Browse the complete archive of aerospace journalism with contextual analysis
SpaceX"s Starship megarocket completed its 13th test flight, deploying 20 next-generation Starlink satellites and executing a soft splashdown off the coast of Western Australia. This milestone marks a significant step forward for the company"s reusable spacecraft technology.
Rocket Lab has been awarded a $266 million contract by the US Space Force to launch up to 18 missile defense missions from Alaska, with most launches taking place from the Pacific Spaceport Complex on Kodiak Island. The deal marks a significant expansion of Rocket Lab's involvement in national security space activities.
Orbes has announced an agreement with Symphony Space to launch the Exo-ORB satellite, a free-flying spacecraft equipped with advanced propulsion systems, to capture high-quality imagery of an uncrewed Symphony Space station. The mission is slated to launch in late 2027 or early 2028 alongside the Prelude mission.
Amazon has filed an application with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to deploy a constellation of over 5,100 satellites in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) to provide direct-to-device services using Globalstar spectrum. This move aims to enable global mobile network connectivity and supplement Amazon"s existing satellite systems.
Blue Origin will test its New Glenn upper stages at NASA's Stennis Space Center this fall, leveraging the facility's B-2 test stand as part of its infrastructure expansion. This collaboration marks a significant milestone in Blue Origin's development of the New Glenn launch vehicle, which is slated to play a key role in NASA's Artemis lunar exploration campaign.
Intel Corporation has developed a new processor, called Starfire, designed for high-power performance and resilience in space applications, with initial availability expected by the end of the year. This development marks a significant milestone in the advancement of space computing technology.
Rocket Lab has been awarded a $266 million contract by the U.S. Space Force to establish a new launch site in Alaska for suborbital missions, expanding its role in national security launches. The contract covers up to 18 launches, with the first scheduled for no earlier than the end of 2026.
The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in space exploration poses significant benefits, such as enhanced efficiency and decision-making, but also introduces risks, including the potential development of lethal autonomous weapons systems. As states navigate these complexities, international cooperation is crucial for establishing guidelines that ensure the safe and responsible use of AI in space.
On July 27, 1962, Russian cosmonauts Andriyan Nikolayev and Pavel Popovich completed a historic zero-gravity training session aboard a modified Tupolev Tu-104 jetliner, preparing them for the groundbreaking Vostok 3 and Vostok 4 missions. This achievement marked a significant milestone in space exploration, demonstrating the feasibility of simulating weightlessness on an aircraft.
Scientists propose a novel method to search for signs of alien life by looking beyond traditional biological and technological markers, instead focusing on indicators of intelligence that could be hiding in plain sight. This new approach, rooted in the study of noosemiotics, aims to broaden our understanding of what constitutes life beyond Earth.
The Curiosity Mars rover, having traveled over 20 miles on the Martian surface, has experienced damage to its wheels due to the rocky terrain, but they remain functional. This development highlights the challenges of long-term planetary exploration and the robustness of the rover's design.
Researchers have discovered a supermassive black hole stirring up gas in a distant galaxy, preventing star formation as expected, with the observation providing insights into the complex interactions between black holes and their host galaxies. This finding has significant implications for our understanding of galaxy evolution and the role of supermassive black holes in shaping their surroundings.
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has approved an application by Reflect Orbital to launch a 59-by-59-foot space mirror, raising concerns about light pollution and its potential impact on astronomy. This decision highlights the challenges of regulating private space activities and the limitations of international law in mitigating their effects.
The grounding of United Launch Alliance's (ULA) Vulcan Centaur rocket has led to significant financial difficulties for the company, with Lockheed Martin providing a bank guarantee for a loan taken by ULA. The Vulcan Centaur is expected to resume launches in the second half of 2026 after addressing technical issues.
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California, carrying 24 Starlink V2 Mini satellites into a targeted orbit. The mission marked the seventh of eight planned Falcon 9 launches this month from the base.
On May 25, 1997, a manual docking maneuver gone wrong resulted in a collision between the Progress cargo ship and the Space Station Mir, causing a decompression incident that left the crew with only 23 minutes of oxygen before repairs could be made. This incident highlights critical safety concerns and the importance of rigorous protocols in space exploration.
This week marks the 50th anniversary of NASA's Viking 1 landing on Mars, a historic event that significantly advanced our understanding of the planet. Meanwhile, SpaceX is preparing for its Starship Flight 13, and a Chinese Long March 3B rocket recently withstood a lightning strike during liftoff.
The US Office of Space Commerce has announced plans to implement a voluntary mission authorization system for novel space activities, aiming to ensure compliance with international treaties and regulations. This new system will facilitate interagency reviews and provide a streamlined process for companies to obtain approval for their space missions.
A Long March-3B rocket was struck by lightning 30 seconds after liftoff from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center on July 23, 2026, but still successfully delivered its payload to geostationary orbit. The incident highlights the robustness of modern launch vehicles and the experience of space agencies in dealing with such events.
Fifty years ago, NASA"s Viking 1 spacecraft made history by landing on Mars, a milestone that significantly advanced our understanding of the planet and paved the way for future missions. This achievement is being commemorated through a live podcast discussion featuring experts Dr. Pascal Lee and Dr. Penny Boston.
On July 24, SpaceX successfully launched its Starship on the 13th suborbital test flight from Starbase, Texas, deploying a payload of functioning satellites into space. The mission marked a significant milestone for the company, demonstrating its capability to launch and test satellite technology in tandem with the development of its reusable spacecraft.
SpaceX successfully launched its Starship rocket on July 24, 2026, as part of the critical 13th test flight, demonstrating significant advancements in reusable technology. The mission marked a crucial step forward for the company, with the Super Heavy Booster returning to Earth and the Starship upper stage landing softly in the Indian Ocean.
On July 23, 2026, China launched a Long March 3B rocket and a Kinetica-1 solid rocket, delivering several satellites into orbit, including the Tianlian-2 (06) relay satellite, despite a lightning strike hitting the Long March 3B rocket 30 seconds into flight. The successful launches bring China's total orbital launches for the year to 51, as the country aims to exceed 100 launches in 2026.
The European Union has implemented a 24-hour delay in the release of certain satellite images from its Copernicus program due to security concerns raised by the United States, affecting the Gulf of Oman region. This move marks an exception to the EU's open data policy for its Earth observation satellites.