SpaceX’s Starship and NASA’s SLS Could Supercharge Space Science
Scientists are beginning to dream of how a new generation of super-heavy-lift rockets might enable revolutionary space telescopes and bigger, bolder interplanetary missions
Ax-1, First Private Crewed Space Station Mission, Launches Successfully
Axiom Space’s visit to the International Space Station is a milestone for commercial human spaceflight
NASA Criticized for Ending Pronoun Project
More than 100 employees at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center were surprised when a test project allowing them to add their pronouns to their agency identifiers was abruptly canceled
Looming Rocket Impact Forecasts Trouble for Future Lunar Exploration
Although the space-junk strike on March 4 will probably be harmless, such events may soon become more common—and dangerous
China Plans Asteroid Missions, Space Telescopes and a Moon Base
In the next five years, the nation hopes to launch a robotic craft to an asteroid, two lunar missions and an orbital observatory
NASA Eyes Electric Car Tech for Future Moon Rovers
Space agencies are partnering with car manufacturers to custom build new rovers—or retrofit commercial vehicles—for future missions to the moon and Mars
What We Learned from the Perseverance Rover’s First Year on Mars
Despite some unexpected challenges, team members are setting lofty goals for the rover in 2022
Earth Has a New Asteroid Companion but Not for Long
The Trojan asteroid 2020 XL5 is projected to linger in our planet’s vicinity for the next 4,000 years
SpaceX’s Starlink Satellites Leave Streaks in Asteroid-Hunting Telescope’s Images
Despite efforts to reduce light pollution from the satellites, their disruptions of astronomical observations are increasing at an alarming pace
NASA’s Perseverance Rover Chokes on Mars Pebbles while Collecting a Rock Sample
The rover’s latest sample collection—an effort to gather material for eventual return to Earth—is off to a rocky start
Landmark Webb Observatory Is Now Officially a Telescope
The observatory has flawlessly unfurled its mirrors and sunshield—although more steps are needed before the science can begin
U.S. and Chinese Scientists Propose Bold New Missions beyond the Solar System
Independent concepts from each nation envision launching high-speed spacecraft on aspirational multigenerational voyages into the great unknown of interstellar space