Federal Independent Agencies
Here's a look at documents from federal independent agencies
Featured Stories
National Science Foundation: Ultrathin Conductor Developed for Nanoelectronics Could Be Better Than Copper
WASHINGTON, March 29 -- The National Science Foundation issued the following news release:
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Ultrathin conductor developed for nanoelectronics could be better than copper
Researchers created a material that could make nanoelectronics more efficient and powerful -- and solve longstanding bottlenecks in energy use
With multiple grants and research infrastructure provided by the U.S. National Science Foundation, researchers have shown that a newly developed material, niobium phosphide, can conduct electricity better than copper in films that are only a few atoms thick. These films can also
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WASHINGTON, March 29 -- The National Science Foundation issued the following news release:
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Ultrathin conductor developed for nanoelectronics could be better than copper
Researchers created a material that could make nanoelectronics more efficient and powerful -- and solve longstanding bottlenecks in energy use
With multiple grants and research infrastructure provided by the U.S. National Science Foundation, researchers have shown that a newly developed material, niobium phosphide, can conduct electricity better than copper in films that are only a few atoms thick. These films can alsobe created and deposited at sufficiently low temperatures for compatibility with modern computer chip fabrication -- and may help make future electronics more powerful and energy efficient.
So far, the best conductor candidates to outperform copper in nanoelectronics have had only exact crystalline structures, meaning they require very high temperatures to be formed. These new niobium phosphide films are the first examples of noncrystalline materials that become better conductors as they get thinner. The research is led by Standford University and results were published in Science.
"We are breaking a fundamental bottleneck of traditional materials like copper," says Asir Intisar Khan, a postdoctoral researcher at Stanford University and an author on the research paper. "Our niobium phosphide conductors show that it's possible to send faster, more efficient signals through ultrathin wires. This could improve the energy efficiency of future chips, and even small gains add up when many chips are used, such as in the massive data centers that store and process information today."
Niobium phosphide is what researchers call a topological semimetal. This means that the material can conduct electricity, but its outer surfaces are more conductive than its inner material. The thinner a niobium phosphide film is made, the smaller its inner material gets -- but its surfaces stay the same. This allows its more conductive outer surfaces to contribute more to electrical currents and make for better conductive material.
By comparison, traditional conductive metals like copper become worse at conducting electricity when thinner than about 50 nanometers.
"Really high-density electronics need very thin metal connections, and if those metals are not conducting well, they are losing a lot of power and energy," says Eric Pop, another member of the Stanford research team that produced the material. "Better materials could help us spend less energy in small wires and more energy actually doing computation."
Niobium phosphide films are a new frontier for conductors in nanoelectronics. However, the researchers don't anticipate that they will suddenly replace copper in all computer chips -- copper continues to be a superior conductor in thicker films and wires. Niobium phosphide could nonetheless be used for the very thinnest connections and opens doors to researching other topological semimetals as conductors that could take niobium phosphide's performance even further.
"It has been thought that if we want to leverage these topological surfaces, we need nice single-crystalline films that are really hard to deposit," says doctoral student and paper co-author Akash Ramdas. "Now we have another class of materials -- these topological semimetals -- that could potentially act as a way to reduce energy usage in electronics."
JOURNAL: Science https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.adq7096
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Original text here: https://www.nsf.gov/news/ultrathin-conductor-developed-nanoelectronics-could-be
NASA: Visiting Mars on the Way to the Outer Solar System
WASHINGTON, March 29 -- NASA issued the following news release on March 28, 2025:
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Visiting Mars on the Way to the Outer Solar System
Recently Mars has had a few Earthly visitors. On March 1, NASA's Europa Clipper flew within 550 miles (884 kilometers) of the Red Planet's surface on its way out to Jupiter. On March 12, the European Space Agency's Hera spacecraft flew within about 3,100 miles (5,000 kilometers) of Mars, and only 300 kilometers from its moon, Deimos. Hera is on its way to study the binary asteroid Didymos and its moon Dimorphos. Next year, in May 2026, NASA's Psyche mission
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WASHINGTON, March 29 -- NASA issued the following news release on March 28, 2025:
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Visiting Mars on the Way to the Outer Solar System
Recently Mars has had a few Earthly visitors. On March 1, NASA's Europa Clipper flew within 550 miles (884 kilometers) of the Red Planet's surface on its way out to Jupiter. On March 12, the European Space Agency's Hera spacecraft flew within about 3,100 miles (5,000 kilometers) of Mars, and only 300 kilometers from its moon, Deimos. Hera is on its way to study the binary asteroid Didymos and its moon Dimorphos. Next year, in May 2026, NASA's Psyche missionis scheduled to buzz the Red Planet on its way to the metal-rich asteroid 16 Psyche, coming within a few thousand kilometers.
