Cubist Cube

Colorful Cubes of Light

NASA's Farside Seismic Suite (FSS) is assembled in a clean room at the agency's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern California in November 2023. Two sensitive seismometers packaged in the suite's cube-within-a-cube structure will gather NASA's first seismic data from the Moon in nearly 50 years and take the first-ever seismic measurements from the Moon's far side. FSS will operate continuously for at least 4½ months, working through the long, cold lunar nights. Seen here is the inner cube structure, with the suite's large battery at rear. The gold, puck-shaped device at left is the Short Period sensor, or SP, which measures motion in three directions using sensors etched into a trio of square silicon chips, each about 1 inch (25 millimeters) wide. At right, within the silver cylindrical enclosure, is the Very Broadband seismometer, or VBB, the most sensitive seismometer ever built for use in space exploration. It can detect ground motions smaller than the size of a single hydrogen atom, measuring up-and-down movement using a pendulum held in place by a spring. Constructed as a backup instrument (a "flight spare") for NASA's InSight Mars lander by the French space agency, CNES (Centre National d'Études Spatiales), the VBB was slightly modified and packaged in a new enclosure for lunar use. The suite's computer and electronics are packed alongside the battery and seismometers. After being encased in insulation, this inner cube was suspended within a protective outer cube, which was in turn covered with a shiny insulating blanket. https://photojournal.jpl.nasa.gov/catalog/PIA26300

Illustration of one of the twin MarCO spacecraft with some key components labeled. Front cover is left out to show some internal components. Antennas and solar arrays are in deployed configuration. https://photojournal.jpl.nasa.gov/catalog/PIA22548

View of three cube satellites (Cubesats), or nanosatellites, shortly after deployment. Image was released by astronaut on Twitter.

The image on the left is an artist rendering of Montana State University Explorer 1 CubeSat; at right is a CubeSat created by the University of Michigan designated the Michigan Mulitpurpose Mini-satellite, or M-Cubed.

The James Webb Space Telescope's ISIM structure recently endured a &quot;gravity sag test&quot; as it was rotated in what looked like giant cube in a NASA clean room. The Integrated Science Instrument Module (ISIM) that will fly on the Webb telescope was rotated upside down inside a cube-like structure in the cleanroom at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland. The purpose of &quot;cubing&quot; the ISIM was to test it for &quot;gravity sag,&quot; which is to see how much the structure changes under its own weight due to gravity. The Integrated Science Instrument Module (ISIM) is one of three major elements that comprise the Webb Observatory flight system. The others are the Optical Telescope Element (OTE) and the Spacecraft Element (Spacecraft Bus and Sunshield). Read more: <a href="http://1.usa.gov/1ze7u2l" rel="nofollow">1.usa.gov/1ze7u2l</a> Credit: NASA/Goddard/Chris Gunn <b><a href="http://www.nasa.gov/audience/formedia/features/MP_Photo_Guidelines.html" rel="nofollow">NASA image use policy.</a></b> <b><a href="http://www.nasa.gov/centers/goddard/home/index.html" rel="nofollow">NASA Goddard Space Flight Center</a></b> enables NASA’s mission through four scientific endeavors: Earth Science, Heliophysics, Solar System Exploration, and Astrophysics. Goddard plays a leading role in NASA’s accomplishments by contributing compelling scientific knowledge to advance the Agency’s mission. <b>Follow us on <a href="http://twitter.com/NASAGoddardPix" rel="nofollow">Twitter</a></b> <b>Like us on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Greenbelt-MD/NASA-Goddard/395013845897?ref=tsd" rel="nofollow">Facebook</a></b> <b>Find us on <a href="http://instagram.com/nasagoddard?vm=grid" rel="nofollow">Instagram</a></b>

jsc2022e057886 (5/12/2022) --- ICE Cubes mission control centre at the Space Applications Services, Brussels, Belgium [credit: Space Applications Services, NV/SA]

jsc2022e057890 (5/12/2022) --- MALETH II Biocube, based on the ICE Cubes platform by Space Applications Services, that takes Malta’s second space mission samples to the International Space Station. This is part of the Follow-up Study of Human Skin Tissue Microbiome Studies and Yeast Cells in Space (Ice Cubes #9.2 – Maleth 2) investigation. Image courtesy of Glenn Sciortino, Arkafort Ltd.

iss067e000391 (3/31/2022) --- A Nona Cube containing Optical Imaging of Bubble Dynamics on Nanostructured Surfaces, part of TangoLab Mission-25. The Optical Imaging of Bubble Dynamics on Nanostructured Surfaces investigation observes thermal bubbles in a microgravity environment with the use of an optical imaging system.

jsc2022e057894 (5/13/2022) --- Views of the Maltese Biocube based on the ICE Cubes platform by Belgian company Space Applications Services [Credit: Space Applications Services, NV/SA]

jsc2021e037900 (8/12/2021) --- A preflight image shows the two cameras facing the six cuvettes. A set of soft RGB led lights are also present that will illuminate to varying levels the lighting inside the cube. The top cover is shown alongside the base together with the prominent logos of the misson. The Ice Cubes #9 – Project Maleth (Space Omics Analysis of the Skin Microbiome of Diabetic Foot Ulcers, or SpaceOMIX) investigation that studies Diabetes Mellitus Type 2 and Diabetic Foot Ulcers (DFU) using genetics and space biosciences is new and innovative research. Image courtesy Space Applications Services.

MarCO-B, one of the experimental Mars Cube One (MarCO) CubeSats, took this image of Mars from about 4,700 miles (6,000 kilometers) away during its flyby of the Red Planet on Nov. 26, 2018. MarCO-B was flying by Mars with its twin, MarCO-A, to attempt to serve as communications relays for NASA's InSight spacecraft as it landed on Mars. This image was taken at about 12:10 p.m. PST (3:10 p.m. EST) while MarCO-B was flying away from the planet after InSight landed. https://photojournal.jpl.nasa.gov/catalog/PIA22833

An artist's rendering of the twin Mars Cube One (MarCO) spacecraft as they fly through deep space. The MarCOs will be the first CubeSats -- a kind of modular, mini-satellite -- attempting to fly to another planet. They're designed to fly along behind NASA's InSight lander on its cruise to Mars. If they make the journey, they will test a relay of data about InSight's entry, descent and landing back to Earth. Though InSight's mission will not depend on the success of the MarCOs, they will be a test of how CubeSats can be used in deep space. https://photojournal.jpl.nasa.gov/catalog/PIA22314

