Space Exploration

Explore Space Exploration

Latest about Space Exploration

A depiction of the Space Solar Power Incremental and Demonstrations Research (SSPIDR) project, which aims to beam solar power from space to Earth. SSPIDR consists of several small-scale flight experiments that will mature technology needed to build a prototype solar power distribution system.

Japanese satellite will beam solar power to Earth in 2025

By Tereza Pultarova published

Japan will test solar power transmission from space in 2025 with a miniature space-based photoelectric plant that will wirelessly transmit energy from low Earth orbit to Earth.

Satellites
An artist's depiction of a Mars sample-return mission.

'Astrobiodefense:' Thinktank calls for defending Earth from space bugs

By Leonard David published

"As fantastical as it may sound, astrobiodefense is neither hypothetical nor fictional."

Search for Life
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launches 23 Starlink satellites from Florida on April 18, 2024.

SpaceX launches Starlink satellites on company's 40th mission of 2024 (video)

By Mike Wall last updated

SpaceX launched its 40th mission of 2024 this evening (April 18), sending yet another batch of the company's Starlink internet satellites skyward.

Launches & Spacecraft
a rocket floats in a calm sea beneath cloudy skies

Rocket Lab gearing up to refly Electron booster for 1st time

By Meredith Garofalo published

Rocket Lab has put a recovered Electron first stage back into its production line, a big step toward the company's first-ever rocket reflight.

Tech
a tall white rocket with a red square near the top and chinese writing on the side, stands outside a hanger building beneath a blue sky.

China rolls out rocket for next astronaut mission to Tiangong space station (photos)

By Andrew Jones published

Trio of astronauts will be the seventh to visit Tiangong.

Launches & Spacecraft
a big blurry purple orb in space

Sorry, little green men: Alien life might actually be purple

By Sharmila Kuthunur published

The search for alien life can now include purple bacteria, thanks to a new catalog of chemical makeup of the lavender-hued organisms.

Search for Life
a large white rocket with four smaller boosters lifts off above a plume of fire

Russia launches new Angara A5 heavy-lift rocket on 4th orbital test mission (photos)

By Brett Tingley published

Russia's Angara A5 rocket lifted off on April 11, marking the fourth launch of the first rocket developed by Russia since the fall of the USSR in 1991.

Launches & Spacecraft
illustration of a silvery metallic rotorcraft flying over orangish dunes

NASA greenlights 2028 launch for epic Dragonfly mission to Saturn's huge moon Titan

By Sharmila Kuthunur published

The Dragonfly mission is set to launch in July 2028 on a six-year journey to Saturn's largest moon, Titan.

Missions
illustration of a conical space capsule blazing through Earth's atmosphere

NASA still investigating Orion heat shield issues from Artemis 1 moon mission

By Leonard David published

NASA is still studying the performance of the Orion capsule's heat shield during its reentry to Earth's atmosphere at the end of the Artemis 1 moon mission in late 2022.

Artemis
Two men in dark suits shake hands while sitting at a table with documents and two small flags. Both men are wearing glasses.

Sweden becomes 38th country to sign NASA's Artemis Accords for moon exploration

By Josh Dinner published

Sweden is the latest nation to sign onto NASA's Artemis Accords on April 16, following Switzerland's signing earlier this week.

Artemis
123456789Archives