Missions

Latest about Missions

Watch Russian Progress cargo spacecraft launch to the ISS on Nov. 21

By Elizabeth Howell published

Liftoff is scheduled for 7:22 a.m. EST. (1222 GMT).

International Space Station
Scientists measured the speed of sound on Mars using a microphone on the SuperCam instrument on NASA's Perseverance rover.

Did NASA's Perseverance rover really find organics on Mars? These scientists aren't so sure

By Victoria Corless last updated

Could Mars have once hosted life? NASA's Perseverance rover has uncovered a tantalizing clue, but scientists remain divided on what it truly means for the search for extraterrestrial life.

Mars Rovers
the international space station as photographed while looking down at Earth

ISS fires thrusters to dodge hunk of space junk

By Mike Wall published

A Russian cargo ship docked to the International Space Station fired its thrusters on Tuesday (Nov. 19) to ensure that the orbiting complex dodged a piece of space debris.

International Space Station
Zarya, also known as the Functional Cargo Block, was the very first space station component launched. It reached space on Nov. 20, 1998 aboard a Russian Proton rocket. While the module was built and launched by Russia, it is actually a U.S. component. Initially, Zarya provided electrical power and navigational guidance to the station, but since many other modules have been added, it now also serves as storage for the long-term crews that stay aboard the station.

On this day in space! Nov. 20, 1998: International Space Station Construction Begins

By Hanneke Weitering last updated

On Nov. 20, 1998, the first piece of the International Space Station launched into orbit.

Space Shuttle

NASA's Spirit Rover: Everything you need to know

By Elizabeth Howell last updated

Spirit's explorations provided scientists with a remarkable glimpse into Mars' early and wet history.

Mars Rovers

SpaceX Starlink satellites seen as ‘wonky streaks’ by ISS astronaut (photos)

By Elizabeth Howell published

"Starlink satellites look like a miniature version of the monolith from '2001: A Space Odyssey.' "

International Space Station

Green auroras and a SpaceX Dragon glow in new astronaut photos from the ISS

By Elizabeth Howell published

The long-duration photographs capture Earth in motion.

International Space Station
in a pink haze of space, a galaxy near center top shoots three blue lines downward left, to a gaseous smudge labeled LMC Halo.

Hubble Telescope witnesses Milky Way strip its galactic neighbor of gas

By Conor Feehly published

The Hubble Space Telescope may have captured our Milky Way galaxy being a bit of a bully.

Hubble Space Telescope
a space station floats above earth, over an ocean or sea

The ISS has been leaking for 5 years. NASA and Russia disagree on how to fix it

By Elizabeth Howell published

Crew-8 commander Matthew Dominick says NASA is carefully making decisions for astronaut safety while the ISS deals with a leak, and spacesuit issues, related to aging hardware.

International Space Station

A guide to the Canadian Space Agency: Key missions, achievements, and future plans

By Elizabeth Howell last updated

Reference Discover everything you need to know about the Canadian Space Agency, including its missions, achievements, and role in space exploration.

Reference
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