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
Japan and India plan 2025 moon mission to hunt for water near the lunar south pole
By Andrew Jones published
The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) Is making progress on its rover for a joint mission with India to the south pole of the moon.
Japan's 'moon sniper' probe snaps photo of Earth from orbit
By Andrew Jones published
Japan's SLIM lunar lander has sent back an eerie image of Earth as a test of the camera it will use to help it land accurately on the moon a few months from now.
After NASA's epic OSIRIS-REx capsule landing success, spacecraft heads to asteroid Apophis on new mission
By Andrew Jones published
NASA's OSIRIS-REx probe, which delivered samples of the space rock Bennu to Earth, is now on an extended voyage to study the infamous near-Earth asteroid Apophis.
Close call! 2 huge pieces of space debris had a near-miss in Earth orbit
By Andrew Jones published
Two big pieces of space junk almost slammed into each other in low Earth orbit, highlighting the need to clear up space close to home.
Next stop, Europa? Nano subs to get test beneath Antarctic ice in 2026
By Andrew Jones published
A European collaboration aims to break through some of the technological barriers to the exploration of icy moons like Jupiter's Europa, using Antarctica as a proving ground.
China's astronauts have been tending a 'space garden' in orbit (video)
By Andrew Jones published
The astronauts of the Shenzhou 16 mission have been cultivating vegetables as part of their science experiment workload aboard the Tiangong space station.
Japan's SLIM moon lander completes 1st critical phase in Earth orbit
By Andrew Jones published
Japan's SLIM moon lander has passed a first critical operation period in Earth orbit, meaning its solar panels, communications, propulsion and other systems are working well.
China's new wide-field survey telescope scopes out Andromeda galaxy
By Andrew Jones published
A new high-resolution, wide-field telescope situated in China offers its first stunning view.
Venezuela may put an astronaut on a Chinese moon mission
By Andrew Jones published
The first Venezuelan man or woman could land on the moon on a Chinese spacecraft, Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro said last week.
Germany signs on to NASA's Artemis Accords for moon exploration
By Andrew Jones published
Germany signed the Artemis Accords on Thursday (Sept. 14), becoming the 29th country to join NASA's framework for peaceful moon exploration.
Humanity's current space behavior 'unsustainable,' European Space Agency report warns
By Andrew Jones published
Greater efforts are needed to make valuable orbits sustainable, according to a new report from the European Space Agency.
Watch China's Shenzhou 16 astronauts clean the Tiangong space station (video)
By Andrew Jones published
China's Shenzhou 16 astronauts have been working hard to keep the Tiangong space station neat and clean, as a newly released video shows.
Luna-25 failure won't be end of Russia's moon program, Putin says
By Andrew Jones published
Russia will continue its lunar exploration efforts despite the recent loss of its Luna-25 moon lander, according to Russian leader Vladimir Putin.
Vladimir Putin meets North Korea's Kim Jong-un at Russia's Vostochny Cosmodrome spaceport for 5-hour summit
By Andrew Jones published
Vladimir Putin met with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un at a Russian spaceport on Wednesday (Sept. 13), likely discussing a range of possibilities for space-related cooperation.
China sends record-setting Tianzhou 5 cargo spacecraft to fiery death (video)
By Andrew Jones published
Tianzhou 5, which docked with China's Tiangong space station just two hours after launching last November, has completed its orbital tasks and met its fiery fate.
Asteroid Apophis will visit Earth in 2029. Why do scientists want NASA to send a probe there first?
By Andrew Jones published
NASA's Small Bodies Assessment Group wants the agency to send spacecraft to visit the asteroid Apophis before it makes a close approach to Earth in 2029.
China launches Yaogan 40 spy satellite on Long March 6A rocket (video)
By Andrew Jones published
China launched a new classified Yaogan satellite on Sunday (Sept. 10), continuing the country’s recent rapid launch rate.
China wants ideas to name spaceship and lander for astronauts on the moon
By Andrew Jones published
China is looking for names for two spacecraft which will deliver astronauts to the surface of the moon.
Watch Europe's new Ariane 6 rocket fire up its engine for the 1st time (video)
By Andrew Jones published
Europe's next-generation heavy-lift rocket just took a big step towards its first, much-awaited launch thanks to a successful hot fire of its Vulcain 2.1 engine.
China launches classified Yaogan remote sensing satellites (video)
By Andrew Jones published
Two separate launches within a week boost the country's remote sensing capabilities.
Here's our last look at Europe's Aeolus satellite falling to its fiery death (photo)
By Andrew Jones published
ESA's wind-measuring Aeolus satellite was spotted before its flaming demise over Antarctica.
Europe assembles Hera spacecraft to eye aftermath of DART asteroid crash (video, photos)
By Andrew Jones published
The European Space Agency's Hera spacecraft is now assembled ahead of its journey to analyze the asteroid smashed by NASA's DART mission.
India tests parachutes for Gaganyaan crew capsule using a rocket sled (video)
By Andrew Jones published
Last month, India tested the parachute system for its Gaganyaan crew capsule using a rocket-powered sled. See footage of the action.
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