An artist's rendering of the twin Mars Cube One (MarCO) spacecraft on their cruise in deep space. The MarCOs will be the first CubeSats -- a kind of modular, mini-satellite -- attempting to fly to another planet. They're designed to fly along behind NASA's InSight lander on its cruise to Mars. If they make the journey, they will test a relay of data about InSight's entry, descent and landing back to Earth. Though InSight's mission will not depend on the success of the MarCOs, they will be a test of how CubeSats can be used in deep space. https://photojournal.jpl.nasa.gov/catalog/PIA22315

An artist's rendering of the twin Mars Cube One (MarCO) spacecraft flying over Mars with Earth in the distance. The MarCOs will be the first CubeSats -- a kind of modular, mini-satellite -- flown in deep space. They're designed to fly along behind NASA's InSight lander on its cruise to Mars. If they make the journey, they will test a relay of data about InSight's entry, descent and landing back to Earth. Though InSight's mission will not depend on the success of the MarCOs, they will be a test of how CubeSats can be used in deep space. https://photojournal.jpl.nasa.gov/catalog/PIA22316

Engineer Joel Steinkraus uses sunlight to test the solar arrays on one of the Mars Cube One (MarCO) spacecraft at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory. The MarCOs will be the first CubeSats -- a kind of modular, mini-satellite -- flown into deep space. They're designed to fly along behind NASA's InSight lander on its cruise to Mars. If they make the journey to Mars, they will test a relay of data about InSight's entry, descent and landing back to Earth. Though InSight's mission will not depend on the success of the MarCOs, they will be a test of how CubeSats can be used in deep space. https://photojournal.jpl.nasa.gov/catalog/PIA22317

Engineer Joel Steinkraus uses sunlight to test the solar arrays on one of the Mars Cube One (MarCO) spacecraft at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory. The MarCOs will be the first CubeSats -- a kind of modular, mini-satellite -- flown into deep space. They're designed to fly along behind NASA's InSight lander on its cruise to Mars. If they make the journey, they will test a relay of data about InSight's entry, descent and landing back to Earth. Though InSight's mission will not depend on the success of the MarCOs, they will be a test of how CubeSats can be used in deep space. https://photojournal.jpl.nasa.gov/catalog/PIA22318

Engineer Joel Steinkraus stands with both of the Mars Cube One (MarCO) spacecraft at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory. The one on the left is folded up the way it will be stowed on its rocket; the one on the right has its solar panels fully deployed, along with its high-gain antenna on top. The MarCOs will be the first CubeSats -- a kind of modular, mini-satellite -- flown in deep space. They're designed to fly along behind NASA's InSight lander on its cruise to Mars. If they make the journey, they will test a relay of data about InSight's entry, descent and landing back to Earth. Though InSight's mission will not depend on the success of the MarCOs, they will be a test of how CubeSats can be used in deep space. https://photojournal.jpl.nasa.gov/catalog/PIA22319

iss067e000403 (3/31/2022) --- A view of a Cube containing Space Tango - Cubelab Satellite Demonstrator, part of TangoLab Mission-25 aboard the International Space Station (ISS). Space Tango - University of Kentucky Cubelab Satellite Demonstrator (Space Tango - Cubelab Satellite Demonstrator) tests a new attitude-control technology for small satellites, which is an integral part of future space missions.

iss067e000376 (3/31/2022) --- A Higher Orbits Double Cube aboard the International Space Station (ISS). The Effects of Microgravity on Oxygen Output Regarding Chlorella vulgaris (Oxygen Production in Algae) investigates how microgravity affects the oxygen output of an algal species. Results could improve understanding of microgravity’s effects on the process of photosynthesis and development of photosynthetic organisms, which could contribute to design of oxygen production systems for future space travel.

iss067e000411 (3/31/2022) --- A view of a Cube containing Space Tango - Cubelab Satellite Demonstrator, part of TangoLab Mission-25 aboard the International Space Station (ISS). Space Tango - University of Kentucky Cubelab Satellite Demonstrator (Space Tango - Cubelab Satellite Demonstrator) tests a new attitude-control technology for small satellites, which is an integral part of future space missions.

MarCO-B, one of the experimental Mars Cube One (MarCO) CubeSats, took these images as it approached Mars from about 357,300 miles (575,000 kilometers) to 11,200 miles (18,000 kilometers) away, just before NASA's InSight spacecraft landed on Mars on Nov. 26, 2018. MarCO-B flew by Mars with its twin, MarCO-A, to serve as communications relays for InSight as it touched down on the Red Planet. MarCO-B, nicknamed Wall-E, took these images on Sunday, Nov. 25 and Monday, Nov. 26, 2018. The bright point of light to the left is the corner of MarCO-B's high gain antenna feed and to the right is the high gain antenna, which let the CubeSat communicate with Earth. Animation available at https://photojournal.jpl.nasa.gov/catalog/PIA22655

MarCO-B, one of the experimental Mars Cube One (MarCO) CubeSats, took this image of Mars from about 11,300 miles (18,200 kilometers) away shortly before NASA's InSight spacecraft landed on Mars on Nov. 26, 2018. MarCO-B flew by Mars with its twin, MarCO-A, to serve as communications relays for InSight spacecraft as it touched down around noon PST (3 p.m. EST). This image was taken at 10:35 a.m. PST (1:35 p.m. EST). Mars' north pole is at the top. A lighter-toned circular feature known as Hellas Basin is visible in the southern hemisphere. MarCO-B's antenna reflector can be seen at left. The blue dot on the right is a glint of sunlight off the antenna feed (not visible in the picture). https://photojournal.jpl.nasa.gov/catalog/PIA22831

MarCO-B, one of the experimental Mars Cube One (MarCO) CubeSats, took this image of Mars from about 10,900 miles (17,500 kilometers) away just after NASA's InSight spacecraft landed on Mars on Nov. 26, 2018. MarCO-B flew by Mars with its twin, MarCO-A, to serve as communications relays for InSight as it touched down on the Red Planet around noon PST (3 p.m. EST). This image was taken at 1 p.m. PST (4 p.m. EST). Mars' south pole is facing the viewer in this image. MarCO-B's antenna reflector is on the right and antenna feed (white rectangle with gold square) is on the left. The Sun at upper right overexposed part of the image. https://photojournal.jpl.nasa.gov/catalog/PIA22832

