We know that teachers, educators, and mentors are essential to inspiring the next generation of explorers. When the Artemis Generation lands the first woman and first person of color on the Moon, they can #ThankATeacher for helping them reach for the stars.

Teachers Open Up Our Universe – NASA astronauts Shane Kimbrough and Megan McArthur share a special message during Teacher Appreciation Week while aboard the International Space Station, orbiting more than 250 miles above Earth's surface.

Thank A Teacher – On May 5, teacher-turned-astronaut Ricky Arnold joined NASA STEM Stars for a special Teacher Appreciation Week episode. Hear about his STEM career journey and what it’s like to live and work in space.

Did you know that we have a weekly newsletter for educators and students? Sign up for the NASA EXPRESS to get the latest STEM resources and opportunities delivered to your inbox every Thursday!

Introducing NASA Administrator Sen. Bill Nelson – This week, Sen. Bill Nelson took office as the 14th administrator of NASA, after he was given the oath of office by Vice President Kamala Harris. Nelson will lead our space program as we carry out critical missions, including landing on the Moon with the Artemis program, expanding climate change research, fostering innovation, and enhancing the U.S. economy and STEM workforce.

Bye Bye Bennu – On May 10, the OSIRIS-REx spacecraft, with its pristine and precious asteroid cargo, will fire its thrusters and begin its two-year cruise home. Watch live coverage of the spacecraft’s departure from asteroid Bennu on NASA Television, the NASA App, and the agency’s website on May 10 at 4 p.m. EDT.

60 Years of Human Spaceflight – Sixty years ago, on May 5, 1961, NASA astronaut Alan Shepard Jr. launched on the Freedom 7 mission, powered by a Mercury-Redstone rocket to become the first American in space. Shepard's flight lasted 15 minutes, 22 seconds. He later made it to the Moon on Apollo 14.

Small Business Spotlight – The government is getting America's small businesses back on track! We invest millions of dollars in them each year and in turn, companies across the U.S. develop innovations to power our space missions. We asked what working with NASA has meant to them.

The Future of Extraterrestrial Flight – The historic first flight of Ingenuity on the Red Planet has implications for how we will explore other worlds. Hear from experts from the Ingenuity Mars Helicopter team and the upcoming Dragonfly mission to learn about the future of extraterrestrial flight.

Each May, we commemorate Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month to recognize the significant contributions of past and present employees of AAPI descent. Each of them embody the enduring and resilient spirit this community brings to advancing science, research, and discovery. Hear their stories.

After its journey from our Stennis Space Center aboard the Pegasus barge, the core stage of the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket arrived at the agency’s Kennedy Space Center on April 27, 2021.

Image Credit: NASA