Solar System

Drone radar could help spacecraft pinpoint where to drill for water on Mars, scientists say

By Samantha Mathewson published 1 May 26

Drone-mounted radar flown over glaciers on Earth show how the technology can map buried ice in detail, helping future Mars spacecraft choose exactly where to drill.

Is it cake? No, it's a parachute! | Space photo of the day for May 1, 2026

By Chelsea Gohd published 1 May 26

In this donut-shaped bag is a massive parachute. Next stop? Mars.

NASA's Curiosity and Perseverance rovers capture sweeping Mars panoramas (video)

By Samantha Mathewson published 1 May 26

New panoramic views from NASA's Curiosity and Perseverance rovers reveal dramatically different Martian terrains shaped by ancient water and billions of years of geological change.

Is Venus volcanically active? Big Hawaiian eruption in 2022 could help scientists find out

By Keith Cooper published 30 April 26

Evidence suggests that Venus is still volcanically active, and new data about a big eruption in Hawaii a few years ago could help scientists find out for sure.

An Amazon rainforest river from space | Space photo of the day for April 30, 2026

By Chelsea Gohd published 30 April 26

The Ucayali River snakes across the rainforest in this image captured by NASA astronaut Jessica Meir from the International Space Station.

NASA chief Jared Isaacman says he's fighting for Pluto: 'I am very much in the camp of 'make Pluto a planet again'

By Mike Wall published 28 April 26

Should Pluto be a bona fide planet again? NASA is working to "revisit the discussion" on Pluto's planethood status, according to agency chief Jared Isaacman.

Could the moon ever be blockaded? Experts predict cislunar space could be the next Strait of Hormuz

By Leonard David published 28 April 26

The ongoing military conflict regarding Iran and the Strait of Hormuz may well mirror a future situation off-Earth — the use of cislunar space, the region between the moon and our planet.

NASA wants to use a fleet of MoonFall drones to scout the lunar south pole: 'We believe we can do it'

By Leonard David published 27 April 26

NASA is exploring ways to use a fleet of drones to explore the lunar south pole with an ambitious new MoonFall project.

This X-ray image shows our solar system 'breathing'

By Robert Lea published 24 April 26

The eROSITA spacecraft has built the most precise map of soft X-rays over Earth, observing a fascinating phenomenon driven by solar winds from the sun.