An exoplanet milestone and talking about space junk

With the government shutdown, the majority of NASA and its projects have been put on pause. Plus, scientists are studying a sample that could be a sign of life on Mars and looking at how space weather could impact people.

Emily Calandrelli, also known online as The Space Gal, is encouraging kids to make their own rockets for the second annual Baking Soda Rocket Day. Plus, scientists are looking at how to grow plants off our planet.

NASA has found over 6,000 exoplanets, or planets that orbit other stars. Plus, we take a look at space junk, or human made objects that are left in orbit around our planet.

The James Webb Space Telescope and Hubble Telescope are exploring our universe, finding spiral galaxies, comets and where stars are born. Plus, a look at SpaceX’s fandom and how space enthusiasts feel about Elon Musk.

The U.S. Space Command is moving to Huntsville, Alabama. The unit is tasked overseeing the nation's military operations in outer space. Plus, NASA is partnering with Google to create an AI medical assistant that can help the on-board medical officer diagnose any medical issues mid-flight.

SpaceX's Starship successfully launched, and safety landed in the Indian Ocean. Plus, scientists have found an interesting object near Neptune.

Scientists are on the hunt for signs of life on Mars and the icy moons of Saturn and Venus.

Under the Trump administration the space agency has been undergoing policy changes as it prepares for future missions and goals, like putting a nuclear power plant on the moon. The new budget proposed may be problematic. Plus, a new executive order lifts some launch and flight regulations for commercial space companies.

Veteran NASA Astronaut Winston Scott fields questions from curious kids. Plus, a look at how food plays a crucial role in space in the book Space Bites.

From making artificial moon dirt to painting with real moon dust, there are several ways that scientists and space explorers bring the moon to Earth. Plus, Firefly Aerospace is preparing to send several payloads to the moon.