5 key takeaways from Jared Isaacman's 2nd NASA chief nomination hearing

NASA astronaut Jonny Kim has returned to Earth after an extensive eight-month mission aboard the International Space Station (ISS), during which he completed 3,920 orbits around the planet. This mission concluded on December 9, 2025, marking a significant achievement in his career and contributions to space exploration.

NASA has lost contact with its MAVEN Mars orbiter while it was on the far side of the Red Planet. The communication link was abruptly severed, raising concerns about the status of the spacecraft, which had been operational for over a decade prior to this incident.

NASA's MAVEN spacecraft failed to establish communication as expected on December 6, raising concerns about the status of this critical Mars orbiter. The loss of signal could hinder ongoing research into the Martian atmosphere and climate.

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket successfully launched 27 Starlink satellites from Vandenberg Space Force Station in California on December 10, 2025, marking the 160th flight of the Falcon 9 rocket this year. This launch is part of SpaceX's ongoing efforts to enhance its satellite internet service, which aims to provide global coverage.

NASA's Perseverance rover has captured audio evidence of lightning-like discharges in the thin atmosphere of Mars, marking a significant advancement in understanding the planet's atmospheric phenomena. This discovery allows scientists to hear dust devils crackling with electricity, providing new insights into Martian weather patterns.

NASA's Perseverance rover has successfully collected significant samples from Mars, yet the mission to return these samples to Earth is encountering substantial obstacles that could delay or complicate the process.

Elon Musk's SpaceX is reportedly preparing for a stock market flotation that could raise over $25 billion and value the company at more than $1 trillion. Discussions with banks regarding an initial public offering (IPO) are said to be underway, with a potential listing anticipated around June or July of next year.

Astronomers using NASA's James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) have identified the most ancient supernova ever observed, dating back to a time when the universe was less than a billion years old. This discovery marks a significant milestone in understanding the early universe and the formation of celestial bodies.