Space & PhysicsDecember 7, 2020
Japanese Space Capsule Carrying Pristine Asteroid Samples Lands in Australia
Gathered by the Hayabusa2 spacecraft, the material from asteroid Ryugu will deepen scientists’ knowledge of early solar system history
Stories by Mike Wall
Mike Wall has been writing for Space.com since 2010. His book about the search for alien life, “Out There,” was published on Nov. 13, 2018. Before becoming a science writer, Michael worked as a herpetologist and wildlife biologist. He has a Ph.D. in evolutionary biology from the University of Sydney, Australia, a bachelor’s degree from the University of Arizona, and a graduate certificate in science writing from the University of California, Santa Cruz.
Space & PhysicsDecember 1, 2020
China’s Chang’e 5 Lands on Moon to Collect Fresh Samples
The ambitious mission is the first effort since 1976 to bring lunar material back to Earth
Space & PhysicsNovember 24, 2020
China’s Chang’e-5 Mission Launches to Collect Lunar Samples
After a 44-year hiatus, humans are on the verge of returning fresh material from the moon
Space & PhysicsNovember 17, 2020
NASA Celebrates Crew-1 Arrival at Space Station
SpaceX’s first 4-astronaut mission for the agency is a milestone in human spaceflight
Space & PhysicsOctober 31, 2020
NASA’s OSIRIS-REx Probe Successfully Stows Space-Rock Sample
The spacecraft will deliver the pristine material from asteroid Bennu back to Earth in 2023
Space & PhysicsOctober 28, 2020
In the Hunt for Planet Nine, Astronomers Eye a New Search Technique
“Shifting and stacking” method could unveil the elusive world and other objects in the outer solar system
Space & PhysicsOctober 26, 2020
NASA’s OSIRIS-REx Is Overflowing with Asteroid Samples
The mission team is working to stow the sample as fast as possible to minimize losses
Space & PhysicsOctober 21, 2020
NASA’s OSIRIS-REx Successfully Touches Asteroid Bennu
The spacecraft attempted to collect samples from the asteroid for eventual return to Earth
Space & PhysicsSeptember 17, 2020
Scientists Spot Giant Planet Orbiting Dead Star’s Corpse
The discovery around a white dwarf suggests planets can survive their star’s demise
Space & PhysicsSeptember 16, 2020
Life on Venus? Breakthrough Initiatives Funds Study of Possible Biosignature
A team of scientists will examine the astrobiological prospects for phosphine on Earth’s hellish twin
Space & PhysicsAugust 12, 2020
NASA’s TESS Planet-Hunting Space Telescope Completes Its Primary Mission
The observatory has found 66 confirmed worlds, plus 2,100 additional candidates—and the search goes on
Space & PhysicsAugust 5, 2020
SpaceX's Starship SN5 Prototype Soars in First Test Flight
The short hop could be a big leap toward future missions to Mars
Space & PhysicsAugust 3, 2020
NASA Astronauts Splashdown Safely after Historic SpaceX Mission
The first-ever crew-carrying commercial orbital mission is a major spaceflight milestone
Space & PhysicsMay 14, 2020
Pluto’s Wispy Atmosphere May Be Surprisingly Robust
The dwarf planet’s blue-tinged air may punch far above its weight
Space & PhysicsApril 30, 2020
NASA Selects Companies to Develop Human Lunar Landers
Blue Origin, Dynetics and SpaceX will each design and build spacecraft that could return astronauts to the Moon
Particle PhysicsApril 16, 2020
Weird Neutrino Behavior Could Explain Long-standing Antimatter Mystery
But more data are needed before physicists know for sure
Space & PhysicsMarch 12, 2020
Molten Iron Rain Falls on Scorching-Hot Exoplanet
A planet called WASP-76 b may be the most extreme world we know of
Space & PhysicsFebruary 29, 2020
Scientists Spot the Biggest Known Explosion in the Universe
The blast is about five times bigger than the previous record holder
Space & PhysicsFebruary 24, 2020
NASA’s InSight Lander Reveals New Details of Martian Quakes and Magnetism
The spacecraft has recorded about 450 “Marsquakes” to date
Space & PhysicsFebruary 7, 2020
Ancient Giant Galaxy Grew Fast and Died Young
Astronomers are puzzling over how this cosmic giant arose and expired so quickly in the early universe
Space & PhysicsJanuary 29, 2020
Looming Potential Satellite Smashup Could Spawn Dangerous Debris Swarm
Thankfully, the probability of a collision may be as low as 0.1 percent
Space & PhysicsJanuary 28, 2020
The International Space Station Is Getting a Commercial Module
Axiom Space will provide at least one habitable segment to help spur commercial activity in orbit
Space & PhysicsJanuary 7, 2020
NASA’s TESS Planet Hunter Finds Its First Earth-Size World in “Habitable Zone”
TOI 700 d is a landmark discovery for NASA’s Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite
Space & PhysicsDecember 4, 2019
NASA’s Sun-Kissing Parker Solar Probe Lifts the Veil on Our Closest Star
The daring mission’s first results reveal surprises about the solar wind