Andrew Jones
Andrew is a freelance space journalist with a focus on reporting on China's rapidly growing space sector. He began writing for Space.com in 2019 and writes for SpaceNews, IEEE Spectrum, National Geographic, Sky & Telescope, New Scientist and others. Andrew first caught the space bug when, as a youngster, he saw Voyager images of other worlds in our solar system for the first time. Away from space, Andrew enjoys trail running in the forests of Finland. You can follow him on Twitter @AJ_FI.
Latest articles by Andrew Jones
![A SpaceX Starship spacecraft on a test stand with the setting sun for Flight 7](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/37zfGp2UHk7UWQs2LhU7De-320-80.jpg)
SpaceX's Starship Flight 7 test flight will deploy simulated Starlink satellites for 1st time
By Andrew Jones published
SpaceX aims to launch the seventh Starship flight test on Jan. 10. It will mark the first time the company attempts to deploy a payload during the flight.
![Jupiter's chaotic clouds and cyclonic storms, in an area known as a folded filamentary region, shine in a photo captured by NASA's Juno probe on May 12, 2024.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/nNshAX6qJznNz8Nn7GoD4e-320-80.jpg)
Launches, moon landings and more: Here's the top spaceflight missions to watch in 2025
By Andrew Jones published
From lunar and asteroid missions to groundbreaking human spaceflight tests and new rockets, 2025 promises an array of spectacular space missions.
![A portion of the far side of the Moon looms large just beyond the Orion spacecraft in this image taken on the sixth day of the Artemis I mission by a camera on the tip of one of Orion’s solar arrays.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/jForrqNu4MKXwjWGFzUxC-320-80.jpg)
NASA delays Artemis missions again. What could this mean for the moon, Mars and space leadership?
By Andrew Jones published
NASA has pushed its first two crewed Artemis moon missions back to 2026 and 2027, and the move could have big ramifications.
![Polaris Dawn commander Jared Isaacman.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/rCorxgakbketUfxPZW7cwM-320-80.jpg)
Who is Jared Isaacman, Trump's pick for NASA chief?
By Andrew Jones published
Donald Trump has nominated billionaire private astronaut Jared Isaacman to lead NASA. What do we know about the potential next administrator of America’s space agency?
![illustration of a base on the moon, with a rocket launching in the background](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/cCCrUzXkj2roMmBdDpUT9B-320-80.jpg)
Building blocks: How China plans to make bricks on the moon for lunar habitats
By Andrew Jones published
Chinese scientists are developing the capability to build a moon base made of bricks formed from lunar soil.
![Two astronauts float in the busy white interior of a space station, holding equipment, wearing ppo masks.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/xzpKL7TXPz9twmyGtpkurk-320-80.jpg)
Fruit flies in space! Chinese astronauts show off experiment on Tiangong space station (video)
By Andrew Jones published
China's Shenzhou 19 astronauts have some winged companions to oversee aboard the country's Tiangong space station — fruit flies, which arrived on a cargo ship on Nov. 15.
![Three technicians in white coveralls and helmets hold lines connected to a large box hovering above a gold-foiled cylinder secured in the center.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/AYgz36CJTzUqLnArCYHMUJ-320-80.jpg)
Private Japanese moon lander arrives in Florida ahead of January SpaceX launch (photos)
By Andrew Jones published
The "Resilience" Mission 2 lander, built by Japanese company ispace, has arrived in Florida ahead of its planned January launch on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket.
![earth rising below a black space sky, with the docking hatch of a spacecraft in the foreground.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/PqWaotZ5ohRybYBMzzVLnJ-320-80.jpg)
China's Tianzhou 7 spacecraft burns up in Earth's atmosphere to end cargo mission (video)
By Andrew Jones published
The Tianzhou 7 spacecraft undocked from China's Tiangong space station on Nov. 10 and reentered Earth's atmosphere at around 8:25 a.m. EST (1325 GMT) on Nov. 17.
![Two astroanuts in white spacesuits stand on either side of a red flag, standing in the center on the moon's surface. On the left, a moon lander with two circular solar panels. On the right, a moon rover.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/g5F6yzNmAcHeAen4TFxNWg-320-80.jpg)
How China plans to put astronauts on the moon by 2030 (video)
By Andrew Jones published
China's human spaceflight agency has released a video detailing its plans for a first crewed mission to the moon, including progress on lunar hardware.
![Esrange has been launching sounding rockets for nearly 60 years, including the Maxus 4 suborbital microgravity mission in 2001.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/J7x4G2aPyrCpG6ohbpo7Fg-320-80.jpg)
Suborbital rocket set to launch 6 experiments from Sweden's Arctic spaceport on Nov. 22
By Andrew Jones published
The SubOrbital Express-4 mission, which will launch from northern Sweden between Nov. 22 and Dec. 3, will help scientists take the next step in various realms of research.
![A black rocket in space above earth opens its payload fairings like a beak to reveal a stack of thin satellites on an upper stage.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/gyfAaKErRTQin8YKScUU6Z-320-80.jpg)
Rocket Lab signs 1st customer for its powerful new Neutron rocket. But who is it?
