Josh Dinner
Josh Dinner is Space.com's Content Manager. He is a writer and photographer with a passion for science and space exploration, and has been working the space beat since 2016. Josh has covered the evolution of NASA's commercial spaceflight partnerships, from early Dragon and Cygnus cargo missions to the ongoing development and launches of crewed missions from the Space Coast, as well as NASA science missions and more. He also enjoys building 1:144 scale models of rockets and human-flown spacecraft. Find some of Josh's launch photography on Instagram and his website, and follow him on Twitter, where he mostly posts in haiku.
Latest articles by Josh Dinner
![a red-striped rocket is hoisted inside a integration bay.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/ECgeFs9FNW93ePjwzx5oc5-320-80.jpg)
ULA Vulcan Centaur rocket's 1st launch delayed to January 2024
By Josh Dinner published
A glitch with a dress rehearsal will push off Vulcan Centaur's 1st launch to the beginning of 2024, United Launch Alliance CEO Tory Bruno said.
![a gold-foil-wrapped octagonal lunar probe is landed on a grey surface. A white robotic arm is attached to the probe's flat top, next to an antenna.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/9LC7LmFt22vBQenTdyEvU5-320-80.jpg)
DARPA-funded 'Inchworm' robots could help us build moon bases. Here's how
By Josh Dinner published
A maneuverable robot from Japan-based startup GITAI has made the list of technologies chosen for a lunar infrastructure development study from DARPA.
![A U.S. Air Force X-37B space plane, encapsulated ahead of a planned May 16, 2020, launch. That liftoff will kick off the sixth mission for the X-37B program.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/rPg4aRAX9iCXvU7pXi5smB-320-80.jpeg)
U.S. Space Force delays launch of secretive X-37B space plane
By Josh Dinner published
The secretive spacecraft is likely launching farther than ever before.
![An Ariane 6 rocket test vehicle is seen on the pad at Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana during a launch rehearsal on Sept. 5, 2023.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/r9XyqWYDTQzbxbeeaEqdXV-320-80.jpg)
Watch Europe's new Ariane 6 rocket fire its engines in new timelapse video
By Josh Dinner published
A newly released video from the European Space Agency highlights a recent wet dress rehearsal for the space agency's new heavy-lift launch vehicle, and its 7-minute hot fire engine test.
![white coat lab workers carry a pain of glass near a golf-cart-sized satellite in a Rocket Lab branded white room.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/7Wi5sg4SEPyPh9bjjqp6SD-320-80.jpg)
Rocket Lab aims for Dec. 13 Electron launch, 1st since failure in September
By Josh Dinner published
Rocket Lab is gearing up for the 42nd launch of its Electron rocket, which has been grounded since a malfunction led to the loss of a payload during a mission in September.
![a set of industrial beams provide a frame to hold dual rotor blades for a spin test in a black enclosed chamber.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/JNm7XwoDYNdrfA8xwSfMJa-320-80.jpg)
The Mars helicopter Ingenuity is an amazing success. NASA's already testing tech for the next generation (video)
By Josh Dinner published
While NASA tested new Mars helicopter technology on Earth, Ingenuity was breaking records flying across the Martian surface.
![a massive rocket lifts off above a plume of fire at sunrise](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/qgmpub6PrNcDFmkKzAnLvB-320-80.jpg)
This Thanksgiving, I am thankful for Starship. Yes, really (op-ed)
By Josh Dinner published
Starship is uniting people under the hopeful vision of spaceflight's future. Getting to see it launch in person was an incredible experience.
![SpaceX's second Starship and Super Heavy rocket launch test soars into the morning sky above Boca Chica Beach in South Texas on Nov. 18, 2023.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/TzZU9FRC6mkZYYhDHozdXB-320-80.jpg)
SpaceX Starship megarocket launches on 2nd-ever test flight, explodes in 'rapid unscheduled disassembly' (video)
By Josh Dinner published
SpaceX's next-generation Starship megarocket launched on its second-ever test flight today (Nov. 18), but exploded in a 'rapid unscheduled disassembly.'
![silhouettes of three people at sunset in front of a large rocket on a launch pad in the background](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/zx4Fp8iECo8V4tcQPoKoq5-320-80.jpg)
These SpaceX fans say they'll stay after 1-day Starship launch delay to Saturday
By Josh Dinner published
Travelers from near and far aren't letting the launch delay deprive them of their chance to see the world's largest rocket — Starship — take flight.
![a man and woman wave in front of a space plane](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/re94aadFM3AFc8Gkzmgkaj-320-80.png)
Virgin Galactic set to launch Galactic 05 mission with research duo today (Nov. 2)
By Josh Dinner last updated
The flight will mark half a year of consistent monthly launches for the spaceflight company.
![a woman smiling](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/fx53qpjdiHTKqFLzJ4jUgH-320-80.jpg)
Virgin Galactic astronaut Kellie Gerardi is ready for broader access to space
By Josh Dinner published
Just days before her first spaceflight, Kellie Gerardi talks about the importance of microgravity research and making the final frontier more accessible for all.
