Seeking Profits, Private Companies Look to Light up the Night Sky
Reflect Orbital’s plan to deliver “sunlight on demand” using thousands of giant orbital mirrors is just the latest in a growing list of disruptive commercial activities in space
NASA Administrator Nominee Would Shift Future of Space Exploration
Ahead of Jared Isaacman’s renomination for the position of NASA’s administrator, a dispute between him and its acting chief Sean Duffy spilled into the open, with potentially profound consequences for the U.S. space agency
It’s Nearly Time to Say Goodbye to the International Space Station. What Happens Next?
Humans have been in space onboard the ISS continuously for 25 years. As the station nears its end, new commercial habitats are lining up to take its place
Surprise Meteorite Debris Uncovered on Moon’s Far Side
These rare samples, uncovered on the moon by China’s Chang’e 6 mission, might help to reveal secrets of how the solar system evolved
NASA’s Moon Race Looks like a Losing Bet
Former NASA officials warn that the U.S. looks poised to lose its self-declared race to beat China to the moon
The U.S. Won’t Win the New Space Race by Defunding NASA
The U.S. wants to remain a superpower in space. It can’t without supporting NASA
SpaceX’s Starship Succeeds in Final Test Flight of 2025
With the successful 11th test flight of its Starship megarocket, SpaceX is on the cusp of a new era in spaceflight
Chris Hadfield Imagines a Suspenseful Twist on Cold War History in His New Book
Astronaut-turned-author Chris Hadfield discusses his new thriller Final Orbit, which weaves real cold war history, space race geopolitics and firsthand experience into a gripping work of fiction.
Saturn’s moon Enceladus has complex, life-friendly chemistry
A fresh analysis of old data has found rich organic chemistry within the hidden ocean of Saturn’s moon Enceladus
How a Billionaire’s Plan to Reach Another Star Fell Apart
An abandoned plan to visit another star highlights the perils of billionaire-funded science
Your Name Could Orbit the Moon with NASA’s Artemis II
The public can submit names to travel along with four astronauts on an orbital journey to the moon next year
This Sneaky Spacecraft Bacteria Can Play Dead to Survive
A type of bacteria found in clean rooms has an unexpected method of survival, with implications for planetary protection