By Andrew Jones published
Rocket Lab is targeting mid-2025 for the debut of its partially reusable Neutron rocket, with commercial launches to start in 2026.
![A view of the first RS1 rocket by ABL Space Systems on its pad on Kodiak Island, Alaska on during a Nov. 17, 2022 launch attempt.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/nrYggxfwjRgkHFH4aqYxzS-320-80.jpg)
Rocket startup ABL Space Systems ends orbital launch plans, pivots to missile defense
By Andrew Jones published
ABL Space Systems, founded in 2017, will pivot from orbital launch sector to U.S. missile defense programs.
![a cube-shaped spacecraft with two wing-like solar panels fires its engine, propelling it away from the viewer into the star-filled background of space](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/qv4KWM47746ittUSZeerUR-320-80.gif)
Europe's Hera asteroid probe heads for Mars after engine burn
By Andrew Jones published
Europe's Hera asteroid probe will use the Red Planet for a gravity assist on its way to scope out the space rock crash site of NASA's DART impactor.
![a rocket lifts off at night, creating a large plume of fire beneath it](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/NWf8ErnwVyPvCbziCop4z5-320-80.jpg)
China launches Tianzhou 8 cargo mission to Tiangong space station (video)
By Andrew Jones last updated
A Long March 7 rocket launched the Tianzhou 8 cargo spacecraft toward China's Tiangong space station on Friday (Nov. 15).
![closeup of a silver and gold spacecraft on the surface of the moon](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/fPSPTNYpJ9aXze5eZUHVWY-320-80.jpg)
Humanoid robot may fly on China's Chang'e 8 moon mission in 2028
By Andrew Jones published
China's Chang'e 8 mission to test resource technologies at the moon's south pole is taking shape — and may even include a humanoid form.
![illustration of a white rocket high in earth's atmosphere](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/HmNYgJ3e93KRdANcLuuMtF-320-80.jpg)
Blue Origin's New Glenn rocket to launch AST SpaceMobile's huge BlueBird smartphone satellites
By Andrew Jones published
AST SpaceMobile, a startup with plans for a direct-to-cellphone satellite service constellation, has chosen Blue Origin's powerful New Glenn rocket to launch some of its next-gen satellites.
![a winged spacecraft with a rounded nose flies above earth](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/FzoRERLBLVKsT56uaSxVnS-320-80.jpg)
China reveals reusable cargo shuttle design for Tiangong space station (video)
By Andrew Jones published
China has unveiled the design of a reusable winged shuttle to take cargo to and from the country's Tiangong space station.
![An image of the Chang'e 6 lander on the lunar surface at the far side of the moon](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/LEb2kLUkdpZay9QTj8srWS-320-80.png)
China's space agency brought the 1st lunar far side samples to Earth this year — here's what's next
By Andrew Jones published
China has opened up the first round of applications for researchers who wish to use some of the Chang'e 6 lunar far side samples for research.
![A rocket blasts off near launch facilities and tall lightning towers.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Qtbq7h9rmRDUnMLi2ehtx6-320-80.jpg)
Russia sends 53 satellites to orbit on record-breaking launch (video)
By Andrew Jones published
Russia launched 53 small satellites into orbit on Monday (Nov. 4), including two for Iran. The 51 Russian payloads were a single-launch record for the country.
![An illustration shows the Einstein Probe as it hunts cosmic X-rays.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/tSeek8CWinBRNUnGLgChQG-320-80.jpg)
Sharp 'lobster vision:' China's Einstein Probe space telescope already making discoveries during commissioning phase
By Andrew Jones published
China's Einstein Probe, an X-ray telescope in Earth orbit, has already made several discoveries during its initial commissioning phase.
![China's Shenzhou 18 spacecraft with astronauts Ye Guangfu, Li Cong and Li Guangsu is seen at the Dongfeng landing site in north China after landing from the Tiangong space station on Sunday, Nov. 3, 2024.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/9DBGrtHxGmBG9tkUgURbih-320-80.jpg)
China's Shenzhou 18 astronauts return to Earth after 6 months in space (video)
By Andrew Jones last updated
China's Shenzhou 18 crew have returned home after more than six months in space.
![six astronauts in blue jumpsuits crowd around a table in a bright spacecraft. two across from one another each sign documents.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/gx2docKz3SyEYgBMxrVUUa-320-80.jpg)
China's Shenzhou 19 astronauts take the reins of Tiangong space station (video)
By Andrew Jones published
China's three-person Shenzhou 18 crew have passed the keys to the Tiangong space station to its new occupants.
![A white rocket launches next to a green tower at night, fire shooting from its bottom, a smoke plume blowing to the right.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/K49xMogBn7DH9fjxqVaK6U-320-80.jpg)
China launches 3 astronauts to Tiangong space station on Shenzhou 19 mission (video)
By Andrew Jones published
China launched the Shenzhou 19 mission to orbit today (Oct. 29), sending three astronauts toward the nation's Tiangong space station for a six-month stay.
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