Browse the complete archive of aerospace journalism with contextual analysis
During the first two weeks of March 2025, four bright planets will be visible in the early evening sky, offering a unique opportunity for stargazers to observe Mercury, Venus, Jupiter, and Mars. This celestial alignment occurs due to the planets" positions relative to Earth and the sun, making for an interesting observation period.
SpaceX launched two Falcon 9 missions from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California and Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida, deploying 54 Starlink satellites into low Earth orbit and increasing the total count of Starlink satellites in orbit to over 9,900. The successful launches mark a significant milestone for SpaceX, demonstrating its capabilities in simultaneous launch operations.
The European Space Agency's JUICE spacecraft has successfully imaged interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS, providing a unique glimpse into the composition and structure of this rare celestial object. The image, taken on November 6, 2025, reveals the comet's glowing coma and sweeping tail, offering valuable insights for scientists studying the formation and evolution of our solar system.
The Chandra X-ray Observatory has successfully transformed its X-ray and multiwavelength observations of Jupiter, Saturn, and Uranus into soundscapes, offering a unique auditory perspective on these celestial bodies. This innovative project showcases the telescope's capabilities beyond visual observation.
Open Cosmos has announced its plans to develop a sovereign broadband constellation, called ConnectedCosmos, which will provide secure and reliable connectivity services to Europe. The proposed network will combine point-to-point broadband links and direct-to-device connectivity for Internet of Things (IoT) devices, operating in the Ka-band spectrum and utilizing optical inter-satellite links.
The European Space Agency (ESA) has announced a €100 million funding initiative to accelerate the convergence of satellite and terrestrial communications, aiming to strengthen Europe's position in the emerging direct-to-device (D2D) market. This investment will support projects in four key areas, including AI-enabled network management and early 6G technologies.
A total lunar eclipse will take place on March 3, 2026, and be visible in North America, marking the last such event until December 31, 2028. This celestial occurrence will provide a rare opportunity for observers to witness a selenelion, a unique atmospheric illusion.
A total lunar eclipse will occur on March 3, 2026, visible in North America, the Pacific region, Australia, New Zealand, and east Asia, lasting for 5 hours and 38 minutes with a totality phase of 58 minutes. This event offers a rare opportunity to observe the Moon passing through the Earth's umbra, resulting in a "blood moon" effect.
A total lunar eclipse occurred on March 3, making the Moon appear blood red and visible to over 40% of the world's population, with the best views from North America, Australia, and eastern Asia. The event was a rare celestial phenomenon that offered a unique opportunity for astronomers and skywatchers to observe the Earth's shadow on the Moon.
NASA has outlined its objectives for a Mars communications orbiter, allocating $700 million for the project, which aims to provide communication services for spacecraft operating at Mars through 2035. The orbiter will operate for at least five years and support data rates of up to 100 megabits per second on direct links with Earth.
On March 1, 2026, SpaceX successfully launched its 22nd mission of the year, deploying 29 Starlink satellites into low Earth orbit using a Falcon 9 rocket. The launch marked the 26th flight for the B1078 booster and demonstrated the company"s continued progress in establishing a constellation of satellites for global internet connectivity.
The Firefly Aerospace Alpha rocket is scheduled to launch on March 1, 2026, from Vandenberg Space Force Base, marking its return to flight after a 10-month grounding following a previous launch failure. The upcoming test flight aims to achieve nominal performance of the rocket's first and second stages.
Chinese launch firm CAS Space is set to launch its reusable Kinetica-2 liquid rocket in late March, carrying a prototype cargo spacecraft called Qingzhou-1, with the mission aiming to support the Tiangong space station. This inaugural launch marks a significant step for CAS Space and the broader aerospace industry, with plans for three further Kinetica-2 launches in 2026.
Intuitive Machines has raised $175 million through a stock sale, which will be used to support the development of a deep space communications network and expand its revenue streams. The funding will also contribute to the company's ongoing projects, including the establishment of a lunar satellite network.
On March 1, 2026, SpaceX successfully launched a Falcon 9 rocket carrying 25 Starlink V2 Mini satellites from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. The launch marked another milestone in the expansion of SpaceX"s Starlink internet service.
NASA's Artemis program has undergone significant changes to accelerate lunar return, while a new report emphasizes the search for life as a top priority for the first human mission to Mars. These developments signal a shift in the role of humans in space exploration, with implications for the broader aerospace industry.
The latest addition to the Star Trek franchise, Star Trek: Starfleet Academy, is now available on Paramount+ and has been making waves with its more mature approach to character development. This new series marks a significant shift in the franchise's tone, exploring themes that resonate with adult audiences.
NASA has revised its Artemis 3 mission, abandoning plans for a lunar landing in favor of demonstrating key technologies in low Earth orbit. The new mission will feature the Orion crew capsule rendezvousing with commercial landers, potentially including Blue Origin's Blue Moon lander.
NASA has revised its plans for the Artemis program, changing the objectives of the Artemis 3 mission and postponing the first crewed moon landing to 2028 with the Artemis 4 mission. This adjustment reflects a shift in strategy towards a more sustainable and efficient approach to lunar exploration.
SpaceX successfully launched three Falcon 9 rockets carrying a total of 83 Starlink satellites into low Earth orbit between February 24-27, 2026, expanding its megaconstellation to over 9,850 units. This series of launches marks a significant milestone in the development of SpaceX"s satellite internet network.
Researchers have made a significant discovery about the moon's early history, finding that it once generated a powerful magnetic field, but only for short periods of time. This breakthrough sheds new light on the moon's formation and evolution, with implications for our understanding of the lunar body.
Apple TV has released a trailer for its upcoming series "Star City", a spin-off of the popular show "For All Mankind", which explores the Soviet space program during the Cold War era. The series is set to premiere on May 29, 2026, and will consist of 8 episodes in its first season.
The US Air Force is developing an experimental aircraft, the X-68A, as part of the LongShot program, which can launch from another aircraft and deploy its own air-to-air weapons, potentially increasing the reach of fighter jets while minimizing pilot risk. The first test flights of this uncrewed aerial vehicle (UAV) are expected to occur by the end of this year.
A hypothetical scenario where Godzilla attacks Earth would have devastating effects on the environment and human survival, with the creature's presence being considered a biome-destroying event. Experts discuss the potential consequences and implications of such an event.