Space & PhysicsAugust 4, 2016
NASA’s 2020 Rover Will Carry Microphones to Mars
For the first time, human beings will hear sounds from the Red Planet's surface
Stories by Leonard David
Leonard David is author of Moon Rush: The New Space Race (National Geographic, 2019) and Mars: Our Future on the Red Planet (National Geographic, 2016). He has been reporting on the space industry for more than five decades.
Space & PhysicsJune 10, 2016
When Will China’s “Heavenly Palace” Space Lab Fall Back to Earth?
Satellite trackers debate where and when eight-ton Tiangong-1 will come down
Space & PhysicsJune 10, 2016
What Does Mars Smell Like?
Trying to create a whiff of an alien atmosphere—sunbaked sulfur and chalk
Space & PhysicsFebruary 1, 2016
NASA's New Planetary Defense Office Gets to Work Protecting Earth
PDCO will synchronize U.S. efforts and coordinate with international agencies to deal with large asteroids and comets on a collision course with Earth
Space & PhysicsJanuary 4, 2016
Declassified: U.S. Military's Secret Cold War Space Project Revealed
Newly released documents describe the U.S. Air Force's secret cold war project known as the Manned Orbiting Laboratory
Space & PhysicsMay 8, 2015
Out-of-Control Russian Spaceship Falls Back to Earth
The cargo vessel burned up over the Pacific Ocean around 10 p.m. EDT on Thursday
Space & PhysicsJanuary 12, 2015
China Spacecraft Enters Orbit around the Moon
The service module from a past test flight around the moon arrived in orbit there this week
Space & PhysicsAugust 18, 2014
NASA's Next Mars Lander Will Peer Deep into Planet's History
The InSight Mission will measure the planet's rotation, weather at the landing site and magnetic disturbances to reveal more about Mars' inner workings and early development
July 1, 2013
Scientists Search Lunar Landscape for Lost Moon Probes
Science and history have motivated researchers to scour the moon's surface for missing mooncraft
Space & PhysicsFebruary 22, 2013
Robot Space Plane Settles into Mystery Mission
The X-37B, a prototype space drone operated by the U.S. Air Force, is entering the third month of a classified space mission
Space & PhysicsJanuary 2, 2013
Is NASA Lost in Space or Aimed at Asteroid?
Experts weigh in on NASA's direction and its goal to send astronauts into deep space
November 20, 2012
Does the Moon Have Levitating Lunar Dust?
Scientists investigate mysterious floating dust particles that could be responsible for the moon's eerie glow
Space & PhysicsOctober 26, 2012
China Builds New Rockets for Space Station, Moon Missions
The country is pouring funds into new tech, with an eye on future lunar exploration
Space & PhysicsSeptember 25, 2012
Air Force Launching Secretive X-37B Space Plane in October, Could Land in Florida
The exact launch date of the hush-hush mission hasn't been revealed
Space & PhysicsSeptember 14, 2012
Ping-Pong Ball "Satellites" Have Balloon Ride to Edge of Space
The crowd-funded project carries experiments designed by students across the globe
May 8, 2012
Secretive Bezos-Funded Group Reveals Spacecraft Plan Details
Blue Origin's spacecraft sports a biconic shape and recently underwent wind tunnel testing at a Lockheed Martin facility in Dallas
Space & PhysicsJanuary 13, 2012
Russian Mars Probe to Crash Soon, With World Watching
At most, 20 to 30 fragments of Phobos-Grunt, weighing a total of less than 200 kilograms, may reach Earth’s surface, most likely the ocean
Space & PhysicsDecember 1, 2011
NASA's Mars Rover Curiosity Had Planetary Protection Slipup
The incident has become a lessons-learned example of miscommunication in assuring that planetary protection procedures are strictly adhered to
October 26, 2011
Chinese Moon Probe Tackling New Deep-Space Mission
Chang'e 2's mission may be a signal of China's expanding prowess in space and a showcase for the nation's strategic intentions
Space & PhysicsOctober 17, 2011
First Commercial Spaceport Hangar Dedicated in New Mexico
The Spaceport America Terminal Hangar Facility will be used by Richard Branson's Virgin Galactic
Space & PhysicsAugust 17, 2011
China's First Space Lab Tiangong 1 May Launch Soon
The eight-ton experimental prototype is designed as a test bed for the technologies China will need for its future space station program