Andrew Cortese
@orbitalmechanic.bsky.social
Principal Systems Software Engineer // Space Telescope Science Institute, Data Systems Branch // Pontificator of useless. Nobody of import.
Views expressed here are my own.
Views expressed here are my own.
Reposted by Andrew Cortese
Reposted by Andrew Cortese
23 years ago today, seven of my friends lost their lives when the Space Shuttle Columbia broke apart in the skies above Texas.
Let's remember their, and especially their families' sacrifice in the name of exploration.
Let's remember their, and especially their families' sacrifice in the name of exploration.
February 1, 2026 at 8:42 PM
23 years ago today, seven of my friends lost their lives when the Space Shuttle Columbia broke apart in the skies above Texas.
Let's remember their, and especially their families' sacrifice in the name of exploration.
Let's remember their, and especially their families' sacrifice in the name of exploration.
Reposted by Andrew Cortese
30 years ago, in January 1996, I was 16 years old. My love for science & astronomy had been strong since I was very young, but in Jan. ‘96, something very important happened, both for astronomy in general & for me personally. NASA released the Hubble Deep Field science.nasa.gov/asset/hubble....
January 29, 2026 at 4:43 PM
30 years ago, in January 1996, I was 16 years old. My love for science & astronomy had been strong since I was very young, but in Jan. ‘96, something very important happened, both for astronomy in general & for me personally. NASA released the Hubble Deep Field science.nasa.gov/asset/hubble....
Reposted by Andrew Cortese
STScI helps everyone—astronomers and the public alike—explore the universe with advanced space telescopes and ever-growing data archives. Learn about our support for Hubble, Webb, Roman, MAST, and the upcoming Habitable Worlds Observatory: https://bit.ly/4k9iHPp
January 29, 2026 at 8:06 PM
STScI helps everyone—astronomers and the public alike—explore the universe with advanced space telescopes and ever-growing data archives. Learn about our support for Hubble, Webb, Roman, MAST, and the upcoming Habitable Worlds Observatory: https://bit.ly/4k9iHPp
Reposted by Andrew Cortese
Ad astra Challenger crew.
40 years.
40 years.
January 28, 2026 at 4:39 PM
Ad astra Challenger crew.
40 years.
40 years.
Reposted by Andrew Cortese
Artemis II moving out of the Vehicle Assembly Building on its way to the launch pad. Launch for the first trip to the Moon in more than 50 years is scheduled for February 6.
📸 NASA
📸 NASA
January 18, 2026 at 7:58 PM
Artemis II moving out of the Vehicle Assembly Building on its way to the launch pad. Launch for the first trip to the Moon in more than 50 years is scheduled for February 6.
📸 NASA
📸 NASA
Reposted by Andrew Cortese
OK this is cool.
This is the Artemis II SLS stack making its way to Launch Complex 39B earlier today, seen by the Pléiades Neo 3 satellite from an altitude of 620 km.
The resolution of this image is 30 cm/px.
Credit: Airbus Defence and Space (h/t @spacefromspace.com)
This is the Artemis II SLS stack making its way to Launch Complex 39B earlier today, seen by the Pléiades Neo 3 satellite from an altitude of 620 km.
The resolution of this image is 30 cm/px.
Credit: Airbus Defence and Space (h/t @spacefromspace.com)
January 18, 2026 at 3:20 AM
OK this is cool.
This is the Artemis II SLS stack making its way to Launch Complex 39B earlier today, seen by the Pléiades Neo 3 satellite from an altitude of 620 km.
The resolution of this image is 30 cm/px.
Credit: Airbus Defence and Space (h/t @spacefromspace.com)
This is the Artemis II SLS stack making its way to Launch Complex 39B earlier today, seen by the Pléiades Neo 3 satellite from an altitude of 620 km.
The resolution of this image is 30 cm/px.
Credit: Airbus Defence and Space (h/t @spacefromspace.com)
Reposted by Andrew Cortese
The Artemis II mission crew. NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, and Christina Koch, along with Canadian Space Agency astronaut Jeremy Hansen.
