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Abigail Fraeman

@abbyfrae.bsky.social
841 followers 162 following 74 posts

Planetary scientist. Deputy Project Scientist for Curiosity and (formerly) Opportunity Mars rovers. Muppet aficionado. Views and opinions my own. She/her.

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Abigail Fraeman @abbyfrae.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
Sharing a terrific article by project scientist Ashwin Vasavada describing a day in the life of Curiosity Mars rover science operations. theconversation.com/mars-rovers-...
theconversation.com
Mars rovers give scientists a ground-level view of the red planet – peek inside their NASA control room
Each day in the control room of the Curiosity rover is jam-packed with important scientific decisions, as a NASA project scientist describes.
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Abigail Fraeman @abbyfrae.bsky.social · 28/08/2026
A lucky break in the clouds provided views of the lunar eclipse over JPL 🌔 🌘 🌑
View of lunar eclipse over the Flight Project Center at JPL
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Riding With Robots @ridingrobots.bsky.social · 27/08/2026
From NASA Running up that hill! Today, NASA’s Curiosity rover reached the pinnacle — so far — of its 14-year mission on Mars, when it marked an elevation gain of 1 kilometer in its ongoing journey from Gale Crater up the slope of Mount Sharp. go.nasa.gov/4d5tZlo
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Abigail Fraeman @abbyfrae.bsky.social · 20/08/2026
Happy (late) world photography day! Here are some snaps of @colddirt.bsky.social's UAV in the Alvord desert during our recent PSTAR field work testing science + ops strategies for future Mars helicopter missions. (White balance on the day images adjusted to look a lil' more Martian... ;-))
Image of a UAV in front of lava flowsimage of UAV soaring above the playa floorImage of a UAV with the Milky Way in the background
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Abigail Fraeman @abbyfrae.bsky.social · 20/08/2026
JAXA's Mars Moons eXplorer just announced a launch date: Oct 20, 2026! The team put out an awesome press kit that has TONS of information about the mission: fanfun.jaxa.jp/countdown/mm... I'm pretty obsessed with the beautiful poster they made too.
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Elizabeth Tasker @elizabethtasker.bsky.social · 12/08/2026
Tomorrow, we unveil the ACTUAL FLIGHT MODEL of the Martian Moons eXploration (MMX) spacecraft (that is, the one that will go TO SPACE and LAND ON PHOBOS) to the media visiting us at Tanegashima. Until then, goodnight from a small island with the gateway to infinity (and beyond) 🚀
Sun setting over the sea.
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Paul Hammond @paulhammond51.fosstodon.org.ap.brid.gy · 08/07/2026
Meanwhile on Mars: Curiosity Rover checks out this interesting rock located just in front of one of its six wheels. Image Credits: NASA/JPL-Caltech/MSSS/fredk #Curiosity #MSL #MarsRover #NASA #Science #Space #Exploration #Solarocks #Mars #JPL #Meteorite #MeteorWrong
A detailed image of a dark-toned rock on Mars, highlighting its smooth polished features, compared with the light-tan colour of the weathered sedimentary bedrock that lie beneath the dark float rock. Could this be a meteorite, or just a dark coloured rock from higher up Mount Sharp?
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Abigail Fraeman @abbyfrae.bsky.social · 03/07/2026
Sharing a couple pictures that bring me joy. I took these on a trip to Yosemite Valley last month.
A waterfall covered with mist and sunshineSunrise at Tunnel View
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Abigail Fraeman @abbyfrae.bsky.social · 27/06/2026
Friday moment of (Mars) zen. Extraordinary landscapes seen by an extraordinary vehicle.
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Abigail Fraeman @abbyfrae.bsky.social · 18/06/2026
After exploring the surface of Mars for 20 years maybe you think we've seen it all? Lol, definitely not. This morning's view from Curiosity is WILD.
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barbylon @barbylon.bsky.social · 08/05/2026
Are you looking for an alternative to overwhelming AGU or complicit LPSC? Try DPS! It's right-sized, inclusive, and backed by an active professional society who lobbies hard for planetary science. We'd love for you to join us in expanding our meeting scope to encompass your science!! 🔭🧪
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Abigail Fraeman @abbyfrae.bsky.social · 07/05/2026
Planetary friends -- the DPS Fall Meeting abstract submission is now open! We have some great special sessions planned, and warmly encourage abstracts on planetary science / geological science, DEIA/Workforce and Education topics. aas.org/meetings/dps58
aas.org
58th Annual DPS Meeting | American Astronomical Society
The 58th meeting of the Division for Planetary Sciences (DPS) will be held 25-30 October in Spokane, Washington.
