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NASA Leadership Spotlights Space Sustainability at Space Symposium
“NASA leadership highlights space sustainability at Space Symposium, discussing responsible exploration and mission success.”
NASA, the renowned space exploration agency, continues to pave the way for responsible exploration and long-term sustainability of the space environment (space sustainability). At the upcoming 39th Space Symposium held by the Space Foundation in Colorado Springs, NASA Deputy Administrator Pam Melroy and Associate Administrator Jim Free will take the stage to discuss these important topics. Here’s what you need to know about these key NASA presentations.
- Pam Melroy: “Responsible Exploration: Preserving the Cosmos for Tomorrow”
Deputy Administrator Pam Melroy will deliver a keynote address centered around NASA’s integrated approach to promoting the long-term sustainability of space. Her presentation, titled “Responsible Exploration: Preserving the Cosmos for Tomorrow,” will take place at 12:30 p.m. EDT on Tuesday, April 9. Melroy’s insights will shed light on NASA’s strategies for preserving the cosmos while expanding our knowledge and capabilities in space exploration. - Jim Free: Moderating the Panel, “Mission Success is a Team Sport at NASA”
Associate Administrator Jim Free will be moderating a panel discussion titled “Mission Success is a Team Sport at NASA.” Scheduled for 5:45 p.m. on Wednesday, April 10, this panel will feature several notable NASA leaders, including:
- Kenneth Bowersox: Associate Administrator for Space Operations
- Dr. Nicola Fox: Associate Administrator for the Science Mission Directorate
- Robert Gibbs: Associate Administrator for the Mission Support Directorate
- Catherine Koerner: Associate Administrator for Exploration Systems Development
- Dr. Kurt Vogel: Associate Administrator for the Space Technology Mission Directorate
This panel will emphasize the collaborative nature of NASA’s operations, highlighting the importance of teamwork in achieving mission success.
- Satellite Broadcasting: Live Streaming and Coverage
To ensure that the valuable insights from NASA leaders reach a wide audience, the agency will be streaming both Pam Melroy’s keynote and the panel moderated by Jim Free. These streams will be available via NASA+, NASA Television, and the official NASA website. Social media platforms will also provide opportunities to stay connected with the event. - Astronaut Engagement: Raja Chari and Jessica Watkins
During the week, NASA astronauts Raja Chari and Jessica Watkins will also participate in various activities. Notably, NASA is currently accepting applications for new astronauts until April 16. Media interested in interview opportunities with the astronauts should contact Amber Jacobson and Stephanie Schierholz. - Media Engagement: Interactive Sessions with NASA Leaders
Members of the media who register for the symposium have the unique opportunity to meet with NASA leaders in person. On April 9 at 11:40 a.m. MDT, Pam Melroy and Charity Weeden will be available for discussions, while on April 11 at 9 a.m. MDT, Jim Free and Chris Hansen can be engaged. To register, please email the Space Foundation at media@spacefoundation.org.
The Space Symposium serves as a platform to explore NASA’s commitment to space sustainability and cooperative mission success. Through the keynote address from Deputy Administrator Pam Melroy, the panel moderated by Associate Administrator Jim Free, and the participation of esteemed astronauts, NASA continues to inspire and pave the way for the future of space exploration. Stay tuned for exciting updates and insights from NASA’s participation at the Space Symposium!
NASA will provide photos and updates about its participation in the Space Symposium from its @NASAExhibit on X.
For more information about NASA, visit:
Discover the latest science news, including updates from NASA and more, by exploring our dedicated science section. Stay informed and inspire your curiosity! https://stmdailynews.com/category/science/
About NASA
NASA, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, is a distinguished independent agency of the U.S. federal government. Established in 1958, it took over from the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA) to focus on civil space programs, aeronautics and space research. NASA has played a pivotal role in American space exploration, leading missions like Project Mercury, Project Gemini, the Apollo Moon landings, Skylab and the Space Shuttle program. Currently, it supports the International Space Station, while also spearheading the development of the Orion spacecraft, Space Launch System, Commercial Crew spacecraft, and the Lunar Gateway space station as part of the Artemis program.
Research and scientific investigation are at the core of NASA’s mission. With a focus on Earth, it employs the Earth Observing System to gain a better understanding of our planet. Additionally, NASA’s Science Mission Directorate’s Heliophysics Research Program advances heliophysics, while robotic spacecraft like New Horizons and planetary rovers like Perseverance explore celestial bodies within our Solar System. The agency also conducts astrophysics research using the James Webb Space Telescope and the Great Observatories to unravel mysteries such as the Big Bang. Lastly, the Launch Services Program oversees the management of unmanned launches, ensuring efficient operations and countdown management.
Through its diverse initiatives, NASA continually pushes the boundaries of scientific knowledge and inspires the world with its bold achievements in space exploration.
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Former President Barack Obama recently sparked headlines, social media debates, and a fresh wave of UFO chatter after a brief remark during a podcast interview. The comment quickly ricocheted across news outlets, with many asking: Did Obama just confirm aliens exist? And just as quickly, Donald Trump weighed in.