Reporting for Supercluster
Reporting for Supercluster
January 17, 2026 at 7:44 PM
The Artemis II mission crew. NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, and Christina Koch, along with Canadian Space Agency astronaut Jeremy Hansen.
Reporting for Supercluster
Reporting for Supercluster
Reposted by Andrew Cortese
Good morning from Kennedy Space Center!
NASA’s SLS rocket is making its way out of the Vehicle Assembly Building ahead of the upcoming Artemis II mission, which will send a crew of four around the Moon in a few weeks. Stay tuned for more photos.
Reporting for Supercluster
NASA’s SLS rocket is making its way out of the Vehicle Assembly Building ahead of the upcoming Artemis II mission, which will send a crew of four around the Moon in a few weeks. Stay tuned for more photos.
Reporting for Supercluster
January 17, 2026 at 12:51 PM
Good morning from Kennedy Space Center!
NASA’s SLS rocket is making its way out of the Vehicle Assembly Building ahead of the upcoming Artemis II mission, which will send a crew of four around the Moon in a few weeks. Stay tuned for more photos.
Reporting for Supercluster
NASA’s SLS rocket is making its way out of the Vehicle Assembly Building ahead of the upcoming Artemis II mission, which will send a crew of four around the Moon in a few weeks. Stay tuned for more photos.
Reporting for Supercluster
Today's edition of "Phrases that should be shot directly into the Sun ..."
"Vibe Coding."
Just stop.
"Vibe Coding."
Just stop.
January 13, 2026 at 1:58 PM
Today's edition of "Phrases that should be shot directly into the Sun ..."
"Vibe Coding."
Just stop.
"Vibe Coding."
Just stop.
Reposted by Andrew Cortese
‼️JUST IN‼️ Launch windows for Artemis II -
Feb 6, 7, 8, 10, 11
March 6, 7, 8, 9, 11
April 1, 3, 4, 5, 6
We could see this incredible vehicle on the pad next Saturday (17)
Wet dress rehearsal end of the month then flight readiness review / date announced.
Then, the Moon...
Feb 6, 7, 8, 10, 11
March 6, 7, 8, 9, 11
April 1, 3, 4, 5, 6
We could see this incredible vehicle on the pad next Saturday (17)
Wet dress rehearsal end of the month then flight readiness review / date announced.
Then, the Moon...
January 10, 2026 at 8:53 AM
‼️JUST IN‼️ Launch windows for Artemis II -
Feb 6, 7, 8, 10, 11
March 6, 7, 8, 9, 11
April 1, 3, 4, 5, 6
We could see this incredible vehicle on the pad next Saturday (17)
Wet dress rehearsal end of the month then flight readiness review / date announced.
Then, the Moon...
Feb 6, 7, 8, 10, 11
March 6, 7, 8, 9, 11
April 1, 3, 4, 5, 6
We could see this incredible vehicle on the pad next Saturday (17)
Wet dress rehearsal end of the month then flight readiness review / date announced.
Then, the Moon...
Reposted by Andrew Cortese
Dr. Nancy Roman 𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗱 NASA's space #astronomy program.
NASA's first Chief of Astronomy, she established the program from scratch, bringing together scientists/engineers to realize the potential of orbiting telescopes & influencing decades of #astrophysics. She died #OTD in 2018. #WomenInSTEM
NASA's first Chief of Astronomy, she established the program from scratch, bringing together scientists/engineers to realize the potential of orbiting telescopes & influencing decades of #astrophysics. She died #OTD in 2018. #WomenInSTEM
December 25, 2025 at 5:27 PM
Dr. Nancy Roman 𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗱 NASA's space #astronomy program.
NASA's first Chief of Astronomy, she established the program from scratch, bringing together scientists/engineers to realize the potential of orbiting telescopes & influencing decades of #astrophysics. She died #OTD in 2018. #WomenInSTEM
NASA's first Chief of Astronomy, she established the program from scratch, bringing together scientists/engineers to realize the potential of orbiting telescopes & influencing decades of #astrophysics. She died #OTD in 2018. #WomenInSTEM
Reposted by Andrew Cortese
How can you use the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope?
