phobos, is indeed seen to be a cratered, asteroid-like object in this stunning color image from the robotic Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter, which can image objects as small as 10 meters. But Phobos orbits so close to Mars - about
Reposted by DMS
This moon is doomed. Mars, the red planet named for the Roman god of war, has two tiny moons, Phobos and Deimos, whose names are derived from the Greek for Fear and Panic. These Martian moons may well be captured asteroids originating in the main asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter or perhaps
January 25, 2026 at 8:00 AM
This moon is doomed. Mars, the red planet named for the Roman god of war, has two tiny moons, Phobos and Deimos, whose names are derived from the Greek for Fear and Panic. These Martian moons may well be captured asteroids originating in the main asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter or perhaps
Reposted by DMS
🔭 Phobos: Doomed Moon of Mars
Image Credit: NASA, LPL (U. Arizona), MRO, HiRISE
apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap26012...
Image Credit: NASA, LPL (U. Arizona), MRO, HiRISE
apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap26012...
January 25, 2026 at 8:00 AM
🔭 Phobos: Doomed Moon of Mars
Image Credit: NASA, LPL (U. Arizona), MRO, HiRISE
apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap26012...
Image Credit: NASA, LPL (U. Arizona), MRO, HiRISE
apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap26012...
Reposted by DMS
How to see 2 total solar eclipses in the next 2 years — including the 'eclipse of the century' www.livescience.com/space/the-su...
How to see 2 total solar eclipses in the next 2 years — including the 'eclipse of the century'
After a two-year gap, there will be two total solar eclipses within 12 months of each other, on Aug. 12, 2026, and Aug. 2, 2027.
www.livescience.com
January 25, 2026 at 2:07 PM
How to see 2 total solar eclipses in the next 2 years — including the 'eclipse of the century' www.livescience.com/space/the-su...
Reposted by DMS
HiPOD: Wind Carved Rock
The distinctively fluted surface and elongated hills in this image in Medusae Fossae are caused by wind erosion of a soft fine-grained rock. Called yardangs, these features are aligned with the prevailing wind direction.
https://uahirise.org/hipod/ESP_046504_1785
#Mars
The distinctively fluted surface and elongated hills in this image in Medusae Fossae are caused by wind erosion of a soft fine-grained rock. Called yardangs, these features are aligned with the prevailing wind direction.
https://uahirise.org/hipod/ESP_046504_1785
#Mars
January 25, 2026 at 3:00 PM
HiPOD: Wind Carved Rock
The distinctively fluted surface and elongated hills in this image in Medusae Fossae are caused by wind erosion of a soft fine-grained rock. Called yardangs, these features are aligned with the prevailing wind direction.
https://uahirise.org/hipod/ESP_046504_1785
#Mars
The distinctively fluted surface and elongated hills in this image in Medusae Fossae are caused by wind erosion of a soft fine-grained rock. Called yardangs, these features are aligned with the prevailing wind direction.
https://uahirise.org/hipod/ESP_046504_1785
#Mars
From the better late than never files - DMS is having it's monthly (virtual) meeting tonight at 6:00pm. Ice is coating local roads and it's still quite cold outside, but the electrical grid seems to be holding up:)
Please get in touch soon if you would like to take part, but need Zoom credentials.
Please get in touch soon if you would like to take part, but need Zoom credentials.
January 25, 2026 at 4:48 PM
From the better late than never files - DMS is having it's monthly (virtual) meeting tonight at 6:00pm. Ice is coating local roads and it's still quite cold outside, but the electrical grid seems to be holding up:)
Please get in touch soon if you would like to take part, but need Zoom credentials.
Please get in touch soon if you would like to take part, but need Zoom credentials.
Reposted by DMS
HiRISE 3D: Light-Toned Exposures on the Floor of Coprates Chasma
This image was requested to explore mission concepts that would explore geology in Coprates Chasma, including deposits of hydrated materials.
https://www.uahirise.org/anaglyph/ESP_090413_1645_ESP_090136_1645_RED
#Mars #NASA s#cience
This image was requested to explore mission concepts that would explore geology in Coprates Chasma, including deposits of hydrated materials.
https://www.uahirise.org/anaglyph/ESP_090413_1645_ESP_090136_1645_RED
#Mars #NASA s#cience
January 23, 2026 at 5:00 PM
HiRISE 3D: Light-Toned Exposures on the Floor of Coprates Chasma
This image was requested to explore mission concepts that would explore geology in Coprates Chasma, including deposits of hydrated materials.
