Missions Ames Research Center

hangar one, navy airship hangar, in mountain view, california

the kepler mission nasa s first mission capable of finding earth-size , smaller planets. kepler mission monitor brightness of stars find planets pass in front of them during planets orbits. during such passes or transits, planets decrease star s brightness.

stratospheric observatory infrared astronomy (sofia) joint venture of u.s. , german aerospace agencies, nasa , german aerospace center (dlr) make infrared telescope platform can fly @ altitudes high enough in infrared-transparent regime above water vapor in earth s atmosphere. aircraft supplied u.s., , infrared telescope germany. modifications of boeing 747sp airframe accommodate telescope, mission-unique equipment , large external door made l-3 communications integrated systems of waco, texas.

the interface region imaging spectrograph mission partnership lockheed martin solar , astrophysics laboratory understand processes @ boundary between sun s chromosphere , corona. mission sponsored nasa small explorer program.

the lunar atmosphere dust environment explorer (ladee) mission has been developed nasa ames. launched moon on september 6, 2013.

in addition, ames has played support role in number of missions, notably mars pathfinder , mars exploration rover missions, ames intelligent robotics laboratory played key role. nasa ames partner on mars phoenix, mars scout program mission send high-latitude lander mars, deployed robotic arm dig trenches 1.6 feet (one half meter) layers of water ice , analyzing soil composition. ames partner on mars science laboratory, next generation mars rover explore signs of organics , complex molecules.