Once Roman begins its science operations in 2027, all of its data will be available freely and rapidly—there is no proprietary period. This is a survey mission, so there will be quite a lot to review: bit.ly/4pIeaFJ 🔭 ☄️
Once Roman begins its science operations in 2027, all of its data will be available freely and rapidly—there is no proprietary period. This is a survey mission, so there will be quite a lot to review: bit.ly/4pIeaFJ 🔭 ☄️
December 22, 2025 at 3:03 PM
How can you use the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope?
Once Roman begins its science operations in 2027, all of its data will be available freely and rapidly—there is no proprietary period. This is a survey mission, so there will be quite a lot to review: bit.ly/4pIeaFJ 🔭 ☄️
Once Roman begins its science operations in 2027, all of its data will be available freely and rapidly—there is no proprietary period. This is a survey mission, so there will be quite a lot to review: bit.ly/4pIeaFJ 🔭 ☄️
Reposted by Andrew Cortese
WE HAVE A TELESCOPE 🚀 The Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope has been fully assembled here in the cleanroom at NASA Goddard 😀🚀 and is on track to launch next fall!
December 18, 2025 at 7:42 PM
WE HAVE A TELESCOPE 🚀 The Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope has been fully assembled here in the cleanroom at NASA Goddard 😀🚀 and is on track to launch next fall!
Reposted by Andrew Cortese
NASA has completed the construction of #NASARoman! Last month, technicians joined the inner and outer portions of the observatory in Maryland.
After final testing, Roman will move to the launch site at the Kennedy Space Center for launch preparations in summer 2026: https://go.nasa.gov/48EqnE8 🔭 🧪
After final testing, Roman will move to the launch site at the Kennedy Space Center for launch preparations in summer 2026: https://go.nasa.gov/48EqnE8 🔭 🧪
December 4, 2025 at 6:14 PM
NASA has completed the construction of #NASARoman! Last month, technicians joined the inner and outer portions of the observatory in Maryland.
After final testing, Roman will move to the launch site at the Kennedy Space Center for launch preparations in summer 2026: https://go.nasa.gov/48EqnE8 🔭 🧪
After final testing, Roman will move to the launch site at the Kennedy Space Center for launch preparations in summer 2026: https://go.nasa.gov/48EqnE8 🔭 🧪
Reposted by Andrew Cortese
NEVER TELL ME THE ODDS
Reporting for Supercluster
Reporting for Supercluster
November 18, 2025 at 8:10 PM
NEVER TELL ME THE ODDS
Reporting for Supercluster
Reporting for Supercluster
Reposted by Andrew Cortese
Cool video from Blue Origin of the New Glenn booster landing Thursday.
The booster was directed to approach the barge and then translate sideways.
(The original video has no sound.)
Credit: Blue Origin
The booster was directed to approach the barge and then translate sideways.
(The original video has no sound.)
Credit: Blue Origin
November 16, 2025 at 12:50 AM
Cool video from Blue Origin of the New Glenn booster landing Thursday.
The booster was directed to approach the barge and then translate sideways.
(The original video has no sound.)
Credit: Blue Origin
The booster was directed to approach the barge and then translate sideways.
(The original video has no sound.)
Credit: Blue Origin
Reposted by Andrew Cortese
WE ARE BACK!! And the Roman telescope is looking *GREAT* as we continue to prep it for launch here at @nasagoddard 🚀✨ Roman is designed to unravel the mysteries of the dark universe - dark matter & dark energy - as well as finding tens of thousands of new planets outside our solar system.
November 14, 2025 at 7:24 PM
WE ARE BACK!! And the Roman telescope is looking *GREAT* as we continue to prep it for launch here at @nasagoddard 🚀✨ Roman is designed to unravel the mysteries of the dark universe - dark matter & dark energy - as well as finding tens of thousands of new planets outside our solar system.
