Browse the complete archive of aerospace journalism with contextual analysis
On January 14, 2026, SpaceX launched 29 Starlink satellites into low Earth orbit using a Falcon 9 rocket, marking the company's sixth mission of the year and further expanding its megaconstellation. The successful launch brings the total number of active Starlink units to nearly 9,500, enhancing global internet coverage.
Astronomers have made a significant discovery in the galaxy Sextans A, located near the Milky Way, where stars are forming without essential ingredients like silicon, carbon, and iron. This finding, facilitated by the James Webb Space Telescope, challenges current understanding of star formation and the evolution of the early universe.
On January 13, 2026, China conducted two successful Long March rocket launches, deploying a Yaogan-50 satellite into a highly retrograde orbit and launching nine Guowang satellites into low Earth orbit. This marks the beginning of China's accelerated launch cadence for 2026, with significant implications for the country's space-based capabilities and the global aerospace industry.
Firefly Aerospace is undertaking significant upgrades to its Alpha launch vehicle to improve reliability, following a series of failures that have impacted the vehicle's performance. The upgrades aim to address technical issues and enhance the overall efficiency of the launch system.
Astronomers have discovered that black holes switch between producing powerful jets and energetic winds, never generating both simultaneously, a phenomenon described as a "cosmic seesaw". This finding, made using NASA's Neutron star Interior Composition Explorer (NICER) aboard the International Space Station (ISS), sheds new light on the complex behavior of these celestial objects.
Research suggests that ancient lakes on Mars could have developed thin layers of ice to keep their surface water liquid, despite the planet"s freezing climate, with implications for the search for life beyond Earth. This discovery supports the idea that early Mars could have sustained year-round liquid water, a key ingredient for life.
A medical concern with one of the Crew-11 astronauts has prompted NASA to return four astronauts to Earth early, marking the first-ever medical evacuation from the International Space Station. The astronauts are scheduled to splash down tomorrow morning after undocking from the ISS tonight.
The European Space Agency"s Copernicus Sentinel-2 mission has successfully captured a high-resolution image of southeast Greenland, showcasing the region"s unique landscape and the vast Helheim Glacier. This achievement provides valuable insights into the glacier"s dynamics and its role in the global climate system.
In 2026, space agencies and private companies will focus on developing technologies to survive the harsh lunar night and harness nuclear power for future missions. This effort is crucial for the success of upcoming lunar and Mars missions, including NASA's Artemis program.
The European Space Agency (ESA) and China National Space Administration (CNSA) held a significant meeting in Paris to discuss past successes and future collaborations, marking the first high-level encounter between the two agencies in nearly a decade. The meeting highlighted joint achievements in space science and explored opportunities for expanded cooperation.
An astrophotographer has successfully captured a high-quality image of the Orion Nebula, a vast star-forming region approximately 1,500 light-years from Earth, using a 6-inch Newtonian reflector telescope and narrow-band filters. This achievement demonstrates the capabilities of amateur astronomy equipment in capturing detailed images of celestial objects.
Four astronauts aboard the International Space Station (ISS) have begun their journey back to Earth due to a medical concern, marking an early end to the Crew-11 mission. The crew's return is scheduled to occur after undocking from the ISS, with a skeleton crew of three remaining on the station.
NASA plans to establish a nuclear power plant on the moon by 2030, with the help of the US Department of Energy, to support long-term lunar missions as part of the Artemis program. This initiative aims to provide a reliable and sustainable source of energy for future lunar bases.
Researchers have found that microgravity on the International Space Station can delay infections and alter the evolution of bacteriophages and bacteria, with potential implications for phage therapy and our understanding of viral behavior in space. This discovery sheds new light on the complex interactions between viruses, bacteria, and their environment in microgravity.
SpaceX successfully launched its fourth Starlink mission of 2026, adding 29 Starlink V2 Mini Optimized satellites to the low Earth orbit constellation. The launch, which took place on January 14 at 1:08 p.m. EST, utilized a Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.
The US Space Force has switched the launch vehicle for its upcoming GPS III Space Vehicle 09 satellite from a United Launch Alliance Vulcan rocket to a SpaceX Falcon 9, aiming to expedite the satellite"s entry into orbit while achieving cost savings. This decision reflects the Space Force"s adaptability in managing its launch schedule and providers.
On January 14, the SpaceX Crew-11 mission will undertake a first-ever medical evacuation from the International Space Station (ISS), marking a significant milestone in spaceflight operations. The mission will conclude with a splashdown in the Pacific Ocean off the California coast on January 15.
Astronomers have discovered that a supermassive black hole is responsible for the cessation of star formation in a young galaxy, effectively rendering it "dead". The findings, made possible by the James Webb Space Telescope and Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array, provide new insights into the role of black holes in shaping galaxy evolution.
The Crew-12 mission, a collaborative effort between NASA, SpaceX, the European Space Agency (ESA), and Roscosmos, is set to launch on February 15, carrying a crew of four astronauts to the International Space Station. This mission marks the twelfth crew rotation flight for the Crew Dragon capsule and will be crewed by astronauts from multiple agencies.
On January 14, 2026, NASA will undertake a medical evacuation of four astronauts from the International Space Station (ISS) due to a medical concern with one of the Crew-11 astronauts, marking the first-ever such evacuation from the ISS. The astronauts will return to Earth aboard the SpaceX Crew Dragon Endeavour, splashing down off the U.S. Pacific Coast after an 11-hour transit.
Galactic Resource Utilization Space (GRU) has begun taking $1 million reservations for a hotel on the Moon, with construction scheduled to start in 2029 and completion expected by 2032. The project aims to establish the first permanent off-Earth structure, paving the way for lunar tourism and economic development.
NASA astronaut Mike Fincke has handed over command of the International Space Station (ISS) to Roscosmos cosmonaut Sergey Kud-Sverchkov as Crew-11 prepares for an early departure due to a medical condition, leaving the ISS with a reduced crew until the arrival of Crew-12 in February. This transition marks a significant shift in the station's operations and highlights the complexities of maintaining a continuous human presence in space.
GRU Space, a private aerospace company, has unveiled plans to construct a hotel on the Moon, with the first mission scheduled to launch in 2029 and the hotel expected to be operational by 2032, offering accommodations for up to four guests at a time. The project aims to derive resources from the Moon and beyond, marking a significant development in the pursuit of lunar exploration and commercialization.
Mark Kelly, a former NASA astronaut and current US Senator, has filed a lawsuit against the Pentagon over a censure campaign related to his comments on obeying illegal orders. The case raises important questions about free speech and military protocol, with potential implications for the broader aerospace industry.