Why all these visits to Mars? You might at first think that they're using Mars as an object of opportunity for their cameras, and you would be partially right. But Mars has more to give these missions than that. The main reason for these flybys is the extra speed that Mars' velocity around the Sun can give them. The idea that visiting a planet can speed up a spacecraft is not all that obvious, because the same gravity that attracts the spacecraft on its way towards the planet will exert a backwards force as the spacecraft leaves the planet.
The key is in the direction that it approaches and leaves the planet. If the spacecraft leaves Mars heading in the direction that Mars is traveling around the Sun, it will gain speed in that direction, slingshotting it farther into the outer solar system. A spacecraft can typically gain several percent of its speed by performing such a slingshot flyby. The closer it gets to the planet, the bigger the effect. However, no mission wants to be slowed by the upper atmosphere, so several hundred kilometers is the closest that a mission should go. And the proximity to the planet is also affected by the exact direction the spacecraft needs to go when it leaves Mars.
Clipper's Mars flyby was a slight exception, slowing down the craft -- by about 1.2 miles per second (2 kilometers per second) -- to steer it toward Earth for a second gravity assist in December 2026. That will push the spacecraft the rest of the way to Jupiter, for its 2030 arrival.
While observing Mars is not the main reason for their visits, many of the visiting spacecraft take the opportunity to use their cameras either to perform calibrations or to study the Red Planet and its moons.
During Clipper's flyby over sols 1431-1432, Mastcam-Z was directed to watch the skies for signs of the interplanetary visitor. Clipper's relatively large solar panels could have reflected enough sunlight for it to be seen in the Mars night sky, much as we can see satellites overhead from Earth. Unfortunately, the spacecraft entered the shadow of Mars just before it came into potential view above the horizon from Perseverance's vantage point, so the sighting did not happen. But it was worth a try.
Meanwhile, back on the ground, Perseverance is performing something of a cliff-hanger. "Sally's Cove" is a relatively steep rock outcrop in the outer portion of Jezero crater's rim just north of "Broom Hill." Perseverance made an approach during March 19-23, and has been exploring some dark-colored rocks along this outcrop, leaving the spherules behind for the moment. Who knows what Perseverance will find next?
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Original text here: https://science.nasa.gov/blog/visiting-mars-on-the-way-to-the-outer-solar-system/
NASA Boosts Efficiency With Custom X-66 Flooring
WASHINGTON, March 29 -- NASA issued the following news release:
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NASA Boosts Efficiency with Custom X-66 Flooring
NASA designed temporary floorboards for the MD-90 aircraft to use while it is transformed into the X-66 experimental demonstrator aircraft. These floorboards will protect the original flooring and streamline the modification process.
Supporting the agency's Sustainable Flight Demonstrator project, a small team in the Experimental Fabrication Shop at NASA's Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California, built temporary floorboards to save the project time and resources.
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WASHINGTON, March 29 -- NASA issued the following news release:
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NASA Boosts Efficiency with Custom X-66 Flooring
NASA designed temporary floorboards for the MD-90 aircraft to use while it is transformed into the X-66 experimental demonstrator aircraft. These floorboards will protect the original flooring and streamline the modification process.
Supporting the agency's Sustainable Flight Demonstrator project, a small team in the Experimental Fabrication Shop at NASA's Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California, built temporary floorboards to save the project time and resources.Repeated removal and installation of the original flooring during the modification process was time-consuming. Using temporary panels also ensures the original floorboards are protected and remain flightworthy for when modifications are complete, and the original flooring is reinstalled.
"The task of creating the temporary floorboards for the MD-90 involves a meticulous process aimed at facilitating modifications while maintaining safety and efficiency. The need for these temporary floorboards arises from the detailed procedure required to remove and reinstall the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) floorboards," said Jason Nelson, experimental fabrication lead. He is one of two members of the fabrication team - one engineering technician and one inspector - manufacturing about 50 temporary floorboards, which range in size from 20 inches by 36 inches to 42 inches by 75 inches.
Nelson continued, "Since these OEM boards will be removed and reinstalled multiple times to accommodate necessary modifications, the temporary floorboards will save the team valuable time and resources. They will also provide the same level of safety and strength as the OEM boards, ensuring that the process runs smoothly without compromising quality."
Designing and prototyping the flooring was a meticulous process, but the temporary solution plays a crucial role in optimizing time and resources as NASA works to advance safe and efficient air travel. The agency's Sustainable Flight Demonstrator project seeks to inform the next generation of single-aisle airliners, the most common aircraft in commercial aviation fleets around the world. NASA partnered with Boeing to develop the X-66 experimental demonstrator aircraft.
