Space News & Blog Articles
SpaceX plans to catch Starship upper stage with 'chopsticks' in early 2025, Elon Musk says
SpaceX just caught the giant first-stage booster of its Starship megarocket — and it plans to do the same with the vehicle's upper stage soon.
Giant Cluster is Spitting Out Massive Stars
We live inside the Milky Way galaxy which is joined as it drifts through space by two satellite galaxies, the Magellanic Clouds. A star cluster in the Large Magellanic Cloud known as R136 has been the subject of a fascinating discovery. A team of astronomers have discovered 55 high-speed stars that have been ejected from the cluster. The discovery was made using the Gaia satellite and it seems up to a third of stars from the cluster have been ejected in the last century.
ISS leaks among 50 'areas of concern' for astronaut safety: report
Troubleshooting the leaking ISS is ongoing, with NASA and Russia now identifying 50 "areas of concern" and four cracks, according to a media report.
HydRON: Optical (laser-based) satellites for faster data sharing in space
At the International Astronautical Congress (IAC) in Milan this week, ESA signed a contract for Element #1, the first phase of the HydRON Demonstration System. HydRON, which stands for High thRoughput Optical Network, is set to transform the way data-collecting satellites communicate, using laser technology that will allow satellites to connect with each other and ground networks much faster.
EarthCARE synergy reveals power of clouds and aerosols
With the initial images from each of the instruments aboard ESA’s EarthCARE satellite now in hand, it's time to reveal how these four advanced sensors work in synergy to measure exactly how clouds and aerosols influence the heating and cooling of our atmosphere.
Jupiter’s Great Red Spot Jiggles
Jupiter is well known for its Great Red Spot, a feature that was discovered by Galileo over 400 years ago! Astronomers have been tracking the size and shape of it for over a century but the most accurate measurements have come from the Hubble Space Telescope. Every time Earth and Jupiter are at their closest, Hubble takes a series of images and it’s these images that have detected that the spot jiggles from day to day. Not only does it change size but length and width too leaving astronomers baffled.
Solar Cycle 25 is still in max phase, so more aurora-boosting sun storms could be coming
Solar Cycle 25 remains in its maximum phase, and more powerful sun storms are likely to come over the next few months, experts say.
China Releases its First Roadmap for Space Science and Exploration Through 2050.
China’s space program has advanced considerably since the turn of the century. In addition to developing heavy-launch vehicles like the Long March 5 and building a modular space station in orbit, China has also embarked on an ambitious program of lunar exploration (Chang’e) – which has launched six robotic missions to explore the Moon’s surface since 2007. These missions are paving the way for crewed missions to the Moon by 2030 and creating a permanent habitat around the Moon’s southern polar region – the International Lunar Research Station (ILRS).
Nuclear rockets could travel to Mars in half the time − but designing the reactors that would power them isn't easy
Fission technology is well established in power generation and nuclear-powered submarines, and its application to drive or power a rocket could one day give NASA a faster, more powerful alternative to chemically driven rockets.
Estonia joins Artemis Accords as moon-exploration coalition agrees to continue outreach efforts
The nations signed up to the Artemis Accords are looking to spread the word on common principles and best practices on exploring outer space.
Space Force’s X-37B will Perform “Never Before-Seen Maneuvers” in Orbit
The X-37B Orbital Test Vehicle (OTV) has been shrouded in mystery since its maiden flight in 2011. Designed by Boeing and operated by the U.S. Space Force (USSF), this remotely operated, reusable space plane is designed to operate in Low-Earth Orbit (LEO), 240 to 800 km (150 to 500 mi) above the Earth, and test reusable vehicle technologies that support long-term space objectives. On December 29th, 2023, the X-37B began its seventh mission (OTV-7) and has reportedly been conducting experiments on the effects of space radiation and testing Space Domain Awareness (SDA) technologies.
Vast Space unveils Haven-2, a private space station to follow the ISS after its fiery end
U.S. company Vast has unveiled Haven-2, its proposed commercial successor to the soon-to-be-retired International Space Station.
SpaceX launches 100th rocket of 2024 during Starlink doubleheader (video, photos)
SpaceX launched two Starlink satellite missions just hours apart today (Oct. 15), one of which was the company's 100th liftoff of the year.
Euclid 'dark universe' telescope reveals 1st breathtaking images from massive 'cosmic atlas' map
The "first page" of an incredible cosmic atlas being built by the Euclid Space Telescope has been released. The millions of stars and galaxies represent just 1% of the 3D map the mission will create.
Hunter's Supermoon rises this week, the biggest full moon of 2024. Here's how to see it
The largest full moon of 2024 rises this week when the Hunter's Supermoon takes to the sky on Wednesday (Oct. 16), becoming officially full the next morning.
Zoom into the first page of ESA Euclid’s great cosmic atlas
On 15 October 2024, ESA’s Euclid space mission reveals the first piece of its great map of the Universe, showing millions of stars and galaxies.
SpaceX makes Starlink internet service free for people hit by hurricanes Helene and Milton
In the wake of Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton, SpaceX has distributed more than 10,000 Starlink kits and waived monthly fees for using the satellite internet service in affected areas.
The moon, Mars and space junk: World space agency heads outline grand plans, but also concerns
Leaders of major space agencies stated grand plans for the near future at the International Astronautical Congress in Milan, while noting concerns regarding Earth and the space environment.
Cubesats, the tiniest of satellites, are changing the way we explore the solar system
Whether discovering exoplanets or measuring the size of an asteroid, cubesats are affordable throughout the space community, even to small startup, private companies and university laboratories.