Let’s unpack what was actually said — and what it means.
🎙️ The Comment That Ignited the Conversation
During a rapid-fire question segment on a podcast hosted by Brian Tyler Cohen, Obama was asked directly:
“Are aliens real?”
Obama’s response:
“They’re real, but I haven’t seen them.”
That short answer fueled immediate speculation. Clips spread online, often stripped of context, with some interpreting the statement as a bombshell confirmation of extraterrestrial life.
🧠 What Obama Meant
Soon after the comment gained traction, Obama clarified his meaning.
His explanation aligned with a position he’s expressed before:
✔ He was referring to the statistical likelihood of life elsewhere in the universe
✔ He was not claiming evidence of alien visitation
✔ He emphasized that during his presidency he saw no proof of extraterrestrial contact
In other words:
Obama was speaking philosophically and scientifically — not revealing classified information.
This interpretation matches mainstream scientific thinking: given the size of the universe, life beyond Earth is plausible, but confirmed evidence remains elusive.
🛸 Why the Comment Resonated
The remark landed in a cultural moment where:
• Interest in UAPs (Unidentified Aerial Phenomena) is high
• Government transparency around UFO reports has increased
• Space exploration discoveries (exoplanets, water worlds) dominate science news
Even a casual statement from a former president can ignite intense discussion.
🇺🇸 Trump’s Reaction
Former (and current political figure) Donald Trump responded critically.
Trump characterized Obama’s comment as:
• A “mistake”
• Potentially involving “classified information”
He also reiterated his own stance:
He does not know whether aliens are real.
Trump pivoted the conversation toward disclosure, suggesting he would support or consider declassifying UFO/UAP-related files — a theme that has periodically surfaced in political rhetoric.
⚖️ Politics vs Interpretation
Trump’s reaction highlights how statements about extraterrestrial life often become political flashpoints, even when the original comment is speculative or philosophical.
Key distinction:Obama’s Clarification Public Interpretation Life elsewhere is likely “Obama confirmed aliens” No evidence of contact “Government disclosure”
🔬 The Scientific Reality
Organizations like NASA and the broader research community maintain:
✅ Life beyond Earth → statistically plausible
❓ Intelligent civilizations → unknown
❌ Confirmed alien contact → no verified evidence
Investigations into UAPs consistently conclude:
• Most sightings have conventional explanations
• Some remain unresolved due to limited data
• None confirmed as extraterrestrial craft
🌌 Why These Stories Keep Captivating Us
Conversations about aliens sit at the intersection of:
✨ Science
🧠 Curiosity
🛸 Mystery
🎭 Pop culture
🏛️ Politics
When a former president comments, the intrigue multiplies.
📌 Bottom Line
Did Obama say aliens are real?
Yes — but in the sense that life elsewhere in the universe is likely, not that aliens are visiting Earth.
Did he claim evidence?
No.
Trump’s response?
Critical, skeptical, and framed around classification and disclosure.
If you’re fascinated by this topic, you might also enjoy exploring:
• How scientists search for alien life
• What counts as real “evidence”
• Why UFO sightings are so often misinterpreted
Want me to craft a follow-up article like “How Close Are We to Discovering Alien Life?” 🚀👽
Related Links & Further Reading
- NASA – Search for Life
- NASA – Exoplanet Exploration
- SETI Institute – Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence
- U.S. Department of Defense – UAP Reports
- How Close Are We to Discovering Alien Life?
- What Are UAPs? Explained
- A Brief History of UFO Investigations
Dive into “The Knowledge,” where curiosity meets clarity. This playlist, in collaboration with STMDailyNews.com, is designed for viewers who value historical accuracy and insightful learning. Our short videos, ranging from 30 seconds to a minute and a half, make complex subjects easy to grasp in no time. Covering everything from historical events to contemporary processes and entertainment, “The Knowledge” bridges the past with the present. In a world where information is abundant yet often misused, our series aims to guide you through the noise, preserving vital knowledge and truths that shape our lives today. Perfect for curious minds eager to discover the ‘why’ and ‘how’ of everything around us. Subscribe and join in as we explore the facts that matter. https://stmdailynews.com/the-knowledge/
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The Long Track Back
Why Downtown Los Angeles Feels Small Compared to Other Cities
Downtown Los Angeles often feels “small” compared to other U.S. cities, but that’s only part of the story. With some of the tallest buildings west of the Mississippi and skyline clusters spread across the region, LA’s downtown reflects the city’s unique polycentric identity—one that, if combined, could form a true mega downtown.
Last Updated on February 18, 2026 by Daily News Staff
Panorama of Los Angeles from Mount Hollywood – California, United States
When people think of major American cities, they often imagine a bustling, concentrated downtown core filled with skyscrapers. New York has Manhattan, Chicago has the Loop, San Francisco has its Financial District. Los Angeles, by contrast, often leaves visitors surprised: “Is this really downtown?”
The answer is yes—and no.
Downtown LA in Context
Compared to other major cities, Downtown Los Angeles (DTLA) is relatively small as a central business district. For much of the 20th century, strict height restrictions capped most buildings under 150 feet, while cities like Chicago and New York were erecting early skyscrapers. LA’s skyline didn’t really begin to climb until the late 1960s.
