An Indian LVM3 rocket is scheduled to launch the massive BlueBird 6 smartphone satellite for AST SpaceMobile tonight (Dec. 23), and you can watch the action live.

What is Earth's Orbit?

Earth's orbit is the path on which Earth travels around the Sun. This path is not a perfect circle but an ellipse, which means that the distance between the Earth and the Sun changes throughout the year. 

"Science doesn't always go as planned. In any case, there's a lot of work to be done."

Highlights from a cometary trio that captured our imaginations.

The "America 250" logo commemorates the upcoming 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

We just got a great up-close look at a SpaceX Starlink satellite that recently suffered an anomaly in orbit, thanks to Vantor's WorldView-3 spacecraft.

From a crescent moon and a 'Christmas Star' to deep sky delights, the wonders of the holiday night sky are yours to explore.

The South Korean startup Innospace failed during its first orbital launch attempt, which sent five satellites aloft on Dec. 22 from Brazil.

Test your cosmic eye: can you match these dazzling nebula images to their names?

Watch those skies! In 2025, quality television really did come from outer space.

Yuletide season is officially upon us and here's a joyous array of new titles to add to your holiday reading list.

NORAD celebrates its 70th year of tracking Santa Claus as he flies around the world delivering joy this Christmas Eve.

Eileen Collins: Biography and Achievements

Rocket Lab launched its 21st and final mission of the year over the weekend, sending a private Japanese Earth-observing satellite to orbit.

An H3 rocket from Mitsubishi Heavy Technologies and JAXA lifts off with the QZS-5 navigation satellite. The rocket suffered a second stage anomaly that prevented a successful deployment at the correct altitude. Image: JAXA

A flight of Japan’s H3 rocket ended in failure on Dec. 22 after the upper stage experienced an anomaly.

Tory Bruno stands between a pair of Vulcan booster at United Launch Alliance’s rocket factory in Decatur, Alabama, on Nov. 4, 2025. Image: Will Robinson-Smith/Spaceflight Now

United Launch Alliance announced its president and chief executive officer, Tory Bruno, resigned from the company, effective Monday, Dec. 22.

Qingzhou is a lighter and potentially lower-cost alternative to China's Tianzhou freighter.

Waves of recent star formation have made Orion winter's most scintillating constellation. You can see how it all came to be.

Auroras may be visible from Alaska to Idaho as incoming speedy solar wind continues to buffet Earth's magnetic field.