Browse the complete archive of aerospace journalism with contextual analysis
Firefly Aerospace"s Alpha rocket successfully reached orbit on its seventh flight, marking a significant milestone for the company after experiencing two major mishaps in 2025. The mission, dubbed "Stairway to Seven," launched from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California on March 11, 2026.
The European Space Agency (ESA) is preparing to launch three cutting-edge satellites, FLEX, Sentinel-3C, and MTG-I2, designed to enhance Earth observation, weather forecasting, and climate monitoring capabilities. These satellites will provide critical data for understanding our planet"s health and predicting severe weather events.
Voyager Technologies has invested in Max Space to accelerate the development of expandable modules for lunar missions, with the goal of providing a reliable and efficient habitat solution for future space exploration. This partnership aims to leverage Max Space's innovative habitat architecture to support NASA's Artemis program and other lunar initiatives.
Using the European Southern Observatory's Very Large Telescope, astronomers have captured a new image of the supermassive black hole at the heart of the Milky Way galaxy, revealing a third cloud of gas orbiting the black hole. This discovery provides valuable insights into the environment surrounding the black hole and sheds light on the dynamics of our galaxy's core.
Scientists analyzing images from NASA"s Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART) mission have found visual evidence that small asteroids exchange rocks and dust, reshaping their surfaces over millions of years. This discovery provides new insights into the dynamics of binary asteroid systems.
The NASA Artemis 2 mission, a crucial step towards returning humans to the moon, has been delayed due to liquid hydrogen fuel leaks discovered on the launch pad, with the launch rocket being transported back to its hangar for investigation. The delay is expected to last until at least April, with a press conference scheduled for March 12 to discuss the mission update.
Astronomers have discovered that the interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS is rich in methanol, a simple alcohol molecule, which could provide clues about the formation of planets and icy bodies around other stars. This finding has significant implications for our understanding of the early stages of solar system development.
The NASA Office of Inspector General has released a report assessing the agency's management of moon lander risk for upcoming Artemis missions, identifying gaps in testing critical lander systems. The report highlights the challenges and complexities involved in reducing risks for crewed lunar missions.
SpaceX is nearing the launch of its most powerful Starship rocket yet, with the first-ever launch of the upgraded vehicle expected in early April. The launch will mark a significant milestone for the company"s Starship program, which aims to develop a reusable spacecraft capable of carrying both crew and cargo to the moon, Mars, and other destinations in the solar system.
NASA has revised its plans for the Artemis program, selecting a new upper stage for the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket and adopting a standardized configuration to establish a long-term human presence on the lunar surface. This change aims to enhance the efficiency and sustainability of future lunar missions.
The Hubble and Euclid space telescopes have captured a new image of the Cat's Eye Nebula, a planetary nebula located 4,400 light-years away from Earth in the constellation Draco, revealing stunning details about the end of a star's life cycle. This discovery provides valuable insights into the final stages of stellar evolution.
Lux Aeterna has raised $10 million to develop fully reusable satellites, which could significantly reduce costs and increase flexibility in the space economy. This breakthrough technology has the potential to transform the aerospace industry by enabling satellites to return to Earth and relaunch almost instantly.
The Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART) mission has achieved a significant milestone by altering the orbit of the asteroid Dimorphos around its binary companion Didymos and the sun. This accomplishment demonstrates the effectiveness of kinetic impactor technology in deflecting asteroids, with implications for future planetary defense strategies.
On March 10, 2026, SpaceX launched the EchoStar XXV TV satellite into a geosynchronous transfer orbit on its 30th mission of the year, marking another milestone in the company's busy launch schedule. The successful launch will provide TV signals for Dish Network customers.
SpaceX successfully launched the EchoStar 25 satellite on a Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, marking a significant milestone in the deployment of direct television satellites. The satellite will operate in geostationary Earth orbit, providing critical communications services to customers across the continent.
China is planning to land its first astronauts on the moon before the end of the decade, with the Rimae Bode region identified as a priority candidate landing area due to its diverse landscape of volcanic plains and ancient highlands. The mission will utilize a lunar lander and an unpressurized rover for sampling, marking a significant step in China"s space exploration program.
The development of smart telescopes has significantly impacted the field of astronomy and astrophotography, offering users a simple and immersive experience with advanced technology such as Newtonian design and OLED micro-displays. These innovative devices have made it easier for both beginners and experienced enthusiasts to explore the night sky.
SpaceX has successfully completed cryoproof operations for its Ship 39, a crucial step towards the vehicle"s first flight, marking a significant milestone in the development of the Starship program. This achievement paves the way for Ship 39 to embark on its maiden voyage, designated as Flight 12.
A meteorite pierced the roof of a house in Koblenz, Germany, on March 8, 2026, following a widely observed fireball event that was reported by over 2,800 witnesses across western Europe. The incident resulted in no injuries and provided scientists with a rare opportunity to study a freshly fallen meteorite.
The final teaser trailer for the movie Project Hail Mary, based on the novel by Andy Weir and starring Ryan Gosling, has been released, confirming a March 20, 2026, release date. A limited number of IMAX screens will show the movie a week early.
The International Space Station is expected to remain in operation until September 30, 2032, following the advancement of a NASA Authorization bill that extends its retirement by two years. This decision aims to maintain continuous human presence and capabilities in low Earth orbit (LEO) while also supporting U.S. interests in human spaceflight.
On Sunday, March 8, 2026, SpaceX launched a Falcon 9 rocket carrying 25 Starlink satellites into low Earth orbit, marking the company"s 29th launch of the year and bringing the total number of active Starlink satellites to 9,915. This launch demonstrates SpaceX"s continued progress in deploying its satellite constellation.
The US space policy now emphasizes commercial integration, with private companies like SpaceX providing key services, but this shift raises concerns about structural vulnerabilities and dependence on a single company. The NASA Reauthorization Act of 2026 and the U.S. Space Force’s 2024 Commercial Space Strategy highlight the government’s efforts to partner with American commercial providers.
NASA has chosen United Launch Alliance’s (ULA) Centaur 5 upper stage to be used in its Space Launch System (SLS) rocket, starting with the Artemis 4 mission scheduled for early 2028. This decision marks a significant change in NASA’s plans for the SLS rocket, which was originally designed with a different upper stage in mind.