Browse the complete archive of aerospace journalism with contextual analysis
The SPHEREx telescope has successfully completed its first map of the entire sky, providing a wealth of data for astronomers to study the universe and its evolution. This achievement marks a significant milestone in the mission, which aims to investigate the formation and development of galaxies.
The Japanese H3 rocket experienced a critical failure during its seventh mission, resulting in the loss of the Michibiki 5 navigation satellite, which was intended to support the Quasi-Zenith Satellite System (QZSS). The failure occurred due to a second stage engine ignition issue, highlighting the complexities and challenges associated with space launches.
The year 2025 marked significant achievements in private spaceflight, including the first-ever fully successful private moon landing and India's completion of its first in-space docking. These milestones highlight the growing capabilities and ambitions of private space companies and national space agencies.
The year 2025 marked significant developments in the aerospace industry, including a new NASA administrator, Jared Isaacman, and notable missions such as the Perseverance rover potentially finding evidence of life on Mars. These events, along with proposals like Lockheed Martin's $3 billion plan for Mars Sample Return, highlight the progressing efforts towards space exploration and technological advancement.
The US government has revised its space policy to charge for basic space situational awareness (SSA) services, marking a significant departure from over a decade of providing these services without charge. This change may have major implications for the aerospace industry and the sustainability of government SSA services.
The US Space Force has awarded a $3.5 billion contract to four companies to develop and launch 72 satellites for the Tracking Layer Tranche 3 of the Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture constellation, which will provide critical missile warning and tracking capabilities. The satellite constellation is expected to launch in fiscal year 2029 and will operate in low Earth orbit.
Impulse Space and Starfish Space have successfully demonstrated autonomous rendezvous capabilities in geostationary orbit using the Mira spacecraft, marking a significant technical milestone for the aerospace industry. This achievement showcases the potential for cost-effective and efficient space missions.
Astronomers have detected a gravitational wave signal believed to be the result of a superkilonova, an explosive event caused by the merger of two neutron stars following a supernova explosion. This potential discovery marks the first detection of its kind and has significant implications for our understanding of cosmic phenomena.
The German government has awarded a joint venture between Rheinmetall and Iceye a contract worth over $1.9 billion to develop and operate a synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellite constellation, providing persistent surveillance and reconnaissance data for the German military. This deal marks a significant investment in Germany's national space-based defense capabilities.
Researchers have discovered that Luminous Fast Blue Optical Transients (LFBOTs) are triggered by Tidal Disruption Events (TDEs), where a black hole shreds a companion star, providing new insights into these incredibly bright and short-lived cosmic events. This finding has significant implications for our understanding of the universe and the behavior of black holes.
A photographer has successfully captured a rare image of both elves and sprites, two types of Transient Luminous Events (TLEs), occurring simultaneously above northern Italy on November 26, 2025. This unique observation provides valuable insights into these elusive electrical flashes that occur high above thunderstorms.
The Geminid meteor shower reached its peak around December 13, offering favorable viewing conditions due to a relatively dim moon, and is one of the most active and reliable meteor showers of the year. The shower is caused by debris from the asteroid 3200 Phaethon, which exhibits unusual comet-like behavior.
Russia plans to separate its segment from the International Space Station (ISS) in 2030 and utilize it as the core for a new space station, known as ROS, which will be launched into a 51.6-degree inclination orbit. This decision is driven by cost-saving measures due to Russia's current economic situation.
Innospace is set to launch its Hanbit-Nano rocket from the Alcântara Space Center in Brazil, aiming to deliver eight small payloads into low-Earth orbit, while SpaceX has warned of a potentially hazardous Chinese launch. The mission will test the capabilities of Innospace"s hybrid engine technology and mark an important milestone for the company.
The James Webb Space Telescope has observed a galaxy called Virgil undergoing a transformation into a cosmic system dominated by a supermassive black hole, providing insights into the early universe. This discovery sheds light on the formation and evolution of galaxies in the distant past.
The Perseverance Mars rover has traveled approximately 25 miles since landing on Mars and is expected to drive up to 62 miles by the end of its mission, potentially surpassing the current record held by NASA"s Opportunity rover. This achievement highlights the rover"s robust design and capabilities, demonstrating significant progress in planetary exploration.
In a joint effort, NASA and the US Space Force have launched four DiskSat satellites aboard a Rocket Lab Electron rocket to test their performance and viability in low-Earth orbit. The DiskSats, a new type of flat disc-shaped satellite, offer a potentially significant advancement in satellite design with their unmatched power-to-weight ratio.
On December 19, 2025, Comet 3I/ATLAS passed within 168 million miles of Earth, marking a significant event in the study of interstellar objects. The comet"s close approach provided scientists with a unique opportunity to gather data on its composition and trajectory.
Comet 3I/ATLAS, an interstellar comet originating from outside our solar system, made its closest approach to Earth on December 19, providing scientists with a rare opportunity to study this ancient object. The comet is now heading towards the outer solar system, marking the end of its close encounter with our planet.
The interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS was discovered on July 1, 2025, by the NASA-funded ATLAS survey, generating significant public interest due to initial misinformation about its nature. Further analysis revealed it to be a comet similar to those in our solar system, with an icy nucleus surrounded by a coma.
The United States has issued an executive order aimed at ensuring American space superiority, outlining plans to return astronauts to the moon by 2028 and establish a permanent lunar base by 2030. This move is part of a broader effort to extend human discovery, secure economic and security interests, and lay the foundation for a new space age.
The Trump administration has announced a new space policy directive that aims to return humans to the Moon by 2028 and establish a lunar outpost by 2030, marking a significant step in the country"s space exploration efforts. This move is expected to have major implications for the aerospace industry and the future of space travel.
On December 18, 2025, Rocket Lab launched four novel DiskSat satellites from Virginia, marking a significant milestone in the development of advanced satellite technology. The mission, awarded under the Orbital Services Program (OSP-4) contract, aims to demonstrate the capabilities of these innovative satellites in various orbits, including Very Low Earth Orbit (VLEO).
A SpaceX Starlink satellite has suffered a significant malfunction, resulting in a loss of communication and an uncontrolled descent towards Earth. The incident is currently being tracked by SpaceX, NASA, and the U.S. Space Force, with efforts focused on monitoring the debris.