https://www.uahirise.org/anaglyph/ESP_090413_1645_ESP_090136_1645_RED
#Mars #NASA s#cience
This image was requested to explore mission concepts that would explore geology in Coprates Chasma, including deposits of hydrated materials.
https://www.uahirise.org/anaglyph/ESP_090413_1645_ESP_090136_1645_RED
#Mars #NASA s#cience
Reposted by DMS
SPHEREx Re-Observation of Interstellar Object 3I/ATLAS in December 2025: Detection of Increased Post-Perihelion Activity, Refractory Coma Dust, and New Coma Gas Species
astrobiology.com/2026/01/sphe... #astrobiology #astronomy #interstellar #3IATLAS
astrobiology.com/2026/01/sphe... #astrobiology #astronomy #interstellar #3IATLAS
SPHEREx Re-Observation of Interstellar Object 3I/ATLAS in December 2025: Detection of Increased Post-Perihelion Activity, Refractory Coma Dust, and New Coma Gas Species - Astrobiology
he NASA SPHEREx spacecraft re-observed ISO 3I/ATLAS post-perihelion
astrobiology.com
January 24, 2026 at 7:12 PM
SPHEREx Re-Observation of Interstellar Object 3I/ATLAS in December 2025: Detection of Increased Post-Perihelion Activity, Refractory Coma Dust, and New Coma Gas Species
astrobiology.com/2026/01/sphe... #astrobiology #astronomy #interstellar #3IATLAS
astrobiology.com/2026/01/sphe... #astrobiology #astronomy #interstellar #3IATLAS
Reposted by DMS
On this week's #SETILive, we looked back at the legacy of the SETI@home project. While no aliens have been found in the data (yet), finding nothing helps the search progress. Project founder Eric Korpela says it was worth it. Watch the full interview: youtube.com/live/eFOm9rD... 🧪 🔭 👩🔬
January 24, 2026 at 10:00 PM
On this week's #SETILive, we looked back at the legacy of the SETI@home project. While no aliens have been found in the data (yet), finding nothing helps the search progress. Project founder Eric Korpela says it was worth it. Watch the full interview: youtube.com/live/eFOm9rD... 🧪 🔭 👩🔬
Reposted by DMS
HiPOD: Valleys and Inverted Channels
This observation features a series of interstratified valleys and inverted channels at the western end of the southwestern basin in Melas Chasma. Melas is part of the largest canyon system on Mars, Valles Marineris.
https://uahirise.org/hipod/ESP_076621_1710
This observation features a series of interstratified valleys and inverted channels at the western end of the southwestern basin in Melas Chasma. Melas is part of the largest canyon system on Mars, Valles Marineris.
https://uahirise.org/hipod/ESP_076621_1710
January 23, 2026 at 3:01 PM
HiPOD: Valleys and Inverted Channels
This observation features a series of interstratified valleys and inverted channels at the western end of the southwestern basin in Melas Chasma. Melas is part of the largest canyon system on Mars, Valles Marineris.
https://uahirise.org/hipod/ESP_076621_1710
This observation features a series of interstratified valleys and inverted channels at the western end of the southwestern basin in Melas Chasma. Melas is part of the largest canyon system on Mars, Valles Marineris.
https://uahirise.org/hipod/ESP_076621_1710
What could possibly go wrong...?
Last week @NASA walked away from 8 of its external advisory groups. Now its @NIH's turn to shun 13 of theirs: "Key NIH review panels due to lose all members by the end of 2026" www.nature.com/articles/d41... #Science
Exclusive: key NIH review panels due to lose all members by the end of 2026
Thirteen of the agency’s advisory councils, which must review grant applications before funding is awarded, are on track to have no voting members.
www.nature.com
January 24, 2026 at 6:47 AM
What could possibly go wrong...?
Reposted by DMS
Reason 10 🔴 Another compelling case for building a future on Mars—stay tuned as our 25-part series continues. #mars #spaceadvocacy
January 23, 2026 at 10:29 PM
Reason 10 🔴 Another compelling case for building a future on Mars—stay tuned as our 25-part series continues. #mars #spaceadvocacy
Reposted by DMS
Letter to the Community: The Future of Outer Planets Assessment Group (OPAG) nasawatch.com/space-scienc...