NASA Armstrong's Experimental Fabrication Shop carries out modifications and repair work on aircraft, ranging from the creation of something as small as an aluminum bracket to modifying wing spars, fuselage ribs, control surfaces, and other tasks to support missions.
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Original text here: https://www.nasa.gov/image-article/nasa-boosts-efficiency-with-custom-x-66-flooring/
NASA Awards Launch Services Contract for SpaceX Starship
WASHINGTON, March 29 -- NASA issued the following news release:
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NASA Awards Launch Services Contract for SpaceX Starship
NASA has awarded SpaceX of Starbase, Texas, a modification under the NASA Launch Services (NLS) II contract to add Starship to their existing Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy launch service offerings.
The NLS II contracts provide a broad range of commercial launch services for NASA's planetary, Earth-observing, exploration, and scientific satellites. These high-priority, low and medium risk tolerant missions have full NASA technical oversight and mission assurance, resulting
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WASHINGTON, March 29 -- NASA issued the following news release:
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NASA Awards Launch Services Contract for SpaceX Starship
NASA has awarded SpaceX of Starbase, Texas, a modification under the NASA Launch Services (NLS) II contract to add Starship to their existing Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy launch service offerings.
The NLS II contracts provide a broad range of commercial launch services for NASA's planetary, Earth-observing, exploration, and scientific satellites. These high-priority, low and medium risk tolerant missions have full NASA technical oversight and mission assurance, resultingin the highest probability of launch success.
The NLS II contracts are multiple award, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity, with an ordering period through June 2030 and an overall period of performance through December 2032. The contracts include an on-ramp provision that provides an opportunity annually for new launch service providers to add their launch service on an NLS II contract and compete for future missions and allows existing contractors to introduce launch services not currently on their NLS II contracts.
The contracts support the goals and objectives of the agency's Science Mission Directorate, Space Operations Mission Directorate, Explorations Systems Development Mission Directorate, and the Space Technology Mission Directorate. Under the contracts, NASA also can provide launch services to other federal government agencies.
NASA's Launch Services Program Office at the agency's Kennedy Space Center in Florida manages the NLS II contracts. For more information about NASA and agency programs, visit:
https://www.nasa.gov
Tiernan Doyle / Joshua Finch
Headquarters, Washington
202-358-1600 / 202-358-1100
tiernan.doyle@.nasa.gov / joshua.a.finch@nasa.gov
Patti Bielling
Kennedy Space Center, Florida
321-501-7575
patricia.a.bielling@nasa.gov
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Original text here: https://www.nasa.gov/news-release/nasa-awards-launch-services-contract-for-spacex-starship/
IDB Launches 'South Connection' Regional Program
WASHINGTON, March 29 -- The Inter-American Development Bank issued the following news release:
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IDB Launches 'South Connection' Regional Program
New program will promote integration and growth in South America
SANTIAGO - The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) presented today "South Connection," a new regional program co-created by the countries of South America for developing strategic corridors to improve connectivity, strengthen value chains, and modernize institutional frameworks. By connecting currently fragmented markets, the initiative seeks to increase scale, reduce costs, and
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WASHINGTON, March 29 -- The Inter-American Development Bank issued the following news release:
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IDB Launches 'South Connection' Regional Program
New program will promote integration and growth in South America
SANTIAGO - The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) presented today "South Connection," a new regional program co-created by the countries of South America for developing strategic corridors to improve connectivity, strengthen value chains, and modernize institutional frameworks. By connecting currently fragmented markets, the initiative seeks to increase scale, reduce costs, andattract investment.
During the IDB and IDB Invest Annual Meetings, the Bank's governors and other high-ranking representatives from Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, and Uruguay joined IDB President Ilan Goldfajn to sign a declaration of support for the program, requested by South American countries. In it, they recognized the cross-border nature of shared challenges and requested the IDB's support to address them jointly through a pragmatic, regional approach.
"South Connection" is based on three pillars:
1 Connectivity, improving roads, ports, waterways, electrical and digital networks.
2. Regional and global value chains, facilitating trade, developing local production, and improving market integration.
3. Regulatory and institutional strengthening, supporting trade agreements, regulatory frameworks, and institutions at all levels.
"South Connection responds to the mandate of our governors and the shared commitment to build a larger, more integrated regional market that is attractive for investment. Through better connectivity, stronger value chains, and modernized institutional frameworks, the program will help South American countries overcome historical barriers and generate new opportunities," said President Goldfajn.