MarCO-B, one of the experimental Mars Cube One (MarCO) CubeSats, took this image of Mars from about 10,900 miles (17,500 kilometers) away just after NASA's InSight spacecraft landed on Mars on Nov. 26, 2018. MarCO-B flew by Mars with its twin, MarCO-A, to serve as communications relays for InSight as it touched down on the Red Planet around noon PST (3 p.m. EST). This image was taken at 1 p.m. PST (4 p.m. EST). A crescent Mars with its south pole in the 4 o'clock position is visible in this picture. MarCO-B's antenna reflector mirrors a portion of the illuminated part of Mars on the bottom right. The antenna feed (white rectangle with gold squares) is visible on the left. https://photojournal.jpl.nasa.gov/catalog/PIA22834

jsc2021e033549 (8/4/2021) --- A prefliight view of Ice Cubes #9 - Project Maleth. The Maltese Biocube, based on ICE Cubes platform by Space Applications Services, that will take samples to the International Space Station in a historic first for the country. The investigation studies Diabetes Mellitus Type 2 and Diabetic Foot Ulcers (DFU) using genetics and space biosciences is new and innovative research. Image credit: DOI: Ministry for Foreign and European Affairs, Malta

jsc2021e033543 (8/4/2021) --- A prefliight view of Ice Cubes #9 - Project Maleth. The Maltese Biocube, based on ICE Cubes platform by Space Applications Services, that will take samples to the International Space Station in a historic first for the country. The investigation studies Diabetes Mellitus Type 2 and Diabetic Foot Ulcers (DFU) using genetics and space biosciences is new and innovative research. Image credit: DOI: Ministry for Foreign and European Affairs, Malta

jsc2021e033554 (5/12/2021) --- A prefliight view of Ice Cubes #9 - Project Maleth. The Maltese Biocube, based on ICE Cubes platform by Space Applications Services, that will take samples to the International Space Station in a historic first for the country. The investigation studies Diabetes Mellitus Type 2 and Diabetic Foot Ulcers (DFU) using genetics and space biosciences is new and innovative research. Image credit: DOI: Ministry for Foreign and European Affairs, Malta

jsc2021e033555 (5/12/2021) --- A prefliight view of Ice Cubes #9 - Project Maleth. The Maltese Biocube, based on ICE Cubes platform by Space Applications Services, that will take samples to the International Space Station in a historic first for the country. The investigation studies Diabetes Mellitus Type 2 and Diabetic Foot Ulcers (DFU) using genetics and space biosciences is new and innovative research. Image credit: DOI: Ministry for Foreign and European Affairs, Malta

jsc2022e057883 (5/12/2022) --- A close up view of six sample cuvettes that are planned to hold five human skin tissue and microbiome samples from Diabetic Foot Ulcer patients and one yeast sample from Malta. This is part of the Follow-up Study of Human Skin Tissue Microbiome Studies and Yeast Cells in Space (Ice Cubes #9.2 – Maleth 2) investigation. Image courtesy of Space Applications Services, NV/SA.

iss068e022320 (11/15/2022) --- A view of the Gator GATSBY investigation ICE Cube taken aboard the International space Station (ISS) during installation. Gator GrAvitational effecTS on the faraday instaBilitY (Gator GATSBY) investigates pattern formation at the interface of two liquids, when periodic forcing is applied to the fluid system.

The first image captured by one of NASA's Mars Cube One (MarCO) CubeSats. The image, which shows both the CubeSat's unfolded high-gain antenna at right and the Earth and its moon in the center, was acquired by MarCO-B on May 9. MarCO is a pair of small spacecraft accompanying NASA's InSight (Interior Investigations Using Seismic Investigations, Geodesy and Heat Transport) lander. Together, MarCO-A and MarCO-B are the first CubeSats ever sent to deep space. InSight is the first mission to ever explore Mars' deep interior. If the MarCO CubeSats make the entire journey to Mars, they will attempt to relay data about InSight back to Earth as the lander enters the Martian atmosphere and lands. MarCO will not collect any science, but are intended purely as a technology demonstration. They could serve as a pathfinder for future CubeSat missions. An annotated version is available at https://photojournal.jpl.nasa.gov/catalog/PIA22323

Inside the Multi-Payload Processing Facility at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, on Wednesday, Aug. 27, 2025, technicians with the Korea AeroSpace Administration (KASA) complete closeouts on the K-Rad Cube, one of several international CubeSats slated to fly on NASA’s Artemis II test flight in 2026. Deploying in high Earth orbit from a spacecraft adapter on NASA’s SLS (Space Launch System) rocket after Orion is safely flying on its own with its crew of four astronauts, K-Rad Cube will use a dosimeter made of material designed to mimic human tissue to measure space radiation and assess biological effects at various altitudes across the Van Allen radiation belts, a critical area of research for human presence at the Moon and Mars.

Inside the Multi-Payload Processing Facility at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, on Wednesday, Aug. 27, 2025, technicians with the Korea AeroSpace Administration (KASA) complete closeouts on the K-Rad Cube, one of several international CubeSats slated to fly on NASA’s Artemis II test flight in 2026. Deploying in high Earth orbit from a spacecraft adapter on NASA’s SLS (Space Launch System) rocket after Orion is safely flying on its own with its crew of four astronauts, K-Rad Cube will use a dosimeter made of material designed to mimic human tissue to measure space radiation and assess biological effects at various altitudes across the Van Allen radiation belts, a critical area of research for human presence at the Moon and Mars.

Inside the Multi-Payload Processing Facility at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, on Wednesday, Aug. 27, 2025, technicians with the Korea AeroSpace Administration (KASA) complete closeouts on the K-Rad Cube, one of several international CubeSats slated to fly on NASA’s Artemis II test flight in 2026. Deploying in high Earth orbit from a spacecraft adapter on NASA’s SLS (Space Launch System) rocket after Orion is safely flying on its own with its crew of four astronauts, K-Rad Cube will use a dosimeter made of material designed to mimic human tissue to measure space radiation and assess biological effects at various altitudes across the Van Allen radiation belts, a critical area of research for human presence at the Moon and Mars.

