NASA News - August 28, 2025

WASHINGTON, D.C., August 28, 2025 - NASA announced several significant developments today, ranging from groundbreaking astrophysical research to major industry partnerships and expanded collaboration opportunities for its Artemis II lunar mission.

Star’s Final Moments Revealed by Chandra

NASA’s Chandra X-ray Observatory has uncovered dramatic new details about the inner workings of a massive star moments before it exploded as the Cassiopeia A supernova remnant. Analysis of Chandra’s X-ray data shows that just hours before collapse, silicon-rich material burst outward into adjacent neon layers, while neon simultaneously surged inward. This turbulent “onion-shell” upheaval likely influenced the asymmetrical shape of the explosion and may have helped trigger the blast itself.

$25 Million IDIQ Contract Awarded to Redwire

Redwire Corporation, a leader in space and defense technology, has secured a five-year, $25 million single-award IDIQ contract to provide biotechnology facilities and on-orbit operations support aboard the International Space Station under NASA’s In Space Production Applications program. The company will manage and integrate critical life-science experiments-such as drug-development investigations using its PIL-BOX technology-whenever task orders are issued, with no minimum or maximum order requirements.

Volunteer Tracking for Artemis II Orion Spacecraft

In preparation for Artemis II, NASA has invited amateur astronomers and commercial tracking firms worldwide to assist in passively monitoring the Orion spacecraft during its lunar test flight. By leveraging “tracking capabilities outside the government,” NASA aims to bolster ground-based infrastructure and foster a commercial-first approach to future Moon-to-Mars missions. Volunteers will contribute real-time positional data to complement mission telemetry, enhancing overall navigational accuracy.