NASA Archives

AppWizard

April 8, 2026

Kerbal Space Program rockets to its highest concurrent player count on Steam in more than 10 years

The space simulation game Kerbal Space Program (KSP), released in April 2015, is experiencing its highest concurrent player count on Steam since its launch, driven by renewed interest due to the Artemis 2 mission. Discussions on the KSP subreddit indicate that players are returning to the game, with many sharing their experiences and excitement related to Artemis. KSP has become a source of creative engagement for players, with some using it to simulate Artemis-style missions. Additionally, Kerbal Space Program 2 has also seen an increase in player numbers, peaking at 370 concurrent players, up from 118 a month earlier.

AppWizard

April 6, 2026

Slack Messenger: Revolutionizing Team Communication

Slack Messenger is a cloud-based platform for workplace collaboration that enhances team communication through real-time messaging, file sharing, and workflow integrations. Since its launch in 2013, it has replaced traditional email chains with organized channels for discussions and direct messaging. Users can create dedicated channels for specific projects, utilize threaded replies for clarity, and send targeted notifications through mentions. Key features include an intuitive interface accessible on various devices, unlimited message history on paid plans, voice and video huddles, and support for over 2,600 applications like Google Workspace and Salesforce. Security features include data encryption and compliance with regulations such as GDPR and HIPAA. Slack is used across various sectors including project management, customer support, and engineering, and is widely adopted by companies like IBM, Shopify, and NASA. On a daily basis, teams use Slack for status updates, file sharing, and conducting polls. For larger organizations, it offers multi-workspace setups and analytics. A free tier is available for freelancers and small teams, while its mobile app facilitates coordination for gig economy workers. Slack operates in over 150 countries and supports multiple languages. The collaboration software market, valued at over a billion dollars, continues to grow, driven by hybrid work demands. Competitors include Microsoft Teams, Discord, and Mattermost, although Slack remains distinguished by its integrations. Slack is supported by AWS cloud infrastructure and boasts an uptime of 99.99%. Recent updates introduced AI features aimed at enhancing efficiency. Salesforce acquired Slack in 2020 for .7 billion, integrating it into its Customer 360 ecosystem while maintaining its standalone brand. Slack is publicly listed under the ISIN US79466L3024.

Winsage

April 3, 2026

Microsoft Outlook doesn’t launch in space, and on Earth, the email app takes more than 15 seconds just to get started

Microsoft Outlook has been criticized for performance issues, exemplified by an incident during a NASA livestream where an astronaut reported two malfunctioning Outlook applications. Additionally, a tech commentator shared a video showing Outlook taking over 15 seconds to display an email after a notification was selected, which was not linked to recent Windows updates. Outlook faces competition from alternatives like Samsung Email, Gmail, and Apple Mail, which are considered superior due to their use of native user interface frameworks. Microsoft is working on replacing web-based applications with fully native counterparts for Windows 11 to improve performance and restore user confidence.

Winsage

March 30, 2026

Part 2 – Babylon.js 9.0: Tooling updates and new geospatial features

Babylon.js 9.0 introduces several significant enhancements: - The Babylon.js Editor has improved rendering capabilities and functionality, providing an artist-friendly environment for building experiences on Windows, macOS, and Linux. - Inspector v2 is a complete overhaul of the debugging tool with a modern architecture, supporting custom extensions and a React-based UI. - The Lightweight Viewer has enhanced shadow rendering features and simplifies embedding 3D content on web pages. - The Playground has received upgrades including multi-file editing, ESM module imports, and local session history, along with automatic saving to local storage. - Large World Rendering and Floating Origin systems address precision loss in expansive scenes, ensuring smooth rendering and physics interactions. - The Geospatial Camera allows intuitive navigation of spherical planets with various interactive features and integrates with Large World Rendering. - Babylon.js now supports 3D Tiles for efficient visualization of large geospatial datasets, enhancing map data rendering capabilities. - A new Physically Based Atmosphere addon enhances realism in sky rendering using advanced scattering models. These updates aim to empower developers in creating stunning digital experiences.

AppWizard

March 17, 2026

Expert Names Top 7 Android Weather Apps for Every User

After extensive testing, seven Android weather applications were identified as reliable for diverse forecasting needs. The accuracy of multi-day forecasts has improved significantly, with five-day predictions now comparable to three-day forecasts from a decade ago. The apps selected offer a mix of scientific rigor and user-friendly design, featuring various forecast models, clear visualizations, and dependable alerts. 1. A graph-centric app provides detailed weather insights through meteograms that visualize hourly and daily data, enhancing pattern recognition. 2. Breezy Weather is an open-source app that balances clarity and depth, displaying current conditions with animations and organized hourly/daily cards. 3. Weather Master offers multiple forecast models, customization options, and plain-language insights about significant weather risks. 4. Weather & Radar focuses on real-time tracking and alerts, utilizing radar-centric design for dynamic weather conditions. 5. Zoom Earth provides global satellite views and fire data, visualizing storms and environmental conditions with clarity. 6. Tropical Hurricane Tracker compiles advisories and discussions on cyclones, offering detailed data and accessible explanations for users. 7. Avia decodes METARs and TAFs from airports worldwide, providing precise weather information crucial for pilots. A comprehensive weather toolkit combines model-driven forecasts, real-time updates, and specialized tools for tropical systems and aviation reports.