Letter to the Community: The Future of Outer Planets Assessment Group (OPAG)
on 23 January 2026 the co-chairs of the Outer Planets Assessment Group (OPAG) sent this out to a wide distribution
nasawatch.com
January 24, 2026 at 2:00 AM
Letter to the Community: The Future of Outer Planets Assessment Group (OPAG) nasawatch.com/space-scienc...
Reposted by DMS
Updating status on Rocket Lab's Neutron rocket, with a test tank failure and the arrival of the vehicle's "Hungry Hippo" fairing.
www.nasaspaceflight.com/2026/01/hung...
Written by Martijn Luinstra & Chris Bergin
www.nasaspaceflight.com/2026/01/hung...
Written by Martijn Luinstra & Chris Bergin
January 24, 2026 at 2:30 AM
Updating status on Rocket Lab's Neutron rocket, with a test tank failure and the arrival of the vehicle's "Hungry Hippo" fairing.
www.nasaspaceflight.com/2026/01/hung...
Written by Martijn Luinstra & Chris Bergin
www.nasaspaceflight.com/2026/01/hung...
Written by Martijn Luinstra & Chris Bergin
Reposted by DMS
NASA will hold two Crew-12 press briefings next Friday, Jan 30. www.nasa.gov/news-release...
11:00 am ET Mission Overview with NASA/ESA/SpX officials.
1:00 pm ET with the crew: NASA's Jessica Meir and Jack Hathaway; ESA's Sophie Adenot; Roscosmos's Andrey Fedyaev.
Watch on YouTube.
11:00 am ET Mission Overview with NASA/ESA/SpX officials.
1:00 pm ET with the crew: NASA's Jessica Meir and Jack Hathaway; ESA's Sophie Adenot; Roscosmos's Andrey Fedyaev.
Watch on YouTube.
NASA Sets Briefings for SpaceX Crew-12 Mission to Space Station - NASA
Next, the crew of NASA’s SpaceX Crew-12 mission will participate in a virtual news conference from NASA Johnson crew quarters at 1 p.m., also on the agency’s
www.nasa.gov
January 24, 2026 at 2:56 AM
NASA will hold two Crew-12 press briefings next Friday, Jan 30. www.nasa.gov/news-release...
11:00 am ET Mission Overview with NASA/ESA/SpX officials.
1:00 pm ET with the crew: NASA's Jessica Meir and Jack Hathaway; ESA's Sophie Adenot; Roscosmos's Andrey Fedyaev.
Watch on YouTube.
11:00 am ET Mission Overview with NASA/ESA/SpX officials.
1:00 pm ET with the crew: NASA's Jessica Meir and Jack Hathaway; ESA's Sophie Adenot; Roscosmos's Andrey Fedyaev.
Watch on YouTube.
Reposted by DMS
HiRISE 8K: Interacting Fossae Segments East of Athabasca Valles
Athabasca Valles starts suddenly along the Cerberus Fossae and flows southwest for approximately 400 kilometers.
Full cutout on Flickr: https://flic.kr/p/2rSVFeE
NASA/JPL-Caltech/University of Arizona
#Mars #NASA #science
Athabasca Valles starts suddenly along the Cerberus Fossae and flows southwest for approximately 400 kilometers.
Full cutout on Flickr: https://flic.kr/p/2rSVFeE
NASA/JPL-Caltech/University of Arizona
#Mars #NASA #science
January 22, 2026 at 7:00 PM
HiRISE 8K: Interacting Fossae Segments East of Athabasca Valles
Athabasca Valles starts suddenly along the Cerberus Fossae and flows southwest for approximately 400 kilometers.
Full cutout on Flickr: https://flic.kr/p/2rSVFeE
NASA/JPL-Caltech/University of Arizona
#Mars #NASA #science
Athabasca Valles starts suddenly along the Cerberus Fossae and flows southwest for approximately 400 kilometers.
Full cutout on Flickr: https://flic.kr/p/2rSVFeE
NASA/JPL-Caltech/University of Arizona
#Mars #NASA #science
Reposted by DMS
Sol 1748: Right Mastcam-Z Camera, taken at 07:37:57.901 (local mean solar time), image credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/ASU
January 21, 2026 at 10:16 PM
Sol 1748: Right Mastcam-Z Camera, taken at 07:37:57.901 (local mean solar time), image credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/ASU