“Shortchanging NASA is simply not smart.”

NASA's TESS space telescope found over 11,000 new exoplanet candidates. Researchers used machine learning to help sort through light-curve data from 83,717,159 stars observed during the first year of TESS operations, looking for dips in light that signal the presence of orbiting planets. The result: 11,554 new exoplanet candidates. Pictured: An artist’s impression of an exoplanet. Image credit: ESO/L. Calçada.

The House Science Committee opposes the proposed cuts to NASA’s budget. “Our nation is nearly $39 trillion in debt,” said Committee chair Rep. Brian Babin (R-TX) at a hearing on NASA’s FY2027 budget request, “and we must address this alarming situation soon. But we must be smart in how we do so. Shortchanging NASA is simply not smart.”

A hardy fungus may challenge planetary protection efforts. A recent study has identified a fungus called Aspergillus calidoustus living in NASA cleanrooms even after decontamination. This species could potentially survive the radiation, near-vacuum, and temperature conditions of deep space, meaning it could be carried on spacecraft to Mars or other worlds.

Artemis II made headlines, but did it impact the public? Polls suggest that most people in the United States were aware of the mission, but interest in it faded quickly once it was over. In a new article, The Planetary Society’s science editor, Asa Stahl, explores whether Artemis II resonated with the public, or merely glanced off them. Pictured: Cameras set up to capture and broadcast the Artemis II launch on April 1. Image credit: NASA/Aubrey Gemignani.

It’s a great year to celebrate human spaceflight. Yuri's Night is an annual celebration of the anniversary of Yuri Gagarin’s first spaceflight. This year, an event was held at Griffith Observatory the day after Artemis II splashed down. On this week’s Planetary Radio, host Sarah Al-Ahmed brings you conversations from the event, with educators, engineers, astronauts, and space philosophers discussing 65 years of human spaceflight and what it means to see Earth from space.

Coming up in the Planetary Society book club: ‘To Be Taught, If Fortunate.’ On Tuesday, May 5, Planetary Society members can join a live virtual Q&A with author Becky Chambers about her novella that explores how we may someday seek out new life across the stars. Host Mat Kaplan will also ask her about how she has imagined we will adapt our bodies for space travel, while still facing some of the oldest and most challenging of human trials. This is a member-exclusive event. Not yet a member? Join today.

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