Astronomy

Scientists have argued about the origins of Mercury's smooth plains and the source of its magnetic field for more than 30 years.

NASA is developing new spacecraft, the Ares rockets and Orion crew capsule, to deliver astronauts to the International Space Station and send them on their way to the moon.

Two International Space Station residents will conduct a pair of spacewalks outside the Russian segment of the complex July 10 and 15, with coverage of both planned for NASA Television.

Analyses of the data show volcanoes were involved in the formation of plains. The data also suggest the planet's magnetic field is actively produced in its core.

Selected as an astronaut in 1994, Reilly first flew in January 1998 aboard shuttle Endeavour's STS-89 mission, the eighth shuttle mission to visit the Russian space station Mir.

HOUSTON - Veteran space shuttle astronaut Barbara R. Morgan will leave NASA in August to become an educator at Idaho's Boise State University.

Journalists interested in attending the meeting should contact David Steitz at 202-358-1730 or by e-mail at david.steitz@nasa.gov by July 21.

NASA will host a media teleconference to discuss repair plans for damage to Launch Pad 39A with Space Shuttle Program Manager John Shannon.