Get all of the relevant new stories from across the internet right here.
A 'Fireball' 40 Times Brighter Than the Moon Shoots Across Alabama SkiesA meteor that appeared over Alabama on Friday blazed a fiery trail.
Stunning NASA Image Lets You Watch the Sun Explode in Real TimeThe surface of the sun is a roiling tangle of magnetism, heat and light, stunning new images reveal.
Pseudo-Satellite Drone Flies for 25 Days Straight, Sets Endurance RecordThe Zephyr drone could be used for military reconnaissance and wildfire monitoring, among other activities.
Op-ed | Talent gap jeopardizes space business, national securityA growing talent gap is one of the biggest economic, cultural, and security risk this nation faces in the critical next two decades. SpaceNews.com
Veteran aerospace executive joins Relativity SpaceRelativity Space, the startup developing a small launch vehicle making extensive use of 3D-printing technologies, has brought on board a former SpaceX and Virgin Orbit executive to help grow the company. SpaceNews.com
Space Calendar 2018: Launches, Sky Events & MoreHere's a guide to the major astronomical events of the next year, as well as space launches and milestones for spacecrafts already in travel.
Image of the DayThe colorful arc of the Milky Way curves over the La Silla Observatory in the Chilean Atacama Desert in this photo by ESO photographer Petr Horálek. Below the arc are the Magellanic Clouds, two of the Milky Way's neighboring dwarf galaxies.
Solar Eclipse Guide 2019: When, Where & How to See ThemThree solar eclipses will take place in 2019. Here's a guide to when, where and how to see them.
Solar Eclipses: When Is the Next One?Solar eclipses are one of nature’s grandest events. What is a solar eclipse? Why are there different kinds of solar eclipses? How do they work? And when is the next one? We explain.
On This Day in Space! Aug. 20, 1977: Voyager 2 Launches to the Outer PlanetsOn Aug. 20, 1977, NASA launched the Voyager 2 spacecraft on a mission to explore the outer planets. See how it happened in our On This Day in Space video series.
NASA Planetary Science Program Remains on Track, Report FindsNASA has met or exceeded many of the goals set by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine in the 2013-2022 planetary decadal survey, according to a new midterm assessment.
Red Planet Survival Ain't Easy in 'Surviving Mars' GameMark Watney, who struggled to stay alive in "The Martian" film, was right: It is really, really hard to survive on the Red Planet.
Photos: More up-close shots of Parker Solar Probe’s launchThese images from United Launch Alliance and NASA photographers recorded the liftoff of a Delta 4-Heavy rocket from Cape Canaveral on Aug. 12 with NASA's Parker Solar Probe.
Rocketcam replay of Delta 4-Heavy rocket’s launch with solar probeThis video released by United Launch Alliance shows the Delta 4-Heavy rocket's predawn liftoff Aug. 12 from the perspective of a downward-facing camera, capturing dazzling views of the fiery takeoff and the dramatic separation of the launcher's two hydrogen-fueled boosters.
First milestones accomplished on NASA’s newly-launched Parker Solar ProbeSpace missions dispatched into the solar system often have journeys lasting years before reaching a scientific payoff, but NASA's Parker Solar Probe launched last weekend on a speedy departure from planet Earth is already getting ready to sweep closer to the sun than any spacecraft in history during a flyby later this year.
Concerns grow about Space Force diverting funds from other military prioritiesRetired Air Force officer Wesley Hallman: “We all want this to work. But does it have to be a separate service?" SpaceNews.com
Will We Ever Stop Using Rockets to Get to Space?On March 16, 1926 in Auburn, Massachusetts, American engineer Robert Goddard launched the first liquid-fueled rocket. The flight lasted a mere 2.5 seconds and ended anticlimactically 181 feet away in a snow-covered cabbage field.
Space Force Talk Drawing Attention to the Need for International NormsThe announcement by Vice President Mike Pence last week that the Pentagon will stand up a Space Force suddenly has drawn attention to the issue of international space security.
This NASA Video of the Moon's Lunar Landmarks Is Simply AmazingA new NASA video tour of the moon captures breathtaking views of the lunar surface.
'Hard-Rock Excavation' Begins for Giant Magellan Telescope in ChileThe Giant Magellan Telescope (GMT) has now entered the "hard-rock excavation" phase, which will make way for the huge structure's foundations, leaders of the $1 billion project announced on Tuesday (Aug. 14).
This Tiny Galaxy Is Home to a Weirdly Large Supermassive Black HoleAstronomers spotted a huge black hole in the center of a very small galaxy, which could help scientists better understand how these kinds of galaxies — called "ultracompact dwarfs" — form.
NASA approves “load-and-go” fueling for SpaceX commercial crew launchesNASA announced Aug. 17 that it will allow SpaceX to use a fueling approach for its commercial crew missions that attracted prior scrutiny, pending a final series of tests. SpaceNews.com
Get an Up-Close Look at Boeing's New CST-100 Starliner Spaceship (Photos)Boeing recently gave journalists a behind-the-scenes look at the company's new Starliner capsule, which could start carrying astronauts to and from the International Space Station as early as next year.
Melting Permafrost Below Arctic Lakes Is Even More Dangerous to the Climate, NASA WarnsScientists have worried for years now that climate change will free carbon trapped in frozen soil in the Arctic, triggering faster climate change — but now they believe abrupt thawing below lakes is even more dangerous.
Photo Tour: Inside Boeing's CST-100 Starliner Spaceship HangarTake a look inside the CST-100 Starliner hangar, where Boeing is building the private space capsules that will fly NASA astronauts and more into space!
'Foreign Object' on Mars Spotted by Curiosity Rover Is Just a Rock (Photo)On Monday (Aug. 13), Curiosity photographed an odd, flat object that mission team members initially thought might have fallen off the car-size robot. But the "debris" turned out to be a Red Planet rock.
Exos Aerospace Reschedules First Suborbital LaunchExos Aerospace, a Texas company developing a reusable suborbital rocket, now plans to carry out a first flight of its vehicle in late August as it sets its sights on a follow-on orbital vehicle.
Crew walkway arrives at launch pad 39A in FloridaThe access arm astronauts will transit when boarding SpaceX's Crew Dragon commercial capsule has arrived at launch pad 39A at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
Arecibo Observatory in Puerto Rico to Get a $5.8 Million Antenna UpgradePuerto Rico's Arecibo Observatory, the second-largest radio telescope in the world, is about to get a major upgrade.
Rocket On! These Cool Student Experiments Just Launched to SpaceDozens of students got to see their experiments travel from school to space. A sounding rocket soared from a NASA rocket facility in Virginia Tuesday (Aug. 14), carrying several student experiments under the RockSat-X program.
NASA's Opportunity Rover on Mars Still Silent 2 Months into Epic Dust StormOpportunity has been silent since June 10, when a monster Red Planet dust storm began blocking sunlight from reaching the solar-powered rover. But Opportunity's handlers still hope to get a ping once the dust has cleared.
'Space Heroes' Trading Card Game Sets Up Space Race Between PlayersDo you hold the cards to win a space race? That is the challenge laid out by "Space Heroes: Journey to Space."
Arecibo Observatory: Watching for Asteroids, Waiting for E.T.Arecibo Observatory has been used to send a SETI message as well as for scanning the skies for approaching asteroids.
Water on Mars: Exploration & EvidenceMars has water trapped in the polar ice caps. More water may lie just beneath the surface. A new study suggests that water also flows on the surface.
This Week's Top Space Stories!Space Force continues to get hyped up, astronomers have found metals in the atmosphere of an "ultrahot Jupiter," and there are new rules for tiny satellites — it's Space.com's best news stories of the week.
China's Chang'e 4 Lunar Lander to Far Side of the Moon Will Launch in DecemberChina will launch its Chang'e-4 lander and rover mission in December in what will be the first ever attempt at a soft landing on the far side of the moon, authorities said Aug. 15
NASA Says RS-25 Engine Test for New Megarocket a Success Despite Ending EarlyNASA says an Aug. 14 test of an engine for the Space Launch System was a success despite an unspecified "facility issue" that caused the test to end early.
Mysterious Midsize Black Holes Lurk at the Hearts of Tiny GalaxiesScientists using NASA's Chandra X-Ray Observatory have found evidence that hundreds of possible midsize black holes lurk at the core of smaller galaxies in the universe.
Was a Muppet Just Spotted on Mars?Muppet Labs did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Plasma Scientists Created Invisible, Whooping 'Whistlers' in a LabThe strange radio bursts usually circle the Earth like electromagnetic ghosts, but scientists have now created and studied their shapes in a plasma chamber on Earth.
NASA Solar Probe Hits 1st Deep-Space Milestones On Its Way to the SunThe Parker Solar Probe, which launched early Sunday morning (Aug. 12) from Florida's Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, is notching flight milestones according to plan, NASA officials said today (Aug. 17).
Here's the 1st 'Star Wars Resistance' Trailer! (And Its Release Date)Meet the pilots of the resistance.
The Most Amazing Space Photos This Week!Here are our picks for the most amazing space photos of the week.
New NASA Images Show California's Largest Wildfire from Space. Canadian Blazes, TooThe Mendocino Complex Fire, the largest blaze in California's history, releases clouds of smoke in new photos from NASA, and fires blazing over Canada are visible from a million miles away in space.
15,000 Galaxies Shine in This 1 View from the Hubble Space TelescopeThe Hubble Space Telescope has been at work for almost three decades, but it's still learning new skills — like how to squeeze an incredible 15,000 galaxies into a single image.
NASA deputy administrator nominee seeks focus on managerial and acquisition issuesThe space industry outsider nominated to become NASA deputy administrator said he would focus on acquisition reform and adapting NASA to a “new role” with commercial partners if confirmed by the Senate. SpaceNews.com
Proposed standard seeks to offer more launch flexibility for smallsatsA proposed standard announced at a conference last week seeks to provide the same launch flexibility for larger smallsats currently enjoyed by cubesats. SpaceNews.com
Defense inspector general finds key Air Force space programs vulnerable to cyber attacks, sabotageAn audit by the Defense Department’s inspector general office found security cracks in the supply chain of four critical military space programs. SpaceNews.com
UrtheCast, amid restructuring, acquires analytics firm from Land O’LakesCanadian remote sensing company UrtheCast says it has sufficient resources to cover the $20 million purchase of analytics firm Geosys from U.S. dairy giant Land O’Lakes. SpaceNews.com
Photos: Final Delta 2 rocket assembled for launch in CaliforniaThe step-by-step stacking of United Launch Alliance's final Delta 2 rocket was completed in June at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California for liftoff Sept. 15 with an Earth science satellite for NASA.
Tanking test marks resumption of Delta 2 rocket’s final launch campaignA team of United Launch Alliance and NASA engineers worked through Delta 2 launch day fueling procedures during a simulated countdown Wednesday for what should be the second-to-last time before the venerable rocket's final liftoff next month from California's Central Coast.
Live: launch pad 39A (members only)Watch live video from the Kennedy Space Center's Launch Complex 39A as work is underway to install the crew access arm for the SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule.
Boeing to acquire Millennium Space SystemsMillennium Space Systems was founded in 2001 and has approximately 260 employees. It has developed satellites ranging from 50 kg to more than 6,000 kg. SpaceNews.com
Japan's Interstellar Technologies Goes Full Throttle Toward Small Orbital RocketJapanese startup Interstellar Technologies is developing the main engine for an orbital rocket designed to carry 100 kilograms and slated to conduct its initial test flight in 2020.
NASA Has a Wild Idea to Weigh Asteroids with a Swarm of Mini ProbesAsteroids are all around us in space — but they're awfully difficult to weigh
'No Encryption, No Fly' Rule Proposed for Small SatellitesSmall satellites that have propulsion systems, but don't have encrypted commanding systems, pose a small but real threat of being hacked and endangering other satellites, according to a new study.
Keck Observatory: Twin Telescopes on Mauna KeaThe twin telescopes at the W.M. Keck Observatory are the largest optical and infrared telescopes in the world. The telescopes are located atop Mauna Kea, a dormant volcano in Hawaii.
SSL to develop antenna subsystems for U.S. Air ForceSSL, a company known for building communications satellites and spacecraft systems, will help the U.S. Air Force Space and Missile Systems Center define its next generation of protected military communications, the Maxar Technologies company announced Aug. 16. SpaceNews.com
Laser 'License Plate' Could Improve Identification of CubesatsA technology using a tiny laser tracker could help resolve one of the major challenges involved with the launching of cubesats: identifying individual satellites after their deployment.
As The Pentagon Moves to Stand Up a Space Force, Budget Fight LoomsGen. Paul Selva, vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff: "I think we have to be wide-eyed about the kind of resources" that would be needed to support a sixth branch of the military.
Wild! Scientists Are Watching Baby Turtles from SpaceThanks to technology that cosmonauts are installing on the International Space Station, scientists will get an extraterrestrial view of baby turtles and other wildlife.
How to Build a Rocket in 3 Easy StepsSo you've decided you want a piece of the rocket-building action to call your own. Well, read on.
The Golden Age of Space Exploration: Unraveling the Mysteries of the Cosmos (Op-Ed)Scientists shouldn't be afraid to propose bold ideas about the search for alien life. Any publicity is good publicity if it gets more people engaged with the golden age of space exploration that we're currently living through.
'Very Abnormal' Russian Satellite Doesn't Seem So Threatening, Experts SayIt's unclear exactly why American officials are so worked up about a Russian satellite's recent activities, experts say.
Paying Respect: Asteroid Honors Aretha Franklin's Unforgettable LegacyA pioneer and a legend by many definitions, R&B singer and "Queen of Soul" Aretha Franklin died today (Aug. 16) at the age of 76.
Foust Forward | As the launch industry grows, it finds it needs to shareThe commercial spaceflight industry has been enjoying success both on and off the launch pad this year. SpaceNews.com
Astronaut Snaps 'Mind-Blowing' Aurora Picture from SpaceMost of us are lucky to catch a glimpse of a stunning aurora painting the skies once or twice in our lives — but astronauts have better odds of spotting the beautiful phenomenon.