AppWizard

January 26, 2026

5 Of The Best Android Apps You Won’t Find On Windows

Microsoft's acknowledgment of challenges with Windows 11 has led users to explore alternative platforms, particularly Android, which offers applications not available on the Microsoft Store. Textra SMS is a messaging app with over 10 million downloads and a 4.3-star rating, allowing extensive customization and features like message scheduling. BuzzKill Notification Manager, recognized by Time Magazine, has a 4.6-star rating and offers detailed notification management for .99. Podcast Republic, a podcast app with over 1 million downloads and a 4.6-star rating, supports various listening formats and can be upgraded for an ad-free experience. Hermit - Lite Apps Browser allows users to create lightweight web apps, has over 1 million downloads, and a 4.6-star rating, with premium features available for .99. Web Video Cast – Browser to TV has over 50 million downloads and a 4.6-star rating, enabling media streaming from Android devices to TVs. The selection process for these apps involved user experience and functionality, ensuring high ratings and extensive reviews, with a minimum threshold of 3.5 stars and 1,000 user reviews.

AppWizard

January 17, 2026

Arnis Brings The World To Minecraft: Bedrock Edition

Arnis, developed by Louis Erbkamm, is an open-source project that allows users to transform real-world locations into Minecraft blocks and maps. Initially limited to the Java edition, it has been updated to support the Bedrock Edition, enabling integration across various devices. The tool has improved elevation generation using NASA data, allowing users to visualize landscapes like the Alps and Himalayas, as well as explore a map of the Moon. The accuracy of the generated landscapes has been recognized for use in research studies on flood mitigation education. The project's advancements are attributed to a dedicated community that supports its development.

AppWizard

November 10, 2025

Five new Steam games you probably missed (November 10, 2025)

Steam sees approximately a dozen new titles released each day. - Service With A Shotgun: Releases on November 7, developed by Nolyn Vansyckle, features action and narrative where player decisions impact the outcome. - The Apothecary of Trubiz: Releases on November 7, developed by kinjo and Image Labo, is a puzzle game where players mix potions using a guidebook in a foreign language, featuring muted pixel art. - Reentry: Releases on November 8, developed by Lyra Creative, is a realistic space flight simulator inspired by NASA missions, transitioning from early access to full release. - No Players Online: Releases on November 7, developed by Beeswax Games, is an expansion of a 2019 indie game that allows players to explore an abandoned multiplayer FPS with nostalgic elements.

AppWizard

November 9, 2025

Forget Starfield and Star Citizen, this super-realistic space sim will put your flight skills to the ultimate test

Reentry, a NASA-inspired space game developed by Lyra Creative, has reached its 1.0 milestone after seven years of development. The game balances simulation and gameplay, allowing players to command nearly every system of a spacecraft, reflecting the responsibilities of an astronaut. It includes a Space Flight Academy to help newcomers learn the necessary skills, and each spacecraft comes with a detailed flight manual and checklist. Reentry allows players to experience missions such as reaching orbit in Project Mercury, docking in Project Gemini, and landing on the Moon in Project Apollo. The game is now available on Steam with a 20% discount until November 14, priced at .99 / £23.60, and has received an 'overwhelmingly positive' rating from 97% of user reviews.

AppWizard

November 9, 2025

How a former NASA employee became the world’s foremost author of videogame cookbooks: ‘It can’t look like you’re eating a Pokémon’

Victoria Rosenthal is a culinary author known for her video game-themed cookbooks, starting with her blog, Pixelated Provisions. Her notable work includes the 2018 release of "Fallout: The Vault Dweller's Official Cookbook," which established her reputation in the niche market. She creatively collaborates with lore authors to align recipes with game narratives, as seen in "God of War: The Official Cookbook of the Nine Realms" and "Halo: The Official Cookbook." Her project "My Pokémon Cookbook" focused on vegetarian dishes due to a restriction against resembling Pokémon. Since becoming a full-time cookbook writer in 2021, she has two new titles planned for 2025: "Guild Wars 2: Feasts of Tyria" and a second volume of "Final Fantasy 14" recipes. Rosenthal is interested in future projects involving franchises like "Yakuza: Like a Dragon" and "Baldur's Gate." She aims to inspire readers to embrace cooking, emphasizing that cooking can be made less intimidating, similar to leveling up skills in video games.