Inside the Multi-Payload Processing Facility at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, on Tuesday, Aug. 26, 2025, technicians with the Korea AeroSpace Administration (KASA) inspect the K-Rad Cube, one of several international CubeSats slated to fly on NASA’s Artemis II test flight in 2026. Deploying in high Earth orbit from a spacecraft adapter on NASA’s SLS (Space Launch System) rocket after Orion is safely flying on its own with its crew of four astronauts, K-Rad Cube will use a dosimeter made of material designed to mimic human tissue to measure space radiation and assess biological effects at various altitudes across the Van Allen radiation belts, a critical area of research for human presence at the Moon and Mars.

Inside the Multi-Payload Processing Facility at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, on Tuesday, Aug. 26, 2025, technicians with the Korea AeroSpace Administration (KASA) inspect the K-Rad Cube, one of several international CubeSats slated to fly on NASA’s Artemis II test flight in 2026. Deploying in high Earth orbit from a spacecraft adapter on NASA’s SLS (Space Launch System) rocket after Orion is safely flying on its own with its crew of four astronauts, K-Rad Cube will use a dosimeter made of material designed to mimic human tissue to measure space radiation and assess biological effects at various altitudes across the Van Allen radiation belts, a critical area of research for human presence at the Moon and Mars.

jsc2021e037898 (8/12/2021) --- A preflight image shows a zoomed up picture of two sample cuvettes containing human skin samples taken by the raspberry Pi video feed. Videos of up to 60 FPS can be recorded and saved for remote use. The Ice Cubes #9 – Project Maleth (Space Omics Analysis of the Skin Microbiome of Diabetic Foot Ulcers, or SpaceOMIX) investigation that studies Diabetes Mellitus Type 2 and Diabetic Foot Ulcers (DFU) using genetics and space biosciences is new and innovative research. Image courtesy Space Applications Services.

jsc2021e037896 (8/12/2021) --- A preflight imagevshows integration of 2nd to 5th sample cuvettes to fit between the first and last samples cuvettes. The sample cuvettes are securely fastened in place using tools and under strict clean room preparations. The Ice Cubes #9 – Project Maleth (Space Omics Analysis of the Skin Microbiome of Diabetic Foot Ulcers, or SpaceOMIX) investigation that studies Diabetes Mellitus Type 2 and Diabetic Foot Ulcers (DFU) using genetics and space biosciences is new and innovative research. Image courtesy Space Applications Services.

iss060e036686 (8/19/2019) --- A view during removal of card/cube from TangoLab-2 Facility. The Effects of Microgravity on Microbial Nitrogen Fixation (Microbial Nitrogen Fixation) explores the effectiveness of two strains of nitrogen-fixing bacteria. Nitrogen is an essential element in plant growth, but plants use only reduced forms of nitrogen and much of it is produced by these bacteria. Determining whether and how nitrogen fixation occurs in space is key to successfully growing plants on future missions.

The front panel of this image cube shows the true-color view of an area in northwest Nevada observed by NASA's Earth Surface Mineral Dust Source Investigation (EMIT) imaging spectrometer. The side panels depict the spectral fingerprint for every point in the image, which shows an area about 130 miles (209 kilometers) northeast of Lake Tahoe. The instrument works by measuring reflected solar energy from Earth across hundreds of wavelengths from the visible to the infrared range of the spectrum. The intensity of the reflected light varies by wavelength based on the material. Scientists are using these patterns, called spectral fingerprints, to identify surface minerals and pinpoint their locations on a map. The cube was among the first created by EMIT scientists as they confirmed that the instrument was collecting data accurately before the start of science operations. Analysis of the patterns indicate areas dominated by kaolinite, a light-colored clay mineral. When dust from the kaolinite-dominated areas is lofted into the atmosphere, the particles tend to scatter sunlight and reflect it back to space, cooling the air. Over the course of its 12-month mission, EMIT will collect measurements of 10 important surface minerals – kaolinite, hematite, goethite, illite, vermiculite, calcite, dolomite, montmorillonite, chlorite, and gypsum – in arid regions between 50-degree south and north latitudes in Africa, Asia, North and South America, and Australia. The data EMIT collects will help scientists better understand the role of airborne dust particles in heating and cooling Earth's atmosphere on global and regional scales. Since EMIT was installed on the International Space Station in late July 2022, the science team has been validating the data it collects against data gathered in 2018 by the Airborne Visible/Infrared Imaging Spectrometer (AVIRIS). EMIT and AVIRIS were developed at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, which is managed for the agency by Caltech in Pasadena, California. https://photojournal.jpl.nasa.gov/catalog/PIA25427

The front panel of this image cube features the true-color view of an area in southwest Libya observed by NASA's Earth Surface Mineral Dust Source Investigation (EMIT) imaging spectrometer, which orbits the planet aboard the International Space Station. The side panels depict the spectral fingerprint for every point in the image, which shows an area about 500 miles (800 kilometers) south of Tripoli. The instrument works by measuring reflected solar energy from Earth across hundreds of wavelengths, from the visible to the infrared range of the spectrum. The intensity of the reflected light varies by wavelength based on the material. Scientists use these patterns, called spectral fingerprints, to identify surface minerals and pinpoint their locations on a map. The cube is among the first created by scientists with EMIT data. Analysis of the patterns indicated that the surface contains kaolinite, a light-colored clay mineral, and goethite and hematite, two varieties of iron oxide, which is darker. When dust from the kaolinite-dominated areas is lofted into the atmosphere, the particles tend to scatter sunlight and reflect it back to space, cooling the air. The opposite effect occurs with airborne particles of iron oxide, which tend to absorb heat and warm the surrounding air. Over the course of its 12-month mission, EMIT will collect measurements of 10 important surface minerals – kaolinite, hematite, goethite, illite, vermiculite, calcite, dolomite, montmorillonite, chlorite, and gypsum – in arid regions between 50-degree south and north latitudes in Africa, Asia, North and South America, and Australia. The data EMIT collects will help scientists better understand the role of airborne dust particles in heating and cooling Earth's atmosphere on global and regional scales. https://photojournal.jpl.nasa.gov/catalog/PIA25430

sc2021e033545 (8/4/2021) --- A preflight view the Ice Cubes #9 – Project Maleth (Space Omics Analysis of the Skin Microbiome of Diabetic Foot Ulcers, or SpaceOMIX) The investigation studies Diabetes Mellitus Type 2 and Diabetic Foot Ulcers (DFU) using genetics and space biosciences is new and innovative research. Image credit: DOI: Ministry for Foreign and European Affairs, Malta

Technicians install the Korea AeroSpace Administration (KASA) K-Rad Cube within the Orion stage adapter inside the Multi-Payload Processing Facility at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Tuesday, Sept. 2, 2025. The K-Rad Cube, about the size of a shoebox, is one of the CubeSats slated to fly on NASA’s Artemis II test flight in 2026. Deploying in high Earth orbit from a spacecraft adapter on NASA’s SLS (Space Launch System) rocket after Orion is safely flying on its own with its crew of four astronauts, K-Rad Cube will use a dosimeter made of material designed to mimic human tissue to measure space radiation and assess biological effects at various altitudes across the Van Allen radiation belts, a critical area of research for human presence at the Moon and Mars.

