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The US Space Force has initiated a comprehensive overhaul of its computer networks under a $12.5 billion contract vehicle, aiming to enhance cybersecurity and support advanced cloud-based applications. This modernization effort will upgrade both classified and unclassified network infrastructure across its bases.
Using the Hubble Space Telescope, scientists have confirmed the existence of a companion star to the red supergiant Betelgeuse, providing new insights into the evolution and behavior of giant stars. This discovery has significant implications for our understanding of stellar evolution and the eventual explosion of these stars as supernovae.
SpaceX has successfully stacked the Super Heavy booster for its Starship megarocket's 12th test flight, scheduled to launch in the first quarter of this year, marking a significant milestone in the development of the company's ambitious spacecraft. This upcoming flight will feature the new Version 3 Starship variant and the Raptor 3 engine, showcasing the latest advancements in SpaceX's technology.
Astronomers using the Hubble Space Telescope have discovered a novel type of cosmic object, a cloud of dark matter and gas devoid of stars, located approximately 14 million light-years from Earth. This finding, dubbed "Cloud 9", has significant implications for our understanding of galaxy formation in the early universe.
The year 2025 saw a record number of orbital launch attempts, with 324 missions conducted globally, driven primarily by SpaceX and Chinese launch providers. This significant increase in launch activity has major implications for the broader aerospace industry.
The US Congress has approved a budget plan that allocates $24.4 billion to NASA for fiscal year 2026, rejecting the deep cuts proposed by President Trump and instead restoring funding for key science missions, including the Dragonfly mission to Saturn's moon Titan. This decision ensures continued support for NASA's exploration and research programs.
The Manicouagan crater, located in Quebec, Canada, is a striking example of an asteroid impact site, formed approximately 214 million years ago. This article provides an overview of the crater's characteristics and its observation by the Copernicus Sentinel-2 mission.
A private equity deal has led to the revival of Rocketdyne, a historic US manufacturer of large liquid-fueled rocket engines, with AE Industrial Partners acquiring a 60% stake in L3Harris' propulsion and power business for $845 million. This development is expected to have significant implications for the broader aerospace industry, particularly in the context of NASA's Artemis Moon program.
China is set to launch its Chang’e 7 mission later this year, aiming to explore the moon’s south pole and search for water ice. The mission will involve a combination of an orbiter, lander, rover, and lunar hopper, marking a significant step in China’s lunar exploration program.
The Department of the Air Force has initiated a bidding process for the development of Space Launch Complex 14 at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California, with the goal of supporting heavy or super-heavy vertical launches in support of national security objectives. Bids for the project are due by February 12, 2026.
The SpainSat NG 2 satellite, launched in October, suffered an impact from a space particle while maneuvering to its final position in geostationary orbit, potentially jeopardizing its mission. The incident highlights the risks associated with space debris and extreme space weather conditions.
Congress has released a $24.4 billion budget plan for NASA, cutting science funding by only 1 percent, and allocating funds for various missions, including the Mars Future Missions program and the Habitable Worlds Observatory. This budget plan provides a relatively stable financial foundation for NASA"s ongoing and future space exploration endeavors.
Chinese launch startup Landspace has had its initial public offering (IPO) application accepted, seeking to raise $1 billion to support the development of its reusable launch services. The funding will play a crucial role in enhancing the company's capabilities in the competitive aerospace industry.
The SpainSat NG-2 satellite, launched on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, has suffered an unexpected strike from a space particle at an altitude of 31,000 miles, putting its mission at risk. The incident highlights the challenges and uncertainties associated with space exploration and the potential risks to critical communications infrastructure.
The Trump administration has initiated proceedings against former NASA astronaut and current U.S. Senator Mark Kelly for participating in a video reminding servicemembers not to obey illegal orders, which may result in a reduction of his retired grade and pay. The action highlights the complexities of military protocol and free speech.
The year 2026 is set to bring a plethora of exciting space and sci-fi games, including remakes like Halo: Campaign Evolved and new franchises such as Saros, offering a range of genres from shooters to flight simulators. These games promise to deliver immersive experiences, leveraging advanced technologies like Unreal Engine 5 to recreate realistic environments and engaging storylines.
A recent study has found evidence that the universe may be lopsided, contradicting the standard cosmological model which assumes isotropy and homogeneity. This discovery has significant implications for our understanding of the universe's structure and dynamics.
The American Astronomical Society meeting is taking place from January 4-8, 2026, in Phoenix, Arizona, where astronomers will discuss the latest research on exoplanets, galaxy evolution, and next-generation space telescopes. The conference will feature discussions on the upcoming Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope and its potential to study dark energy, exoplanets, and infrared astrophysics.
The James Webb Space Telescope has successfully imaged the Westerlund 2 star cluster, located 20,000 light-years away in the Carina Nebula, revealing faint brown dwarf stars and shedding new light on star formation processes. This discovery marks a significant milestone in the study of celestial objects and the role of brown dwarfs in the universe.
The year 2025 witnessed substantial activity among US launch companies, with SpaceX launching a record 165 rockets and Blue Origin achieving orbit with its New Glenn vehicle, while Rocket Lab demonstrated consistent success with its Electron launches. These developments signal a significant shift in the landscape of the US launch industry.
In 2026, several private companies, including Blue Origin and Firefly, are planning to send spacecraft to the moon, with NASA also aiming to return humans to the lunar surface as part of its Artemis 2 mission. These missions will mark a significant milestone in the development of private space exploration and the pursuit of lunar research.
China is developing a reusable variant of its Long March 10 crew launch vehicle, aiming for a first launch in the first half of 2026, which will significantly enhance its space launch capabilities. This new rocket is designed to carry substantial payloads to orbit, supporting China"s ambitious space programs.
On January 4, 2026, SpaceX launched 29 Starlink satellites into low Earth orbit on a Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida, marking the company"s second launch of the year. The successful deployment of these satellites further expands the Starlink megaconstellation, which aims to provide global broadband internet access.
Experts warn that the increasing amount of space debris in Earth's orbit poses a growing threat to commercial air traffic, with a 26% chance of debris falling through busy airspace during uncontrolled re-entry in the coming year. The odds of a commercial flight hitting space debris could reach 1 in 1,000 by 2030, highlighting the need for improved debris tracking and mitigation strategies.