But history alone doesn’t explain why DTLA feels different. The real story lies in how Los Angeles grew: not as one unified city center, but as a collection of many hubs.
Downtown Los Angeles
A Polycentric City
Los Angeles is famously decentralized. Hollywood developed around the film industry. Century City rose on former studio land as a business hub. Burbank became a studio and aerospace center. Long Beach grew around the port. The Wilshire Corridor filled with office towers and condos.
Unlike other cities where downtown is the place for work, culture, and finance, Los Angeles spread its energy outward. Freeways and car culture made it easy for businesses and residents to operate outside of downtown. The result is a polycentric metropolis, with multiple “downtowns” rather than one dominant core.
A Resident’s Perspective
As someone who lived in Los Angeles for 28 years, I see DTLA differently. While some outsiders describe it as “small,” the reality is that Downtown Los Angeles is still significant. It has some of the tallest buildings west of the Mississippi River, including the Wilshire Grand Center and the U.S. Bank Tower. Over the last two decades, adaptive reuse projects have transformed old office buildings into lofts, while developments like LA Live, Crypto.com Arena, and the Broad Museum have revitalized the area.
In other words, DTLA is large enough—it just plays a different role than downtowns in other American cities.
View of Westwood, Century City, Beverly Hills, and the Wilshire Corridor.
The “Mega Downtown” That Isn’t
A friend once put it to me with a bit of imagination: “If you could magically pick up all of LA’s skyline clusters—Downtown, Century City, Hollywood, the Wilshire Corridor—and drop them together in one spot, you’d have a mega downtown.”
He’s right. Los Angeles doesn’t lack tall buildings or urban energy—it just spreads them out over a vast area, reflecting the city’s unique history, geography, and culture.
A Downtown That Fits Its City
So, is Downtown LA “small”? Compared to Manhattan or Chicago’s Loop, yes. But judged on its own terms, DTLA is a vibrant hub within a much larger, decentralized metropolis. It’s a downtown that reflects Los Angeles itself: sprawling, diverse, and impossible to fit neatly into the mold of other American cities.
🔗 Related Links
Dive into “The Knowledge,” where curiosity meets clarity. This playlist, in collaboration with STMDailyNews.com, is designed for viewers who value historical accuracy and insightful learning. Our short videos, ranging from 30 seconds to a minute and a half, make complex subjects easy to grasp in no time. Covering everything from historical events to contemporary processes and entertainment, “The Knowledge” bridges the past with the present. In a world where information is abundant yet often misused, our series aims to guide you through the noise, preserving vital knowledge and truths that shape our lives today. Perfect for curious minds eager to discover the ‘why’ and ‘how’ of everything around us. Subscribe and join in as we explore the facts that matter. https://stmdailynews.com/the-knowledge/
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The Knowledge
Century City: From Hollywood Backlot to Business Hub
Century City, originally part of 20th Century Fox’s backlot, transformed into a prominent business district in Los Angeles during the 1950s amid the decline of cinema. Developer William Zeckendorf envisioned a mixed-use urban center, leading to iconic skyscrapers and establishing the area as a hub for law, finance, and media, blending Hollywood history with modern business.
Before Century City became one of Los Angeles’ premier business districts, it was part of 20th Century Fox’s sprawling backlot, used for filming movies and housing studio operations. By the 1950s, as television rose and movie attendance declined, 20th Century Fox faced financial challenges and decided to sell a portion of its land.
Developer William Zeckendorf envisioned a “city within a city”—a modern, mixed-use urban center with office towers, hotels, and entertainment facilities. Branded Century City, the name paid homage to its studio roots while symbolizing LA’s vision for the future.
The first skyscrapers, including the Gateway West Building, set the tone for the district’s sleek, futuristic skyline. Architects like Welton Becket and Minoru Yamasaki helped shape Century City’s iconic look. Over time, it evolved from Hollywood’s backlot to a corporate and legal hub, attracting law firms, financial institutions, and media companies.
Today, Century City stands as a testament to Los Angeles’ postwar optimism, westward expansion, and multi-centered urban growth—a unique blend of Hollywood history and modern business.
Related STM Daily News Links:
- The Evolution of Los Angeles Public Transportation
- Why Los Angeles Grew Into a Sprawling City
- Downtown Los Angeles: Past, Present, and Future
Dive into “The Knowledge,” where curiosity meets clarity. This playlist, in collaboration with STMDailyNews.com, is designed for viewers who value historical accuracy and insightful learning. Our short videos, ranging from 30 seconds to a minute and a half, make complex subjects easy to grasp in no time. Covering everything from historical events to contemporary processes and entertainment, “The Knowledge” bridges the past with the present. In a world where information is abundant yet often misused, our series aims to guide you through the noise, preserving vital knowledge and truths that shape our lives today. Perfect for curious minds eager to discover the ‘why’ and ‘how’ of everything around us. Subscribe and join in as we explore the facts that matter. https://stmdailynews.com/the-knowledge/
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