Technicians install the Korea AeroSpace Administration (KASA) K-Rad Cube within the Orion stage adapter inside the Multi-Payload Processing Facility at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Tuesday, Sept. 2, 2025. The K-Rad Cube, about the size of a shoebox, is one of the CubeSats slated to fly on NASA’s Artemis II test flight in 2026. Deploying in high Earth orbit from a spacecraft adapter on NASA’s SLS (Space Launch System) rocket after Orion is safely flying on its own with its crew of four astronauts, K-Rad Cube will use a dosimeter made of material designed to mimic human tissue to measure space radiation and assess biological effects at various altitudes across the Van Allen radiation belts, a critical area of research for human presence at the Moon and Mars.

Technicians install the Korea AeroSpace Administration (KASA) K-Rad Cube within the Orion stage adapter inside the Multi-Payload Processing Facility at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Tuesday, Sept. 2, 2025. The K-Rad Cube, about the size of a shoebox, is one of the CubeSats slated to fly on NASA’s Artemis II test flight in 2026. Deploying in high Earth orbit from a spacecraft adapter on NASA’s SLS (Space Launch System) rocket after Orion is safely flying on its own with its crew of four astronauts, K-Rad Cube will use a dosimeter made of material designed to mimic human tissue to measure space radiation and assess biological effects at various altitudes across the Van Allen radiation belts, a critical area of research for human presence at the Moon and Mars.

Technicians install the Korea AeroSpace Administration (KASA) K-Rad Cube within the Orion stage adapter inside the Multi-Payload Processing Facility at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Tuesday, Sept. 2, 2025. The K-Rad Cube, about the size of a shoebox, is one of the CubeSats slated to fly on NASA’s Artemis II test flight in 2026. Deploying in high Earth orbit from a spacecraft adapter on NASA’s SLS (Space Launch System) rocket after Orion is safely flying on its own with its crew of four astronauts, K-Rad Cube will use a dosimeter made of material designed to mimic human tissue to measure space radiation and assess biological effects at various altitudes across the Van Allen radiation belts, a critical area of research for human presence at the Moon and Mars.

iss072e921211 (April 4, 2025) --- NASA astronaut and Expedition 72 Flight Engineer Don Pettit prepares to deploy a "capture cube" as an Astrobee robotic free-flyer outfitted with tentacle-like grippers prepares to grapple the object inside the International Space Station's Kibo laboratory module.

iss072e921202 (April 4, 2025) --- NASA astronaut and Expedition 72 Flight Engineer Don Pettit watches as an Astrobee robotic free-flyer outfitted with tentacle-like grippers grapples a "capture cube" inside the International Space Station's Kibo laboratory module.

iss072e921201 (April 4, 2025) --- NASA astronaut and Expedition 72 Flight Engineer Don Pettit watches as an Astrobee robotic free-flyer outfitted with tentacle-like grippers grapples a "capture cube" inside the International Space Station's Kibo laboratory module.

Joey Hudy demonstrates his Intel Galileo-based 10x10x10 LED Cube during the first ever White House Maker Faire which brings together students, entrepreneurs, and everyday citizens who are using new tools and techniques to launch new businesses, learn vital skills in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM), and fuel the renaissance in American manufacturing, at the White House, Wednesday, June 18, 2014 in Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

iss064e011289 (12/8/2020) --- A view of the Ice Cubes Experiment Cube #6 – Kirara mission, in the Columbus module aboard the International Space Station (ISS). The Ice Cubes Experiment Cube #6 – Kirara is an in-orbit validation of an incubator for growing protein crystals in microgravity for future commercial business opportunities. This first demonstration mission includes proteins for seven different companies and research institutes.

iss068e075597 (3/17/2023) --- A view of the Ice Cubes Experiment Cube #6 – Kirara mission, in the Columbus module aboard the International Space Station (ISS). The Ice Cubes Experiment Cube #6 – Kirara is an in-orbit validation of an incubator for growing protein crystals in microgravity for future commercial business opportunities. This first demonstration mission includes proteins for seven different companies and research institutes.

iss064e011283 (12/8/2020) --- A view of the Ice Cubes Experiment Cube #6 – Kirara mission, in the Columbus module aboard the International Space Station (ISS). The Ice Cubes Experiment Cube #6 – Kirara is an in-orbit validation of an incubator for growing protein crystals in microgravity for future commercial business opportunities. This first demonstration mission includes proteins for seven different companies and research institutes.

iss064e011287 (12/8/2020) --- A view of the Ice Cubes Experiment Cube #6 – Kirara mission, in the Columbus module aboard the International Space Station (ISS). The Ice Cubes Experiment Cube #6 – Kirara is an in-orbit validation of an incubator for growing protein crystals in microgravity for future commercial business opportunities. This first demonstration mission includes proteins for seven different companies and research institutes.

iss068e075601 (3/17/2023) --- A view of the Ice Cubes Experiment Cube #6 – Kirara mission, in the Columbus module aboard the International Space Station (ISS). The Ice Cubes Experiment Cube #6 – Kirara is an in-orbit validation of an incubator for growing protein crystals in microgravity for future commercial business opportunities. This first demonstration mission includes proteins for seven different companies and research institutes.

iss068e075598 (3/17/2023) --- A view of the Ice Cubes Experiment Cube #6 – Kirara mission, in the Columbus module aboard the International Space Station (ISS). The Ice Cubes Experiment Cube #6 – Kirara is an in-orbit validation of an incubator for growing protein crystals in microgravity for future commercial business opportunities. This first demonstration mission includes proteins for seven different companies and research institutes.