Reposted by Andrew Cortese
Holy shit look at this
Comet C/2025 A6 (Lemmon), photographed by Chuck Ayoub on 30 October 2025.
The comet made its closest approach to Earth (90 million km) on October 2025.
Source: Chuck's Astrophotography (@chucksastropho1 on Twitter), h/t @p-s-v.bsky.social
Comet C/2025 A6 (Lemmon), photographed by Chuck Ayoub on 30 October 2025.
The comet made its closest approach to Earth (90 million km) on October 2025.
Source: Chuck's Astrophotography (@chucksastropho1 on Twitter), h/t @p-s-v.bsky.social
November 1, 2025 at 8:57 PM
Holy shit look at this
Comet C/2025 A6 (Lemmon), photographed by Chuck Ayoub on 30 October 2025.
The comet made its closest approach to Earth (90 million km) on October 2025.
Source: Chuck's Astrophotography (@chucksastropho1 on Twitter), h/t @p-s-v.bsky.social
Comet C/2025 A6 (Lemmon), photographed by Chuck Ayoub on 30 October 2025.
The comet made its closest approach to Earth (90 million km) on October 2025.
Source: Chuck's Astrophotography (@chucksastropho1 on Twitter), h/t @p-s-v.bsky.social
Reposted by Andrew Cortese
The preliminary report is that #JWSTCycle5 was another record-breaker! Well done everyone 👏🔭 Can't wait to see our slate of new #MIRI programs for the new cycle (though we will have to wait until 2026 for that).
October 16, 2025 at 6:20 PM
The preliminary report is that #JWSTCycle5 was another record-breaker! Well done everyone 👏🔭 Can't wait to see our slate of new #MIRI programs for the new cycle (though we will have to wait until 2026 for that).
Reposted by Andrew Cortese
The death of Jane Goodall hit me harder than I expected it would.
October 1, 2025 at 9:46 PM
The death of Jane Goodall hit me harder than I expected it would.
Reposted by Andrew Cortese
My favourite quote from George came when I suggested that some methods used for studying the cosmic microwave background could be applied to the distribution of galaxies. His response was "Galaxies are shit"...
telescoper.blog/2025/09/26/r...
telescoper.blog/2025/09/26/r...
R.I.P. George F. Smoot (1945-2025)
We will no doubt read many official obituaries in days to come, but all I can say is that he was a character, a very original thinker, a fine scientist, and a very nice man. Along with many others,…
telescoper.blog
September 27, 2025 at 10:42 AM
My favourite quote from George came when I suggested that some methods used for studying the cosmic microwave background could be applied to the distribution of galaxies. His response was "Galaxies are shit"...
telescoper.blog/2025/09/26/r...
telescoper.blog/2025/09/26/r...
NASA’s Habitable Worlds Observatory Will Search for Life
YouTube video by NASA Goddard
youtu.be
August 21, 2025 at 5:22 PM
Reposted by Andrew Cortese
As of July 2025, @mast-news.bsky.social contains nearly 300 million astronomical observations!
These new wallpaper images depict MAST’s View of the Sky. Download yours now: https://spacetelescope.github.io/mast-blog/mast-heatmap.html 🔭 🧪
These new wallpaper images depict MAST’s View of the Sky. Download yours now: https://spacetelescope.github.io/mast-blog/mast-heatmap.html 🔭 🧪
August 21, 2025 at 2:15 PM
As of July 2025, @mast-news.bsky.social contains nearly 300 million astronomical observations!
These new wallpaper images depict MAST’s View of the Sky. Download yours now: https://spacetelescope.github.io/mast-blog/mast-heatmap.html 🔭 🧪
These new wallpaper images depict MAST’s View of the Sky. Download yours now: https://spacetelescope.github.io/mast-blog/mast-heatmap.html 🔭 🧪
Reposted by Andrew Cortese
Rest in Peace, Jim. 😭
August 8, 2025 at 7:18 PM
Rest in Peace, Jim. 😭