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
China's Tianzhou 6 cargo spacecraft burns up in Earth's atmosphere
By Andrew Jones published
China deorbited its robotic Tianzhou 6 cargo spacecraft today (Jan. 19) after it completed its mission serving the country's space station.
Chinese company targets 2025 for 1st launch of powerful new rocket
By Andrew Jones published
The Chinese launch company CAS Space has set August 2025 as the target for the first launch of its Kinetic-2 liquid propellant rocket.
Chinese Kuaizhou-1A rocket launches 4th mission in 18 days (video)
By Andrew Jones published
China sent a classified experimental satellite into orbit last week with yet another launch of the Kuaizhou-1A solid rocket.
China launches Tianzhou 7 cargo craft to Tiangong space station (video)
By Andrew Jones published
A Long March 7 rocket launched the robotic Tianzhou 7 cargo spacecraft toward China's Tiangong space station today (Jan. 17).
Massive Mars dust storm spotted by China's Tianwen-1 probe (photos)
By Andrew Jones published
China's Tianwen-1 Mars orbiter spotted a massive dust storm near Olympus Mons, the biggest mountain in the solar system.
UAE to provide airlock for NASA's moon-orbiting Gateway space station
By Andrew Jones published
The United Arab Emirates will build an airlock for NASA's moon-orbiting Gateway space station, and will get to send an astronaut to the outpost for the contribution.
China's 1st launch of 2024 puts 4 small weather satellites into orbit (video)
By Andrew Jones published
A Kuaizhou 1A solid rocket launched four Tianmu-1 weather satellites on Jan. 5, on the first of what will be many Chinese missions in 2024.
ULA's 1st Vulcan Centaur rocket is ready to fly. Will it live long and prosper?
By Andrew Jones published
United Launch Alliance's new, long-awaited Vulcan Centaur rocket is all set to lift off for the first time ever. But will the vehicle establish itself in a competitive launch market?
India launches X-ray satellite to study black holes, supernovas and more (video)
By Andrew Jones published
India sent its XPoSat X-ray observatory into orbit on New Year's Day to study black holes, supernovae and other cosmic phenomena.
Japan delays MMX Mars moon sample-return mission to 2026
By Andrew Jones published
Japan has postponed the launch of a mission seeking to bring samples of a Martian moon to Earth until 2026, due to problems with the nation's new H3 rocket.
China launches 2 sets of commercial weather satellites in 3-day span (video)
By Andrew Jones published
On Dec. 24 and Dec. 27, China launched clusters of small satellites to provide commercial meteorological data.
Dream Chaser enters final testing ahead of 2024 debut space flight
By Andrew Jones published
If all goes to plan, the spacecraft dubbed 'Tenacity' will launch on a Vulcan Centaur rocket in 2024.
Chinese startup LandSpace poised to begin reusable rocket landing tests
By Andrew Jones published
Chinese launch startup Landspace appears ready to test launching and landing rockets from China's Gobi Desert.
Commercial Chinese rocket launches small returnable spacecraft to orbit (video)
By Andrew Jones published
The Chinese company iSpace's sixth Hyperbola-1 rocket lifted off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center early Sunday (Dec. 17) morning, carrying a recoverable satellite to orbit.
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.
Get the Space.com Newsletter
Breaking space news, the latest updates on rocket launches, skywatching events and more!