Browse the complete archive of aerospace journalism with contextual analysis
The Gemini North telescope has captured an image of the Crystal Ball Nebula, a planetary nebula located approximately 1,500 light-years away, providing insights into the death of a star. This image shows the nebula as it appeared 1,500 years ago, offering a unique glimpse into the past.
NASA has announced plans to establish a permanent human settlement near the moon's south pole, with the Artemis program playing a crucial role in this endeavor. The agency will provide updates on its progress and strategies for achieving this goal, marking a significant step towards sustainable lunar exploration.
On May 22, Rocket Lab will launch an Earth-observing radar satellite called Strix for the Japanese company Synspective, marking the ninth mission between the two companies. The satellite will be deployed in low Earth orbit using Rocket Lab's Electron rocket.
On May 21, 2026, SpaceX launched a batch of 29 Starlink V2 Mini Optimized satellites into low Earth orbit from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, marking the 46th mission in support of its Starlink program. The successful launch and subsequent landing of the Falcon 9 first stage booster underscore the company's ongoing efforts to expand its satellite constellation and advance reusable rocket technology.
SpaceX launched its Falcon 9 rocket from Vandenberg Space Force Base on May 19, 2026, adding 24 broadband internet satellites to the Starlink constellation, which now consists of over 10,000 spacecraft. This mission marks a significant milestone in the development of SpaceX"s satellite internet network, with more than 600 Starlink satellites supporting direct-to-device capabilities.
On Friday, May 15, SpaceX launched its Cargo Dragon spacecraft on the third attempt, carrying 6,500 pounds of science and supplies to the International Space Station after overcoming initial weather-related delays. The successful launch marks a crucial milestone in the ongoing collaboration between NASA and SpaceX under the Commercial Resupply Services (CRS) program.
United Launch Alliance (ULA) has successfully completed a static fire test of a Graphite Epoxy Motor (GEM) 63XL Solid Rocket Booster (SRB), a crucial component of the Vulcan rocket, as the company continues to investigate an anomaly that occurred during a recent launch. This milestone marks a significant step forward in ULA's efforts to resume flights with its Vulcan rockets.
SpaceX is set to launch its Starship V3 rocket on May 19, marking a significant milestone in the development of its next-generation spacecraft. The mission will demonstrate new technologies and capabilities in a suborbital flight environment.
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched the NROL-172 mission from Vandenberg Space Force Base, carrying intelligence-gathering satellites for the National Reconnaissance Office, marking the 13th mission in support of the proliferated architecture constellation. This launch is significant as it contributes to the enhancement of the US military"s geospatial intelligence capabilities.
The Link spacecraft, designed to rescue NASA"s Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory from falling back into the Earth"s atmosphere, has successfully completed its environmental testing at NASA"s Goddard Space Flight Center. The mission is scheduled to launch in June 2026 aboard a Pegasus XL air-launched rocket.
SpaceX has announced a private mission to Mars, led by cryptocurrency billionaire Chun Wang, with the goal of conducting a flyby expedition of the planet. The mission, which will also include a flyby of the moon, does not yet have a target date or year.
SpaceX is set to launch its Starship V3 rocket on May 22, carrying 22 dummy Starlink internet satellites in a critical test flight that marks the first launch of the world"s largest and most powerful rocket. The mission aims to demonstrate the capabilities of the new rocket and pave the way for future commercial and crewed flights.
The Smile spacecraft launched on a Vega-C rocket from Europe's Spaceport in French Guiana, beginning its mission to study Earth's magnetic shield and its response to solar storms. The spacecraft will utilize X-ray and ultraviolet cameras to observe the magnetic field, collecting data for 45 hours at a time.
The European Space Agency (ESA) is nearing the launch of its Plato satellite, designed to discover potentially habitable exoplanets around bright stars similar to the Sun, with a planned liftoff in early 2027 on board an Ariane 6 from Europe"s Spaceport in French Guiana. The mission aims to determine the sizes of exoplanets and discover exomoons and rings around them using its 26 cameras.
European Space Agency astronaut Sophie Adenot will participate in a live Q&A session from the International Space Station, discussing her ongoing research activities, which include conducting up to 36 experiments on behalf of Europe. The session is part of the εpsilon mission, highlighting the significance of international collaboration in space exploration and scientific discovery.
SpaceX is set to launch the third generation of its Starship rocket, marking a significant milestone in the development of the company's ambitious spacecraft. The suborbital mission, dubbed Flight 12, will test the capabilities of the new rocket and pave the way for future orbital flights.
Lunar Outpost has secured $30 million in funding to develop the Pegasus rover, aiming to launch it in 2028 as part of a broader effort to create an ecosystem of infrastructure on the moon. This initiative marks a significant step forward in lunar exploration and development.
The Perseverance rover has taken an image of a stack of rocks on the Martian surface, likely formed by wind erosion or exposure to flowing water, providing insights into the geological history of Mars. This discovery is significant as it highlights the role of winds in shaping the Martian landscape.
The Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) has released its most complete view of the sky over Earth, identifying approximately 6,000 potential exoplanets and providing valuable insights into the universe. This discovery has significant implications for the broader aerospace industry and our understanding of planetary formation.
The James Webb Space Telescope has successfully observed the daily weather cycle of exoplanet WASP-94Ab, a hot Jupiter located 690 light-years from Earth, revealing clouds of sand in the morning that clear by sunset. This discovery sheds new light on the atmospheric conditions of exoplanets and demonstrates the telescope's capabilities in studying their properties.
President Donald Trump has nominated Lt. Gen. Douglas Schiess for promotion to four-star general and selected him to become the next chief of space operations, signaling continuity in the US Space Force"s emphasis on operational readiness. This nomination comes as the Space Force continues to grow and develop its capabilities.
On May 2, 2026, SpaceX successfully launched a Falcon 9 rocket from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California, carrying the CAS500-2 satellite and 44 other payloads into a Sun-synchronous orbit. The mission marked the 33rd flight of the Falcon 9 first stage booster B1071, which landed safely back at Landing Zone 4 less than 7.5 minutes after liftoff.
On Sunday, May 3, at 2:59 a.m. EDT, SpaceX successfully launched 45 satellites into low Earth orbit using its Falcon 9 rocket, with the primary payload being the CAS500-2 Earth-observation satellite. The mission marked the 54th launch of the year for SpaceX and demonstrated the company's continued capabilities in launching multiple satellites simultaneously.
NASA is moving forward with its Artemis program, planning orbital tests of Artemis landers in 2027 and a crewed landing on the Moon in 2028, while private companies SpaceX and Blue Origin face pressure to deliver on their Human Landing System contracts. The success of these missions will be crucial for the future of lunar exploration.