Space Exploration

Latest about Space Exploration

Watch Russian Progress cargo spacecraft launch to the ISS on Nov. 21

By Elizabeth Howell published

Liftoff is scheduled for 7:22 a.m. EST. (1222 GMT).

International Space Station
Scientists measured the speed of sound on Mars using a microphone on the SuperCam instrument on NASA's Perseverance rover.

Did NASA's Perseverance rover really find organics on Mars? These scientists aren't so sure

By Victoria Corless last updated

Could Mars have once hosted life? NASA's Perseverance rover has uncovered a tantalizing clue, but scientists remain divided on what it truly means for the search for extraterrestrial life.

Mars Rovers
the international space station as photographed while looking down at Earth

ISS fires thrusters to dodge hunk of space junk

By Mike Wall published

A Russian cargo ship docked to the International Space Station fired its thrusters on Tuesday (Nov. 19) to ensure that the orbiting complex dodged a piece of space debris.

International Space Station
Zarya, also known as the Functional Cargo Block, was the very first space station component launched. It reached space on Nov. 20, 1998 aboard a Russian Proton rocket. While the module was built and launched by Russia, it is actually a U.S. component. Initially, Zarya provided electrical power and navigational guidance to the station, but since many other modules have been added, it now also serves as storage for the long-term crews that stay aboard the station.

On this day in space! Nov. 20, 1998: International Space Station Construction Begins

By Hanneke Weitering last updated

On Nov. 20, 1998, the first piece of the International Space Station launched into orbit.

Space Shuttle
photo collage showing a plush banana toy in front of a silver spacecraft, which has a cartoon banana painted on its side

'It's bananas:' Toy fruit becomes first zero-g indicator to fly on SpaceX Starship

By Robert Z. Pearlman published

An artificial banana floated in the microgravity environment of outer space. No longer needing its attached tethers, it just hung there in the bay of its spacecraft's otherwise empty cargo hold.

Private Spaceflight
a crowd of people, including a man in a red baseball cap, watch a rocket launch from across a stretch of water

Trump watches SpaceX launch Starship's 6th test flight (photos)

By Mike Wall published

President-elect Donald Trump made the trip to South Texas today (Nov. 19) to watch the sixth test flight of SpaceX's giant Starship rocket.

Launches & Spacecraft
a blurry black dot flying above a snow-covered volcano in grainy black-and-white footage

Pentagon UFO chief tells Senate 'very anomalous objects' need careful study (video)

By Brett Tingley published

In new testimony, the head of the Pentagon's UFO office told the US senate that it "has not discovered any verifiable evidence of extraterrestrial beings, activity or technology."

Search for Life
A SpaceX Starship rocket atop its booster at launchpad with the setting sun for Flight 6.

SpaceX Starship launches: Flight 6 mission updates

By Tariq Malik last updated

Read the latest news about SpaceX's Starship megarocket test flights, launches, photos and more.

Launches & Spacecraft
The SpaceX Starship lifts off from Starbase near Boca Chica, Texas, on November 19, 2024, for the Starship Flight 6 test.

SpaceX Starship launches banana to space, skips giant rocket catch on 6th test flight (video, photos)

By Mike Wall published

SpaceX launched its Starship megarocket for the sixth time ever today (Nov. 19) but did not try to catch the vehicle's Super Heavy first stage back at the pad.

Launches & Spacecraft
a dark image of the moon in space looped by many lines of varying colors, angles, and proximity.

India's Chandrayaan-2 moon orbiter avoids collision with South Korea's Danuri spacecraft

By Sharmila Kuthunur published

India's Chandrayaan 2 moon orbiter maneuvered in September to avoid a close approach with Korea's Danuri spacecraft, ISRO said.

Launches & Spacecraft
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