Descartes Labs forms imagery partnership with AirbusDescartes Labs announced Aug. 15 a partnership with Airbus to feed high resolution global imagery into its geospatial data platform. The Sante Fe, New Mexico-based startup also completed beta testing of its cloud-based “data refinery,” and added weather data. SpaceNews.com
Space Force talk drawing attention to the need for international normsInternational mistrust in space could become a bigger problem as the commercial space industry continues to grow and demand a peaceful environment to do business. SpaceNews.com
NASA says RS-25 engine test a success despite ending earlyNASA says an Aug. 14 test of an engine for the Space Launch System was a success despite an unspecified “facility issue” that caused the test to end early. SpaceNews.com
Hayabusa 2 probe gets a closer look at asteroid amid landing prepsThe Japanese Hayabusa 2 spacecraft dropped within a half-mile of asteroid Ryugu last week, probing its gravity field ahead of key decisions in the coming days to settle on a target site for the robotic mission's first sample collection attempt, and the best touchdown location for a European lander stowed on the mothership.
Ariane 6 is nearing completion, but Europe’s work is far from overESA is pushing European industry to continue innovating and finding efficiencies even after Vega C’s introduction in 2019 and Ariane 6’s debut in 2020. SpaceNews.com
Pioneering Chang’e-4 lunar far side landing mission to launch in DecemberChina will launch its Chang’e-4 lander and rover mission in December in what will be the first ever attempt at a soft landing on the far side of the moon, authorities said Aug. 15 SpaceNews.com
Could SpaceX and Boeing Spaceships Open a New Era for Space Tourism?NASA just announced its first astronauts for commercial crew vehicles. Other entities are courting the companies as well, hoping to bring tourists into space just behind the government astronauts. How close are we to flying tourists?
'Ask a Spaceman' Series Launches with Trip to Pluto"Ask a Spaceman" is live for the first time on Facebook — and astrophysicist Paul Sutter jumps right into it with a trip to Pluto.
Spacewalkers toss nanosatellites into orbit, hook up bird migration monitorClad in pressurized spacesuits, two Russian cosmonauts headed outside the International Space Station on Wednesday and hand-released four tiny CubeSats and installed hardware for a German experiment to track animal migration.
On Ultrahot Exoplanets, Water Can Form at Night and Die by DayWater and liquid rubies may exist within the nightside clouds of distant Jupiter-like exoplanets, but they melt in the heat of the planets' scorchingly hot bright sides, according to NASA.
Spacewalking Cosmonauts Toss Tiny Satellites From Space StationTwo Russian cosmonauts completed a grueling, nearly 8-hour spacewalk today (Aug. 15) in which they conducted a range of science tasks outside the International Space Station.
Omega Centauri Is a Terrible Place to Look for Habitable PlanetsThe globular cluster Omega Centauri hosts an estimated 10 million stars, but they may be too tightly packed to hold on to habitable planets, a new study suggests.
You Can Watch Two Cosmonauts Walk in Space Today: Here's HowTwo Russian cosmonauts will conduct a 6-hour spacewalk today (Aug. 15) to launch small satellites and take care of a couple scientific tasks.
This 'Star Trek'-Inspired Space Station Experiment Helps Scientists Study EarthAssimilate this! A beloved "Star Trek" Klingon character inspires real-life science on board the International Space Station.
Step Inside SpaceX's New Crew Dragon Spaceship (Photos)SpaceX recently invited journalists to its headquarters here in Southern California to get an up-close look at the new Crew Dragon capsule. Here's what Space.com's Mike Wall saw.
Video replay: Parker Solar Probe launches atop Delta 4-HeavyWatch a video replay of NASA's Parker Solar Probe lifting off from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station's Launch Complex 37 atop a United Launch Alliance Delta 4 Heavy on August 12, 2018.
Mysterious X-37B Military Space Plane Nears 1 Year in OrbitThe U.S. Air Force's X-37B miniature space plane has winged past 340 days of flight performing secretive duties during the program's fifth flight.
See Venus Shine with Jupiter and the Moon This Week!Planet watchers are in for a special show this week, as the bright celestial bodies Venus and Jupiter shine in the sky alongside the crescent moon. You can catch the show tonight (Aug. 15) and tomorrow (Aug. 16) — as long as the skies are clear.
Space Weapon? US Calls Out Russian Satellite's 'Very Abnormal Behavior'A Russian satellite that launched to Earth orbit last October has been behaving oddly, raising the possibility that the craft could be some sort of space weapon, a U.S. diplomat warned yesterday (Aug. 14).
Iron and Titanium Found on 'Ultrahot Jupiter,' an Exoplanet FirstFor the first time ever, astronomers have found iron and titanium in the atmosphere of a planet outside the solar system. The exoplanet, named KELT-9b, is the hottest alien world ever discovered.
Earth Has 'Minimoons,' and They May Solve Asteroid MysteriesEarth has a habit of picking up, and later discarding, small companions called "minimoons," and they could help scientists solve the mysteries of asteroids.
Committee praises NASA’s planetary science program but raises some concernsNASA has done a good job implementing the recommendations of its latest planetary science decadal survey despite past budget problems, but needs to improve some programs, a recent report concluded. SpaceNews.com
Lockheed Martin awarded $2.9 billion Air Force contract for three missile-warning satellitesThe Air Force will use “rapid procurement authorities” in this program and is targeting the first next-generation OPIR launch in 2023. SpaceNews.com
SN Military.Space | Space Force a political football • The next big thing in space missile defense • How to make satellites ‘defendable’The Pentagon's Joint Oversight Requirements Council will be briefed this fall on potential solutions to a major national security vulnerability: hypersonic weapons that fly into space at supersonic speeds and descend back down to Earth directly on top of targets. SpaceNews.com
Lockheed Martin: Aerospace GiantLockheed Martin has been involved in aviation and space exploration for about 100 years. Projects include the Hubble Space Telescope, Atlas and Titan rockets and the Orion spacecraft.
Trump Touts Space Force While Signing $717 Billion Defense BillToday (Aug. 13), President Donald Trump signed the John S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act, a $717 billion defense-authorization act that will guide military spending and focus in the year to come.
Chinese rocket maker OneSpace secures $44m in funding; Expace prepares for commercial launchChinese private launch vehicle maker OneSpace has secured $43.6 million in Series B financing as the company looks to its first orbital launch near the end of 2018. SpaceNews.com
Gravity Assist Podcast: Exoplanet Hunting with Jon JenkinsNASA's Chief Scientist, Dr Jim Green, speaks to Kepler scientist Jon Jenkins about hunting exoplanets.
This Strange Nebula Looks Inside Out and Born-AgainThe nebula of a dying star has a "inside-out" appearance, scientists announced in a new study. And this may be the outcome that awaits our sun.
In Photos: A Behind-the-Scenes Look at SpaceX's Crew Dragon SpaceshipSpaceX recently invited reporters to its headquarters to take a look at the new Crew Dragon capsule, which is scheduled to start flying astronauts to and from the space station next year. Here's what Space.com's Mike Wall saw.
A Fireball and a Wall of Sound: What NASA's Epic Solar Probe Launch Felt LikeThe launch of NASA's $1.5 billion Parker Solar Probe atop a Delta IV Heavy rocket was spectacular. Here's what it was like to see it in person.
Satellite Sees Double When Snapping Solar Eclipse Pictures from SpaceA new image of a solar eclipse will have you seeing double.
Phytoplankton Is Affecting Earth's Climate in the Ocean's 'Twilight Zone'NASA scientists are venturing into the ocean's "twilight zone" to explore how phytoplankton are affecting Earth's climate.
The Chance to Fly SpaceX's New Crew Dragon Is a Dream Come True for AstronautsThe first crewed flight of SpaceX's new astronaut taxi is less than a year away, and its participants can't wait to get off the ground.
Andromeda Galaxy Twinkles Above Old Mine in Stunning Nighttime ViewIn this star-speckled photo of the night sky, the Andromeda galaxy rises above a puddle of acid water in Achada do Gamo, part of the Dark Sky Alqueva Reserve near Mértola, Portugal.
'Ask a Spaceman' Series Brings Universe's Weirdest Mysteries to Facebook WatchThe astrophysicist is in: In the new Facebook Watch series "Ask a Spaceman," pro explainer (and Space.com columnist) Paul Sutter answers your questions about the strangest corners of the universe.
'Star Trek: Discovery' Beams Up Its Spock!An Original Series character returns for Star Trek: Discovery season 2.
Apollo 11 Astronauts' Flown Medallions Restruck for 50th AnniversaryA memento flown by the astronauts on the first moon landing has been recreated for the first time in commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the historic NASA mission.
Exos Aerospace reschedules first suborbital launchExos Aerospace, a Texas company developing a reusable suborbital rocket, now plans to carry out a first flight of its vehicle in late August as it sets its sights on a follow-on orbital vehicle. SpaceNews.com
Viasat’s Dankberg explains medium Earth orbit thinking, global expansion strategyViasat is still working on a medium-Earth-orbit satellite constellation idea revealed almost two years ago, but has not finalized what that system would look like, Mark Dankberg, CEO of Viasat, said Aug. 9. SpaceNews.com
NASA's Parker Solar Probe Is Headed to the Sun. So, What's Next?After decades of dreaming and years of construction, NASA's Parker Solar Probe is safely on its way to flying seven times closer to the sun than any mission has before.
Photos: Delta 4-Heavy takes off from Cape CanaveralDriven by three RS-68A main engines, a United Launch Alliance Delta 4-Heavy rocket lifted off early Sunday from Cape Canaveral carrying NASA's Parker Solar Probe on a historic mission to study the sun.
Russia's New Cosmonauts Include Brother of ISS Crew MemberRussia has announced a new class of cosmonaut trainees, including the younger brother of a crew member now on board the International Space Station.
Io: Facts about Jupiter’s Volcanic MoonJupiter’s fifth moon is the most volcanically active body in the solar system.
This Amazing Map Shows How California 'Breathes' Water Throughout the YearWatch how the land in Southern California seems to breathe water.
Researchers Find Source of Strange 'Negative' GravitySound has negative mass, which means it drifts upward very slowly, a new study shows.
In Photos: Juno's Amazing Views of JupiterNASA's Juno spacecraft has been orbiting Jupiter since 2016, beaming back spectacular pictures of the largest planet in our solar system. See those amazing Jupiter photos in our mission gallery here.
New 'Star Trek' Picard Series: Here's Some Bold Ideas We'd Love to SeeFollowing the announcement that Jean-Luc Picard is returning in a new "Star Trek" series, we look at some possible directions that the new show might take.
The Dazzling Perseid Meteor Shower of 2018 in PhotosSee photos of the Perseid meteor shower of 2018 — featuring fireballs, Mars and the Milky Way!
Meteorite Bombardment Likely Created the Oldest Rocks on EarthScientists think rocks from space may be responsible for the very oldest rocks on Earth.
Perseid Meteor Shower 2018: When, Where & How to See ItThe Perseid meteor shower will burst into light this August as Earth passes through the long trail left by Comet Swift-Tuttle. This month, though, the moon may interfere with the show. Here's how and when to see the Perseids.
Perseid Meteor Show Wows Skywatchers with Celestial Fireworks (Photos)Brilliant displays of Perseid meteors lit up the heavens this past weekend as the annual Perseid meteor shower reached its peak.
Parker Solar Probe: Mission to Touch the SunThe Parker Solar Probe will orbit the sun and swoop into the outermost part of the solar atmosphere to study the star up close and personal.
U.S. Government Stands to benefit from Next-Generation MEO fleet beginning 2021At the annual SMI MilSatCom Conference in 2017, Army Major General Pete Gallagher, former CENTCOM/J6, shared a vignette about U.S. forces fighting ISIS in the CENTCOM Area of Responsibility. SpaceNews.com
Mike Griffin’s tough talk to Pentagon contractors: Be a team player, look at your own red tapeGriffin: "The bumper sticker version of my job is that I don’t have anything to do with anything that the Defense Department is currently buying. " SpaceNews.com
NASA launches Parker Solar Probe on historic missionRunning a day late, a United Launch Alliance heavy-lift Delta 4 rocket thundered away from Cape Canaveral early Sunday, boosting NASA's $1.5 billion Parker Solar Probe into space on a daring seven-year mission to "touch the sun" with repeated trips through the star's blazing outer atmosphere.
NASA's Parker Solar Probe Mission to the Sun in PicturesSee images of NASA's Parker Solar Probe mission, which the agency plans to launch in July 2018. The spacecraft will get seven times closer to the sun than any probe ever has.
Launch Photos! NASA's Parker Solar Probe Blasts Off to Touch the SunNASA's Parker Solar Probe launched on a mission to touch the sun on Aug. 12, 2018, riding atop a ULA Delta IV Heavy rocket from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. See photos from the dazzling nighttime launch here!
Scientists Over the Moon for NASA's Solar Probe Launch to the SunNASA's spectacular Parker Solar Probe launch to the sun today (Aug. 12) has scientists over the moon. Here's why they're so thrilled.
New Cameras to Track Perseid Meteor Shower from Meteor CraterA team of scientists are hoping to see one of the year's best meteor showers from one of the most scenic places on Earth: Meteor Crater.
NASA Bolsters Smallsat Science ProgramsNASA is responding to the growing interest in, and capabilities of, small satellites for science applications with an initiative that will spend $100 million a year on a series of projects.
New Thruster Aims to Help Microsats Bust Out of the Kiddy PoolStellar Exploration, a space technology company based in San Luis Obispo, California, is in the midst of qualification testing of a miniature propulsion system for planetary microsatellite missions.
Last Solar Eclipse of 2018 Shines In These Awesome PhotosNearly a year after the Great American Total Solar Eclipse put on a show for millions of skywatchers across the U.S., the moon again made its way in front of the sun for viewers in a different part of the world.
Perseid Meteor Shower 2018 Peaks Tonight! How to Watch OnlineThe 2018 Perseid meteor shower peaks overnight tonight (Aug. 12-13) but you'll need dark, clear skies to see it. Here's where you can watch online.
Billowy Bands Wrap Around Jupiter As Its Magnetic Field and Jet Streams PlayJupiter's clouds are fascinating for so many reasons: Their patterns resemble the mesmerizing lines of abstract art, they form storms that last over a century, and they may help us understand distant worlds.
Ghostly Remains of a Dead Star Revealed in Infrared Light (Photo)Red streaks of energized gas left over from an ancient supernova explosion branch across the cosmos in this stellar new photo from NASA's Spitzer Space Telescope.
High-Energy Whodunit: The Origins of the 'OMG Particle'Right now, as you read this very text, your DNA is getting sliced up by tiny, invisible bullets.
NASA launches Parker Solar Probe mission to study the sun up closeA NASA mission to travel closer to the sun than any previous spacecraft is on its way after a successful launch from Cape Canaveral Aug. 12. SpaceNews.com
NASA Launches Daring Solar Probe Mission to Kiss the SunNASA's historic and audacious Parker Solar Probe mission, which will travel faster and get closer to the sun than any other spacecraft, lifted off early this morning (Aug. 12) from Florida.