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Marina Koren @marinakoren.bsky.social · 07/05/2026
Candy Hansen-Koharcheck was one of my favorite people to interview. She died last month, after nearly 50 years in planetary science. I wrote about her enthusiasm for capturing cosmic wonder and sharing it with everyone on Earth, for @sciencenews.bsky.social: www.sciencenews.org/article/spac...
sciencenews.org
Space images can make other worlds feel like home
Planetary scientist Candice Hansen-Koharcheck championed the importance of space imagery. Her legacy lives on in every pixel that comes back to Earth.
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Doug Ellison @dougellison.bsky.social · 06/05/2026
Last week was one of those weeks where you go "Oh f*#$....." and then "Oh hell yeah...." because you're a small part of an incredible team that is as smart as it is creative as it is dedicated when it comes to solving problems, finding solutions and being generally amazing.
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Alexandra Witze @alexwitze.bsky.social · 31/03/2026
Also in @nature.com's #ArtemisII coverage: "It is not sufficient to justify human space exploration by aiming to be the first or by claiming that it will support industry. How it is done, and by whom, needs to change to win the public over." - Bethany Ehlmann 🧪🔭 www.nature.com/articles/d41...
nature.com
Countdown to Artemis: is NASA’s Moon mission the dawn of a new space age?
As humans, we must be intentional about whether, and how, we explore space.
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Elizabeth Tasker @elizabethtasker.bsky.social · 01/04/2026
The Martian Moons eXploration spacecraft has arrived at the Tanegashima Space Center! This was a TOP SECRET operation due to concerns that someone might steal MMX and head to Phobos 🤫🛰️ Although I do wonder if the truck could’ve been a shade more… covert... 🔭 JAXA 🧪🔗: www.isas.jaxa.jp/en/topics/00...
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Daniel Pomarède @pomarede.bsky.social · 31/03/2026
Beautiful mosaics captured two days ago by Curiosity, on her way out of the Boxwork Terrain #Mars Mar. 29, 2026 - Sol 4850 🧪🔭 Credits images: NASA/JPL-Caltech/MSSS/fredk
A rust toned image capturing an eroded layered rock, with a wheel of the Mars rover Curiosity in the foreground to the right.A rust toned image capturing an eroded layered Martian rock.A rust toned mosaic capturing a number of layered Martian rocks.A rust toned mosaic capturing some Martian rocks.
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Abigail Fraeman @abbyfrae.bsky.social · 29/03/2026
During the CAPS meeting in DC last week, I managed to squeeze in an early morning run to the Tidal Basin to catch the cherry blossoms at sunrise. (This was one day before peak bloom) 🥰 🌸
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Abigail Fraeman @abbyfrae.bsky.social · 28/01/2026
Still on Mars with Curiosity. Still doing awesome science. Love this recent "MAHLI after dark" image we acquired last month of our drill in the super cool boxwork region: science.nasa.gov/resource/cur...
science.nasa.gov
Curiosity Lights Up ‘Nevado Sajama’ at Night - NASA Science
NASA’s Curiosity Mars rover used LED lights on the end of its robotic arm to create this rare nighttime view of the Red Planet’s surface on
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Scientific American @sciam.bsky.social · 07/01/2026
NASA spent years and billions of dollars collecting Martian samples to bring home. But Congress's current proposed budget for the agency would leave them stranded. What's at stake? Take a deep dive with this recent feature:
scientificamerican.com
NASA Found Something on Mars. Now We Might Just Leave It There
NASA spent years and billions of dollars collecting Martian samples to bring home. Now they might be stranded
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SETI Institute @setiinstitute.bsky.social · 05/01/2026
#PPOD: Team members working with NASA’s Curiosity Mars rover created this “postcard” by commanding the rover to take images at two times of day on Nov. 18, 2025, spanning the 4,722nd and 4,723rd Martian days, or sols, of the mission. 🧪 🔭 Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech
A panorama stitched together of two different photos, showing a yellow sky above the surface of Mars on the left and a pale blue sky on the right. At the bottom of the image is part of the Curiosity rover, which took the photos. The martian surface is covered in grey rocks and tan sediment, looking out between two mounds.
