A collaboration between IBM and NASA has resulted in the development of advanced transformer-based language models trained on scientific literature for improved performance in natural language understanding tasks within the scientific domain. These models are open-sourced on Hugging Face.

NASA has invited three space companies, Intuitive Machines, Lunar Outpost, and Venturi Astrolab, to build rugged vehicles astronauts can drive on the moon's surface. Next year, the agency will select a winner based on specifications such as range, battery technology, and life span. Using the vehicles, astronauts can carry scientific equipment, collect samples from the surface, and travel farther.

NASA has adjusted the date of the Starliner spacecraft's return to Earth to an unspecified time in July. The spacecraft was originally due to undock and return to Earth on June 14, but return opportunities have been waved off as more time is needed to review the data from the vehicle's problematic flight to the International Space Station. There were five separate leaks in the helium system that pressurizes Starliner's propulsion system and five of the vehicle's 28 reaction-control system thrusters failed as Starliner approached the station. NASA has not specified why it is not yet comfortable with releasing Starliner to fly back to Earth.

NASA has downplayed the problems experienced by Boeing's Starliner since it took two astronauts to the International Space Station in June. Officials finally admitted on Wednesday that the issues may be more serious than first thought and that the astronauts might not return on Starliner. The agency is exploring a backup option for the astronauts. The astronauts were meant to stay for around eight days, but that could be extended into next year.

Boeing will return its Starliner capsule without the NASA astronauts that it delivered to orbit. The two astronauts will return via SpaceX's Dragon spacecraft on a mission launching on September 24. They will stay at the International Space Station for about six more months before flying home in February. The test was originally intended to last about nine days. This decision was made due to NASA's commitment to safety - Starliner's crew flight test faced problems, most notably with its propulsion system. NASA officials still support Boeing and Starliner will likely be able to launch with a crew again someday.

NASA made the announcement that Boeing's Starliner would return uncrewed on August 24. Starliner is now scheduled to undock this Friday, with another window four days later if conditions are unfavorable. The decision took many weeks to make. While Boeing believed Starliner was capable of bringing back its crew, NASA was not comfortable with the idea due to uncertainty in the modeling. The astronauts will return home on a SpaceX Dragon vehicle in late February 2025 at the earliest.

NASA is developing a new lunar time system for the Moon. Time changes relative to speed and gravity - it moves slightly faster on the Moon because of its weaker gravity. The small difference in time could have large effects on calculations made in space. The project aims to be scalable to other celestial bodies in the future. NASA is aiming to have the standard ready by 2026.

Earth has recently captured a temporary "second moon," identified as the tiny asteroid 2024 PT5. This event occurred on September 29, 2024, when the asteroid, which typically orbits the sun as part of the Arjuna asteroid belt, was drawn into Earth's gravitational influence. Unlike the Moon, which has been a stable companion for approximately 4 billion years, this mini-moon will only be a transient visitor, expected to remain in orbit until November 25, 2024. NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory provided data indicating that the capture of 2024 PT5 would begin at 15:54 EDT and conclude at 11:43 EDT on the specified date. The asteroid is part of a group of near-Earth objects that follow orbits similar to Earth's, maintaining an average distance from the sun of about 93 million miles. While the idea of a second moon is intriguing, such gravitational captures are not uncommon; scientists have documented similar events in the past. Asteroid 2024 PT5 is significantly smaller than the Moon, measuring only about 37 feet in diameter compared to the Moon's 2,159 miles. This size difference means that while the Moon is a prominent feature in the night sky, 2024 PT5 will be too small and dim for most amateur astronomers to observe. Professional astronomers, however, may be able to capture images of the asteroid using larger telescopes equipped with advanced detectors. The phenomenon of temporary captures like that of 2024 PT5 is categorized into short captures, which last about a week and occur several times per decade, and rarer long captures. After its brief stay, 2024 PT5 will return to its orbit around the sun, continuing its journey as part of the Arjuna asteroid belt. This event highlights the dynamic nature of our solar system and the interactions between celestial bodies.

NASA is currently in the process of developing a plan to replace the International Space Station (ISS), as the agency faces a critical timeline with the ISS expected to reach the end of its operational life around 2030. This transition is essential for maintaining a human presence in low-Earth orbit, which is increasingly important as NASA shifts its focus toward lunar exploration through the Artemis Program. The agency is set to finalize its strategy for low-Earth orbit operations in the coming months and will soon award contracts to private companies to create commercial space stations. Pam Melroy, NASA's deputy administrator, emphasized the importance of continuing research in microgravity, which is vital for future missions to Mars and beyond. The agency has made significant strides in maximizing the scientific potential of the ISS, particularly in understanding the long-term health impacts of space travel and improving life support systems. NASA's draft "Microgravity Strategy" aims to outline its research and technology development goals for the 2030s and beyond, which will be crucial for the next phase of its commercial space station program. However, the path forward is fraught with challenges. NASA previously awarded contracts to several companies, including Blue Origin, Nanoracks, Northrop Grumman, and Axiom Space, to develop commercial space stations. Yet, many of these companies have encountered financial difficulties and delays, raising concerns about their ability to deliver viable solutions. The upcoming request for proposals from NASA will be pivotal in determining the future of these commercial ventures, as the agency seeks to foster competition while ensuring that its requirements are met. Funding for the Commercial LEO Destinations (CLD) program has been inconsistent, with initial years seeing minimal allocations. However, as the reality of the ISS's impending retirement has set in, Congress has become more supportive of funding the program. Despite this, there are lingering doubts about NASA's commitment to maintaining a presence in low-Earth orbit, especially in light of geopolitical considerations and competition from other nations, particularly China. The potential for a gap in human presence in low-Earth orbit is a concern, with some experts suggesting that it may not be catastrophic if it occurs. However, the uncertainty surrounding the future of commercial space stations complicates fundraising efforts for private operators, who need assurance of demand from NASA. The viability of the CLD program hinges on whether there is sufficient market demand beyond government astronauts, as the lack of a clear commercial application for human activity in space remains a significant hurdle. Ultimately, for NASA to successfully transition to a new era of commercial space stations, it must provide robust support to private companies, recognizing the complexity and cost associated with developing safe and functional habitats in space. The urgency of this situation cannot be overstated, as the clock is ticking toward the end of the ISS's operational life, and the future of human activity in low-Earth orbit hangs in the balance.