As the Pentagon moves to stand up a Space Force, budget fight loomsDeputy Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan: “It's going to take some time to work this through the Congress." SpaceNews.com
Launch of solar probe scrubbed by technical issue in terminal countdownAn automatic alarm in the final two minutes of the Delta 4-Heavy rocket's countdown early Saturday forced officials to delay blastoff with NASA's Parker Solar Probe by 24 hours.
'Star Trek 4' Now Uncertain as Chris Pine and Chris Hemsworth Drop Out: ReportActors Chris Pine and Chris Hemsworth both walk away from negotiations for the next "Star Trek" movie, putting its future in jeopardy, The Hollywood Reporter reports.
The US Would Need a Mega-Constellation to Counter China's Hypersonic WeaponsUndersecretary of Defense for Research and Engineering Michael Griffin: "Our response has to be a proliferated space sensor layer, possibly based off commercial space developments."
Now You Can 3D-Print a NASA SOFIA Flying Telescope of Your Very Own!You can now 3D print your own miniature version of NASA's flying telescope, the Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA).
Colorful Nebulas Decorate the Milky Way in Gorgeous Night-Sky PhotoA night scene captured from Pulo do Lobo, a waterfall located in the Dark Sky Alqueva Reserve near Mértola, Portugal, shows the arc of the winter Milky Way sprinkled with stars and other deep-sky objects that glow in shades of red, violet and blue.
Perseid Meteor Shower 2018 Weather Forecast: Smoke May Screen Out Western USIt's an excellent year to see the Perseid meteor shower, but clouds and smoke may obstruct the view for skywatchers in much of the U.S.
Perseids: Bright Meteor Shower in AugustThe Perseids meteor shower arises out of the debris of Comet Swift-Tuttle, which last made a pass by Earth in 1992.
Last-Minute Glitch Delays Launch of NASA's Parker Solar ProbeNASA's $1.5 billion Parker Solar Probe will have to wait at least another day to launch to the sun after a last-minute glitch forced the space agency to postpone the liftoff for at least 24 hours.
Photos: Delta 4-Heavy revealed for solar probe launchThese photos taken Friday evening show the mobile gantry being wheeled away from a United Launch Alliance Delta 4-Heavy rocket at Cape Canaveral, hours before its scheduled blastoff with NASA’s Parker Solar Probe.
Delta 4-Heavy launch timeline with Parker Solar ProbeA United Launch Alliance Delta 4-Heavy rocket, crowned by a solid-fueled upper stage kick motor, will send NASA's Parker Solar Probe on a speedy voyage through the inner solar system following liftoff from Cape Canaveral.
NASA funds commercial technology development and market studiesNASA announced more than 20 contracts valued at $55 million Aug. 8 intended to develop commercial technologies for space exploration as well as study future markets for commercial activities in low Earth orbit. SpaceNews.com
Live Coverage: Parker Solar Probe launch (members only)NASA's Parker Solar Probe, poised for launch on a record-setting mission to investigate the environment around the sun, is sitting atop a United Launch Alliance Delta 4-Heavy rocket at Cape Canaveral set to depart planet Earth at 3:33 a.m. EDT (0733 GMT) Saturday.
Watch the Parker Solar Probe pre-launch mission briefingNASA held a pre-launch briefing for the Parker Solar Probe mission on Thursday, August 9, 2018, at the Kennedy Space Center.
What's Inside the Sun? A Star Tour from the Inside OutAfter decades of diligent science work, we at least know what's inside the sun, even if we don't always understand how our star works.
Making the Most of the 2018 Perseid Meteor Shower Using Mobile AppsThis weekend brings us one of 2018's best astronomical events: the Perseid meteor shower. Here's how to see it with the help of mobile apps.
The 2018 Perseid Meteor Shower Peaks This Weekend! Here's What to ExpectThe new moon of August comes on Saturday the 11th this year, perfectly timed to bring dark, moonless nights around the peak of the Perseid meteor shower.
Pioneering Solar Scientist Eugene Parker Gets His Day in the SunNASA's Parker Solar Probe, set to launch this weekend, is the first spacecraft ever named after someone still living: Eugene Parker, the groundbreaking sun scientist whose theories redefined how we understand our nearest star.
NASA's Parker Solar Probe Rolls Out to Launchpad for Sun-Touching MissionA United Launch Alliance Delta IV Heavy rocket topped with NASA's Parker Solar Probe rolled out to its launch pad here at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station this evening (Aug. 10) ahead of its planned predawn launch tomorrow morning (Aug. 11).
NASA Spotted a Vast, Glowing 'Hydrogen Wall' at the Edge of Our Solar SystemThere's a vast "hydrogen wall" at the edge of our solar system, and NASA scientists think their New Horizons spacecraft can see it.
Interstellar Travel Requires a Long-Term Approach (and Humans Are Too Impatient)The biggest hurdle to mounting an interstellar mission may be humanity's short attention span.
A NASA Mission to Touch the Sun Launches Saturday! Here's How to WatchThe sun will come out tomorrow — but before it does, the Parker Solar Probe will lift off from Florida aboard a massive rocket, on its way to learn our star's secrets.
Partial Solar Eclipse Occurs Saturday! What to ExpectA partial solar eclipse on Aug. 11, 2018 will be visible from most of Asia, far northern Europe, Iceland and Greenland, and northern Canada. Here's what you need to know.
See Scientist Eugene Parker Bid Farewell to the Sun Probe NASA Named for HimIt's never too late to do something for the first time — especially if that thing is seeing a rocket launch in person, and even more so if that rocket is carrying a mission named after you.
Trump Wants a Space Force — But We Have an Air Force Space CommandThe United States might launch a Space Force, a new military branch, but how is this different from the Air Force Space Command?
NASA Is About to Launch the Fastest Spacecraft in History. Target: The Sun!On Aug. 11, NASA will launch its newest spacecraft, called the Parker Solar Probe, aboard a huge rocket. And by December 2024, that probe will become the fastest spacecraft ever.
Wake Up, Opportunity! Engineers Have an Awesome Playlist for NASA's Sleeping Mars RoverEngineers with NASA's Mars Exploration Rover program have been left hanging on like a yo-yo for 60 days now, after Opportunity lost power during a global dust storm.
Live coverage: Delta 4-Heavy launches with NASA solar probeA United Launch Alliance Delta 4-Heavy rocket climbed into space Sunday with NASA's Parker Solar Probe on a daring mission to explore the atmosphere of the sun. Liftoff from Cape Canaveral occurred at 3:31 a.m. EDT (0731 GMT).
Why Is NASA Launching the Parker Solar Probe to the Sun at Night?This weekend, NASA's Parker Solar Probe will boldly go where no spacecraft has dared go before — up close and personal with the sun — lifting off with its destination hidden and the sky dark.
What 'Star Trek' Capt. Jean-Luc Picard Taught Me About Life ... And LoveI have an embarrassing confession to make, as the geek internet explodes over actor Patrick Stewart reprising his role as Jean-Luc Picard in a new CBS series. I never saw "Star Trek: The Next Generation" while it was on the air.
'Killjoys' Space Adventure Now Streaming on VRV for US"Killjoys" fans, rejoice: Your favorite trio of space bounty hunters is now reliving its adventures on the streaming app VRV.
“No encryption, no fly” rule proposed for smallsatsSmall satellites that have propulsion systems, but don’t have encrypted commanding systems, pose a small but real threat of being hacked and endangering other satellites, according to a new study. SpaceNews.com
Eutelsat sells shared satellite to Es’hailSatFrench fleet operator Eutelsat sold a jointly-owned satellite to partner Es’hailSat of Qatar, expanding Es’hailSat’s fleet as the company awaits the launch of its second satellite late this year on a Falcon 9 rocket. SpaceNews.com
Jim Simpson no longer CEO of fleet operator ABSJim Simpson, chief executive of Bermuda-based fleet operator ABS since December, is no longer head of the company. SpaceNews.com
A key White House demand in DoD’s Space Force plan: An “accountable civilian” to oversee the processWhy was the DoD space reorganization report more than a week late? The White House ordered a few tweaks. SpaceNews.com
Parker Solar Probe cleared for launch to ‘touch the sun’NASA managers Thursday cleared the $1.5 billion Parker Solar Probe for launch early Saturday on a daring mission to "touch the sun," repeatedly flying through its outer atmosphere to find out why the blazing corona is millions of degrees hotter than our star's visible surface.
Laser “license plate” could improve identification of cubesatsA technology using a tiny laser tracker could help resolve one of the major challenges involved with the launching of cubesats: identifying individual satellites after their deployment. SpaceNews.com
Google Doodle Honors Mary Ross, Aerospace's 1st Native American Female EngineerGoogle is celebrating the accomplishments of the first known female Native American engineer, Mary G. Ross, today (Aug. 9) on the 110th anniversary of her birth.
Photos: Parker Solar Probe closed up inside Delta 4 fairing for launchReady for a journey into the sun's enigmatic, scorching corona, NASA's Parker Solar Probe has been encapsulated inside the nose cone of its Delta 4-Heavy rocket for liftoff Saturday.
Vice President Pence announces first steps towards creating a new military branch for spaceThe debate is over. The United States will have a Space Force as a separate branch of the military. SpaceNews.com
US to Launch Space Force Military Branch in 2020, VP Mike Pence SaysVice President Mike Pence on Thursday (Aug. 9) unveiled a detailed plan for the military Space Force proposed by President Donald Trump. If Congress agrees to establish it, the Space Force will be the sixth branch of the U.S. military.
Japan’s Interstellar Technologies goes full throttle toward small orbital rocketInterstellar Technologies is developing the main engine for an orbital rocket designed to carry 100 kilograms and slated for a 2020 test flight. SpaceNews.com
This Meteor 'Exploded' Over Greenland, But Nobody Saw It. Here's Why It Matters.A fireball that streaked across the sky above the Thule Air Base in Greenland on July 25 was notable for not only the 2.1 kilotons of energy it released but also the stir it caused on social media.
NASA signs off on SpaceX’s “load-and-go” procedure for crew launchesThe NASA manager overseeing development of Boeing and SpaceX's commercial crew ferry ships says the space agency has approved SpaceX's proposal to strap in astronauts atop Falcon 9 rockets, then fuel the launchers in the final hour of the countdown as the company does for its uncrewed missions.
Photos: Previously-flown Falcon 9 rocket blasts off with Merah Putih satelliteA Falcon 9 rocket booster which first flew in May took off for the second time Tuesday from Cape Canaveral carrying the Indonesian Merah Putih communications satellite.
IoT startup Hiber forms ground station partnership with KSATHiber plans to launch its first satellite in October on an Indian PSLV rocket and its second in November on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. SpaceNews.com
Callisto: Facts About Jupiter's (Not So) Dead MoonCallisto is thought to be a long dead world, with hardly any geologic activity on its surface. But an ocean may lie underground.
Pence Will Reveal Trump's 'Space Force' Plan Today: Watch It LiveDuring a speech at the Pentagon today (Aug. 9), Vice President Mike Pence will outline the administration's plan to create a new branch of the military focused on defending the ultimate high ground, The Washington Post reported.
2018 Full Moon CalendarThe full moon happens once a month. Find out when.
In Central Idaho, the Perseid Meteor Shower Will Shine in Country's Darkest SkiesGet ready for the Perseid meteor shower this weekend. The stunning event will appear in skies across the country, and we're traveling to perhaps the best location to watch the shower: the recently accredited Central Idaho Dark Sky Reserve.
How NASA's New Solar Probe Will 'Touch' the Sun on Historic MissionWe see it every day, but our sun still poses countless mysteries. But not for long, if NASA's Parker Solar Probe has its way.
Einstein's Genius: Describing the Geometry of Space-TimeGeneral relativity is one of the greatest feats of human understanding, made all the more impressive by the fact that it sprang from the fertile imagination and dogged mathematical brilliance of just one mind.
Moon-Landing Tech and More Get $44 Million in NASA 'Tipping Point' FundsNASA has awarded contracts totaling $44 million to help develop 10 "tipping point technologies" that could spur greater space exploration and development.
Trump's Space Force Starts the Important Work: Picking LogosIf the United States creates a Space Force, what should its logo look like?
Hurricane Hector Looks Awesome from Space in These Astronaut and Satellite PhotosAfter being reclassified as a Category 3 hurricane, Hurricane Hector will pass just south of Hawaii, causing some pretty rough surf for the islands — and astronauts and NASA satellites have been tracking the storm from space.
NASA Data Is Making Video Games Stunningly RealisticNASA data is helping video game companies create hyper-realistic snow-capped mountains for you to shred on.
These High-Tech Tools Help Judge How Well Spacesuits Fit (Video)How well does an astronaut's spacesuit fit? Richard Fineman wants to know.
NASA's Parker Solar Probe Is Ready for a Saturday LaunchNASA's new mission to "touch the sun" is packed up, buckled in and ready to launch during a window opening Aug. 11 at 3:33 a.m. EDT (0733 GMT), according to a briefing today (Aug. 9).
'Star Trek: Discovery' Season 1 Blu-Ray Trailer, Bonus Features RevealedCBS has released details about the forthcoming Blu-ray and DVD release of Season 1 of "Star Trek: Discovery," including a trailer and information about the extra features.
