Browse the complete archive of aerospace journalism with contextual analysis
The European Retrievable Carrier mission (EURECA) satellite was scanned using a high-energy X-ray system, revealing internal damage including cracks in composite struts and damage to scientific instruments. This study provides valuable insights for the development of future reusable space hardware.
Firefly Aerospace has successfully landed its Blue Ghost 1 spacecraft on the moon, marking a major milestone for the company and NASA's Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) program. This achievement demonstrates the effectiveness of public-private partnerships in advancing space exploration.
Phil McAlister, a key figure in NASA"s commercial space initiatives, has left an indelible mark on the industry by saving the agency tens of billions of dollars and reinstating the United States" capability to transport astronauts to the International Space Station. His advocacy for public-private partnerships has paved the way for a new era in space exploration.
The increasing number of satellites in low Earth orbit is expected to interfere with the operation of future orbital telescopes, posing a significant threat to astronomical research. This interference could potentially limit the ability of these telescopes to conduct observations, impacting our understanding of the universe.
Billionaire private astronaut Jared Isaacman testified before the US Senate on December 3, 2024, as part of his nomination process for NASA administrator, marking a significant step in his potential leadership of the agency. Isaacman's nomination has major implications for the future of NASA and the US space program.
Blue Origin has revealed the crew for its upcoming NS-37 suborbital mission, which will include the first wheelchair user in space, marking a significant milestone in accessible space travel. The mission, set to reach the Kármán Line, will be the 37th flight of the reusable New Shepard rocket-capsule combo.
China"s Landspace attempted to launch and recover its first reusable rocket, the Zhuque-3, but the mission ended in failure when the first stage booster caught fire during landing, despite successfully reaching low Earth orbit. The incident is currently under investigation by Landspace.
A stunning new image of the Large Magellanic Cloud, a dwarf galaxy located approximately 160,000 light-years from Earth, showcases its intense star-forming activity. The galaxy, classified as an irregular galaxy due to its lack of a coherent spiral structure, is experiencing a burst of new star formation, providing valuable insights into the processes that shape the universe.
A high-speed solar wind stream and an incoming coronal mass ejection (CME) are expected to cause geomagnetic storms, making the northern lights visible in 15 US states on December 3-4. This phenomenon is a result of increased solar activity, which can affect Earth's magnetic field and atmosphere.
Private astronaut Jared Isaacman testified before the US Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, reiterating his commitment to NASA's Artemis Program and defending his draft plan, Project Athena, which aims to assess how the agency can adapt to the modern space age. The plan is seen as crucial in maintaining US supremacy in spaceflight amidst a growing threat from China.
The European Space Agency (ESA) is set to launch two Galileo satellites on an Ariane 6 rocket from Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana on December 17, marking a significant milestone in the Galileo programme, a flagship initiative of the European Union. This launch will further enhance the capabilities of the Galileo constellation, which has been making a difference across various fields, including navigation, rail, maritime, agriculture, and rescue operations.
LandSpace successfully launched its new Zhuque-3 rocket, reaching its target orbit despite a failed landing attempt, marking a significant step forward for China"s reusable rocketry program. This achievement has major implications for the country"s space industry and its ability to compete with the US launch sector.
Jared Isaacman has appeared before the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation for a hearing to become NASA's next administrator, receiving broad support from the space community. A vote to advance his nomination is scheduled for December 8.
The European Space Agency has selected a consortium led by Thales Alenia Space to develop the Argonaut Lunar Descent Element, a crucial component of the Argonaut lunar lander, which is slated to launch on an Ariane 64 rocket in 2030. This development marks a significant step forward in the agency"s efforts to establish a human presence on the Moon as part of the broader Artemis program.
The US Air Force has granted SpaceX permission to launch its Starship spacecraft from Space Launch Complex-37 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, allowing for up to 76 launches and 152 landings per year. This development marks a significant milestone in the company"s plans for reusable space technology.
The James Webb Space Telescope has observed a distant "super-puff" exoplanet, WASP-107b, shedding its helium atmosphere into space, providing valuable insights into the planet"s history and the effects of stellar radiation on planetary atmospheres. This discovery has significant implications for our understanding of planetary formation and evolution.
Scientists propose utilizing bacteria to create building materials on Mars, reducing reliance on Earth-based supplies and potentially paving the way for sustainable human settlements. This innovative approach, slated for the 2030s, leverages in-situ resource utilization and biomineralization to construct habitats using local Martian resources.
The Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO) spacecraft, a collaborative project between NASA and the European Space Agency (ESA), has completed 30 years of observing the sun, providing invaluable insights into its structure, dynamics, and behavior. This milestone marks a significant achievement in the field of solar research, with SOHO having studied nearly three solar cycles and captured numerous solar flares and coronal mass ejections.
Scientists have detected sugars crucial to life, including ribose and glucose, in samples from asteroid Bennu brought back by NASA's OSIRIS-REx spacecraft, suggesting that the basic chemical ingredients needed for biology were common throughout the early solar system. This discovery has significant implications for our understanding of the origins of life.
On December 2, 2025, SpaceX successfully launched 29 new Starlink satellites into low Earth orbit aboard a Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral, marking the 155th flight of the Falcon 9 in 2025. This launch is part of SpaceX"s ongoing efforts to expand its Starlink satellite constellation, which aims to provide global broadband internet coverage.
The European Space Agency has approved a three-year budget of nearly 22.1 billion Euros, marking a significant increase in funding for science exploration and dual-use technologies, while NASA faces deep cuts to its 2026 budget. This development is expected to have major implications for the aerospace industry, with potential impacts on Europe's sovereignty and autonomy in critical infrastructure.
A Russian cosmonaut, Oleg Artemyev, has been removed from SpaceX's upcoming Crew 12 mission due to alleged violations of U.S. national security regulations, specifically the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR). This incident highlights the complexities and sensitivities involved in international cooperation in space exploration.
Scientists have calculated that time passes approximately 477 millionths of a second faster per day on Mars than on Earth due to the planet's weaker gravity and more eccentric orbit. This discovery has significant implications for future navigation and communication networks between the two planets.
The International Space Station has reached its maximum capacity with eight docked spacecraft, marking a historic milestone in the station's operational history. This achievement showcases the station's versatility and highlights the growing importance of the ISS as a hub for international cooperation and space research.