![a silver-white space plane fires its rocket engine with the curve of earth and the blackness of space in the background.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/dipNXiWHQVcMf6XuPy6okU-320-80.jpg)
Meet the crew of Virgin Galactic's 5th commercial spaceflight launching on Nov. 2
By Josh Dinner published
Virgin Galactic's 5th commercial mission is a research-focused flight to space that features some familiar faces.
![a large vessel lays wrapped in white farbric on a trolly. its about the size of a refrigerator](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/o5dyP2WshfUZXdJ7jrb85J-320-80.jpg)
SpaceX to launch final piece of NASA's 1st two-way laser communications relay
By Josh Dinner published
NASA's ILLUMA-T demonstration terminal is set to launch to the International Space Station to complete the space agency's first two-way laser communication relay system.
![A SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket launches NASA's Psyche asteroid mission on Oct. 13, 2023.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/6nRoHNyH3SRvUsWoSPRQ5P-320-80.jpg)
SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket launches NASA's Psyche probe to bizarre metal asteroid (video)
By Josh Dinner published
NASA's Psyche mission launched Friday (Oct. 13) on a SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket, and is now bound for the largest metal asteroid in our solar system.
![the payload fairings at the top of a rocket stand with cloudy skies behind](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/o22zmjxUNdgmviL7UayinY-320-80.jpg)
Bad weather delays SpaceX Falcon Heavy launch of NASA's Psyche asteroid mission to Oct. 13
By Josh Dinner published
Weather on Florida's Space Coast will delay the liftoff of NASA's Psyche mission by at least a day, the agency announced Wednesday evening (Oct. 11).
![a comet and stars serve as the backdrop to a book title and subtite.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/2wHpBucuFhQ9jTJFFab53C-320-80.jpg)
The night sky twinkles inside new book, 'Diamonds Everywhere,' by astronomer Tom Kerss
By Josh Dinner published
Gaze into the cosmos with this new must-have for your astrophotography bookshelf.
![Virgin Galactic's Carrier Aircraft VMS Eve and VSS Unity Take to the Skies](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/McurzW2eimcvPELV4rT3om-320-80.jpg)
Virgin Galactic to launch Galactic 04 space tourist flight today. Here's what to expect
By Josh Dinner published
Virgin Galactic's reusable spaceplane, VSS Unity, will launch its fourth commercial spaceflight mission today (Oct. 6). Here's how to follow the action.
![a silver-white space plane fires its rocket engine with the curve of earth and the blackness of space in the background.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/dipNXiWHQVcMf6XuPy6okU-320-80.jpg)
Meet the crew of Virgin Galactic's 4th commercial spaceflight launching on Oct. 6
By Josh Dinner published
The crewmembers of Virgin Galactic's fourth commercial spaceflight are excited to tell the world they're going to the final frontier.
![a pink-suited astronaut holding a water bottle and briefcase](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/KzwCyRvDQGWbJD8QjW82oQ-320-80.jpg)
World Space Week 2023 kicks off Oct. 4 to highlight the growing private space economy
By Josh Dinner published
World Space Week 2023 will run from Wednesday, Oct. 4, through Tuesday, Oct. 10, with a theme of "Space and Entrepreneurship."
![A full moon is seen rising between industrial metal railings ang guards.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/SReL9MKny4e6BFdB8tYeL7-320-80.jpg)
Brilliant Harvest Moon, the last supermoon of 2023, wows stargazers around the world (photos)
By Josh Dinner published
The final supermoon of the year, the Harvest Moon of September, gave skywatchers the final lunar thrill of the season.
![a round capsule rests on the ground of hazy, dim desert.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/FNc75ZpW9XYk9aoM2jXKq8-320-80.jpg)
What time is NASA's OSIRIS-REx asteroid sample return capsule landing on Sept. 24?
By Josh Dinner published
NASA's OSIRIS-REx spacecraft is carrying the first ever asteroid samples recovered by the agency. Now, after a 1.2 billion-mile journey back to Earth, it's about to land.
![a space capsule falls through the atmosphere engulfed in a fireball.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/GpSkGsHa3gs7KPVBefcNuj-320-80.gif)
How NASA's OSIRIS-REx will bring asteroid samples to Earth in 5 not-so-easy steps
By Josh Dinner published
NASA's OSIRIS-REx mission will face one of the toughest parts of its journey: Protecting samples taken from asteroid Bennu as its capsule descends through Earth's atmosphere for recovery.
![a triangular black plane with two differently-shaped red patches on each wing flies against a blue sky.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Nq3yy4MDaAyqQXygUvDYnF-320-80.jpg)
Polaris Spaceplanes wraps up MIRA-Light prototype flight tests
By Josh Dinner published
German company Polaris Spaceplanes completed the flight campaign for its MIRA-Light prototype vehicle, and now plans to use that data on a scaled-up version with a linear aerospike engine.
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