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
Watch Chinese astronauts get haircuts aboard Tiangong space station (video)
By Andrew Jones published
Shenzhou 17 commander Tang Hongbo and rookie crewmates Tang Shengjie and Jiang Xinlin recently helped each other get haircuts aboard China's Tiangong space station.
Pew! Pew! Pew! NASA's 1st successful two-way laser experiment is a giant leap for moon and Mars communications
By Andrew Jones published
NASA has completed its first laser link with an in-orbit laser relay system, marking a significant advancement in space communication technology.
FAA's launch mishap investigations need a rethink, government report finds
By Andrew Jones published
The Federal Aviation Administration should evaluate and improve the way it investigates space launch mishaps, according to a new report.
Watch a Japanese startup test a rocket engine that will run on cow-dung methane (video)
By Andrew Jones published
A Japanese space startup has taken a big step toward developing its first orbital rocket — which will be powered by gas from cow dung.
China lofts Yaogan spy satellites on 500th Long March rocket launch (video)
By Andrew Jones published
A fifth group of three Yaogan-39 satellites launched over the weekend, on a mission that marked the 500th liftoff for China's Long March family of rockets.
Japan may delay its Mars moon sampling mission MMX due to rocket problems
By Andrew Jones published
Japan’s ambitious mission to explore the two mini moons of Mars could be facing a lengthy delay as JAXA's new H3 rocket, which will launch MMX, failed on its debut flight in March.
Chinese startup Galactic Energy bounces back with successful satellite launch
By Andrew Jones published
Chinese startup Galactic Energy is flying high again after a successful satellite launch on Monday (Dec. 4).
India sets sights on a moon base by 2047
By Andrew Jones published
India is setting long-term goals that could see the country establish its own moon base before 2050.
Iran launches 'bio-space capsule' protoype, aims to fly astronauts by 2030
By Andrew Jones published
Iran test launched what it describes as a "bio-capsule" as part of its plan to put its own astronauts into space by the end of the decade.
China launches remote-sensing satellite for Egypt (video)
By Andrew Jones published
China launched a remote-sensing satellite for Egypt late on Sunday (Dec. 3) as space cooperation between the two countries deepens.
China could use a foldable helicopter to collect samples on Mars
By Andrew Jones published
A new journal article outlines the design for a quadcopter that could assist China's mission to collect samples from Mars.
SpaceX buys parachute manufacturer Pioneer Aerospace
By Andrew Jones published
SpaceX has acquired Pioneer Aerospace, a company that provided components for Dragon spacecraft parachutes before filing for bankruptcy.
China's Landspace gears up for 3rd launch of its methane-powered rocket
By Andrew Jones published
The Zhuque-2 was the first methane-fueled rocket to reach Earth orbit, and the Chinese private spaceflight company Landspace is set to launch it again later on Dec. 5.
Lockheed Martin's 'Tantrum' tech could help get satellites up and running without the wait
By Andrew Jones published
Lockheed Martin and Firefly Aerospace are combining to launch a demonstrator that aims to slash the time it takes spacecraft payloads to become operational.
See ULA assemble new Vulcan Centaur rocket for its 1st launch on Dec. 24 (photos)
By Andrew Jones published
United Launch Alliance (ULA) has its sights set on a festive first launch of its brand new rocket that will send the robotic Peregrine lander built by Astrobiotic to the moon.
Chinese scientists build model Mars atmosphere to aid sample-return plans
By Andrew Jones published
Chinese scientists have constructed a numerical model to simulate the Martian atmosphere and thus assist the country's plans to return rock samples from the Red Planet.
China's youngest space station crew send home spectacular views from space (video)
By Andrew Jones published
China's Shenzhou 17 astronauts are getting into the rhythms of life in orbit — and also sending back some choice clips of their activities.
China's next cargo spacecraft arrives at launch site ahead of early 2024 liftoff
By Andrew Jones published
The robotic Tianzhou 7 cargo spacecraft arrived recently at China's coastal Wenchang Satellite Launch Center ahead of an early 2024 launch on a Long March 7 rocket.
Japan's ispace unveils micro rover for its 2nd moon mission
By Andrew Jones published
Tokyo-based spaceflight company ispace just unveiled a mini rover that will fly on its next moon landing mission next year.
US military taps Rocket Lab to launch hypersonic test vehicle in 2025
By Andrew Jones published
Rocket Lab will launch a drone on its suborbital launch vehicle as part of a U.S. Defense Department hypersonic development project.
Bulgaria signs Artemis Accords for peaceful moon exploration
By Andrew Jones published
Bulgaria became the 32nd nation to sign the Artemis Accords in a signing ceremony Nov. 9 with NASA Administrator Bill Nelson and Milena Stoycheva, Bulgaria's minister of innovation and growth.
US military gives Lockheed Martin $33.7 million to develop nuclear spacecraft
By Andrew Jones published
The U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory just awarded $33.7 million to Lockheed Martin to help 'mature high-power nuclear electric power and propulsion technologies and spacecraft design.'
Powerful new thrusters for NASA's moon-orbiting Gateway space station get a test (photo)
By Andrew Jones published
The propulsion system for NASA's planned moon-orbiting Gateway space station has been undergoing qualification testing at NASA's Glenn Research Center in Cleveland.
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