Electric propulsion startup ThrustMe gets $2.8 million from European CommissionFrench propulsion startup ThrustMe received 2.4 million euros ($2.8 million) from the European Commission to commercialize an electric propulsion system for small satellites. SpaceNews.com
Helios Wire sees a hidden fortune in finding lost assetsHelios Wire is preparing to launch its first satellite in October on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. SpaceNews.com
EchoStar’s Charlie Ergen: Inmarsat bid refusal a disappointment, industry needs scale and broadband is the futureEchoStar Chairman Charlie Ergen said analyst missed synergies apparent in an EchoStar-Inmarsat merger, and that the satellite industry needs bigger players to tackle the mammoth global need for connectivity as satellite operator strength shifts from television to broadband. SpaceNews.com
NOAA rejects one-size-fits-all solution for data protectionThe National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Commercial Remote Sensing Regulatory Affairs office plans to roll out a tiered approach to evaluating company data-protection plans. SpaceNews.com
Small satellite sector grapples with cybersecurity requirements, costFor cybersecurity experts, it’s clearcut: smallsat operators should take the same precautions as large satellite operators, including encrypting uplinks and downlinks, safeguarding ground stations and monitoring network activity. SpaceNews.com
Made In Space proposes printing large solar arrays for small satellitesMade In Space, the Silicon Valley startup focused on additive manufacturing in orbit, plans to boost the power available to small satellites with Archinaut, the company’s in-space manufacturing and assembling technology. SpaceNews.com
U.S. would need a mega-constellation to counter China’s hypersonic weaponsGriffin: Hypersonic defense is not a mission that can be done realistically from the ground or the oceans. SpaceNews.com
Open Cosmos partners with Addvalue to offer cubesat customers real-time commsFor the first time, operators of small satellites in low Earth orbit will have real-time communications using Inmarsat’s space network and BGAN ground network, said Tristan Laurent, Open Cosmos market development head. SpaceNews.com
Download all three days of the SpaceNews SmallSat show dailiesCoverage of Rocket Lab, NASA’s smallsat initiative, Spaceflight, Terran Orbital, Ursa Major, Loft Orbital, Telesat’s LEO constellation, Maxar’s new smallsat division and more. SpaceNews.com
New thruster aims to help microsats bust out of the kiddy poolLOGAN, Utah — Stellar Exploration, a space technology company based in San Luis Obispo, California, is in the midst of qualification testing of a miniature propulsion system for planetary microsatellite missions. What’s unusual about the technology Stellar Exploration developed with Malin Space Science Systems of San Diego is its power, said Mike Loucks, president of…
Electric propulsion to send smallsats from LEO to GEO orbit, moonIn an effort to cut launch costs, companies are looking to technology to transport small satellites from low Earth orbit to geostationary orbit and to the moon. SpaceNews.com
Smallsat developers focus on improving reliabilityAs cubesats and other smallsats transition from technology demonstration and student projects to operational missions supporting a growing array of applications, companies large and small are working to improve their reliability. SpaceNews.com
Rocket Lab announces order for 10 Electron launches from new Dubai companyRocket Lab announced an agreement Aug. 7 with a new Dubai-based smallsat company for 10 launches of its Electron small rocket. SpaceNews.com
Jupiter's Largest Moon Ganymede Produces Powerful Plasma WavesElectromagnetic waves near Jupiter's moon Ganymede are extremely powerful, researchers have found.
They All Shine On! Galaxy Survey Yields Stunning Cosmic ViewA curious collection of galaxies sparkles like jewels in a gorgeous new image taken by a powerful, Earth-based telescope.
Vega’s long-awaited (small) successesAlthough the mostly Italian Vega rocket was added to the Arianespace family in 2012, it’s only recently achieved tangible success in wooing the smallest spacecraft operators. SpaceNews.com
Spaceflight Gears up for Dedicated Falcon 9 LaunchSpaceflight announced Aug. 6 that it's beginning final preparations for a dedicated Falcon 9 launch later this year carrying more than 70 smallsats for a variety of commercial, government and educational customers.
Rocket Lab Plans Return to Flight in NovemberRocket Lab announced Aug. 6 that it plans to resume launches of its Electron rocket in November, with two launches scheduled through the end of the year.
Op-ed | SmallSat Alliance is on a path toward a new space horizonThe early returns of this economic revolution are already on our doorstep: space data capabilities are exponentially growing elements of the 21st century world economy. SpaceNews.com
China Just Tested a Hypersonic Weapon That Could Launch Nukes at 6 Times the Speed of SoundThe successful launch puts China "shoulder to shoulder" with the U.S. and Russia in the hypersonic nuke race.
Capella’s first satellite launching this fallCapella Space is preparing for its first launch on a SpaceX rocket this fall, an important milestone in the company’s plan to build a constellation of the world’s smallest commercial radar satellites. SpaceNews.com
Five decades after Black Arrow, a reawakening UK launch industry aims for bullseyeAfter years of efforts within the British government, and lobbying by the country’s space industry, the U.K. is taking steps to get back in the launch business. SpaceNews.com
Op-ed | Satellite Data and CheeseburgersThe U.S. government is evaluating how it can engage with a series of new commercial remote-sensing companies, but one of the biggest challenges in these partnerships is determining how widely the data can be shared after it is purchased from the government. SpaceNews.com
Elon Musk: Private Space EntrepreneurElon Musk founded SpaceX with ambitions to explore Mars.
Space Rock in the Crosshairs! Japanese Probe Snaps Close-Up Images of Asteroid RyuguSample-return spacecraft Hayabusa2 just gave its destination asteroid a special close-up.
Comet's Exotic Terrain Stars in Close-Up View from the Rosetta ProbeIf you regard comets as big old dirty snowballs, boringly uniform and featureless, this photo will set you straight.
New NASA Planet Hunter May Find 10,000 Alien Worlds in Just Two YearsNASA's newest planet-hunting telescope is hard at work gathering its first data — but just how many planets might it hunt down?
How Hot Is the Sun's Corona? How NASA's Parker Solar Probe Will Keep Its CoolIf you think a sunny day here on Earth gets toasty, imagine how much hotter it would be if you were flying through the upper layers of the sun's atmosphere.
Space Force: Pentagon moving closer to Trump’s visionMattis: “We are in complete alignment with the president's concern about protecting our assets in space that contribute to our security, to our economy.” SpaceNews.com
SN Military.Space | Space reorganization: Reform fatigue already? • SMD Symposium underway in Huntsville • DARPA soon to announce Blackjack winnersThese are uncertain times for many of the agencies and offices in the military-space-industrial landscape. SpaceNews.com
D-Orbit to launch 10 Astrocast satellites on Vega rocketD-Orbit, an Italian company entering the rideshare market, won a deal to launch 10 Astrocast cubesats on a future Vega mission as it develops an advanced, free-flying deployer. SpaceNews.com
SSL strategy chief says small satellites will enhance work of huge government spacecraftIn the coming years, defense and intelligence agencies will rely on small satellites to enhance the capabilities of large government-owned and -operated spacecraft. SpaceNews.com
Hyten: U.S. needs plan to modernize space launch infrastructureHyten: At some point someone has to decide it’s time to pull the plug and invest in the future. SpaceNews.com
Government agencies welcome small rockets with contracts, awards and reduced red tapeTo prepare for a new generation of small rockets promising dedicated rides to orbit for small satellites, NASA, the U.S. Air Force, the National Reconnaissance Office and the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency are setting aside money and trimming oversight. SpaceNews.com
Former space executive Sirangelo joins University of ColoradoMark Sirangelo, who left Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC) in June after heading the company’s space division for a decade, has joined the University of Colorado Boulder as an “entrepreneur-in-residence” in its aerospace engineering program. SpaceNews.com
SmallSat 2018 | The show in picturesSmallsat 2018 is underway in Logan, Utah, and our photographer is getting great shots of cool hardware and other photo-worthy highlights of the 32nd Conference on Small Satellites. SpaceNews.com
Cubesat co-inventor Jordi Puig-Suari sails into the sunsetJordi Puig-Suari, the California Polytechnic State University professor who along with Bob Twiggs, now a professor at Morehead State University in Kentucky, invented the cubesat in 1999 as a university teaching tool, is preparing to head off into the sunset. Literally. SpaceNews.com
Ursa Major aims to disrupt launcher vertical integration trendColorado startup Ursa Major Technologies is building a line of rocket engines that it hopes smallsat launch companies will choose over building their own engines in-house. SpaceNews.com
Smallsats becoming a bigger part of DoD’s resiliency calculations“The tough part is not figuring out how to mass produce a satellite bus or build a lot of little payloads,” said Fred Kennedy, Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency Tactical Technology Office director. “The hard part is getting that entire network to be responsive to a bunch of requirements we have to satisfy soon.” SpaceNews.com
California Wildfires Rage in Astronaut Photos from the Space StationAstronauts aboard the International Space Station have taken dramatic new photos of the fires that are blackening huge swaths of the Golden State and throwing off smoke that billows far to the east.
NASA's New Planet-Hunting Telescope Catches a Comet and Other Celestial SightsNASA's new planet-hunting telescope wasn't even formally on the job when it caught sight of a fascinating set of celestial happenings, which the agency has shared in a new video.
That Newfound Mineral Isn't Harder Than Diamond — But It Is from SpaceThis newly discovered space-borne mineral is tough, but not that tough.
NASA's 'Hidden Figures' Put Forward for Congressional Gold MedalU.S. lawmakers have plotted a trajectory towards bestowing the nation's highest civilian award to four of NASA's "Hidden Figures" — African American women whose roles as human "computers" helped to open outer space to astronauts in the early 1960s.
This Unusual Meteorite Flew Around in Space Before Earth Was BornThe oldest igneous meteorite ever discovered may help scientists learn more about planet formation.
The Planet Is Dangerously Close to the Tipping Point for a 'Hothouse Earth'It's frightening how easy it would be to turn Earth into a steaming hothouse, experts say.
The Greatest Missions to the SunBetter understanding how the sun behaves on a daily basis is important, because radiation emanating from it can affect astronauts or satellites in space. Here are some of the more prominent missions that studied the sun.
Photograph the 2018 Perseid Meteor Shower with These NASA TipsWondering how to capture the beautiful, ephemeral streaks of a meteor shower? Just in time for the Perseids, which peak this weekend (Aug. 11 to 13), here's a rundown by NASA of the best ways to photograph the phenomenon.
Astronauts Zip-Line to Safety in These NASA Emergency Evacuation Test PhotosThis summer, commercial crew astronauts tested out an emergency egress system that can safely zip-line up to 20 people off a launch tower to safety in 90 seconds.
The Universe Is Expanding. But Astrophysicists Aren't Sure How Fast.The universe's rate of expansion is in dispute, and we may need new physics to solve it.
SpaceX Hosting Hush-Hush Mars Workshop This WeekSpaceX is hosting a workshop at the University of Colorado Boulder today and tomorrow (Aug. 7 and Aug. 8) to discuss establishing a self-sufficient Mars settlement, according to Ars Technica.
In Photos: The 2018 California Wildfires as Seen from SpaceDangerous, deadly and destructive wildfires have churned through California in the summer of 2018. Here are some dramatic views of these blazes from high above as seen by astronauts and cosmonauts in space.
Rocket Lab plans return to flight in NovemberRocket Lab announced Aug. 6 that it plans to resume launches of its Electron rocket in November, with two launches scheduled through the end of the year. SpaceNews.com
SpaceX launches Telkom Indonesia satellite on first reflight of Block 5 Falcon 9 boosterSpaceX conducted its first relaunch of the Block 5 Falcon 9 rocket Aug. 7, successfully delivering a communications satellite into a geostationary transfer orbit for Telkom Indonesia. SpaceNews.com
What Does Space Travel Do to Your Gut Microbes? (Video)Right now, there are trillions of microscopic, living organisms like bacteria, known as microbes, living in and on your body — but how are these microbes affected by spaceflight?
Indonesian communications satellite deployed in orbit by SpaceXKeeping up a run of middle-of-the-night launches from Cape Canaveral, a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket powered by a recycled first stage booster climbed into orbit early Tuesday with the Indonesian Merah Putih communications satellite.
Should the Moon Be Quarantined?Nearly a half century after astronauts first visited the moon, it is once again a flash point for debates on how to safely, responsibly explore the solar system.
Merah Putih MissionOn Tuesday, August 7th at 1:18 a.m. EDT, Falcon 9 successfully lifted off from Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida carrying the Merah Putih mission for PT Telkom Indonesia. The satellite was deployed approximately 32 minutes after liftoff into its targeted Geostationary Transfer Orbit (GTO). Following stage separation, Falcon…
SpaceX Re-Launches 'Block 5' Rocket for 1st Time, Nails Landing AgainSpaceX has checked off another reusability milestone, re-flying the latest version of its Falcon 9 rocket for the first time ever.
PLD Space signs 25-year lease at Spanish airport for engine test facilitiesSpanish launch startup PLD Space plans to quadruple the size of its engine test facility at Spain’s Teruel Airport following a new 25-year lease that began this month. SpaceNews.com
Watch a live view of launch complex 40 as a Falcon 9 readies for launch (members only)Live video coverage of the countdown and launch of a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral with the Merah Putih communications satellite for Telkom Indonesia. (Members Only)
Firefly ‘back in full force’ following last year’s near-death experienceTwo years ago, Firefly Space Systems appeared to be flying high. Then the bottom fell out of the company. SpaceNews.com
NASA bolsters smallsat science programsNASA is responding to the growing interest in, and capabilities of, small satellites for science applications with an initiative that will spend $100 million a year on a series of projects. SpaceNews.com
Iridium posts sharply higher revenue, forecasts decade-long capex holidayIridium Communications had what Chief Financial Officer Thomas Fitzpatrick called its “best quarterly revenue growth in company history,” logging $135 million for April, May and June, an increase of 21 percent over the same time last year. SpaceNews.com
ÅAC Clyde prepares for further mergers, acquisitions and a U.S. presenceÅAC Clyde, the company being formed by Sweden’s ÅAC Microtec and Scotland’s Clyde Space, plans to expand through acquisition and to stake a claim in the United States. SpaceNews.com
Make It So! 'Star Trek's' Capt. Picard Returns in New CBS SeriesAn incredible 28 years after "The Next Generation" finished its television run, star Patrick Stewart announced he will reprise his role as Capt. Jean-Luc Picard in a new CBS series.
Bizarre Rogue 'Planet' with Incredible Auroras Puzzles ScientistsA rogue, planet-size object 20 light-years away from Earth has stunned astronomers with its incredibly powerful magnetic field.
Falcon 9 launch timeline with Merah PutihSpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket is set for liftoff from Cape Canaveral on Tuesday, heading due east over the Atlantic Ocean to deliver the Merah Putih communications satellite into orbit around 32 minutes later.
NASA Created a Rare, Exotic State of Matter in SpaceA special device aboard the International Space Station has produced Bose-Einstein condensates in space for the first time ever.
Live coverage: Falcon 9 rocket launches from Cape CanaveralA SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, flying with a first stage booster that was previously launched and recovered in May, lifted from Cape Canaveral at 1:18 a.m. EDT (0518 GMT) Tuesday with Indonesia's Merah Putih communications satellite. The first stage accomplished a pinpoint landing on SpaceX's drone ship in the Atlantic Ocean.
Physicists Tied Laser Beams into KnotsThe technology could improve future precision light sources. But right now the biggest surprise is how many holes there are in a laser figure-eight.
The World's Deepest, Rarest Diamonds Revealed a Big Secret About Our Planet's InteriorOnly about 0.02 percent of the world's diamonds are naturally blue. That rare minority holds some huge secrets about the Earth.
