Skywatching

Russia's Saylut 1, the world's first space station, is seen during preparations for its April 19, 1971 launch in this undated photo from the Russian space agency Roscosmos.

On this day in space: April 19, 1971: World's 1st space station launches into orbit

By Hanneke Weitering last updated

On April 19, 1971, the Soviet Union launched the world's first space station, Salyut 1.

56 Comments
Eclipses

The Lyrid meteor shower returns with ideal viewing conditions! Here's what to look out for this week

By Joe Rao published

After months of quiet skies, the Lyrids return with fast, bright meteors and dark, moonless viewing conditions before dawn.

Meteors & Meteor Showers
A laptop is pictured displaying the moon in front of a collection of blue stars. The background is a deep space nebula image strewn with stars.

Telescope livestream: Watch the moon pass in front of the Pleiades on April 19

By Anthony Wood published

Watch the crescent moon cross the blue-white stars of the Pleiades on April 19 from the comfort of your home.

Stargazing
VIEW MORE

Spaceflight

NASA’s Orion spacecraft captures the Moon and the Earth in one frame during the Artemis II crew’s deep space journey at 6:42 p.m. ET on the sixth day of the mission. The right side of NASA’s Orion spacecraft is seen lit up by the Sun. A waxing crescent Moon is visible behind it. And then, a crescent Earth, tiny compared to the Moon, is about to set below the Moon’s horizon on the right.

Artemis 2 and Tiangong space station astronauts set record for farthest distance between humans

By Julian Dossett published

For a few moments on April 6, the four Artemis 2 moon astronauts and the three crewmates aboard China's Tiangong space station were farther away from each other than any humans had ever been.

3 Comments
Artemis
The four Artemis 2 astronauts (at right) inspect their Orion capsule “Integrity” in the well deck of the USS John P. Murtha on April 11, 2026, in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of California. Integrity splashed down a day earlier, ending the 10-day Artemis 2 moon mission.

Artemis 2's heat shield seems to have aced its trial by fire

By Mike Wall published

The heat shield on Artemis 2's Orion capsule appears to have held up incredibly well during its scorching downward trip through Earth's atmosphere, mission commander Reid Wiseman said.

19 Comments
Artemis
Earth sets at 6:41 p.m. EDT, April 6, 2026, over the Moon’s curved limb in this photo captured by the Artemis 2 crew during their journey around the far side of the Moon. Orientale basin is perched on the edge of the visible lunar surface.

Landing astronauts on the moon 'is absolutely doable, and it's doable soon,' NASA's Artemis 2 commander says

By Josh Dinner published

The Artemis 2 astronauts said they gained a deeper understanding of their Orion capsule during their moon mission — and what they learned bodes well for future Artemis flights.

23 Comments
Artemis
Two images with a view of an NASA Orion spacecraft on left and space toilet on right.

'That was a wonderful toilet': Artemis 2 commander defends mission's lunar loo

By Mike Wall published

Artemis 2's groundbreaking space toilet doesn't deserve the bad press it's gotten over the past two weeks, according to mission commander Reid Wiseman.

2 Comments
Artemis
Blue Origin conducts a static fire test with its New Glenn rocket on April 16, 2026.

Blue Origin fires up used New Glenn rocket ahead of landmark reflight (photo)

By Mike Wall published

Blue Origin conducted a static fire test today (April 16) with a flight-proven New Glenn booster, paving the way for a planned launch on Sunday morning (April 19).

Launches & Spacecraft
VIEW MORE

Science & Astronomy

What is the moon phase today? Lunar phases 2026

By Tariq Malik, Daisy Dobrijevic last updated

Reference See what moon phase it is tonight and find out when you can see the rest of the moon phases for 2026.

Reference
(Left) The so-called cosmic web, where the colour encodes the projected density of gas and stars. (Right) Two of the many galaxies formed in the simulations seen face-on (top) and edge-on (right).

Synthetic universe allows you to 'see and hear' galaxies evolving from the dawn of time (video)

By Robert Lea published

Scientists have used a synthetic universe to observe how the first galaxies evolved and grew. In fact, it is so close to the real thing that it's tricking some astronomers.

Galaxies
VIEW MORE

Space Photo of the Day

a white-and-orange rocket rolls out of a large hangar at night

Artemis 2 moon rocket rolls back to launch pad | Space photo of the day for March 20, 2026

By Brett Tingley published

NASA's Space Launch System rocket was back on the move overnight ahead of its second mission to the moon, which will be the first time the vehicle carries a crew.

Space Exploration
SpaceX's Ship 39 looks cool as it undergoes cryosystem checks on Sunday March 8

SpaceX's Ship 39 is so cool in Starship V3 test | Space photo of the day for March 9, 2026

By Robert Lea published

SpaceX engineers tested Ship 39's propellant system, leading to some stunning images.

2 Comments
Space Exploration
An image of RCW 36 in which the Milky Way nebula appears like a vast cosmic bird of prey

Cosmic Hawk spreads its wings| Space photo of the day for March 6, 2026

By Robert Lea published

The Milky Way nebula RCW 36 resembles a stunning cosmic bird of prey in an incredible Very Large Telescope image.

Galaxies
VIEW MORE IMAGES

Entertainment

Pragmata's tale of AI slop, humanity, & lunar conquest makes it the timeliest sci-fi game of the year

By Fran Ruiz published

Capcom's new IP is a welcome throwback to simpler action games, but its story and themes are shockingly well-timed and refreshingly optimistic.

Space Games
This Week In Space podcast: Episode 206 — I Want to Believe

This Week In Space podcast: Episode 206 — I Want to Believe

By Space.com Staff published

On Episode 206 of This Week In Space, Rod Pyle and Tariq Malik are joined by Dr. Brianne Suldovsky of Portland State University to discuss what happens after the discovery of an alien life form.

Space Movies & Shows
VIEW MORE

What's Up In Space Today

Search For Life

Navy pilots have encountered unidentified aerial phenomena (UAP).

Disclosure day: If ET made contact, how would we handle the news?

By Leonard David published

How would people react if an alien civilization actually made contact with us? Space.com talked to experts, who shared a variety of opinions about a possible real-life "disclosure day."

11 Comments
Search for Life
The SETI Institute's Allen Telescope Array in Northern California searches for radio signals that could have been generated by intelligent alien life.

Where are all the aliens? Maybe they just don't want to talk to us

By Leonard David published

A civilization capable of interstellar travel may also be one that has moved beyond conquest, excess and ecological self-destruction — and it therefore may not want to talk to us.

22 Comments
Search for Life
Artist's illustration of a free-floating "rogue" planet and its Earth-like moon.

No sun, no problem? How life could thrive on moons of starless 'rogue' planets

By Sharmila Kuthunur published

Exomoons orbiting rogue planets could host liquid water for billions of years, offering potential habitats for life deep in interstellar space.

Search for Life
VIEW MORE

Technology

three people in jeans and blazers stand in front of a round crenellated structure in a field

Max Space unveils new expandable space habitat for the moon and beyond: 'We need real estate that is scalable'

By Leonard David published

"They are truly ready for long duration space flights and lunar habitation."

4 Comments
Technology
Autel EVO Lite+_Drone in flight (16 by 9)

The best drone deals 2026: Fly high with fantastic savings

By Alexander Cox last updated

We've rounded up the best drone deals from a range of reputable retailers as top names are currently discounted.

Drones
Hand reaches out for one of the best drones

Best Drones 2026: Fly high this spring

By James Abbott last updated

These are the best drones on the market, with camera and flight performance that will impress even the most demanding pilots.

Drones
VIEW MORE