Mars Cube One and Mars InSight team members give each other high fives at the conclusion of a Mars InSight post-landing press conference, Monday, Nov. 26, 2018 at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California. InSight, short for Interior Exploration using Seismic Investigations, Geodesy and Heat Transport, is a Mars lander designed to study the "inner space" of Mars: its crust, mantle, and core. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

An image of Mars made by one of the Mars Cube One CubeSats is shown during a Mars InSight post-landing press conference, Monday, Nov. 26, 2018 at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California. InSight, short for Interior Exploration using Seismic Investigations, Geodesy and Heat Transport, is a Mars lander designed to study the "inner space" of Mars: its crust, mantle, and core. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

NASA's twin MarCO spacecraft are scheduled to make a flyby of Mars on Nov. 26. On Nov. 24, a wide-angle camera on MarCO-B took this picture of the Red Planet, which appears as a small, grey dot in the lower left quadrant of the image. On the right side of the image is the spacecraft's high-gain antenna. On the left side is the high-gain antenna feed, as well as part of the spacecraft's thermal blanket. MarCO-B was approximately 310,000 miles (500,000 km) away from Mars at the time. Mars is actually only about 3 pixels wide in this image, but because of blurring it appears larger. An annotated version of this image notes the location of Mars, the high-gain antenna, high-gain antenna feed and thermal blanket. Each about the size of a briefcase, the MarCO spacecraft are CubeSats, or small satellites built from standardized units that are 4 inches (10 cm) square. (Each MarCO satellite consists of six CubeSat units.) The MarCOs are the first CubeSats to reach deep space, and were the first CubeSats to photograph Mars. https://photojournal.jpl.nasa.gov/catalog/PIA22830

iss058e000975 (12/26/2018) --- A view of the Organs-On-Chips as a Platform for Studying Effects of Microgravity on Human Physiology investigation taken onboard the International Space Station (ISS). Organs-On-Chips as a Platform for Studying Effects of Microgravity on Human Physiology analyzes the effect of microgravity and other space-related stressors on the brain blood barrier. It uses fully automated tissue chip technology, a Brain-Chip, consisting of living neuronal and vascular endothelial cells in a micro-engineered environment. Results may provide insight into the relationship between inflammation and brain function and a better understanding of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.

iss065e343722 (9/2/2021) --- A view aboard the International Space Station Columbus module with the Ice Cube #9 BioCube. Ice Cube #9 seeks to analize the Skin Microbiome of Diabetic Foot Ulcers

iss065e343736 (9/2/2021) --- A view aboard the International Space Station Columbus module with the Ice Cube #8 and #9 BioCubes. The Ice Cube #8 investigation uses quantum technology to produce high-resolution, high-precision measurements of the local magnetic field to create a high-resolution map of the Earth’s magnetic field. Ice Cube #9 seeks to analize the Skin Microbiome of Diabetic Foot Ulcers . The Ice Cube #8 investigation uses quantum technology to produce high-resolution, high-precision measurements of the local magnetic field to create a high-resolution map of the Earth’s magnetic field.

iss065e343729 (9/2/2021) --- A view aboard the International Space Station Columbus module with the Ice Cube #8 and #9 BioCubes. The Ice Cube #8 investigation uses quantum technology to produce high-resolution, high-precision measurements of the local magnetic field to create a high-resolution map of the Earth’s magnetic field. Ice Cube #9 seeks to analize the Skin Microbiome of Diabetic Foot Ulcers . The Ice Cube #8 investigation uses quantum technology to produce high-resolution, high-precision measurements of the local magnetic field to create a high-resolution map of the Earth’s magnetic field.

In a clean room at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern California in March 2024, engineers and technicians work to prepare the agency's Farside Seismic Suite (FSS) for environmental testing to simulate conditions it will encounter in space. Along with being placed in a vacuum chamber and subjected to extreme temperatures, the instrument suite will undergo severe shaking that mimics the rocket's motion during launch. The cube-shaped payload contains two instruments that will gather NASA's first seismic data from the Moon in nearly 50 years and take the first-ever seismic measurements from the Moon's far side. FSS will operate continuously for at least 4½ months, working through the long, cold lunar nights. The two seismometers are packaged together with a large battery, a computer, and electronics inside a cube structure that's surrounded by several layers of insulation and suspended within an outer protective cube, which is in turn covered with a shiny insulating blanket. The suite's single solar panel can be seen at center. On top is a white radiator that will allow the suite to shed heat generated by its electronics during the hot lunar daytime hours. The puck-like object atop the radiator is the suite's antenna, for communicating with two small relay satellites that will orbit the Moon and send data to Earth. Pictured (from left): Joanna Farias, and Bert Turney, and Hsin-Yi Hao. https://photojournal.jpl.nasa.gov/catalog/PIA26299

Brian Clement, Planetary Protection lead for MarCO, NASA JPL, talks about Mars Cube One (MarCO) during an Mars InSight pre-landing briefing, Sunday, Nov. 25, 2018 at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California. InSight, short for Interior Exploration using Seismic Investigations, Geodesy and Heat Transport, is a Mars lander designed to study the "inner space" of Mars: its crust, mantle, and core. InSight is scheduled to touch down on the Red Planet at approximately noon PST (3 p.m. EST) on Nov. 26. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

Brian Clement, Planetary Protection lead for MarCO, NASA JPL, talks about Mars Cube One (MarCO) during an Mars InSight pre-landing briefing, Sunday, Nov. 25, 2018 at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California. InSight, short for Interior Exploration using Seismic Investigations, Geodesy and Heat Transport, is a Mars lander designed to study the "inner space" of Mars: its crust, mantle, and core. InSight is scheduled to touch down on the Red Planet at approximately noon PST (3 p.m. EST) on Nov. 26. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

iss065e343725 (9/2/2021) --- European Space Agency (ESA) astronaut Thomas Pesquet is pictured aboard the International Space Station Columbus module with the Ice Cube #8 and #9 BioCubes. The Ice Cube #8 investigation uses quantum technology to produce high-resolution, high-precision measurements of the local magnetic field to create a high-resolution map of the Earth’s magnetic field. Ice Cube #9 seeks to analize the Skin Microbiome of Diabetic Foot Ulcers

iss065e343728 (9/2/2021) --- European Space Agency (ESA) astronaut Thomas Pesquet is pictured aboard the International Space Station Columbus module with the Ice Cube #8 and #9 BioCubes. The Ice Cube #8 investigation uses quantum technology to produce high-resolution, high-precision measurements of the local magnetic field to create a high-resolution map of the Earth’s magnetic field. Ice Cube #9 seeks to analize the Skin Microbiome of Diabetic Foot Ulcers

iss057e132633 (12/13/2018) --- A photo of the Study of the Gravity’s Effect on Bacteria (ICE Cubes Hydra-2 Bacteria Biomining) onboard the International Space Station (ISS). The ICE Cubes Hydra-2 Bacteria Biomining investigation studies the effects of microgravity on several strains of an ancient type of bacteria that does not use oxygen. The investigation is evaluating the use of these bacteria to produce methane on asteroids for use as a propellant or fuel. The Experiment Cube measures the size of the bacterial colonies in the growth chamber before and after flight.

iss073e0001017 (4/23/2025) --- A view of the ICE Cubes Experiment Cube #9 that hosts the Aging in Microgravity investigation installed in the ICE Cubes Facility in the ESA Columbus Laboratory Module. Here, the research team is able monitor the sample temperature and take pictures of the cells directly connecting to the on-board experiment from their laboratory on the ground. Once switched-on, the experiment hardware continuously keeps the sample temperature at 37°C.