Terran Orbital raises $36 million in Series B investment roundTerran Orbital raised $36 million in a Series B round from investors, including Lockheed Martin, Beach Point Capital managed funds, Goldman Sachs, the company announced Aug. 6. SpaceNews.com
Loft Orbital unveils 21-partner supply chain for small condosat missionsLoft Orbital, a startup that raised $3.2 million last year to run a satellite fleet for people who want to put payloads in space but not operate them, has announced a team of 21 partners to build, launch and communicate with its future spacecraft. SpaceNews.com
Spaceflight gears up for dedicated Falcon 9 launchSpaceflight announced Aug. 6 that it’s beginning final preparations for a dedicated Falcon 9 launch later this year carrying more than 70 smallsats for a variety of commercial, government and educational customers. SpaceNews.com
National Security Experts Throw Cold Water on Space Force EuphoriaBrian Weeden: "At this moment I don't know what a space force is, it doesn't have a lot of definition to it."
This Amazing Photo Reveals a Lunar Eclipse Like You've Never Seen It BeforeAustralian amateur astronomer Tom Harradine made an image of the century's longest lunar eclipse that reveals the true scale of the Earth's dark umbra.
Landspace of China to Launch First Rocket in Late 2018Emerging private Chinese company Landspace is set to launch its first rocket into orbit in the final quarter of 2018, carrying a small satellite for a state television company.
Marrying Mars: Fixing Our Dysfunctional Relationship with the Red Planet (Op-Ed)Historically, humans have often fooled themselves about Mars. But as we prepare to visit and possible settle the fourth planet, are we deceiving ourselves yet again? Mars is strikingly familiar but dangerously alien.
Incredible Hulk? Nah, This Glowing, Green Light in the Night Sky Is a CometComet flash!
Watch SpaceX Re-fly Its 1st 'Block 5' Falcon 9 Rocket Early Tuesday!The newest version of SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket will get its first big reusability test early Tuesday morning (Aug. 7), and you can watch the action live.
The 2018 Perseid Meteor Shower Promises Spectacular Views This WeekThe best meteor shower this year is here: The Perseids peak this weekend, promising dazzling views for skywatchers in dark areas.
Fireball Explodes Over Greenland Near US Military BaseLast month, a fiery meteor was detected in Greenland close to a U.S. Air Force base with 2.1 kilotons of force, as reported by scientists on Twitter.
Top 10 Perseid Meteor Shower FactsThe annual Perseid meteor shower peaks every August and is often the most dazzling meteor display of the year.
SpaceX set to re-fly first Falcon 9 Block 5 booster TuesdayForecasters expect good weather on Florida’s Space Coast for liftoff of a Falcon 9 rocket early Tuesday with an Indonesian communications satellite.
Build a Backyard Mars Rover with NASA DIY ManualMakers of all backgrounds can now learn how to create a Mars rover by working off of plans and instructions from the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory's Open Source Rover project.
Space Launch Vehicles Eyed by US Military to Move Supplies Around the WorldAir Mobility Commander Gen. Carlton Everhart is interested in the idea of moving supplies using space vehicles, and how that could transform military logistics.
Sorry Elon Musk, But It's Now Clear That Colonizing Mars Is Unlikely — And A Bad IdeaWe have learned that there could be life beneath Mars’ surface and that it may be impossible to terraform its surface.
NASA Astronauts Flying Aboard Crew DragonOn Friday, August 3, 2018, NASA announced the first four astronauts who will launch aboard Crew Dragon (also known as Dragon 2) to the International Space Station as part of NASA’s Commercial Crew Program, which will return human spaceflight capability to the United States for the first time since the Space Shuttle Program was retired…
Commercial Crew Astronauts Prepare for Launch — What Will They Wear?SpaceX and Boeing are working to launch commercial crewed vehicles into space — so what will the astronauts wear?
A Mysterious, Powerful Force Is Flinging Radio Waves at Us from Deep SpaceEarth might be getting bombarded by thousands of high-energy radio waves from deep space every day — and scientists have no good explanation (yet).
In Just One Week, NASA Will Launch a Spacecraft to 'Touch the Sun'NASA is just a week away from launching its next science mission, a spacecraft called the Parker Solar Probe that is currently scheduled to launch early in the morning on Aug. 11.
SpaceX cargo capsule comes back to Earth from space stationA commercial Dragon cargo craft launched June 29 departed the International Space Station and returned to Earth on Friday with nearly two tons of cargo and research samples.
Etisalat sells Thuraya stake for $37 millionEmirati telecommunications company Etisalat has sold its 28 percent stake in satellite operator Thuraya to fellow Emirati satellite operator YahSat for $37 million. SpaceNews.com
NASA assigns astronauts to first commercial crew missionsNASA announced Aug. 3 the assignment of eight agency astronauts, a mix of veterans and rookies, as well as one company astronaut to fly on the first set of commercial crew missions by Boeing and SpaceX. SpaceNews.com
NASA reveals crews for first flights of commercial spaceshipsNASA announced Friday a mix of spaceflight veterans and rookie astronauts who will launch on the first flights of new Boeing and SpaceX commercial spaceships starting as soon as next spring, several months later than previously scheduled.
Meet the Astronauts: Here's Who Will Fly on SpaceX's and Boeing's First Crewed FlightsNASA announced today (Aug. 3) the nine astronauts who will fly on the test and maiden flights of two new U.S. crew capsules: Boeing's CST-100 Starliner and SpaceX's Crew Dragon spacecraft. Here's who will be on board.
Inmarsat not for sale, CEO saysInmarsat CEO Rupert Pearce said Wednesday the two purchase offers Inmarsat received from EchoStar this summer priced the company too low to take seriously. SpaceNews.com
NASA Announces First Astronaut Crews to Fly on Boeing and SpaceX SpaceshipsAfter years of vehicle development and building anticipation, NASA has now put the crew in commercial crew spacecraft. The space agency announced the nine men and women who will be the first to fly on new spacecraft operated by Boeing and SpaceX.
Trump Hails Astronauts That Will Fly on SpaceX and Boeing Spaceships. And Space Force, Too?President Donald Trump fired off a celebratory tweet today to laud NASA's first astronaut crews to fly on private spacecraft built by Boeing and SpaceX, a message that also appeared to hail the president's proposed military Space Force.
Watch live as NASA announces astronaut crews for new U.S. spacecraftNASA is announcing the astronauts who will fly the first crewed test flights of the SpaceX Dragon 2 and Boeing Starliner capsules next year. The event at the Johnson Space Center is due to get underway at 11am EDT (1500 GMT).
MEO startup Methera plans “high density” HTS constellationIn medium Earth orbit, the only system providing satellite broadband today is SES Networks’ constellation of 16 O3b satellites. A British startup with its own 16-satellite constellation idea wants to change that. SpaceNews.com
August Full Moon 2018: How to See the Sturgeon Moon, Mercury and MoreThe full moon of August will grace the skies the same day that Mercury is at its highest in the predawn sky and farthest from the sun, making it an ideal time to see the innermost planet.
Take a Walk Through SpaceX's Crew Dragon SpaceshipWith its sleek design and growing reputation, anticipation for the launch of SpaceX's first Crew Dragon spaceship continues to build.
How Boeing's Commercial CST-100 Starliner Spacecraft WorksThe Boeing CST-100 Starliner is one of two commercial spacecraft types that NASA plans to use for International Space Station flights. Here's a brief overview of how it works.
Boeing’s CST-100 Starliner: A 21st Century Space Capsule in PhotosBoeing's CST-100 Starliner is a 21st century space capsule designed to launch NASA astronauts into orbit on commercial trips to the International Space Station and beyond. See photos of how it works here.
Microscopic 'Speck' of Asteroid Dust Gets an Incredible Close-Up (Photo)A grain of asteroid dust observed under a microscope looks like a strange, "extraterrestrial" hair.
NASA Unveils First Commercial Crew Astronauts Today: How to Watch LiveToday (Aug. 3), NASA will announce the first astronauts who will fly in SpaceX and Boeing spacecraft for the agency's Commercial Crew Program.
Crew Dragon and Starliner: A Look at the Upcoming Astronaut TaxisHere's a quick look at SpaceX's Crew Dragon capsule and Boeing's CST-100 Starliner, the two private American spaceships designed to fly astronauts to and from the International Space Station.
Splashdown! SpaceX Cargo Spacecraft Returns to EarthSpaceX's robotic Dragon capsule returned to Earth today (Aug. 3), wrapping up the company’s latest cargo mission to the International Space Station.
Congrats, New Crews! Fellow Astronauts Welcome Private-Spaceship RidersToday, NASA announced the first astronauts who will launch aboard SpaceX's and Boeing's first crewed spacecraft, and other spaceflyers were quick to congratulate the new teams.
Commercial Spaceships Are Like 'Driving an iPhone,' New Astronaut SaysWhile they're excited to once again launch from Florida instead of Russia, these astronauts aren't very nostalgic for the hardware of the shuttles themselves.
These 9 Astronauts Will Fly the 1st Flights on SpaceX and Boeing SpaceshipsMeet the nine astronauts NASA has chosen to fly the first crewed missions of the private spaceships being built by Boeing and SpaceX.
170 Years Ago, a Monster Stellar Blast Hurled Gas at Record-Breaking SpeedNearly two centuries ago, astronomers saw a mighty eruption from the massive star system Eta Carinae. Now, astronomers have measured its outburst — which sent gas flying fast enough to travel from Earth to the moon in 20 seconds.
Iconic Planet-Hunting Kepler Telescope Wakes Up, Phones HomeKepler, which has discovered about 70 percent of the 3,800 known exoplanets to date, woke up from a four-week hibernation and began beaming data home yesterday (Aug. 2), just as planned, NASA officials announced today (Aug. 3).
Space launch vehicles eyed by the military to move supplies around the worldVirgin Orbit CEO Dan Hart: If the military wanted to transport cargo across the globe, the technology is available to do that, but a lot of planning and engineering would be required. SpaceNews.com
SpaceX conducts hotfire test for another middle-of-the-night launchGearing up for the third Falcon 9 launch in less than two-and-a-half weeks, SpaceX fired up a rocket booster at Cape Canaveral on Thursday ahead of an early morning launch Tuesday with an Indonesian communications satellite.
NASA confirms delays in Boeing and SpaceX commercial crew flightsNASA released an updated schedule of commercial crew test flights Aug. 2 that confirms Boeing’s revised plans as well as delays for SpaceX’s two demonstration missions. SpaceNews.com
Commercial space technologies a key theme in Air Force intelligence and data strategyThere will be tens of thousands of commercial satellites mapping the globe in minutes. The Air Force wants to take advantage of that technology. SpaceNews.com
Photos: Astronauts trained in emergency procedures at Atlas 5 launch padSeveral NASA astronauts, plus Boeing test pilot Chris Ferguson, recently participated in a training session at Cape Canaveral, practicing how they would evacuate from the Atlas 5 rocket's launch pad in the event of a countdown emergency.
Senate science hearing debates effectiveness of decadal surveysA Senate hearing Aug. 1 intended to discuss NASA’s search for life beyond Earth turned into a discussion about the long-standing process the scientific community uses to prioritize missions. SpaceNews.com
New 'Star Wars' Lego Sets Released in August 2018Lego released new "Star Wars" building sets on Aug. 1, 2018. See what just hit the shelves and what other cool "Star Wars" Legos are coming this fall!
We Need to Keep Looking for Aliens, Scientists Tell SenatorsFour scientists made the case yesterday (Aug. 1) to a panel of senators that they should fund NASA's search for life beyond Earth.
New Horizons Team Aims to Get One Last Look at Flyby TargetThe handlers of NASA's New Horizons spacecraft are gearing up for one last shadow-chasing adventure.
Watch Two Meteorites Hit the Moon!Our nearest celestial neighbor just treated us to a light show. A sharp-eyed telescope system in Spain spotted a pair of meteorite impacts on the moon in mid-July, occurring just 24 hours apart — and you can even watch the video of the event online.
NASA’s last shuttle commander to helm test flight of Boeing crew capsuleNASA's last space shuttle commander -- former U.S. Navy fighter pilot Chris Ferguson -- will fly Boeing's CST-100 Starliner crew capsule on its first piloted test mission to the International Space Station next year.
Shuttle Test Pilot Bob Crippen's Advice for NASA's Commercial CrewsThe last time NASA assigned astronauts to the first test flight of a new U.S. spacecraft — as it plans do for the first time in 40 years — Bob Crippen was front and center. Now, Crippen offers NASA's new commercial crew advice.
Boeing Delays Starliner Uncrewed Test Flight After Abort Engine Test ProblemBoeing now plans to carry out an uncrewed test flight of its CST-100 Starliner commercial crew vehicle late this year or early next year as it addresses a problem found during a recent test of the spacecraft’s abort engines.
Landspace of China to launch first rocket in Q4 2018Emerging private Chinese company Landspace is set to launch its first rocket into orbit in the final quarter of 2018, carrying a small satellite for a state television company. SpaceNews.com
Boeing delays Starliner uncrewed test flight after abort engine test problemBoeing now plans to carry out an uncrewed test flight of its CST-100 Starliner commercial crew vehicle late this year or early next year as it addresses a problem found during a recent test of the spacecraft’s abort engines. SpaceNews.com
China Completes 22nd Launch This Year with Gaofen-11, Matches National RecordChina launched an Earth observation satellite July 30, seeing the country equal its record for launches in a calendar year with 22.
NASA Spruces Up Astronauts' Digs Ahead of Commercial LaunchesIf all goes well, astronauts will soon launch from the U.S. for the first time in seven years — so NASA gave their departure lounge an upgrade.
Ultracold Atoms Provide Insight into Early Universe's Dramatic ExpansionResearchers experimenting with ultracold atoms have observed behavior that bears a striking resemblance to the rapid, exponential expansion of the early universe — an epoch that cosmologists call the period of cosmic inflation.
Stars (Including 1 Daredevil) Circle the Milky Way's Monster Black Hole (Time-Lapse)An incredible time-lapse video from the European Southern Observatory's Very Large Telescope (VLT) captures a daring star as it whips around the monster black hole at the center of the Milky Way.
August New Moon 2018: See a Solar Eclipse and Meteor Shower in the 'Moonless' SkyThe August new moon will offer observers a dark sky for the Perseid meteor shower and a partial eclipse for daytime skywatchers in the northern reaches of Europe and Asia.
SpaceX's Dragon: First Private Spacecraft to Reach Space StationThe Dragon spacecraft first reached the International Space Station in 2012.
