Browse the complete archive of aerospace journalism with contextual analysis
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.
Scientists have confirmed that galaxy mergers trigger supermassive black hole activity, using data from the Euclid space telescope to observe over 1.2 million galaxies in a single year. This discovery has significant implications for our understanding of the universe and the role of supermassive black holes within it.
On December 10, Rocket Lab launched the NEONSAT-1A satellite aboard its Electron rocket from New Zealand, aiming to monitor natural disasters in the Korean Peninsula. This launch marks the second NEONSAT satellite deployed by Rocket Lab, following the successful launch of NEONSAT-1 in April 2024.
NASA has lost contact with its MAVEN Mars orbiter after the spacecraft disappeared behind the Red Planet, prompting an investigation into the anomaly. The incident occurred on December 6 and has significant implications for NASA's ongoing Mars exploration efforts.
A damaged Russian launch pad has prompted NASA to accelerate the launch of two Cargo Dragon supply missions to the International Space Station, ensuring a steady supply of essential goods for astronauts on board. The incident highlights the complexities and challenges of maintaining a reliable supply chain in space exploration.
On December 10, 2025, SpaceX successfully launched 27 Starlink satellites into low Earth orbit from Vandenberg Space Force Base, marking a significant expansion of its satellite constellation. This launch brings the total number of operational Starlink satellites to over 9,000, further solidifying the company"s position in the global satellite communications market.
A breathtaking image of Comet C/2025 R2 (SWAN) passing in front of the Eagle Nebula and the Pillars of Creation was captured on October 17, 2025, providing a unique glimpse into the celestial world. This rare event will not be repeated for approximately 1,400 years.
A reexamination of 40-year-old data from the Voyager 2 spacecraft's encounter with Uranus has uncovered surprising details about the planet's radiation belts and magnetosphere, suggesting that Uranus may have more in common with Earth than previously thought. The findings provide new insights into the planetary magnetic fields and their interactions with the solar wind.
The European Southern Observatory is building the Extremely Large Telescope, a groundbreaking instrument that will enable scientists to study the universe with unprecedented clarity and shed new light on its origins. The ELT will be capable of directly imaging small, rocky exoplanets and measuring the universe"s rate of expansion.
French ESA astronaut Sophie Adenot will hold a press conference on February 15 to discuss her first mission to space, dubbed "εpsilon", where she will conduct scientific experiments on the International Space Station. The mission is scheduled to launch no earlier than February 15 and will take place in Low Earth Orbit.
SpaceX is preparing to launch its 160th Falcon 9 rocket of 2025, carrying 27 broadband internet satellites to low Earth orbit as part of its Starlink megaconstellation. The mission aims to further expand SpaceX"s satellite network, with the Falcon 9 booster targeting a landing on the droneship "Of Course I Still Love You".
A team of astronomers has observed the longest gamma-ray burst ever recorded, lasting approximately 7 hours, which could be the result of an intermediate-mass black hole devouring a star. This discovery was made possible by NASA's Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope and other ground-based telescopes.
China has successfully launched three Long March rockets in less than 19 hours, setting a new national record for launch cadence and extending its yearly orbital-launch tally to 83. This achievement demonstrates China's growing capabilities in space exploration and its commitment to advancing its aerospace industry.
On December 9, 2025, Chinese astronauts performed an 8-hour spacewalk to inspect the damaged Shenzhou 20 spacecraft, which was deemed unsafe for return to Earth due to a space junk strike. The successful inspection paved the way for a new rescue plan, involving the launch of a replacement spacecraft, Shenzhou 22.
The US military is developing a comprehensive missile defense system, called Golden Dome, to safeguard the homeland from various types of missile threats by 2028 at an estimated cost of $175 billion. This system will utilize hundreds or thousands of Space-Based Interceptors deployed on satellites in low-Earth orbit.
A recent astronomical observation has revealed a supermassive black hole generating powerful winds at approximately 60,000 km/s, triggered by a rapid burst of X-ray light. This phenomenon, studied using the XMM-Newton and XRISM space telescopes, provides new insights into the behavior of active galactic nuclei.
Lunar Outpost"s Mobile Autonomous Prospecting Platform (MAPP) rover will be the first robotic rover to operate on the moon alongside astronauts during the Artemis IV mission in 2028, supporting the DUSTER investigation to study the dust and plasma environment on the lunar surface. The mission aims to find solutions to the challenges posed by dust on the lunar surface, marking a significant step in NASA"s Artemis program.
A new report outlines the primary scientific goals for human missions to Mars, including searching for life and understanding the planet's geology, providing a rationale for sending astronauts over robotic explorers. The report highlights the need for significant funding and resources to support these ambitious endeavors.