Welcome to In the Spotlight, where each month we shine a light on something exciting, timely, or simply fascinating from the world of science.

In honor of Global Astronomy Month, we’re exploring the science of space. Learn how astronomy connects us through curiosity, discovery, and a shared wonder for what lies beyond.

Latest News Releases

Updates every hour. Last Updated: 20-Dec-2025 05:11 ET (20-Dec-2025 10:11 GMT/UTC)

25-Nov-2025

X-raying a satellite

Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology (Empa)
Peer-Reviewed Publication

It is rare for satellites to return to Earth intact after their mission in space – one example is the European satellite EURECA. Empa researchers have studied the satellite using various non-destructive X-ray methods. These could be used in future in the development of reusable space technologies, as well as in aviation and the automotive industry.

Journal

Acta Astronautica

25-Nov-2025

Navy and the nation: Five everyday technologies born from naval research

Naval Research Laboratory

In honor of the United States Navy’s 250th birthday, the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) is celebrating five Navy innovations that became groundbreaking technologies and shape the lives of people around the world.

24-Nov-2025

UH astronomers decode a star’s secret past

University of Hawaii at Manoa
Peer-Reviewed Publication

The star’s “alpha-rich” makeup, packed with heavier elements typically found in ancient stars, was the biggest surprise for UH researchers.

Journal

The Astrophysical Journal

24-Nov-2025

Looking inside icy moons

University of California - Davis
Peer-Reviewed Publication

The outer planets of the Solar System are swarmed by ice-wrapped moons. Some of these, such as Saturn’s moon Enceladus, are known to have oceans of liquid water between the ice shell and the rocky core and could be the best places in our solar system to look for extraterrestrial life. A new study sheds light on what could be going on beneath the surface of these worlds.

Journal

Nature Astronomy

Funder

NASA Headquarters, Canadian Institute for Advanced Research

24-Nov-2025

Building breath, layer by layer: 3D printing with living lung cells in extreme environments

Texas A&M University

Researchers at Texas A&M University model extreme conditions using 3D bioprinting, revealing insights that could make flight and space travel protocols safer while driving new breakthroughs in respiratory disease research and drug discoveries.

Journal

Biomimetics

24-Nov-2025

UAlbany researcher developing radio frequency interference solutions for U.S. weather satellites

University at Albany, SUNY
Grant and Award Announcement

Mustafa Aksoy, an associate professor in the University at Albany’s College of Nanotechnology, Science, and Engineering, is part of a large research team that was awarded a two-year, $1.1 million grant to develop radio frequency interference detection and mitigation strategies for future U.S. weather and climate satellites.