1st Crewed Flights of Private Space Taxis Slip to 2019SpaceX and Boeing won't be flying crewed test flights until well into 2019, according to a new schedule NASA released today (Aug. 2).
Boeing CST-100 Starliner: Next-Generation SpaceshipThe aviation giant aims to take astronauts to the International Space Station in a capsule that is similar to Apollo spacecraft.
Eutelsat to buy two all-electric satellites from Airbus to replace Hotbird constellationEutelsat will replace a trio of satellites with two larger all-electric satellites from Airbus Defence and Space, company officials said Wednesday. SpaceNews.com
Boeing delays crew capsule test flights after abort engine problemBoeing has reshuffled a sequence of test flights planned for the company's CST-100 Starliner capsule after stuck valves inside a test version of the ship's service module caused a fuel spill in June, delaying the commercial spacecraft's first unpiloted orbital demo mission until late this year or early 2019, and moving back the first crew…
Telesat picks Airbus Defence and Space as second constellation design partnerTelesat awarded a second constellation design contract Aug. 1, choosing Airbus Defence and Space to begin studies on the company’s proposed system of 117 low Earth orbit communications satellites. SpaceNews.com
Air Force close to selecting next-generation launch vehiclesThe Air Force is seeking to take advantage of American industry investments in launch vehicles and ensure they are modified to meet national security space requirements. SpaceNews.com
FIRST UP Satcom | Globalstar scraps FiberLight merger • Intelsat finds new Ariane 5 co-passengerFIRST UP Satcom is a weekly SpaceNews newsletter for satellite and telecom professionals. SpaceNews.com
Space Adventure 'Cowboy Bebop' Returns to Theaters This MonthThe special two-day release of "Cowboy Bebop: The Movie" in select theaters across the country brings the adventures of spacefaring bounty hunters — and a loveable "data dog" — back to the big screen.
Here's Why Boeing Used an Inflatable Spaceship to Test 'Starliner' Landing Recovery PlansSearch-and-rescue teams with NASA, Boeing and the U.S. Army hustled to assist an imaginary crew out of an inflatable space capsule at the White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico during a simulated recovery of Boeing's new commercial crew vehicle in June.
Planet Nine: 'Insensitive' Term Riles ScientistsCalling the hypothetical undiscovered world in the outer solar system "Planet Nine" doesn't show the proper amount of respect to the discoverer of the original ninth planet, Pluto, a group of researchers argues.
Mars and Saturn Are Truly Spectacular in These Hubble Telescope ViewsThis summer, Mars and Saturn have come pretty close to Earth — and NASA's Hubble Space Telescope has captured every magnificent detail.
Commercial space bill clears Senate committeeThe Senate Commerce Committee approved a bill Aug. 1 that would streamline commercial launch and remote sensing regulations but also includes language conflicting with a House bill. SpaceNews.com
Designer Heron Preston Debuts Spacesuit Streetwear for NASA 60th AnniversaryFive years after first emailing NASA about designing astronaut spacesuits, streetwear designer Heron Preston is a step closer to fashion's final frontier.
BepiColombo, a Mercury Mission by Europe and Japan, Will Launch in OctoberThe next mission to Mercury has a scheduled start date. Liftoff of Europe's and Japan's BepiColombo mission is scheduled for Oct. 19 at 0145 GMT (Oct. 18 at 9:45 p.m. EDT), the European Space Agency stated.
Made In Space's 'Archinaut' Could Build Big Power Systems for Small SatellitesSmall satellites will soon pack an outsized power punch, if one company's plans come to fruition.
If We Ever Want to Walk on Mars, We'd Better Get Serious About Planetary ProtectionHumans have big dreams of setting foot on another planet — but before we do, we'll need to figure out how to keep our cooties to ourselves and how to protect ourselves from the life we may find there.
What If Earth Turned into a Giant Pile of Blueberries?If Earth suddenly turned into an Earth-size pile of blueberries, things would start exploding. This is science.
Senators seek focus on Mars in NASA’s exploration plansSenators preparing a new NASA authorization bill want to ensure that the agency’s long-term focus remains human missions to Mars even as it plans flights to the moon. SpaceNews.com
A Private Rocket Likely Failed in Alaska — Why Is It Still Considered a Success?A new rocket probably failed soon after launch — but that isn't necessarily a bad thing.
The Brightest Planets in August's Night Sky: How to See them (and When)Here's how to see three naked-eye planets visible in August's night sky.
Best Night Sky Events of August 2018 (Stargazing Maps)See what's up in the night sky for August 2018, including stargazing events and the moon's phases, in this Space.com gallery courtesy of Starry Night Software.
How an 8-Foot Frisbee Is the Ultimate 'Sunscreen' for NASA's Sun ProbeNASA is preparing for its next big mission: getting up close and personal with the sun. And to do so, the agency needs a killer heat shield.
Life Needs Sunlight — and That Could Change Where We Look for AliensWith every new exoplanet discovered, the same question arises: Could this world host life? That capability requires so much more than liquid water.
Night Sky, August 2018: What You Can See This Month [Maps]Find out what's up in your night sky during August 2018 and how to see it in this Space.com stargazing guide.
Long March 4B rocket lofts Chinese Earth-observing satelliteA sharp-eyed Chinese Earth-imaging satellite rode a Long March 4B booster into orbit Tuesday, tying the record for the highest number of space launches China has achieved in a single year.
Pentagon delays release of space reorganization studyDeputy Secretary Shanahan's highly anticipated study is seen as the foundation for future legislation that Congress would write next year to create a Space Force. SpaceNews.com
Q&A with Andrew Driesman, project manager for Parker Solar Probe (members only)Andrew Driesman is project manager for NASA's Parker Solar Probe mission at the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory, leading a team of engineers and operators in charge of the first mission to fly through the sun's atmosphere.
SES lowers video forecast, gives glowing review of O3b mPower progressSatellite fleet operator SES of Luxembourg lowered its revenue forecast for its television broadcast market July 27 while forecasting stable growth of data services. SpaceNews.com
Solar probe moves into launch position at Cape CanaveralNASA's Parker Solar Probe, fueled and buttoned up for liftoff Aug. 11 on the first mission to fly through the sun's corona, arrived at its launch pad at Cape Canaveral early Tuesday after a convoy trip from a nearby fueling and test facility.
Maxar creating new smallsat division as it shrinks SSLMaxar Technologies is setting up a new organization focused solely on small satellites while continuing to downsize its geostationary satellite manufacturing business at Space Systems Loral. SpaceNews.com
NASA Inspector General skeptical of ISS commercialization plansA new report by NASA’s Office of Inspector General raises doubts about the feasibility of NASA’s plans to transfer ISS operations to the private sector in 2025. SpaceNews.com
Museum Move Reunites Historic Gemini 6 Spacecraft with its PilotA historic NASA spacecraft has landed on long-term display at the museum named for its pilot.
Mars Is At Its Closest to Earth Since 2003 Today! It Won't Be Closer Until 2287Early this morning, Mars made its closest approach to Earth since 2003 — but if you missed it, the Red Planet is still a magnificent sight to see in the sky.
9 Strange, Scientific Excuses for Why Humans Haven't Found Aliens YetWhere are all the aliens? Scientists have some … unusual theories.
Buzz Aldrin & Apollo 11American astronaut Edwin "Buzz" Aldrin made history as the second man to walk on the moon in 1969, just after Neil Armstrong in the Apollo 11 mission.
Large Hadron Collider Just Spat Electron-ified Atoms to Almost the Speed of LightThe Large Hadron Collider accelerated lead nuclei with orbiting electrons along its tunnel for the first time, opening new scientific doors.
Swirling Algae Bloom Mixes Beauty and Danger in Landsat 8 PhotoWhat's deadly about these striking swirls in the sea?
Op-ed | The ball is in the Senate’s court regarding Article VINo issue in space law over the past two years has generated more domestic controversy than Article VI of the Outer Space Treaty and, specifically, its effect on private space activities. SpaceNews.com
XMM-Newton: Europe's Powerful X-ray TelescopeXMM-Newton studies some of the most violent space phenomena. It investigates the X-ray emission characteristics of galaxies, black holes, neutron stars and pulsars.
China completes 22nd launch this year with Gaofen-11, matches national recordChina launched an Earth observation satellite early on Tuesday, seeing the country equaling its record for launches in a calendar year with 22. SpaceNews.com
Blue Meteorite Crystals Reveal the Sun's Wild YouthAncient and rare blue crystals from the dawn of the solar system help confirm that the newborn sun was violently active, a new study reports.
Wildfire Smoke Blankets California in Satellite PhotoA dramatic new satellite photo shows the destructive reach of the wildfires raging across California.
SETI Researchers Want to End the Alien-Detection HypeA team of researchers pursuing the search for extraterrestrial intelligence has decided to revive a scale meant to ground alien-detection alerts in reality.
Best Space Books and Sci-Fi: Best Summer ReadsSpace.com's editors present a reading list for space and sci-fi lovers, as well as children who are interested in astronomy and spaceflight.
Schedule for NASA's Commercial Crew Test Flights Still Uncertain, Safety Panel WarnsAs NASA prepares to announce the astronauts who will fly the first commercial crew missions, an independent safety board is cautioning that it is still too soon to set dates for those flights.
Best Summer Space Reads for KidsFeed and inspire a kid's thirst for space with these book picks by Space.com's writers and editors.
How a Solar Flare Amped Up Chaos of Hurricane IrmaDuring Hurricane Irma's advance over the Caribbean in September 2017, the sun coincidentally produced its own space weather. This interfered with communication during the response to the severe terrestrial weather.
Safety panel warns schedule for commercial crew test flights still uncertainAs NASA prepares to announce the astronauts who will fly the first commercial crew missions, an independent safety board is cautioning that it is still too soon to set dates for those flights. SpaceNews.com
Photos: Ariane 5 blasts off with Galileo satellitesLook back on last week’s blastoff of an Ariane 5 rocket from the edge of the Amazon jungle in French Guiana carrying four Galileo navigation satellites into orbit.
Another pair of Chinese navigation satellites successfully launchedA Chinese Long March 3B rocket launched two satellites Sunday to become the eighth and ninth spacecraft added to the country's Beidou navigation system so far this year.
GAO backs use of commercial satellites to host military payloadsGAO: The military can save money and get capabilities on-orbit faster by hitching rides on commercial satellites. SpaceNews.com
National security experts throw cold water on Space Force euphoriaFormer Air Force Secretary Deborah Lee James: The disruption from having to create a separate military service for space will distract from the space warfighting mission. SpaceNews.com
Happy Birthday, NASA! Space Agency Born 60 Years AgoNASA was officially born 60 years ago yesterday when President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed legislation bringing the agency into existence on July 29, 1958.
Telesat selects Thales-Maxar team for LEO constellation design workCanadian fleet operator Telesat on July 30 selected Thales Alenia Space and Maxar Technologies’ Space Systems Loral division to collaborate on the design of its low Earth orbit broadband satellite constellation. SpaceNews.com
National Space Council officials to attend WRC-19 spectrum conferenceEvery three to four years, spectrum regulators convene to set rules on the use of the world’s limited radio frequency resources at an event known as the World Radiocommunication Conference. Next year the United States’ recently formed National Space Council will attend to defend the interest of American satellite companies and influence changes in international…
Can We Terraform Mars to Make It Earth-Like? Not Anytime Soon, Study SuggestsCould we make Mars Earth-like? Not with existing technologies, one new paper suggests.
Magellanic Clouds Loom Over the Futuristic Hotel from 'Quantum of Solace' (Photo)Stars, galaxies and an eerie, green airglow light up the sky over a hotel famously infiltrated by James Bond in the 2008 film "Quantum of Solace."
Alaska Launch Shrouded in SecrecyA secretive California company carried out a suborbital launch from an Alaska spaceport July 20, but a week after the event few details about the event are clear, including its outcome.
Swift Observatory: Scanning the Sky for Gamma-ray BurstsThe Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory is a space telescope that searches for gamma-ray bursts.
Michael Collins, Apollo 11 Command Module PilotAstronaut Michael Collins felt "absolutely isolated" in orbit while his Apollo 11 crewmates walked on the moon.
Weird Volcanoes Are Erupting Across the Solar SystemNASA's Juno spacecraft recently spotted a possible new volcano at the south pole of Jupiter's most lava-licious moon, Io. But this volcanically active moon is not alone in the solar system.
Why the Private Spaceflight Industry Needs More Lawyers (Op-Ed)If private companies are going to start exploring and settling the final frontier—building human outposts on the moon and Mars, launching tourists into space or even building luxury space hotels in orbit—the world will need more specialized space lawyers.
Why Ku-band HTS is Superior for AISRThe commercial space industry is experiencing a new era in satellite performance. Over the past few years, multiple commercial satellite operators have deployed and activated next-generation high-throughput satellite (HTS) constellations. SpaceNews.com
TESS begins science observationsA NASA spacecraft launched in April to search for exoplanets around nearby stars has started science observations, the agency said July 27. SpaceNews.com
Stargazers See Red: 'Blood Moon' Eclipse Meets Mars in Gorgeous Night-Sky PhotosOn Friday (July 27), the moon turned blood red as it passed through Earth's shadow. Meanwhile, the Red Planet made its most stunning appearance in 15 years as it reached opposition, shining brightly in the sky alongside the "blood moon."
Amazing Photos: The 'Blood Moon' Eclipse and Mars Opposition of July 27, 2018The Red Planet met up with a blood-red moon during a total lunar eclipse on July 27, 2018. See photos of the splendidly color-coordinated celestial pair in this Space.com gallery!
A Radioactive Molecule Is Detected in Space — An Incredible First!For the first time ever, scientists have detected a radioactive molecule in space — and it came from an ancient stellar explosion.
Mars Makes Its Closest Approach to Earth Since 2003 Early Tuesday! Here's How to WatchMars will make its closest approach to Earth in 15 years early tomorrow morning (July 31), and you can follow the historic encounter live online.
String Theory May Create Far Fewer Universes Than ThoughtSome physicists claim the popular landscape of universes in string theory may not exist.
Senate Introduces Bill to Streamline Commercial Space RegulationsThree senators introduced legislation July 25 to reform commercial space regulations, including a provision that conflicts with language in a bill passed by the House.
NOAA Still Grappling with Instrument Problem on New Weather SatelliteEngineers have made some progress in restoring the performance of the key instrument on a weather satellite launched earlier this year, but have yet to fully correct the problem or determine its root cause.