Simone Tebet, Brazil's minister of planning and budget, said: "South American Integration Routes is an innovative political initiative resulted from a dialogue process involving Brazilian border states, the countries of the region, and the federal government. Now, through the 'South Connection' program, we can further strengthen regional integration and attract greater investments. It is essential to boost the trade in goods and services within South America. With the support of multilateral institutions like the IDB, we have a real opportunity to generate more employment, higher incomes, and new business opportunities."
"South America faces significant economic challenges, including transportation costs that are 40% higher than in the United States," said Mario Marcel, Chile's finance minister. "Prioritizing integration is one of the objectives of this type of meetings, and bi-oceanic corridors are a concrete way to maintain strategic intraregional infrastructure. They also allow us to reduce transportation costs, improve connectivity, and enhance trade flows. Greater economic integration can unify markets, attract investment, and foster innovation, unlocking the full potential for sustainable growth."
The new IDB program will expand the Integration Routes alliance, born under the Brasilia Agreement that was signed by countries in May 2023 and supported by the IDB, FONPLATA, Brazil's National Bank for Economic and Social Development (BNDES), and CAF - Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean.
Collaboration with FONPLATA to Accelerate Regional Integration
Also, during the Annual Meetings and following these collaboration efforts, the IDB and FONPLATA formalized a cooperation agreement to increase collaboration between the institutions, including exploration of co-financing opportunities for regional projects, such as integration routes within the framework of "South Connection".
Additionally, both institutions will promote knowledge exchange to develop institutional strategies and risk management. They will also promote innovative financial instruments, such as exposure exchange agreements, to expand financing and strengthen collaboration in key areas.
About the IDB
The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) is devoted to improving lives across Latin America and the Caribbean. Founded in 1959, the IDB works with the region's public sector to design and enable impactful, innovative solutions for sustainable and inclusive development. Leveraging financing, technical expertise and knowledge, it promotes growth and well-being in 26 countries. Visit our website www.iadb.org/en
Contacts
Planes,Maria Soledad
mplanes@iadb.org
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Original text here: https://www.iadb.org/en/news/idb-launches-south-connection-regional-program
Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas and First Federal Bank of Louisiana Award $100K Grant to Project Build a Future
DALLAS, Texas, March 29 -- The Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas, a district bank in the Federal Home Loan Bank System, issued the following news release:
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Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas and First Federal Bank of Louisiana Award $100K Grant to Project Build a Future
Funds Will Support Education and Legal Issues
LAKE CHARLES, LOUISIANA, March 28, 2025 -- The Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas (FHLB Dallas) awarded a $100,000 Heirs' Property Program grant to Project Build a Future (PBAF) in a ceremonial check presentation yesterday. The funds, awarded through FHLB Dallas member First Federal
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DALLAS, Texas, March 29 -- The Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas, a district bank in the Federal Home Loan Bank System, issued the following news release:
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Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas and First Federal Bank of Louisiana Award $100K Grant to Project Build a Future
Funds Will Support Education and Legal Issues
LAKE CHARLES, LOUISIANA, March 28, 2025 -- The Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas (FHLB Dallas) awarded a $100,000 Heirs' Property Program grant to Project Build a Future (PBAF) in a ceremonial check presentation yesterday. The funds, awarded through FHLB Dallas member First FederalBank of Louisiana, will be used for community experts to inform and educate the community about heirship issues, as well as assist clients with property issues.
PBAF will use $25,000 to work with the Southwest Louisiana Law Center (SWLA Law Center), to provide opportunities for community experts to deliver information sessions with educational materials. The remaining grant funds ($75,000) will be provided to the SWLA Law Center to assist clients.
"One of the most significant and lingering challenges we face with housing recovery post-Hurricane Laura is the obstacle of clear titles on homeownership," said Lake Charles Mayor Nic Hunter. "There are programs and funds out there to help our residents repair and, in some cases, rebuild their homes. Some residents are unable to access these funds because a succession was never completed...This is why I am thrilled to hear of this grant being awarded to Project Build A Future. They do incredible work in our community every day, and this program in particular, will bring hope to a number of families who are still struggling."
Heirs' property refers to property inherited without a will or legal documentation of ownership. As property is passed down, each successive generation typically results in more heirs being added to the inheritance. The absence of a deed or will can make it more complicated to obtain a clear title to land or homes as time passes.
"These funds will strengthen our efforts to help Louisiana residents secure a strong future with a clear title to their home," said Charla Blake, executive director of PBAF.
In 2024, FHLB Dallas and 20 participating members awarded $2 million to 33 organizations in FHLB Dallas' five-state District. The funding will help clear an estimated 560 titles and assist more than 5,670 people with training and education regarding heirs' issues. $3 million has been allocated for 2025.
