Tiny rock-eating microbes could mine precious extraterrestrial resources from Mars and pave the way for the first human colonists. Just don't expect them to transform the Red Planet's surface into a new Earth on a short deadline, researchers say. Mars - Microorganism - Earth - Solar System - Planet

Forty-four years after "Star Trek" made its debut, it looks as if we're a step closer to seeing another type of Trek tech come to life: the tractor beam. But don't expect to capture a Romulan Warbird with it any time soon. Star Trek - Tractor beam - Laser - AustralianNationalUniversity - Science fiction

Science editor Alan Boyle's Weblog: Space Adventures says it has reached "a unique agreement" with the Boeing Co. on future space transportation services. Space Adventure - Space - Boeing - Technology - Alan Boyle

Leonard Mlodinow talks about his new book, co-written with Stephen Hawking, explaining why God was not necessary for the creation of the universe. (Countdown) Stephen Hawking - Leonard Mlodinow - Universe - God - Religion and Spirituality

By tasting a little bit of the rocks and air on Mars, NASA's robotic Phoenix lander discovered secrets about the history of water on the Red Planet over the last 4 billion years, scientists now reveal. Mars - NASA - Phoenix - Red Planet - Water

NASA has released its Strategic Sustainability and Performance Plan (SSPP) as part of a government-wide effort to achieve goals without compromising the planet's resources.

Journalists are invited to cover space shuttle Discovery’s last move from the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) to Launch Pad 39A on Sept. 20 at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Six astronauts are set to launch aboard the shuttle on Nov. 1.

NASA has selected the winner of the national Balloonsat High Altitude Flight Competition.

Amateur astronomers using backyard telescopes were the first to detect two small objects that burned up in Jupiter’s atmosphere on June 3 and Aug. 20.

Data from NASA's Phoenix Mars Lander suggest liquid water has interacted with the Martian surface throughout the planet's history and into modern times.

NASA will award about $4 million in grants to public school districts, state-based education leadership, and not-for-profit education organizations to support academic excellence in STEM education.

NASA opens Space Station for biological research from NIH grants that take advantage of the unique microgravity environment aboard Station to explore fundamental questions about important health issues.

NASA is seeking information from potential partners who could provide no-cost brokerage services for intellectual property transactions.

Two asteroids will pass within the moon's distance from Earth on Wednesday, Sept. 8. NASA scientists will be available for satellite interviews Tuesday, Sept. 7, and Wednesday morning to discuss these near- Earth objects.

NASA's pioneering use of prize competitions and innovation challenges is a dramatic departure from government's traditional "business as usual."