Pentagon moves to cut procurement red tape in a bid to catch up with technologyHow the Pentagon buys technology in the digital age is a major concern as more of the innovation the military needs is privately funded. SpaceNews.com
NASA's New Planet Hunter Begins Its Search for Alien WorldsNASA's newest space telescope, an instrument designed to search for relatively nearby alien planets, began gathering science data on Wednesday (July 25).
West Coast Wildfires Blaze in Satellite PhotoThe severity and scope of the wildfire situation along the U.S. West Coast are on full display in a new photo by NASA's Terra satellite.
What Is the Most Massive Star?The most massive known star is R136a1, more than 300 times as massive as the sun.
Gaia: Mapping a Billion StarsGaia is a space telescope that maps the positions of more than 1 billion stars to the highest precision yet of any mission.
Alaska launch shrouded in secrecyA secretive California company carried out a suborbital launch from an Alaska spaceport July 20, but a week after the event few details about the event are clear, including its outcome. SpaceNews.com
Koichi Wakata, JAXA vice president and astronaut, helps chart future of ISS and human space explorationKoichi Wakata, the Japanese space agency’s vice president and director general for human spaceflight technology, is intimately familiar with the International Space Station. As an astronaut, he helped assemble the space station in 2000 and lived onboard for four months in 2009 and six months in 2013 and 2014. SpaceNews.com
TESS’s planet hunt beginsNASA's newest observatory in space has started its search for planets around other stars, officials said Friday, as astronomers zero in on worlds that are ripe for research by follow-up missions like the James Webb Space Telescope.
French space agency pledges 10-million-euro boost to French Guiana economyThe French space agency CNES has agreed to allocate an additional 10 million euros ($11.7 million) to further the economic and social development of French Guiana, the South American territory home to Europe’s spaceport. SpaceNews.com
Virgin Galactic’s rocket plane climbs closer to spaceVirgin Galactic's SpaceShipTwo rocket plane, built to eventually carry commercial passengers to the edge of space, accomplished another powered test flight into the rarefied upper atmosphere Thursday with two pilots on-board.
Moon Rock Flies to Canada in a Lunch Box for New ExhibitA Montreal science museum recently acquired a 3.8-billion-year-old moon rock for a new exhibit about water in the solar system, but getting it from Houston to Canada was not an easy endeavor.
Microgravity entrepreneurs eager to know what comes after ISSUncertainty over the timing of the orbiting outpost’s retirement and the eventual transition to one or more new platforms is making it challenging for companies to attract investors and plan for the future. SpaceNews.com
The Massive Mars Dust Storm Is Starting to Die DownThe dust is finally beginning to clear on Mars, but it'll probably still be a while before NASA's sidelined Opportunity rover can phone home.
Total Lunar Eclipse Today: How to See the 'Blood Moon' OnlineThe total lunar eclipse happening today won't be visible for people across North America, and bad weather could threaten even the geographically lucky — but in the digital age, no avid skywatcher is completely shut out.
Mars at Opposition 2018: How to See It and What to ExpectGet ready to see the Red Planet up close this week: Just after Mars reaches opposition with the sun July 27, 2018, observers on Earth will have their closest view of the planet since 2003.
Longest Lunar Eclipse of the Century Dazzles SkywatchersThe 21st century's longest total lunar eclipse entranced skywatchers around the globe today (July 27).
Who Discovered Mars, Anyway? A Look Back at the History of the Red PlanetJust because we'll never be able to give one sharp-eyed human a name doesn't mean there's nothing interesting to learn about the history of observing Mars.
Rare 'Supermoon' Eclipse Glows Blood Red Above the Canary Islands (Photo)As we get ready to witness a total lunar eclipse on Friday (July 27), here's a photo throwback to the rare supermoon total lunar eclipse of Sept. 28, 2015.
Boulders and a Crater Dot Asteroid Ryugu in This Spectacular Up-Close ViewA Japanese space probe orbiting an asteroid called Ryugu just took the closest photo yet of the diamond-shaped space rock.
Senate introduces bill to streamline commercial space regulationsThree senators introduced legislation July 25 to reform commercial space regulations, including a provision that conflicts with language in a bill passed by the House. SpaceNews.com
Look Up This Weekend for Closest Mars Views Since 2003Will the weather cooperate for you to get a good look at Mars at its best during its closest approach this week?
Virgin Galactic's Space Plane Reaches New Heights (Video)Virgin Galactic's suborbital space plane VSS Unity just soared to new heights, and you can go along for the ride, thanks to a new video.
Star Wars Episode IX Cast Announced — Including Carrie Fisher"The final installment of the Skywalker saga."
Explore the Cosmos With This Virtual PlanetariumA virtual planetarium could be a great tool for watching the longest total lunar eclipse of this century.
Watch Live: Here's What Time the 2018 Lunar Eclipse Peaks TodayToday's total lunar eclipse is dazzling people across half the planet, but what can you do if you're on the wrong side of the world, and how much time do you have before it's too late?
Virgin Galactic’s SpaceShipTwo takes a step closer to spaceVirgin Galactic’s second SpaceShipTwo set new speed and altitude records on its third powered test flight July 26, bringing the suborbital vehicle one step closer to reaching space. SpaceNews.com
Video: Ariane 5 takes off from French GuianaWatch a replay of the liftoff of an Ariane 5 rocket Wednesday from the Guiana Space Center, a spaceport carved from the edge of the Amazon rainforest. The launcher carried four Galileo navigation satellites into orbit.
FIRST UP Satcom | India to reduce foreign satellite use • Boeing revenues up • Facebook internet satellite in the worksFIRST UP Satcom is a weekly SpaceNews newsletter for satellite and telecom professionals. SpaceNews.com
Northrop CEO offers to link JWST profit to mission successThe chief executive of Northrop Grumman said July 26 he is willing to make the profit his company earns on the James Webb Space Telescope contingent on the overall success of the mission. SpaceNews.com
National Space Council to develop a microgravity strategyThe National Space Council is planning a series of roundtable discussions with industry to explore what the federal government can do to encourage access to and utilization of the microgravity environment. SpaceNews.com
Blood Moon 2018: Longest Total Lunar Eclipse of Century Occurs July 27The longest total lunar eclipse of the 21st century happens this week. The total phase of the "blood moon" eclipse of July 27 will last 1 hour and 43 minutes, during which Earth's natural satellite will turn a spectacular red or ruddy-brown color.
NASA Weighs Delaying WFIRST to Fund JWST OverrunNASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine said July 25 that, in order to address the delays and cost overruns with the James Webb Space Telescope, the agency may seek to slow down development of another flagship astrophysics mission.
The Sun Isn't Silent — Hear Its Song in New Observatory DataThe sun is not silent; in fact, it has a surprisingly soothing sound.
The Edge of Space Just Crept 12 Miles Closer to EarthWhere does the sky end and space begin? According to a new study, the edge of space is a lot closer than you think.
Star Zooms Past Monster Black Hole, Confirms RelativityFor the first time ever, researchers have watched a star race past the supermassive black hole at the heart of the Milky Way, verifying that its motion showed the effects of general relativity, as predicted by Albert Einstein.
KT Sat aims to nearly triple revenue by 2025With a comfortable business supporting 4.4 million television subscribers for parent company KT Corp., the largest telco in South Korea, KT Sat hasn’t been very aggressive in pursuing new sources of revenue. That is changing. SpaceNews.com
Lunar Eclipse 2018 Guide: When, Where & How to See the Blood MoonThere are two total lunar eclipses happening in 2018 -- one in January and one in July. Here are the best places, times and tools to see them.
Giant Gas Halo May Reveal How Early Galaxies EvolvedA distant galaxy boasts a gaseous halo that may shed light on how some of the first galaxies in the universe evolved, new research shows.
NASA Will Announce Commercial Crew Astronaut PicksBoeing's Starliner and SpaceX's Crew Dragon spacecraft will soon have their first riders: NASA plans to announce the astronauts assigned to the test flights and maiden voyages of the agency's commercial crew program on Aug. 3.
How to Use Mobile Apps to Watch Mars' Closest Approach Since 2003Mars' closest approach is coming! Here's how to navigate the event with mobile apps.
Sweet Super-Puffs: These 2 Exoplanets Have the Density of Cotton CandyIt turns out, exoplanets can be as sweet as a trip to the state fair: Two worlds discovered by NASA's Kepler Space Telescope have about the same density as a package of cotton candy.
This Friday, Learn Why 'Space is Awesome' with NBC LivestreamNBC will celebrate the longest total lunar eclipse of the 21st century with an awesome digital special on all things space.
Northrop CEO Offers to Link JWST Profit to Mission SuccessThe chief executive of Northrop Grumman said July 26 he is willing to make the profit his company earns on the James Webb Space Telescope contingent on the overall success of the mission.
Viral Hoax Claims Mars Will Look As Large As the Moon This WeekendNo, Mars won't look as big as the moon this weekend.
Mars Close to Earth! Where to See the Red Planet Online and in PersonMars will be at its closest and brightest to Earth in 15 years, and you can share in the excitement by watching online or at local star-viewing parties.
LeoLabs raises $13 million in Series A fundingLeoLabs, a Silicon Valley space mapping startup raised $13 million in a Series A funding round led by WERU Investment of Tokyo and Airbus Ventures, the European aerospace giant’s early-stage investment group. SpaceNews.com
Virgin Galactic's VSS Unity Space Plane Aces Test Flight, Reaching Mesosphere for the 1st TimeVirgin Galactic's newest space plane took to the skies again today (July 26) for its third rocket-powered test flight, reaching higher in the atmosphere than the company has previously.
Putting Boots on Mars Requires a Long-Term Commitment, Experts Tell SenatorsA group of senators heard expert opinions during a committee hearing on Wednesday (July 25) about what will be required — logistically and scientifically — to safely land humans on Mars.
NASA weighs delaying WFIRST to fund JWST overrunNASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine said July 25 that, in order to address the delays and cost overruns with the James Webb Space Telescope, the agency may seek to slow down development of another flagship astrophysics mission. SpaceNews.com
Video: Falcon 9 lifts off in a veil of fogA thick marine layer blanketing Vandenberg Air Force Base in California restricted views of SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket lifting off early Wednesday, but cameras fixed to the launcher provided spectacular imagery of the predawn departure with 10 Iridium satellites on-board.
Successful Ariane 5 launch fills out European navigation fleetThe final flight of a discontinued version of Europe's Ariane 5 rocket added four more spacecraft to Europe's Galileo navigation constellation Wednesday, giving the multibillion-euro network enough satellites to remain on track for the start of full global service in 2020.
SpaceX’s second launch in three days lofts 10 more Iridium satellitesFiring through a veil of fog blanketing California's Central Coast, a Falcon 9 launcher climbed into orbit Wednesday with 10 more satellites for Iridium's voice and data relay constellation, pushing the upgraded network closer to completion as SpaceX accomplished another landing of the rocket's first stage booster.
Air Force Secretary: Space Force debate “tremendously helpful”Wilson: Organization charts are not that important, “It’s all about the ability to fight." SpaceNews.com
SN Military.Space | Airbus to build ‘combat cloud’ • Major developments in strategic nuclear systems • Senate panel targets EELVDefense contractors for years have floated ideas for how to build the elusive “combat cloud” bringing together the latest and greatest communications technology. SpaceNews.com
House Committee Approves Space Weather BillThe House Science Committee approved July 24 a modified version of a space weather forecasting bill that the Senate passed last year amid criticism of the committee’s approach to the legislation.
NASA Studying Potential Additional Cuts in WFIRSTA NASA astrophysics mission that passed a key milestone after making cost reductions is studying potential additional cuts to one of its instruments.
See the Moon in All Its Cratered, Groovy Glory (Photo)This moonscape scene shows a cluster of impact craters on the moon.
NASA's Ocean-Watching Mission Gets Jazzy, Colorful New VideosFour delightful videos showcase NASA's ocean-watching PACE mission with moving mosaics, stop-motion animation and jazz.
NASA's Bread-Loaf-Shaped Satellite Makes First Global Ice Cloud Map (Video)In a new video, NASA announces a small satellite's big milestone: It has produced the first map of ice clouds across the world.
Ariane 5 rocket sends next 4 Galileo satellites into orbitArianespace launched the next four Galileo satellites into orbit today, bringing the European Union a step closer to completing its own global navigation satellite system. SpaceNews.com
World First: Chinese Physicists Made a Cold Atomic Clock Work in SpaceAtomic clocks have traveled to space before. But no one has ever managed to make one this accurate tick up there before.
SpaceX launches penultimate Iridium Next missionSpaceX launched 10 Iridium Next telecom satellites July 25 on a Falcon 9 rocket, bringing Iridium’s constellation one launch away from completion. SpaceNews.com
What Is the Biggest Star?The largest known star in the universe is UY Scuti, a hypergiant with a radius around 1,700 times larger than the sun.
Mars' South Pole May Hide a Large Underground LakeThe Red Planet just got quite a bit bluer, with scientists announcing the discovery of what they believe is a lake that's about 12 miles across and hidden below a mile of ice at the south pole of Mars.
European Space Agency's Mars ExpressMars Express is the European Space Agency's first spacecraft to fly to another planet.
Iridium-7 NEXT MissionOn Wednesday, July 25, 2018 at 4:39 a.m. PDT, SpaceX successfully launched ten Iridium NEXT satellites from Space Launch Complex 4E (SLC-4E) at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. This was the seventh set of satellites in a series of 75 total satellites that SpaceX will launch for Iridium’s next generation global satellite constellation, Iridium®…
SpaceX Lands Rocket in Harshest Conditions to Date and Attempts to Catch Fairing"They're the worst that we've ever had for trying to get a first stage on the drone ship," a company spokesman said of the weather conditions.
Ariane 5 Rocket Launches 4 Navigation Satellites for EuropeAn Ariane 5 rocket launched four European navigation satellites into orbit today (July 25), bringing the total number of satellites in Europe's Galileo navigation system up to 26.
'Stolen' Electrons Spark Unusual Auroras on MarsA new type of aurora has been spotted on Mars, and thieving streams of solar wind may be to blame, a new study shows.
Climate Change Strengthens Earth's 'Heartbeat' — and That's Bad NewsIt's no secret that human activity is changing the climate, and one new study shows how our influence is seriously affecting Earth's seasons and atmosphere.
Here's How Friday's Superlong Lunar Eclipse WorksHave you ever noticed that when there's a solar or lunar eclipse, an eclipse of the other variety comes two weeks before or after? Here's why.