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Abigail Fraeman @abbyfrae.bsky.social · 19/12/2025
A beautiful sketch of Curiosity's tactical ops room (with a title that makes me tear up 🥲). Thanks so much for sharing this @sharponlooker.net
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Abigail Fraeman @abbyfrae.bsky.social · 07/08/2025
Happy Landiversary Curiosity. <3 science.nasa.gov/blog/curiosi...
science.nasa.gov
Curiosity Blog, Sols 4622-4623: Kicking Off (Earth) Year 14 With an Investigation of Veins - NASA Science
Written by Abigail Fraeman, Deputy Project Scientist at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory
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Abigail Fraeman @abbyfrae.bsky.social · 04/08/2025
www.nasa.gov/missions/mar... Our JPL engineers continue to blow my mind with their talent. Squeezing every drop of science out of our wonderful rover that we can! (h/t to @dougellison.bsky.social for making my late night request to acquire this Navcam postcard a reality. The view was too good!)
nasa.gov
Marking 13 Years on Mars, NASA’s Curiosity Picks Up New Skills - NASA
New capabilities allow the rover to do science with less energy from its batteries.
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Stuart Atkinson @stuartatkinson.bsky.social · 12/06/2025
The Curiosity rover is sending back some jaw-droppingly gorgeous views from Mars right now... Well done everyone on the camera teams|! Just look at this glorious detail and lighting...! Images: NASA/JPL-Caltech/MSSS/fredk/S Atkinson
Image sent back by Curiosity Mars roverImage sent back by Curiosity Mars roverImage sent back by Curiosity Mars rover
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Abigail Fraeman @abbyfrae.bsky.social · 28/05/2025
Can't stop staring at these new views of crazy yardang unit!!! (The light colored cliffs that are furthest away)
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Kevin M. Gill @kevinmgill.bsky.social · 23/05/2025
Stunning late afternoon view of the lower boxworks from the Mars Curiosity Rover, taken with MastCam on Sol 4547. flic.kr/p/2r6v3t3
Rocks and sand.

NASA/JPL-Caltech/MSSS/Kevin M. Gill
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Abigail Fraeman @abbyfrae.bsky.social · 20/05/2025
Monday moment of zen: Photos from last Saturday's hike to Trail Canyon Falls, just a 30 min drive from Pasadena. There were not many people out during the late afternoon on that drizzly day, and we ended up having the falls all to ourselves. Pure magic.
Photo of a waterfall surrounded by green plants.View of a waterfall surrounded by misty mountainsClose up of rain drops on a leaf
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Daniel Pomarède @pomarede.bsky.social · 16/05/2025
The boxwork structure captured by Curiosity's navigation camera earlier today #Mars May 16, 2025 - Sol 4541 🧪🔭 Credit images: NASA/JPL-Caltech
A mosaic of eight black and white images capturing a Martian landscape, with a section of the rover in the foreground to the left.
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Christopher Michel @christophermichel.com · 02/05/2025
Light finds a way through. #photography
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Robin Wordsworth @rdword.bsky.social · 02/05/2025
Proposed NASA cuts in context, courtesy of the Planetary Society #astronomy #science
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Abigail Fraeman @abbyfrae.bsky.social · 18/04/2025
Really proud of this. Amazing detective work lead by the brilliant Ben Tutolo, made possible by the entire Curiosity Mars Rover team. Paper: www.science.org/doi/10.1126/... Perspective: www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
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Abigail Fraeman @abbyfrae.bsky.social · 11/04/2025
Beautiful early morning light on Mars
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Thomas Appéré @thomasappere.bsky.social · 09/04/2025
Alors que la situation sur Terre n'est pas des plus paisibles, le rover Curiosity poursuit son exploration du cratère Gale. Cette sublime vue a été assemblée à partir d'images acquises hier, à 7h heure martienne. A droite s'élève Gould Mesa, haute de 30 m. © NASA/JPL-Caltech/MSSS/Thomas Appéré
Cette vue a été acquise par la caméra de navigation NavCam Right du rover martien Curiosity au sol 4505, le 8 avril 2025, à 7h10 heure locale. La colline à droite, dont un flanc est plongé dans l'ombre, a été baptisée Gould Mesa. Elle est haute de 30m. Au loin, on distingue clairement le rempart du cratère Gale grâce à la faible opacité de l'atmosphère en cette saison.
