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

Space mysteries: How does the ISS stay in orbit without falling to Earth?

By Keith Cooper published

The International Space Station is always falling, yet it never crashes to Earth or burns up in our atmosphere. How is this possible?

International Space Station

Endeavour: NASA's youngest space shuttle

By Tariq Malik last updated

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Chief of Space Operations U.S. Space Force Gen. Chance Saltzman and distinguished guests stand in front of a radar dome belonging to the 23rd Space Operations Squadron Detachment 1 at Pituffik Space Base, Greenland on April 5, 2023. Det. 1's mission is to provide telemetry, tracking and commanding operations to the U.S. and allied government satellite programs.

What is the US Space Force doing in Greenland?

By Julian Dossett published

The United States' northernmost military installation is critical for national security, Space Force officials say.

Missions
The two docking satellites of India's Space Docking Experiment mission, or SpaDex.

Watch India attempt its 1st space docking between satellites live this week after delays

By Tariq Malik last updated

ISRO's SpaDeX satellites will try to dock in orbit on Jan. 8 around 9:30 p.m. EST (0230 Jan. 9 GMT/0800 IST).

Missions
This photomontage shows each of the sample tubes deposited by NASA's Perseverance Mars rover at the Three Forks sample depot, as viewed by the WATSON camera on the end of the rover's robotic arm.

NASA won't decide on overhaul for Mars Sample Return mission until mid-2026

By Mike Wall published

NASA is considering two ways to get its precious Mars samples back to Earth but won't pick a winner for another 18 months or so.

Missions
NASA astronaut Don Pettit posted this view of the northern lights, as seen by the International Space Station, on X on Jan. 5, 2025.

ISS astronaut captures green auroras dancing over city lights (video)

By Mike Wall published

NASA astronaut Don Pettit continues to give us great views of Earth from the ISS, this time beaming home video of green auroras shimmering over bright city lights.

International Space Station
An artist's depiction of a Mars sample-return mission.

NASA will announce update to Mars sample return plans today. Here's how to listen in

By Tariq Malik last updated

NASA's beleaguered Mars Sample Return program currently faces extreme costs of up to $11 billion and a timeline that could reach 2040.

Missions
an endless darkness filled with curved dots and specks of light shining into foreverness.

James Webb Space Telescope spots record-breaking collection of stars in far-flung galaxy

By Sharmila Kuthunur published

The James Webb Space Telescope captured images of 44 individual stars in a gorgeous portrait of a distant galaxy.

James Webb Space Telescope
An illustration of two Indian satellites nearing each other in orbit.

India delays 1st space docking of SpaDeX satellites, 'further validation' needed

By Tariq Malik published

India postponed its first attempt to dock two SpaDex satellites in Earth orbit from Jan. 6 until Jan. 9, to allow more time for tests.

Missions
a lot of rocket launch images stacked in rows and columns.

US Space Force broke its launch record in 2024 with 93 liftoffs

By Samantha Mathewson published

An impressive 93 launches lifted off from Florida’s coast in 2024, setting a new Space Force record for the second year in a row.

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