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
What Is a Lagrange Point?
NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope will travel to a special spot where the gravity from Earth and the sun is balanced
New Views across the Galaxy
U.S. Officials Condemn Russian Anti-Satellite Test That Threatened Astronauts
“The test has so far generated over 1,500 pieces of trackable orbital debris,” a State Department spokesperson said
At Long Last, the James Webb Space Telescope Is Ready for Launch
The long-delayed successor to the Hubble Space Telescope is set to take flight in December
Senate Debates Uncertain Future of U.S. Spaceflight
A congressional hearing about NASA’s budget and activities offered more questions than answers about the International Space Station, orbital debris hazards and returning astronauts to the moon
Disabled Astronauts Blaze New Space Trails
Efforts are underway to make space missions more accessible
Blue Origin Launches William Shatner and Crew to the Final Frontier
The 90-year-old Star Trek actor is now the oldest person to fly in space
Russian Crew Arrives at Space Station for a Historic Film Shoot
After a tense manual docking by a professional cosmonaut, the Soyuz spacecraft’s other occupants—an actress and a director—are set to make a first-of-its-kind movie in orbit
Mercury Dazzles in New Close-up from BepiColombo Mission
The European and Japanese spacecraft performed the first of six slingshot maneuvers around the planet. It will ultimately insert two probes into orbit in 2025
Even Rocket Launches Can’t Escape COVID
Pandemic-spawned supply-chain disruptions are delaying launches and development of satellites, lunar rovers and interplanetary missions
Mars on the Cheap: Scientists Are Working to Revolutionize Access to the Red Planet
The concepts include souped-up Mars helicopters and inexpensive orbiters and landers