Browse the complete archive of aerospace journalism with contextual analysis
The Artemis 2 mission, scheduled to launch in early 2026, will mark the first crewed mission of the program, testing critical systems and procedures for future lunar landings. The mission will feature a 10-day journey around the moon, leveraging NASA"s powerful Space Launch System (SLS) rocket and the Orion spacecraft.
A SpaceX Starlink satellite has suffered an anomaly, resulting in a loss of communication and tumbling, with the spacecraft expected to incinerate in Earth's atmosphere within weeks. The event was documented by Vantor's WorldView-3 spacecraft, which imaged the stricken satellite from a distance of 150 miles.
South Korean startup Innospace experienced a setback with its first orbital launch attempt, as the Hanbit-Nano rocket failed to reach orbit due to an anomaly occurring about a minute after liftoff. The incident occurred on December 22, 2025, at the Alcantara Space Center in Brazil.
On December 21, 2025, Rocket Lab launched its 21st and final mission of the year, successfully sending a private Japanese Earth-observing satellite to orbit. This achievement marks a new single-year record for the company, highlighting its growing capabilities in the aerospace industry.
A recent review by NASA's safety panel has determined that the agency should have taken more serious action in response to issues encountered during Boeing's Starliner spacecraft crew test flight, which experienced problems with its maneuvering thrusters and helium leaks. The incident ultimately led to astronauts being forced to stay on the International Space Station for an extended period due to safety concerns.
NASA"s Artemis II astronauts have successfully rehearsed launch-day activities, marking a crucial step towards the mission"s scheduled launch in 2026. The rehearsal, which took place on December 20, 2025, at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, is part of the preparations for the first human mission to the moon in over 50 years.
Tory Bruno has resigned as President and CEO of United Launch Alliance (ULA), effective December 22, 2025, after leading the company for nearly 12 years. During his tenure, ULA performed 83 orbital launches and transitioned to new rocket systems, including the Vulcan rocket.
Japan's H3 rocket suffered a second-stage anomaly during its latest mission, preventing the successful deployment of the QZS-5 navigation satellite. The incident marks the second time the H3 rocket has experienced such an issue since its debut in March 2023.
China is developing a new cargo spacecraft, Qingzhou, to support its Tiangong space station, with capabilities to carry significant payloads to low Earth orbit. The Qingzhou spacecraft is slated for production in 2026, marking a major milestone in China's space program.
A minor geomagnetic storm, caused by speedy solar wind from an Earth-facing coronal hole, is forecasted to make the northern lights visible in 10 US states on December 22-23. This event is expected to reach minor (G1) storm levels overnight, offering a rare opportunity for residents in these states to witness the aurora borealis.
On December 16, 2025, NASA launched a high-altitude scientific balloon from the Ross Ice Shelf in Antarctica as part of the 2025 Antarctica Balloon Campaign to study rare particles from space. The mission aims to gather data on antimatter nuclei and dark matter over several days to weeks.
A satellite image captured by SatVu's HotSat-1 satellite has revealed the thermal footprint of a large Bitcoin-mining data center in Rockdale, Texas, highlighting the significant energy consumption of such facilities. The image provides a unique insight into the environmental impact of cryptocurrency mining.
The SPHEREx telescope has successfully completed its first map of the entire sky, providing a wealth of data for astronomers to study the universe and its evolution. This achievement marks a significant milestone in the mission, which aims to investigate the formation and development of galaxies.
The Japanese H3 rocket experienced a critical failure during its seventh mission, resulting in the loss of the Michibiki 5 navigation satellite, which was intended to support the Quasi-Zenith Satellite System (QZSS). The failure occurred due to a second stage engine ignition issue, highlighting the complexities and challenges associated with space launches.
The year 2025 marked significant achievements in private spaceflight, including the first-ever fully successful private moon landing and India's completion of its first in-space docking. These milestones highlight the growing capabilities and ambitions of private space companies and national space agencies.
The year 2025 marked significant developments in the aerospace industry, including a new NASA administrator, Jared Isaacman, and notable missions such as the Perseverance rover potentially finding evidence of life on Mars. These events, along with proposals like Lockheed Martin's $3 billion plan for Mars Sample Return, highlight the progressing efforts towards space exploration and technological advancement.
The US government has revised its space policy to charge for basic space situational awareness (SSA) services, marking a significant departure from over a decade of providing these services without charge. This change may have major implications for the aerospace industry and the sustainability of government SSA services.
The US Space Force has awarded a $3.5 billion contract to four companies to develop and launch 72 satellites for the Tracking Layer Tranche 3 of the Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture constellation, which will provide critical missile warning and tracking capabilities. The satellite constellation is expected to launch in fiscal year 2029 and will operate in low Earth orbit.
Impulse Space and Starfish Space have successfully demonstrated autonomous rendezvous capabilities in geostationary orbit using the Mira spacecraft, marking a significant technical milestone for the aerospace industry. This achievement showcases the potential for cost-effective and efficient space missions.
Astronomers have detected a gravitational wave signal believed to be the result of a superkilonova, an explosive event caused by the merger of two neutron stars following a supernova explosion. This potential discovery marks the first detection of its kind and has significant implications for our understanding of cosmic phenomena.
The German government has awarded a joint venture between Rheinmetall and Iceye a contract worth over $1.9 billion to develop and operate a synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellite constellation, providing persistent surveillance and reconnaissance data for the German military. This deal marks a significant investment in Germany's national space-based defense capabilities.
Researchers have discovered that Luminous Fast Blue Optical Transients (LFBOTs) are triggered by Tidal Disruption Events (TDEs), where a black hole shreds a companion star, providing new insights into these incredibly bright and short-lived cosmic events. This finding has significant implications for our understanding of the universe and the behavior of black holes.
A photographer has successfully captured a rare image of both elves and sprites, two types of Transient Luminous Events (TLEs), occurring simultaneously above northern Italy on November 26, 2025. This unique observation provides valuable insights into these elusive electrical flashes that occur high above thunderstorms.
The Geminid meteor shower reached its peak around December 13, offering favorable viewing conditions due to a relatively dim moon, and is one of the most active and reliable meteor showers of the year. The shower is caused by debris from the asteroid 3200 Phaethon, which exhibits unusual comet-like behavior.