In this week’s newsletter, meet the crew that has been living in the isolated Mars Dune Alpha for 365 days; wish the iconic NASA “meatball” logo a happy birthday; and remember Joe Engle, the last living X-15 pilot, who passed away on July 10 at the age of 91.

HUMANS IN SPACE

Voyagers of Mars

Living in the isolated Mars Dune Alpha, a 3D-printed, 1,700-square-foot habitat, CHAPEA (Crew Health and Performance Exploration Analog) crew members, from left, Kelly Haston, Nathan Jones, Anca Selariu, and Ross Brockwell faced the rigors of a simulated Mars expedition, enduring stressors akin to those of a real mission to the Red Planet. Their journey will help scientists understand the challenges of deep space missions and offer invaluable insights into the resilience of the human spirit.



THE CHAPEA CREW'S YEARLONG JOURNEY

HUMANS IN SPACE

Mars Audio Log Podcast Series

Throughout their stay, the CHAPEA crew shared thoughts on the rigors of a simulated Mars expedition. Although they endured stressors akin to those of a real mission to the Red Planet, they found moments of levity in birthday celebrations, haircuts, and cooking meals together.

A YEAR IN MARS DUNE ALPHA

HUMANS IN SPACE

NASA’s SpaceX Crew-9 Update

As part of NASA’s SpaceX Crew-9 mission, NASA astronauts Zena Cardman, Nick Hague, and Stephanie Wilson, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov, will join Expedition 71 and 72 crew members no earlier than August.

FOLLOW THE MISSION

HUMANS IN SPACE

NASA’s Boeing Crew Flight Test Update

NASA and Boeing continue working to increase their understanding of the Starliner spacecraft’s propulsion system before the return of agency astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams to Earth from the International Space Station.

FOLLOW THE MISSION

NASA HISTORY

Happy Birthday, Meatball!

On July 15, 2024, NASA’s logo will turn 65. The iconic symbol, known affectionately as “the meatball,” was developed by employee James Modarelli. The red, white, and blue design, which includes elements representing NASA’s space and aeronautics missions, became the official logo of the United States’ new space agency in 1959. A simplified version of NASA’s formal seal, the symbol has been launched on rockets, flown to the Moon and beyond, and even adorns the International Space Station.

NASA'S ICONIC LOGO TURNS 65

More NASA News

NASA HISTORY

Honoring Joe Engle, 1932—2024

Joe Engle, the last living X-15 pilot, passed away July 10 at the age of 91. Engle received his astronaut wings in a ceremony on July 15, 1965, for his flight in the hypersonic aircraft, reaching an altitude of 50 miles above the Earth. At 32, he was the youngest man to become an astronaut.

When NASA selected Joe Engle as one of 19 new astronaut candidates the following year, in 1966, he was in an unusual position; he was the only one who had already engaged in spaceflight operations. First assigned to the Apollo program, Engle served on the support crew for Apollo 10 and then as a backup lunar module pilot for Apollo 14. In 1977, he was commander of one of two crews conducting approach and landing tests with the Space Shuttle Enterprise. Then in November 1981, he commanded STS-2, the second flight of space shuttle Columbia, and manually flew the re-entry—performing 29 flight test maneuvers—from Mach 25 through landing rollout.

ORAL HISTORY PROJECT: JOE ENGLE

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