Brett Tingley
Brett is curious about emerging aerospace technologies, alternative launch concepts, military space developments and uncrewed aircraft systems. Brett's work has appeared on Scientific American, The War Zone, Popular Science, the History Channel, Science Discovery and more. Brett has English degrees from Clemson University and the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. In his free time, Brett enjoys skywatching throughout the dark skies of the Appalachian mountains.
Latest articles by Brett Tingley

US Space Force's 1st official painting shows military space plane intercepting adversary satellite
By Brett Tingley published
United States Space Operations Command revealed its first official painting, which depicts a "futuristic intercept vehicle" engaging an adversary satellite in orbit above Earth.

Watch NASA test a 3D-printed rocket nozzle designed for deep space (video)
By Brett Tingley published
NASA recently conducted a hot-fire test of a new experimental rocket nozzle in order to test 3D printing techniques and new materials for hardware designed to reach deep space.

It's 'International Observe the Moon Night' tonight. Here's how to participate
By Brett Tingley published
There are a wide variety of ways you can get involved on "International Observe the Moon Night" — no matter where you live.

Virgin Galactic sets date, announces crew for 5th commercial spaceflight
By Brett Tingley published
Virgin Galactic's next trip to the edge of space will include some familiar names, such as planetary scientist Alan Stern and science communicator Kellie Gerardi.

Fire in the sky: Chasing the annular solar eclipse 2023 on the Extraterrestrial Highway
By Brett Tingley published
The deserts of Nevada provided the perfect setting for the annular solar eclipse on Oct. 14, 2023 in a region known for its love of strange sights in the sky.

Earth will experience 2 eclipses this month. Here's what you need to know
By Brett Tingley last updated
October sees both a partial lunar eclipse and a 'ring of fire' annular solar eclipse, although seeing them both in person will require a good deal of travel.

Follow the annular solar eclipse this week with SkySafari
By Brett Tingley published
Popular astronomy app SkySafari has added a special set of features for tracking and viewing this week's annular solar eclipse, available for iOS users.

The Draconid meteor shower peaks this weekend. Here's how to see it
By Brett Tingley published
The Draconid meteor shower will be active from Oct. 6 to Oct. 10, reaching its peak on Monday (Oct. 9) under a fairly dark moon.

NASA wants a 'lunar freezer' for its Artemis moon missions
By Brett Tingley published
NASA has issued a request for "lunar freezer" designs that can safely store materials taken from the moon during planned Artemis program missions.

FCC issues 1st-ever space debris fine, serves DISH $150k penalty
By Brett Tingley published
The United States government has handed out its first-ever fine to a private company that left space debris in orbit.

'We need to get to Mars before I die.' Read exclusive excerpt from 'Elon Musk' by biographer Walter Isaacson
By Brett Tingley published
Walter Isaacson's sweeping biography of SpaceX CEO Elon Musk reveals what drives the innovative entrepreneur to consistently push the envelope.

SpaceX wins $70 million Space Force contract for Starshield military satellites
By Brett Tingley published
SpaceX has won its first contract with the United States Space Force for its new Starshield satellite constellation.

The Economist to launch Space Economy Summit on Oct. 11-12
By Brett Tingley published
The Economist will hold its first-ever Space Economy Summit on Oct. 11 and 12 in order to help leaders in the space sector share ideas that can move the burgeoning new off-world economy forward.

How to talk to your kids about aliens: 'Is There Anybody Out There?'
By Brett Tingley published
Space.com spoke with author Laura Krantz about her new book "Is There Anybody Out There?" that takes a scientific look at the search for life and even UFOs.

Japan's ispace nabs $55 million NASA moon landing deal, slips 3rd lunar launch to 2026
By Brett Tingley published
Tokyo-based ispace has opened a U.S. headquarters in order to help the company develop and launch robotic landers to the moon on behalf of NASA and other customers.

'I literally broke into tears': The scientist leading NASA's epic OSIRIS-REx asteroid mission just had the greatest day ever
By Brett Tingley published
As his spacecraft was hurtling toward Earth carrying irreplaceable asteroid samples from deep space, Dante Lauretta was just trying to avoid having a breakdown in front of an international audience.

NASA's OSIRIS-REx lands samples of asteroid Bennu to Earth after historic 4-billion-mile journey
By Brett Tingley last updated
NASA successfully recovered a capsule containing samples of asteroid Bennu taken by its OSIRIS-REx spacecraft in 2020.

Will NASA's OSIRIS-REx stick its asteroid sample landing? Scientists are 'very much confident' as zero hour nears
By Brett Tingley published
Scientists with NASA's OSIRIS-REx mission are confident that the planned Sept. 24 asteroid sample landing will go as planned.

DARPA wants new ideas for space weapons
By Brett Tingley published
The U.S. Department of Defense wants fresh ideas on how to maintain military superiority in space.

NASA appoints new head of UFO research
By Brett Tingley published
NASA has named a new director of UFO research who will oversee the agency's studies into UAP, or unidentified anomalous phenomena.

Watch the inspiring true story of NASA astronaut José Hernández in 'A Million Miles Away' on Amazon Prime (video)
By Brett Tingley published
Michael Peña stars as migrant worker turned NASA astronaut José Hernández in 'A Million Miles Away,' now streaming on Amazon Prime Video.

Alien mummies in Mexico? NASA's UFO study team says don't bet on it
By Brett Tingley published
Lawmakers in Mexico heard testimony this week about the presence of alien life on Earth that included two "corpses of extraterrestrials." NASA's UAP study team isn't so sure.

Space is 'more contested' than ever by world's militaries, US Space Force chief says
By Brett Tingley published
The Chief of Space Operations for the U.S. Space Force gave an ominous warning about how contested space is becoming as world superpowers continue to militarize Earth orbit.
Get the Space.com Newsletter
Breaking space news, the latest updates on rocket launches, skywatching events and more!