"We are so pleased to be a part of the Heirs' Property Program and to make a real impact in families lives," said Melissa Dickson, CRA manager at First Federal Bank of Louisiana.
Bruce Hatton, Community Marketing and Outreach Manager at FHLB Dallas, says the Heirs' Property Program has been extremely popular since its inception in 2023.
"This program helps those who might not otherwise have access to legal resources and education," he said. "It's extremely gratifying to be able to assist those who have been subjected to hardship, and to help put them on the path of a secure future."
For more information about the Heirs' Property Program, visit fhlb.com/heirs.
About the First Federal Bank of Louisiana
First Federal Bank of Louisiana is a full-service, locally owned community bank that has helped build the communities we serve for over 75 years. With 16 offices currently serving multiple parishes across Southwest and Central Louisiana, it offers customers comprehensive retail and commercial products as well as investments and insurance services to meet all of their financial needs. Visit www.ffbla.bank to learn more. Member FDIC, Equal Housing Lender.
About the Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas
The Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas is one of 11 district banks in the FHLBank System created by Congress in 1932. FHLB Dallas, with total assets of $127.7 billion as of December 31, 2024, is a member-owned cooperative that supports housing and community development by providing competitively priced loans and other credit products to approximately 800 members and associated institutions in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico and Texas. For more information, visit fhlb.com.
About Project Build a Future
Project Build a Future (PBAF) is a nonprofit corporation committed to revitalizing its target area through quality, affordable home-ownership initiatives. Its target area encompasses the sections North of Broad Street in Lake Charles, LA. In addition, PBAF offers homebuyer counseling services that lay a solid foundation for financial success of homebuyers which strengthens their ability to be successful over the long term. In fact, PBAF has seen no foreclosures on any of its homes since its inception in 2001.
About the Southwest LA Law Center
The Southwest LA Law Center (SWLLC) is a "Modest Means" law firm which provides affordable legal assistance to those persons who do not qualify for free legal services. A sliding fee scale is used to determine the cost for representation. The Law Center has been serving the underprivileged communities of Southwest Louisiana since 1967 with measurable success and are proud of the deep tradition of excellence, ensuring only the highest quality of service to clients.
Contact Information:
Corporate Communications
Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas
fhlb.com
214.441.8445
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Original text here: https://www.fhlb.com/library/press-releases/2025/federal-home-loan-bank-of-dallas-and-first-federal
Cygnus Departing Station Soon Live on NASA+
WASHINGTON, March 29 -- NASA issued the following news release on March 28, 2025:
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Cygnus Departing Station Soon Live on NASA+
Live coverage of the departure of the S.S. Richard "Dick" Scobee Northrop Grumman's uncrewed Cygnus cargo spacecraft from the International Space Station is underway on NASA+, with its release from the robotic arm scheduled for 6:55 a.m. EDT. Coverage will conclude following departure from station.
Flight controllers on the ground sent commands earlier Friday morning for the space station's Canadarm2 robotic arm to detach Cygnus from the Unity module's Earth-facing
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WASHINGTON, March 29 -- NASA issued the following news release on March 28, 2025:
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Cygnus Departing Station Soon Live on NASA+
Live coverage of the departure of the S.S. Richard "Dick" Scobee Northrop Grumman's uncrewed Cygnus cargo spacecraft from the International Space Station is underway on NASA+, with its release from the robotic arm scheduled for 6:55 a.m. EDT. Coverage will conclude following departure from station.
Flight controllers on the ground sent commands earlier Friday morning for the space station's Canadarm2 robotic arm to detach Cygnus from the Unity module's Earth-facingport and then maneuvered the spacecraft into position for its release. NASA astronaut Nichole Ayers will monitor Cygnus' systems during its departure from the space station.
After a deorbit engine firing on Sunday, March 30, Cygnus will begin a planned destructive re-entry, in which the spacecraft - filled with trash packed by the station crew - will safely burn up in Earth's atmosphere.
Cygnus arrived at the space station Aug. 6, 2024, following a launch on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. It was the company's 21st commercial resupply services mission to the space station for NASA. The spacecraft is named the S.S. Richard "Dick" Scobee in honor of the former NASA astronaut.
Get space station news, images and features via the space station blog, @space_station and @ISS_Research on X, as well as the ISS Facebook and ISS Instagram accounts.
Get the latest from NASA delivered every week. Subscribe here: https://www.nasa.gov/subscribe
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Original text here: https://www.nasa.gov/blogs/spacestation/2025/03/28/cygnus-departing-station-soon-live-on-nasa/
