Rahul Rao

Rahul Rao

Contributing Writer

Rahul Rao is a graduate of New York University's SHERP and a freelance science writer, regularly covering physics, space, and infrastructure. His work has appeared in Gizmodo, Popular Science, Inverse, IEEE Spectrum, and Continuum. He enjoys riding trains for fun, and he has seen every surviving episode of Doctor Who. He holds a masters degree in science writing from New York University's Science, Health and Environmental Reporting Program (SHERP) and earned a bachelors degree from Vanderbilt University, where he studied English and physics. 

Latest articles by Rahul Rao

ultra-diffuse galaxy NGS 1052-DF2

Hubble Space Telescope finds galaxy with weirdly little dark matter

By Rahul Rao published

Astronomers may not know what dark matter is, but they do know that galaxies are supposed to contain a lot of the shadowy, invisible substance.

Hubble Space Telescope
Reiner Gamma, a mysterious "lunar swirl" as seen by NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter.

NASA picks 3 new science experiments for commercial moon missions

By Rahul Rao published

Behind the scenes, NASA's Artemis program relies on Commercial Lunar Payload Services partners to deliver science equipment to the moon.

Artemis
Four Indian astronauts recently traveled to Russia to train for upcoming crewed missions, the first of which could launch in 2022 or 2023.

India's human spaceflight plans coming together despite delays

By Rahul Rao published

So far, only the U.S., the Soviet Union/Russia and China have launched humans to Earth orbit. But India aims to join that exclusive club in the next year or two.

Human Spaceflight
An artist’s illustration of Firefly Aerospace’s Blue Ghost lander on the moon.

Firefly Aerospace picks SpaceX rocket to launch Blue Ghost moon lander in 2023

By Rahul Rao published

NASA selected Firefly Aerospace to deliver 10 scientific experiments and technology demonstrations to the moon in 2023.

Artemis
voyager 1

Voyager 1 discovers faint plasma 'hum' in interstellar space

By Rahul Rao published

Voyager 1 continues to make discoveries, most recently catching the signature of interstellar space itself, a faint plasma "hum" scientists compared to gentle rain.

Voyager
An artist's depiction of a rocket carrying humans to Mars.

Astronauts bound for Mars should swing by Venus first, scientists say

By Rahul Rao published

To get to Mars cheaper and faster to save time and open up new mission windows, scientists say there's an easy shortcut: fly by Venus on the way.

Solar System
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