NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration

An "extremophile" bacterium thrives after being thawed from ice dating back 32,000 years. Image Credit: UAB/A. Bej
Since the early days of the space program, NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center has expanded human understanding through scientific exploration of the Earth, our solar system, and the universe. With a rich heritage in developing spacecraft that deliver amazing scientific discoveries, Marshall uses the resulting knowledge to create a clearer picture of the universe as well as to provide benefits on Earth.

For example, earth scientists use satellites and advanced technologies to gather data on powerful hurricanes, lightning, and tornadoes, helping forecasters to more accurately predict severe weather and save lives. Satellite data also contribute directly to improving agriculture and urban planning and preventing the spread of disease.

Solar scientists at Marshall are examining the sun’s influence on our planet. They use telescopes and probes to study how the sun works, how it changes, and how these changes affect the Earth. The resulting space-weather and energetic particles emitted from solar flares and other eruptions on the sun can have adverse effects on orbiting satellites and astronauts, and even interfere with electrical systems here on Earth.

Marshall-managed space science projects and programs send unmanned probes and satellites into Earth orbit and throughout our solar system. These sophisticated spacecraft and instruments include the Hubble Space Telescope and the Chandra X-ray Observatory which send unprecedented images and information about the universe and its environments back to Earth, helping us decipher the origin, structure, and evolution of the universe. The knowledge gained from these probes and observatories has enabled humanity to write new textbooks on our understanding of the universe, to rewrite old ones, and to advance technology on Earth.

Marshall is preparing to extend human reach in space, by developing instruments and systems that take advantage of the expanded launch capabilities provided by NASA's Ares rockets. More powerful engines and greater capacity make it possible to transport larger scientific payloads into space. This could include larger telescopes with apertures of 10-30 meters (compared with the James Webb Space Telescope of 6.5 meters) to larger spacecraft and surface "rovers" to explore the outer planets and their moons. This new generation of rockets will enable unprecedented scientific discovery, and Marshall scientists and researchers will lead the way.