Browse the complete archive of aerospace journalism with contextual analysis
The Geminid meteor shower is expected to reach its peak activity overnight on Saturday, December 13, into the early hours of Sunday, December 14, offering a spectacular display of up to 150 meteors per hour under perfect dark sky conditions. This annual event provides a unique opportunity for stargazers and astronomers to observe and study meteor showers.
A unique, spider-like scar on Jupiter's icy moon Europa, spotted by NASA's Galileo spacecraft in the late 1990s, may be a frozen remnant of salty water that once erupted from beneath the moon's surface. This discovery has significant implications for our understanding of Europa's subsurface ocean and its potential for supporting life.
The US Space Force has initiated the installation of a counter-uncrewed aerial systems (UAS) system at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station to protect against drone threats, ensuring the security and integrity of launch operations. This development marks a significant step in addressing emerging security challenges in the aerospace sector.
The US Space Force has implemented a new naming scheme for its satellites, cyber tools, and other space-warfare systems, categorizing them into seven mission areas to create a stronger sense of culture among personnel. This change will apply to both new and existing platforms, including orbital warfare systems and cyber warfare tools.
A recent study highlights the potential dangers of satellite megaconstellations to space-based astronomy, citing concerns over artificial satellite trails contaminating astronomical images. The findings suggest that up to 96% of exposures from certain missions may be affected, underscoring the need for mitigation strategies.
Researchers have developed a innovative spacesuit fabric that changes color when exposed to radiation, potentially enhancing astronaut safety during space missions. This groundbreaking technology, which utilizes harmless bacteria, may also have applications on Earth for individuals at risk of radiation exposure.
SpaceX is planning to go public via an initial public offering (IPO) within the next 12-18 months, while other companies like Avio and Orbex are making strides in their respective areas of expertise. The recent developments in the aerospace industry also include NASA accelerating Dragon launches due to Russian launch pad issues and the European Space Agency working on a launch abort system.
The increasing number of satellites in low Earth orbit is expected to contaminate a significant portion of space telescope observations by the late 2030s, with potentially severe consequences for astronomical research. This phenomenon could affect up to 96% of exposures from certain telescopes, rendering a substantial amount of data unusable.
On December 18, Blue Origin is scheduled to launch its NS-37 mission, marking the first time a wheelchair user will venture into space. This historic flight aboard the New Shepard vehicle will carry six individuals, including Michaela Benthaus, an aerospace engineer at the European Space Agency, on a brief suborbital journey.
On December 11, 2025, SpaceX successfully launched 29 Starlink satellites into Earth orbit using a Falcon 9 rocket, marking the company's 161st flight of the year and expanding its satellite network to over 10,000 units. This launch highlights the rapid growth of the Starlink megaconstellation and its implications for global telecommunications.
NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory has unveiled a new set of colorful images showcasing the intricate structures within galaxy clusters, providing valuable insights into these massive cosmic entities. The images feature five major galaxy clusters, highlighting jet-blown bubbles, cooling gas, and sound waves in vivid detail.
Researchers using the Center for High Angular Resolution Astronomy (CHARA) array have successfully captured close-up images of thermonuclear explosions on two white dwarfs, revealing complex eruptions and providing new insights into these celestial events. This breakthrough observation has significant implications for our understanding of nova eruptions and their role in the universe.
SpaceX plans to go public in 2026, seeking a valuation of $1.5 trillion to fund its expansive plans, including the buildout of data centers in space and the establishment of AI-satellite factories on the moon. This move marks a significant milestone for the company as it continues to push the boundaries of space technology and exploration.
SpaceX is planning to go public through an initial public offering (IPO) next year, aiming to raise tens of billions of dollars to further develop its technologies, including a modified version of the Starlink satellite. The move is expected to have major implications for the aerospace industry and beyond.
Researchers have discovered a Tatooine-like exoplanet orbiting a binary star system, with the planet located six times closer to its parent stars than any previously directly imaged binary system exoplanet. This finding has significant implications for our understanding of planetary formation and the search for life beyond Earth.
Stanford researchers have achieved a significant technical milestone by using artificial intelligence to navigate a free-flying robot around the International Space Station, paving the way for more autonomous space missions. This breakthrough demonstrates the potential for AI to enhance the efficiency and safety of space exploration.
The James Webb Space Telescope has found evidence of an atmosphere around TOI-561 b, a rocky exoplanet located 280 light-years from Earth, challenging the prevailing wisdom that small planets close to their stars cannot sustain atmospheres. This discovery provides new insights into the formation and evolution of planetary systems.
Scientists have successfully mapped vast, continent-scale river drainage systems on Mars for the first time, revealing a complex network of isolated watersheds and mega-basins that could hold clues to the planet"s past habitability. This breakthrough discovery has significant implications for the search for life beyond Earth.
The European Space Agency's JUICE spacecraft and the Hubble Space Telescope have successfully captured images of interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS, providing valuable insights into its composition and behavior. This discovery marks a significant milestone in the study of interstellar objects, with potential implications for our understanding of the formation and evolution of solar systems.
A group of leading astronomers is urging the Chilean government to halt the development of a green hydrogen plant near the Cerro Paranal observatory due to concerns over light pollution and potential disruptions to astronomical research. The proposed plant could increase light pollution by up to 35% and create micro-vibrations that negatively affect the operation of some astronomical facilities.
The US Space Force has approved the export of L3Harris Technologies" Meadowlands satellite-jamming system to select American allies, allowing for the sale of this critical counter-space capability through the Foreign Military Sales program. This decision marks a significant development in the sharing of advanced electromagnetic-warfare tools with key international partners.
SpaceX is scheduled to launch 29 Starlink V2 Mini satellites to low Earth orbit on its Falcon 9 rocket, marking the company"s 161st orbital launch of the year. The mission aims to expand SpaceX"s constellation of satellites providing global internet connectivity.
NASA has lost communication with the Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution (MAVEN) spacecraft, one of its three orbiters around Mars, prompting concerns about the reliability of its Martian relay network. The incident occurs as the agency faces challenges with its aging fleet of Mars orbiters, including the impending fuel depletion of the Mars Odyssey orbiter.
Blue Origin is working towards achieving certification under the U.S. Space Force's National Security Space Launch program by conducting four successful orbital flights with its New Glenn rocket, with a third launch expected earlier in the new year. Upon certification, Blue Origin will be eligible to compete for national security launch missions.