Space Exploration

Latest about Space Exploration

a handful of white and tan buildings, one with a large blue nasa logo, sit in the foothills of mountains.

NASA's Jet Propulsion Lab closed due to raging LA fires

By Mike Wall published

The approaching Eaton wildfire has forced the closure of the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern California, NASA's lead center for robotic planetary exploration.

Space Exploration
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
a tall, black and white rocket lifts off into a mostly cloudy sky from a Florida launch pad

SpaceX launches 21 new Starlink satellites from Florida

By Robert Z. Pearlman last updated

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket carrying 21 Starlink internet satellites lifts off from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025.

Launches & Spacecraft
a spacecraft with two stubby wings flies above a blue-and-white planet with an orange glow surrounding it

Space Force's secretive X-37B space plane soars past 1 year in orbit

By Leonard David published

The U.S. Space Force X-37B Orbital Test Vehicle (OTV-7) has silently slipped past one-year of flight time.

Tech
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

What is DARPA?

By Julian Dossett last updated

Reference Everything you need to know about the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA)

Reference
a black and white triangular aircraft is docked to a large T-shaped space station covered in rectangular solar panels, some of which extend outward like arms

How NASA and Sierra Space are preparing for Dream Chaser space plane's 1st flight to ISS

By Leonard David published

Sierra Space and NASA's Johnson Space Center are conducting simulations to prepare for the Dream Chaser space plane's first flight to the International Space Station.

Launches & Spacecraft
a cube-shaped spacecraft covered in gold foil sits on a dolly in a white cleanroom

SpaceX launch of private Blue Ghost moon lander set for Jan. 15

By Brett Tingley published

SpaceX and NASA are targeting Jan. 15 for the launch of the private Blue Ghost moon lander from Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

Launches & Spacecraft
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
a spacesuited astronaut gives thumbs up while a white rocket is lit by spotlights on its launch pad

The 'original' John Glenn gave his 'go' for Blue Origin's New Glenn rocket

By Robert Z. Pearlman published

John Glenn's last correspondence before his death was to approve the use of his name for Blue Origin's first orbital-class rocket. Glenn hailed the booster for what it could enable for spaceflight.

Launches & Spacecraft
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Archives