House committee approves space weather billThe House Science Committee approved July 24 a modified version of a space weather forecasting bill that the Senate passed last year amid criticism of the committee’s approach to the legislation. SpaceNews.com
'Star Trek,' 'Star Wars' & More: The Biggest Sci-Fi News from San Diego Comic-Con 2018"Star Trek: Discovery," "The Orville," "Star Wars: The Clone Wars" and many more beloved — and new — sci-fi titles and franchises took center stage at Comic-Con International: San Diego last weekend.
Album of the Year: The Apollo 11 MissionNASA's Apollo 11 mission has come to life in 19,000 hours of newly available audio.
Scientists Identify Source of Mars Dust Currently Threatening RoverThe Opportunity rover on Mars is trying to survive a massive dust storm that could put the craft out of operation — but where does all the dust in that storm come from?
Launch timeline for Iridium’s seventh launch with SpaceXFollow the key events of the Falcon 9 rocket's ascent to orbit with the another set of 10 next-generation satellites for Iridium's voice and data relay fleet.
Photos: Falcon 9 ready for launch from CaliforniaA SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket loaded with 10 Iridium Next communications satellite is awaiting a predawn launch Wednesday from Vandenberg Air Force Base, California.
Live coverage: Falcon 9 rocket lifts off from CaliforniaA Falcon 9 rocket lifted off from Vandenberg Air Force Base at 4:39 a.m. PDT (7:39 a.m. EDT; 1139 GMT) Wednesday, and SpaceX successfully landed the rocket's first stage on a drone ship in the Pacific Ocean. The mission's primary objective is the deployment of 10 Iridium Next communications satellites into low Earth orbit.
Live coverage: Ariane 5 launches from French GuianaAn Ariane 5 rocket and four Galileo navigation satellites launched from French Guiana at 1125 GMT (7:25 a.m. EDT), beginning a four-hour climb into orbit more than 14,000 miles above Earth.
Delta Faucet and Goodyear Tires sending experiments to International Space StationDelta Faucet Co. and Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. announced partnerships July 24 with the Center for the Advancement of Science is Space to send microgravity experiments to the International Space Station later this year. SpaceNews.com
Photos: Ariane 5 rocket rolls to launch with four Galileo satellitesAn Ariane 5 rocket emerged from its vertical assembly building Monday and rolled along dual rail tracks for a 1.7-mile (2.7-kilometer) journey to its launch pad at the Guiana Space Center on the northern coastline of South America, moving into position for blastoff Wednesday with four Galileo navigation satellites.
NOAA still grappling with instrument problem on new weather satelliteEngineers have made some progress in restoring the performance of the key instrument on a weather satellite launched earlier this year, but have yet to fully correct the problem or determine its root cause, NOAA announced July 24. SpaceNews.com
SpaceX’s fairing-catching boat heads to sea, this time with a bigger netAfter several near-misses in tries to catch payload shrouds jettisoned from Falcon 9 rockets climbing into space, a high-speed boat tasked with retrieving the fairings for SpaceX to reuse has been upgraded and dispatched into the Pacific Ocean ahead of a launch Wednesday from Vandenberg Air Force in California.
Introducing Momentus, a Silicon Valley startup focused on water plasma enginesRussian entrepreneur Mikhail Kokorich is backing Momentus, a Silicon Valley startup developing water plasma engines. SpaceNews.com
Ariane 5 rocket, Galileo satellites on launch pad in French GuianaGround crews in French Guiana on Monday transferred an Ariane 5 rocket to its launch pad, moving the vehicle into position for liftoff Wednesday with four European Galileo navigation satellites on the Ariane 5's last flight with an older-generation, out-of-production upper stage.
Maxar considering exiting GEO satellite manufacturing businessMaxar Technologies, owner of satellite manufacturer Space Systems Loral, may shut down its geostationary manufacturing line as a result of a multi-year order drought that management considers the new norm. SpaceNews.com
Op-ed | Geospatial Intelligence: The totally made-up term that’s changing the worldUSGIF proposes that geospatial intelligence is ready to take its place alongside business intelligence, artificial intelligence and competitive intelligence in the business world. SpaceNews.com
NASA studying potential additional cuts in WFIRSTA NASA astrophysics mission that passed a key milestone after making cost reductions is studying potential additional cuts to one of its instruments. SpaceNews.com
Parker Solar Probe vs Blowtorch: Watch a Blazing Hot ShowdownNASA's next solar spacecraft can withstand so much heat that even a blowtorch won't disturb the shield, a new video shows.
Space Jam! New Art Project Aims to Sound Out AliensIf music really is a universal language, we can use it to make some long-sought cosmic connections. That's the idea behind Intergalactic Omniphonics, a new art project that aims to catch E.T.'s ear.
How NASA Is Using Lasers to Study Climate Change (Video)Lush regions like the Amazon rainforest help filter the air on Earth, and in a new video, NASA explains how its collaboration with Brazilian scientists is monitoring these precious trees in 3D.
No GPS? No problem, there are increasingly more optionsExperts say GPS can be strengthened but the military still needs alternatives. SpaceNews.com
Canadian Astronaut Prepares to Launch After a Nine-Year WaitCanadian astronaut David Saint-Jacques spoke to an audience in Montreal, Canada, about his upcoming mission to the International Space Station in December, which will take place after he has waited in the wings nine years for a spaceflight.
Mysterious Substance and 'Devilry' Blamed for 3-Hour 'Solar Eclipse' in RussiaThe summer sun can shine nearly 24 hours a day in this part of Siberia. On July 20, it was blotted out for 3 hours by a nightmarish cloud.
Gravity Assist Podcast: Asteroid Hunting with Lindley JohnsonNASA's Chief Scientist, Dr Jim Green, speaks to Dr Lindley Johnson, whose role as NASA's Planetary Defense Officer is to help protect Earth from asteroid impacts.
8 Cool Destinations That Future Mars Tourists Could ExploreMars is a planet of vast contrasts – huge volcanoes, deep canyons, and craters that may or may not host running water. It will be an amazing location for future tourists to explore, once we put the first Red Planet colonies into motion.
NASA faces funding challenge for JWST in future yearsAs NASA prepares for a key hearing later this week on the status of the James Webb Space Telescope, an agency official says that the mission’s delays will require nearly half a billion dollars that could come from cuts in other science programs. SpaceNews.com
Astronaut Alexander Gerst Shows Off His Rad Synthesizer Skills from SpaceIn a special performance, European Space Agency (ESA) astronaut Alexander Gerst played a virtual synthesizer from space alongside electronic band Kraftwerk.
Watch SpaceX and Arianespace Launch Satellites Wednesday in Early-Morning DoubleheaderTwo rockets will go up — and one will come down — in a pair of commercial satellite launches early Wednesday morning.
'Things Are About to Get Epic' in the New Season of 'Cosmos'"Cosmos: Possible Worlds," the highly anticipated next season of the groundbreaking science TV series, is shaping up to be something special.
Rare 'Lunar Bible' That Visited the Moon Is Up for AuctionWould you pay $50,000 for a Bible that flew to the moon?
See the Dramatic Increase in Near-Earth Asteroids NASA Has Discovered (Video)We've taken much better stock of our neck of the cosmic woods over the past two decades, as a new NASA video makes clear.
More startups are pursuing cubesats with electric thrustersAs concerns grow about orbital debris and the need for space traffic management, cubesats without propulsion have no means to maneuver to avoid collisions or deorbit at the end of their operational lives. SpaceNews.com
U.S. STRATCOM to take over responsibility for nuclear command, control and communicationsThe Pentagon’s Nuclear Posture Review released in February raised alarms about the state of the NC3 system. SpaceNews.com
Video: Falcon 9 soars to orbit blowing smoke rings on the way (members only)Spaceflight Now's camera records the ascent of the second Falcon 9 block 5 rocket carrying the Telstar 19 VANTAGE communications satellite. Watch for smoke rings as the vehicle passes goes supersonic.
Orion Capsule Turns Heads on White House Lawn (Photos)It's not a scene out of "Independence Day" — it's an Orion capsule on display at the White House.
Europa Lander May Not Have to Dig Deep to Find Signs of LifeIf signs of life exist on Jupiter's icy moon Europa, they might not be as hard to find as scientists had thought, a new study reports.
The Milky Way Had a Big Sibling Long Ago — And Andromeda Ate ItOur Milky Way had a pretty sizable sibling long ago — until neighboring Andromeda tore the unfortunate galaxy apart, a new study suggests.
NASA, Peanuts Debut New Look for Astronaut Snoopy at Comic-ConSnoopy, the comic strip dog created by Charles Schulz, debuted his new orange spacesuit at San Diego Comic-Con.
Hispasat cites inter-satellite links as pivotal for LeoSat investmentInter-satellite links, a technology that has given some of LeoSat’s would-be investors pause, were actually what convinced Hispasat to invest in the low-Earth-orbit constellation startup last week, according to Hispasat’s CEO. SpaceNews.com
Mars Odyssey: Record-Breaking Mission to MarsMars Odyssey is the longest-serving spacecraft to visit Mars.
ExoMars: Searching for Life on MarsThe joint mission's goal is to find out if life ever existed on Mars.
Op-ed | Networking the space-terrestrial frontierThe planned deployment of thousands of LEO satellites by OneWeb and SpaceX’s Starlink are proof that the crusade for high throughput, low latency and wide coverage has only started. SpaceNews.com
NASA Mission to 'Touch the Sun' Due to Launch in Early AugustNASA is preparing to launch the Parker Solar Probe in early August. Here's everything you need to know about the mysteries it is designed to solve, the technology that will allow it to "touch the sun" and the mission's plan.
Flash, Bam, Alakazam: Lightning-Detecting Satellite Also Spots MeteorsThere are plenty of phenomena that light up the night — and it turns out that the same type of detector catches two very different types of celestial fireworks.
The Moon Has a Close Encounter with Saturn on Tuesday NightStep outside around 9:30 p.m. local daylight time on Tuesday evening (July 24), and in a single glance, you'll be able to partake in a "parade" of bright planets.
Right Again, Einstein: Special Relativity Works Even in Ghostly High-Energy NeutrinosEinstein was right about things he didn't even know existed.
Scientists Definitely Have Not Found Life on the MoonA new paper opens a door to the possibility of life having maybe once existed, possibly, on the moon. But it presents no direct evidence for life.
These Gun-Toting, Weight-Lifting Russian Robots Might Fly to Space in 2019Will these sharpshooting, weight-lifting Russian androids fly to space next year?
Boeing's Starliner Launch Abort Engine Suffers Problem During TestingBoeing confirmed July 21 that there was an "anomaly" during a recent test of the launch abort engines for its CST-100 Starliner commercial crew vehicle that could delay a key milestone needed for the vehicle to be able carry astronauts.
Boeing’s Starliner launch abort engine suffers problem during testingBoeing confirmed July 21 that there was an “anomaly” during a recent test of the launch abort engines for its CST-100 Starliner commercial crew vehicle that could delay a key milestone needed for the vehicle to be able carry astronauts. SpaceNews.com
12 Cool Pieces of Space History You Can See in Russia (and Kazakhstan)The Russian space program has many museums celebrating its space history in Moscow and Baikonur, Kazakhstan (near the Baikonur Cosmodrome), honoring everything from the first people in space to the modern missions on the International Space Station.
Women in Space: A Gallery of FirstsHere's a run-through of the trailblazing women who achieved major firsts in space.
New Look Inside Sun's Atmosphere Yields Clues About Mysterious Solar WindOur sun is surrounded by a deep, million-degree atmosphere that affects everything in the solar system — but how, precisely, it works is a mystery.
Air Force gets first real look at future ICBM designsBoeing and Northrop Grumman submitted "trade studies” to help the Air Force draft GBSD program requirements. SpaceNews.com
SpaceX delivers for Telesat with successful early morning launchAn upgraded model of SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket fired into orbit early Sunday from Florida's Space Coast, hoisting a record-setting 7.8-ton communications satellite for Telesat toward its planned perch more than 22,000 miles over the equator.
Video: Falcon 9 lifts off with Telstar 19 VANTAGEA SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket climbed away from Cape Canaveral early Sunday, and its first stage booster returned to a drone ship parked in the Atlantic Ocean after sending a heavyweight commercial communications satellite toward orbit for Telesat.
SpaceX launches Telstar 19 Vantage for TelesatSpaceX launched the first of two missions planned for this week on Sunday, July 22, lofting the Telstar 19 Vantage telecom satellite for Telesat using a Falcon 9 rocket. SpaceNews.com
TELSTAR 19 VANTAGEOn Sunday, July 22, 2018 at 1:50 a.m. EDT, SpaceX successfully launched the Telstar 19 VANTAGE satellite from Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. The satellite was deployed approximately 32 minutes after liftoff. Following stage separation, SpaceX successfully landed Falcon 9’s first stage on the “Of Course I…
TELSTAR 19 VANTAGEOn Sunday, July 22, 2018 at 1:50 a.m. EDT, SpaceX successfully launched the Telstar 19 VANTAGE satellite from Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. The satellite was deployed approximately 32 minutes after liftoff. Following stage separation, SpaceX successfully landed Falcon 9’s first stage on the “Of Course I…
SpaceX Launches Communications Satellite on 2nd-Ever Flight of New RocketThe latest version of SpaceX's workhorse Falcon 9 rocket lifted off for the second time ever today (July 22), lighting up the skies over Florida's Space Coast in a dazzling predawn launch.
Milky Way Glimmers Over Gorgeous Landscape During the Spring Equinox (Photo)The Milky Way galaxy shimmers over a field of yellow flowers at dawn in this photo taken from the village of Monsaraz in Portugal's Dark Sky Alqueva Reserve.
Watch a live view of launch complex 40 as a Falcon 9 readies for launch (members only)Live coverage, including a launch pad view, for the launch of a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral with the Telstar 19 VANTAGE communications satellite for the Canadian company Telesat.
Falcon 9 launch timeline with Telstar 19 VANTAGESpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket is set for liftoff from Cape Canaveral on Monday, heading due east over the Atlantic Ocean to deliver the Telstar 19 VANTAGE communications satellite into orbit around 32 minutes later.
Weather-monitoring and tech demo CubeSats deployed in orbitFifteen CubeSats owned by NASA, Spire Global, and U.S. research institutions launched aboard a Northrop Grumman Cygnus cargo ship in May have been released into orbit, beginning missions to demonstrate miniaturized, low-cost Earth science instruments and join a commercial network of weather-monitoring nanosatellites.
CreativeMinds WordPress Plugin Curated RSS Aggregator
