Browse the complete archive of aerospace journalism with contextual analysis
On December 18, Blue Origin is scheduled to launch its NS-37 mission, marking the first time a wheelchair user will venture into space. This historic flight aboard the New Shepard vehicle will carry six individuals, including Michaela Benthaus, an aerospace engineer at the European Space Agency, on a brief suborbital journey.
On December 11, 2025, SpaceX successfully launched 29 Starlink satellites into Earth orbit using a Falcon 9 rocket, marking the company's 161st flight of the year and expanding its satellite network to over 10,000 units. This launch highlights the rapid growth of the Starlink megaconstellation and its implications for global telecommunications.
NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory has unveiled a new set of colorful images showcasing the intricate structures within galaxy clusters, providing valuable insights into these massive cosmic entities. The images feature five major galaxy clusters, highlighting jet-blown bubbles, cooling gas, and sound waves in vivid detail.
Researchers using the Center for High Angular Resolution Astronomy (CHARA) array have successfully captured close-up images of thermonuclear explosions on two white dwarfs, revealing complex eruptions and providing new insights into these celestial events. This breakthrough observation has significant implications for our understanding of nova eruptions and their role in the universe.
SpaceX plans to go public in 2026, seeking a valuation of $1.5 trillion to fund its expansive plans, including the buildout of data centers in space and the establishment of AI-satellite factories on the moon. This move marks a significant milestone for the company as it continues to push the boundaries of space technology and exploration.
SpaceX is planning to go public through an initial public offering (IPO) next year, aiming to raise tens of billions of dollars to further develop its technologies, including a modified version of the Starlink satellite. The move is expected to have major implications for the aerospace industry and beyond.
Researchers have discovered a Tatooine-like exoplanet orbiting a binary star system, with the planet located six times closer to its parent stars than any previously directly imaged binary system exoplanet. This finding has significant implications for our understanding of planetary formation and the search for life beyond Earth.
Stanford researchers have achieved a significant technical milestone by using artificial intelligence to navigate a free-flying robot around the International Space Station, paving the way for more autonomous space missions. This breakthrough demonstrates the potential for AI to enhance the efficiency and safety of space exploration.
The James Webb Space Telescope has found evidence of an atmosphere around TOI-561 b, a rocky exoplanet located 280 light-years from Earth, challenging the prevailing wisdom that small planets close to their stars cannot sustain atmospheres. This discovery provides new insights into the formation and evolution of planetary systems.
Scientists have successfully mapped vast, continent-scale river drainage systems on Mars for the first time, revealing a complex network of isolated watersheds and mega-basins that could hold clues to the planet"s past habitability. This breakthrough discovery has significant implications for the search for life beyond Earth.
The European Space Agency's JUICE spacecraft and the Hubble Space Telescope have successfully captured images of interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS, providing valuable insights into its composition and behavior. This discovery marks a significant milestone in the study of interstellar objects, with potential implications for our understanding of the formation and evolution of solar systems.
A group of leading astronomers is urging the Chilean government to halt the development of a green hydrogen plant near the Cerro Paranal observatory due to concerns over light pollution and potential disruptions to astronomical research. The proposed plant could increase light pollution by up to 35% and create micro-vibrations that negatively affect the operation of some astronomical facilities.
The US Space Force has approved the export of L3Harris Technologies" Meadowlands satellite-jamming system to select American allies, allowing for the sale of this critical counter-space capability through the Foreign Military Sales program. This decision marks a significant development in the sharing of advanced electromagnetic-warfare tools with key international partners.
SpaceX is scheduled to launch 29 Starlink V2 Mini satellites to low Earth orbit on its Falcon 9 rocket, marking the company"s 161st orbital launch of the year. The mission aims to expand SpaceX"s constellation of satellites providing global internet connectivity.
NASA has lost communication with the Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution (MAVEN) spacecraft, one of its three orbiters around Mars, prompting concerns about the reliability of its Martian relay network. The incident occurs as the agency faces challenges with its aging fleet of Mars orbiters, including the impending fuel depletion of the Mars Odyssey orbiter.
Blue Origin is working towards achieving certification under the U.S. Space Force's National Security Space Launch program by conducting four successful orbital flights with its New Glenn rocket, with a third launch expected earlier in the new year. Upon certification, Blue Origin will be eligible to compete for national security launch missions.
Scientists have confirmed that galaxy mergers trigger supermassive black hole activity, using data from the Euclid space telescope to observe over 1.2 million galaxies in a single year. This discovery has significant implications for our understanding of the universe and the role of supermassive black holes within it.
On December 10, Rocket Lab launched the NEONSAT-1A satellite aboard its Electron rocket from New Zealand, aiming to monitor natural disasters in the Korean Peninsula. This launch marks the second NEONSAT satellite deployed by Rocket Lab, following the successful launch of NEONSAT-1 in April 2024.
NASA has lost contact with its MAVEN Mars orbiter after the spacecraft disappeared behind the Red Planet, prompting an investigation into the anomaly. The incident occurred on December 6 and has significant implications for NASA's ongoing Mars exploration efforts.
A damaged Russian launch pad has prompted NASA to accelerate the launch of two Cargo Dragon supply missions to the International Space Station, ensuring a steady supply of essential goods for astronauts on board. The incident highlights the complexities and challenges of maintaining a reliable supply chain in space exploration.
On December 10, 2025, SpaceX successfully launched 27 Starlink satellites into low Earth orbit from Vandenberg Space Force Base, marking a significant expansion of its satellite constellation. This launch brings the total number of operational Starlink satellites to over 9,000, further solidifying the company"s position in the global satellite communications market.
A breathtaking image of Comet C/2025 R2 (SWAN) passing in front of the Eagle Nebula and the Pillars of Creation was captured on October 17, 2025, providing a unique glimpse into the celestial world. This rare event will not be repeated for approximately 1,400 years.
A reexamination of 40-year-old data from the Voyager 2 spacecraft's encounter with Uranus has uncovered surprising details about the planet's radiation belts and magnetosphere, suggesting that Uranus may have more in common with Earth than previously thought. The findings provide new insights into the planetary magnetic fields and their interactions with the solar wind.
The European Southern Observatory is building the Extremely Large Telescope, a groundbreaking instrument that will enable scientists to study the universe with unprecedented clarity and shed new light on its origins. The ELT will be capable of directly imaging small, rocky exoplanets and measuring the universe"s rate of expansion.