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Riding With Robots @ridingrobots.bsky.social · 03/04/2025
Sometimes it's "safe travels" and sometimes it's Ed Abbey: "May your trails be crooked, winding, lonesome, dangerous, leading to the most amazing view." Gale Crater, Mars, on Tuesday. science.nasa.gov/mission/msl-...
Black-and-white photo from the Curiosity rover of a rocky desert terrain, shadowy in the low sunlight. Scattered rocks and ripples of dust in the foreground. In the middle distance rises a layered hill of rock. The crater rim appears as a mountain range on the distant horizon.
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Abigail Fraeman @abbyfrae.bsky.social · 14/03/2025
Emily said it perfectly.
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Abigail Fraeman @abbyfrae.bsky.social · 13/03/2025
In love with this new photo from the Hera spacecraft showing the "backside" of Deimos aka weird little space potato full of mystery!
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Abigail Fraeman @abbyfrae.bsky.social · 13/03/2025
Early morning light illuminating the hills of Mt. Sharp's sulfate unit. Imaged last week by Curiosity.
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Abigail Fraeman @abbyfrae.bsky.social · 12/03/2025
So obsessed with the amazing friendship bracelet @elakdawalla.bsky.social handed me during yesterday's poster session at #LPSC2025. Do you see the six hematite rover wheels? Eeeee!!!! <3
Friendship bracelet that says "Curiosity 2011" and also has six hematite beads representing rover wheels.
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Abigail Fraeman @abbyfrae.bsky.social · 10/03/2025
THIS IS SO COOL
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Chase Million @millionconcepts.com · 07/03/2025
There are reports that the WH plans to cut NASA's science budget by 50%. This would devastate space science for generations. There is no "oopsie undo" button for such a cut. There are no private or commercial paths to replacing this support. Our space science research capacity would simply be lost.
planetary.org
The Planetary Society: reported cuts to NASA would amount to an…
The Planetary Society, the world’s largest independent space interest organization, issued a statement in response to recent reports that the White House…
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NPR @npr.org · 26/02/2025
The Lunar Trailblazer orbiter's launch window opens Feb 26. It's catching a ride with Intuitive Machines IM-2 mission which is landing on the moon near the south pole. Both have instruments for looking for water.
npr.org
Lunar Trailblazer sets out to find water on the moon
The Lunar Trailblazer orbiter's launch window opens Feb 26. It's catching a ride with Intuitive Machines IM-2 mission which is landing on the moon near the south pole. Both have instruments for lookin...
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Abigail Fraeman @abbyfrae.bsky.social · 26/02/2025
Elena and I are so excited for @lunartrailblazer.bsky.social launch :D If weather / systems / everything stay nominal: Livestream: www.nasa.gov/live/ 4:16pm PT – Launch ~5:04pm PT – Separation of Lunar Trailblazer ~5:15p PT – End of livestream
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Abigail Fraeman @abbyfrae.bsky.social · 25/02/2025
In good news... LET'S GO!!! Pumped for these mission!!! (Especially @lunartrailblazer.bsky.social !!!)
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Daniel Pomarède @pomarede.bsky.social · 17/02/2025
“Pyramid Lake”, a Martian pyramid-shaped rock captured by the Curiosity rover. More insights in this post by @abbyfrae.bsky.social science.nasa.gov/blog/sols-44... #Mars Feb. 15, 2025 (Sol 4454) 🔭🧪 Credits images: NASA/JPL-Caltech/MSSS/fredk
An ochre toned mosaic of four images capturing a pyramid-shaped Martian rock, standing in the sand among lesser rocks.
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Kevin M. Gill @kevinmgill.bsky.social · 13/02/2025
A portion of the cliff of Wilkerson Butte, imaged using MastCam on Sol 4450 by the Mars Curiosity Rover. flic.kr/p/2qLxCYy
Rocks in a steep cliff.

NASA/JPL-Caltech/MSSS/Kevin M. Gill
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Abigail Fraeman @abbyfrae.bsky.social · 13/02/2025
YES TO ALL THIS 🥂 Launch window opens Feb 26!
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Abigail Fraeman @abbyfrae.bsky.social · 12/02/2025
Taking a moment to breathe and watch the pearly clouds go by (on Mars). www.nasa.gov/missions/mar...
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Joe Levy @colddirt.bsky.social · 12/02/2025
Be like the hot spring hydrothermal plume in the Alvord Desert: be unstoppable, inexorable, and salty. #Drone ortho-images over three days last summer as part of the HeliHabitable field campaign.
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