NASA Minute: June 20, 2026

This week, NASA continued preparing for the next Moon mission, returned valuable research from space, and celebrated a major milestone on Mars. Here's what's new in your NASA Minute.

What is said in the film

Across NASA, the next generation of exploration continues to take shape. This week, NASA continued preparing for the next Moon mission, returned valuable research from space, and celebrated a major milestone on Mars. Here's what's new in your NASA Minute. Progress towards next year’s Artemis III mission continued this week, as the first RS-25 engine for the mission arrived at Kennedy Space Center, where it is being prepared for integration onto the SLS rocket. Just announced last week, the Artemis III crew has already begun training for the mission, starting with Orion spacecraft systems.

Earlier this week, Kennedy Space Center Director Brian Hughes swore in 138 civil servants, as NASA continues the work to deliver on Administrator Isaacman’s directive to restore core competencies by insourcing those responsible for carrying out NASA’s mission-critical work. While NASA prepares for future missions to the Moon, astronauts aboard the International Space Station are continuing the research that will help make those journeys possible. This week, a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft departed the International Space Station and later splashed down off the coast of California, bringing home scientific research from the orbital laboratory that will be useful for future Moon missions. Farther from Earth, NASA's Perseverance rover crossed a remarkable milestone this week, officially completing a marathon on the surface of Mars. Five years after landing on the Red Planet, the rover has now traveled more than 26.

2 miles while carrying out a groundbreaking search for signs of ancient life. Perseverance joins NASA's Opportunity rover as only the second vehicle to travel that distance on another world. NASA researchers are helping to pioneer a new way to transport lifesaving organs. Recently, a team at NASA Langley successfully demonstrated the transport of a research organ by drone beyond the pilot's line of sight, a key step toward faster and more flexible organ delivery in both urban and remote areas. From preparing for future Moon missions to advancing science in orbit, on Mars, and here on Earth, NASA is continuing to push the boundaries of what's possible.

We'll see you next time on the NASA Minute.

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