Mike Kobayashi, MarCO telecoms, right, and Andy Klesh, MarCO Chief Engineer, monitor the status of the Mars Cube One (MarCO) CubeSats prior to Mars InSight touching down on Mars, Monday, Nov. 26, 2018 inside the Mission Support Area at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California. InSight, short for Interior Exploration using Seismic Investigations, Geodesy and Heat Transport, is a Mars lander designed to study the "inner space" of Mars: its crust, mantle, and core. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

The Dark Room is seen as the Mars InSight and Mars Cube One (MarCO) teams prepare for a landing on Mars, Monday, Nov. 26, 2018 at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California. InSight, short for Interior Exploration using Seismic Investigations, Geodesy and Heat Transport, is a Mars lander designed to study the "inner space" of Mars: its crust, mantle, and core. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

The Mission Support Area (MSA) is seen in advance of the Mars InSight and Mars Cube One (MarCO) teams arriving to support a landing on Mars, Monday, Nov. 26, 2018 at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California. InSight, short for Interior Exploration using Seismic Investigations, Geodesy and Heat Transport, is a Mars lander designed to study the "inner space" of Mars: its crust, mantle, and core. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

A monitor inside the Mission Support Area displays the status of Mars InSight and the Mars Cube One (MarCO) CubeSats prior to InSight touching down on Mars, Monday, Nov. 26, 2018 at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California. InSight, short for Interior Exploration using Seismic Investigations, Geodesy and Heat Transport, is a Mars lander designed to study the "inner space" of Mars: its crust, mantle, and core. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine, left, Mars Cube One, and Mars InSight team members, give each other high fives at the conclusion of a Mars InSight post-landing press conference, Monday, Nov. 26, 2018 at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California. InSight, short for Interior Exploration using Seismic Investigations, Geodesy and Heat Transport, is a Mars lander designed to study the "inner space" of Mars: its crust, mantle, and core. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

A Swarmie robot finds a "resource" cube marked with an AprilTag, similar to a barcode. In the Swarmathon competition at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, students were asked to develop computer code for the small robots, programming them to look for "resources" in the form of cubes with AprilTags.

iss056e005012 (6/5/2018) --- The International Commercial Experiment Cubes (ICE Cubes) Facility located in the Columbus European Physiology Module (EPM) rack is a capable experiment platform that offers flexibility to host many different experiments for research, technology demonstration or educational objectives.

iss056e005017 (6/5/2018) --- The International Commercial Experiment Cubes (ICE Cubes) Facility located in the Columbus European Physiology Module (EPM) rack is a capable experiment platform that offers flexibility to host many different experiments for research, technology demonstration or educational objectives.

iss065e343732 (9/2/2021) --- A view aboard the International Space Station Columbus module with the Ice Cube #8 BioCube. The Ice Cube #8 investigation uses quantum technology to produce high-resolution, high-precision measurements of the local magnetic field to create a high-resolution map of the Earth’s magnetic field.

iss065e343710 (9/2/2021) --- A view aboard the International Space Station Columbus module with the Ice Cube #8 BioCube. The Ice Cube #8 investigation uses quantum technology to produce high-resolution, high-precision measurements of the local magnetic field to create a high-resolution map of the Earth’s magnetic field.

iss073e0001010 (4/23/2025) --- The ICE Cubes Experiment Cube #9 that hosts the Aging in Microgravity investigation. Aging in Microgravity aims to bridge the gap between aging research and space exploration by investigating common pathways between aging and spaceflight exposure.

iss073e0001012 (4/23/2025) --- Another view of the ICE Cubes Experiment Cube #9 that hosts the Aging in Microgravity investigation. Aging in Microgravity aims to bridge the gap between aging research and space exploration by investigating common pathways between aging and spaceflight exposure.

In a clean room at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern California in March 2024, technician Nik Schwarz prepares the agency's Farside Seismic Suite (FSS) for testing. The cube-shaped payload contains two instruments that will gather NASA's first seismic data from the Moon in nearly 50 years and take the first-ever seismic measurements from the Moon's far side. FSS will operate continuously for at least 4½ months, working through the long, cold lunar nights. The two seismometers are packaged together with a large battery, a computer, and electronics inside a cube structure that's surrounded by several layers of insulation (the shiny, reflective material seen here) and suspended within an outer protective cube, which is in turn covered with a shiny insulating blanket. A technician is here attaching a stiffening brace to the bottom of the FSS outer cube structure. https://photojournal.jpl.nasa.gov/catalog/PIA26341

This image depicts the MarCO CubeSats relaying data (blue) from NASA's InSight lander (green) as InSight enters the Martian atmosphere. Animation available at https://photojournal.jpl.nasa.gov/catalog/PIA22738

MarCO-B, one of the experimental Mars Cube One (MarCO) CubeSats, took this image of Mars from about 10,900 miles (17,500 kilometers) away just after NASA’s InSight spacecraft landed on Mars on Nov. 26, 2018. MarCO-B flew by Mars with its twin, MarCO-A, to serve as communications relays for InSight as it touched down on the Red Planet around noon PST (3 p.m. EST). This image was taken at 1 p.m. PST (4 p.m. EST). Mars’ south pole is facing the viewer in this image. MarCO-B’s antenna reflector is on the right and antenna feed (white rectangle with gold square) is on the left. The Sun at upper right overexposed part of the image. This image was taken after PIA22833 and shortly before PIA22834. The MarCO and InSight projects are managed for NASA's Science Mission Directorate, Washington, by JPL, a division of Caltech, Pasadena. Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech

Annie Marinan, MarCO-B Missio Manager, NASA JPL, left, and Andy Klesh, MarCO chief engineer, NASA JPL, talk about Mars Cube One (MarCO) during a social media briefing, Sunday, Nov. 25, 2018 at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California. InSight, short for Interior Exploration using Seismic Investigations, Geodesy and Heat Transport, is a Mars lander designed to study the "inner space" of Mars: its crust, mantle, and core. InSight is scheduled to touch down on the Red Planet at approximately noon PST (3 p.m. EST) on Nov. 26. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

A jar of nuts with the Mars Cube One (MarCO) logo is seen inside the Mission Control Area (MSA) where teams are starting to gather for the Mars InSight landing, Monday, Nov. 26, 2018 inside the Mission Support Area at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California. Good-luck peanuts made their first appearance at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory's Space Flight Operations Facility in 1964 during the Ranger 7 mission. InSight, short for Interior Exploration using Seismic Investigations, Geodesy and Heat Transport, is a Mars lander designed to study the "inner space" of Mars: its crust, mantle, and core. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

ISS038-E-003870 (19 Nov. 2013) --- Three nanosatellites, known as Cubesats, are deployed from a Small Satellite Orbital Deployer (SSOD) attached to the Kibo laboratory’s robotic arm at 7:10 a.m. (EST) on Nov. 19, 2013. Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency astronaut Koichi Wakata, Expedition 38 flight engineer, monitored the satellite deployment while operating the Japanese robotic arm from inside Kibo. The Cubesats were delivered to the International Space Station Aug. 9, aboard Japan’s fourth H-II Transfer Vehicle, Kounotori-4.

ISS038-E-003871 (19 Nov. 2013) --- Three nanosatellites, known as Cubesats, are deployed from a Small Satellite Orbital Deployer (SSOD) attached to the Kibo laboratory’s robotic arm at 7:10 a.m. (EST) on Nov. 19, 2013. Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency astronaut Koichi Wakata, Expedition 38 flight engineer, monitored the satellite deployment while operating the Japanese robotic arm from inside Kibo. The Cubesats were delivered to the International Space Station Aug. 9, aboard Japan’s fourth H-II Transfer Vehicle, Kounotori-4.

ISS038-E-003874 (19 Nov. 2013) --- Three nanosatellites, known as Cubesats, are deployed from a Small Satellite Orbital Deployer (SSOD) attached to the Kibo laboratory's robotic arm at 7:10 a.m. (EST) on Nov. 19, 2013. Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency astronaut Koichi Wakata, Expedition 38 flight engineer, monitored the satellite deployment while operating the Japanese robotic arm from inside Kibo. The Cubesats were delivered to the International Space Station Aug. 9, aboard Japan's fourth H-II Transfer Vehicle, Kounotori-4.

ISS038-E-003872 (19 Nov. 2013) --- Three nanosatellites, known as Cubesats, are deployed from a Small Satellite Orbital Deployer (SSOD) attached to the Kibo laboratory’s robotic arm at 7:10 a.m. (EST) on Nov. 19, 2013. Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency astronaut Koichi Wakata, Expedition 38 flight engineer, monitored the satellite deployment while operating the Japanese robotic arm from inside Kibo. The Cubesats were delivered to the International Space Station Aug. 9, aboard Japan’s fourth H-II Transfer Vehicle, Kounotori-4.

ISS038-E-003876 (19 Nov. 2013) --- Three nanosatellites, known as Cubesats, are featured in this image photographed by an Expedition 38 crew member on the International Space Station. The satellites were released outside the Kibo laboratory using a Small Satellite Orbital Deployer attached to the Japanese module's robotic arm on Nov. 19, 2013. Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency astronaut Koichi Wakata, flight engineer, monitored the satellite deployment while operating the Japanese robotic arm from inside Kibo. The Cubesats were delivered to the International Space Station Aug. 9, aboard Japan’s fourth H-II Transfer Vehicle, Kounotori-4.

Andy Klesh, MarCO chief engineer, NASA JPL, left, and Annie Marinan, MarCO Systems Engineer, NASA JPL discuss NASA's Mars Cube One (MarCO) technology demonstration mission during a prelaunch media briefing, Thursday, May 3, 2018, at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. MarCO, which is a separate mission launching on the same rocket at NASA’s InSight mission to Mars, will test new miniaturized deep space communication equipment. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

At the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, students monitor progress as their Swarmie robots as they search for "resources." The goal is for the robots to pick up cubes with AprilTags, which are similar to bar codes. The Swarmies then move the cubes to a white square in the center of the completion arena. The small, four-wheeled robots are designed to effectively and efficiently locate hidden resources while astronauts explore distant destinations such as the moon or Mars.

At the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, students monitor progress as their Swarmie robots as they search for "resources." The goal is for the robots to pick up cubes with AprilTags, which are similar to bar codes. The Swarmies then move the cubes to a white square in the center of the completion arena. The small, four-wheeled robots are designed to effectively and efficiently locate hidden resources while astronauts explore distant destinations such as the moon or Mars.

jsc2024e068512 (7/24/2024) --- Setup for Investigation of Drops Coalescence in View of Medical Applications (DropCoal) (ICE Cubes #17 - DropCoal) during the Interface test, integrated into the ICE Cubes Facility engineering model (EM) at Space Application Services (SAS) premises in Brussels. The investigation studies how water and ethanol droplets of various sizes behave when colliding at different velocities. Image courtesy of Romanian InSpace Engineering.

iss068e075605 (3/17/2023) --- A view of the ICE Cubes #9.2 – Maleth 2 Biocube aboard the Internatinal Space Station (ISS). ICE Cubes #9.2 – Maleth 2 by the SpaceOMIX team identifies important biomarkers found in the human skin microbiome (such as miRNA, and other mRNA transcripts) that can potentially be targeted for therapy or general well-being to enhance space travel to deeper missions to the Moon and to Mars.

iss068e075603 (3/17/2023) --- A view of the ICE Cubes #9.2 – Maleth 2 Biocube aboard the Internatinal Space Station (ISS). ICE Cubes #9.2 – Maleth 2 by the SpaceOMIX team identifies important biomarkers found in the human skin microbiome (such as miRNA, and other mRNA transcripts) that can potentially be targeted for therapy or general well-being to enhance space travel to deeper missions to the Moon and to Mars.