Browse the complete archive of aerospace journalism with contextual analysis
Viasat and Space42 have announced a joint venture, Equatys, aiming to create the world"s largest coordinated block of direct-to-device (D2D) frequencies by pooling over 100 megahertz of L- and S-band spectrum. This move is seen as a significant development in the aerospace industry, offering a sovereignty-friendly alternative to existing solutions.
The Expedition 73 crew is preparing for their final week on the International Space Station, where they have been conducting research and capturing images of Earth. The crew's activities include working with robotic free-flying assistants and utilizing docked spacecraft for cargo and transportation.
The International Space Station is entering its final five years of planned operations, with NASA and its international partners preparing for the orbiting laboratory's intentional deorbiting around 2030. This marks a significant milestone in the history of space exploration, as the ISS has played a crucial role in advancing our understanding of space and developing new technologies.
Former NASA administrator Michael Griffin has testified that the current Artemis moon landing program is flawed and needs to be restarted, citing concerns over its complicated in-orbit refueling system. The US risks losing its lead in space exploration to China if the program is not revised.
Blue Origin's upcoming NS-37 flight will carry six passengers, including Michaela "Michi" Benthaus, to suborbital space and back, marking a significant milestone in disability inclusion in human space exploration. This mission aims to demonstrate innovative methods for ensuring that people with disabilities can safely navigate microgravity environments.
The European Space Agency"s Mars Express orbiter has imaged a distinctive butterfly-shaped crater on Mars, approximately 12 miles wide and 9 miles long, with twin lobes of material fanning out to the north and south. This discovery provides new insights into the planet"s geological history and the effects of impacts on its surface.
SpaceX has successfully launched seven Starlink missions within a two-week period, while Russia"s Sarmat missile test ended in failure. The European Space Agency (ESA) has committed significant funding to support emerging rocket companies in Europe.
A US congressional subcommittee has voiced concerns over delays in NASA's plans to return humans to the Moon, citing China's rapid progress in space exploration and the need for accountability. The subcommittee's comments come as NASA faces challenges in meeting its Artemis Program deadlines, potentially allowing China to land humans on the Moon first.
The James Webb Space Telescope has imaged a unique glowing gas bridge connecting two dwarf galaxies, NGC 4490 and NGC 4485, which are interacting and triggering star formation. This observation provides valuable insights into the dynamics of galaxy interactions and their effects on star formation.
On December 4, 2025, SpaceX successfully launched 28 Starlink satellites into low Earth orbit using a Falcon 9 rocket from Vandenberg Space Force Base, marking the company's 156th launch of the year. This milestone event brings the total number of operational Starlink satellites to over 9,000, further solidifying SpaceX's position in the global satellite internet market.
U.S. Senator Ed Markey has questioned NASA nominee Jared Isaacman about the presence of SpaceX CEO Elon Musk during his job offer, with Isaacman declining to provide a direct answer. The inquiry highlights concerns over potential conflicts of interest and the influence of private industry on government appointments.
A problem with the Orion spacecraft's hatch has delayed a critical launch day rehearsal for the Artemis 2 mission, which aims to send four astronauts on a loop around the Moon. The mission is currently scheduled to launch no later than April 2026.
SpaceX successfully launched 28 Starlink satellites into low Earth orbit on a Falcon 9 rocket from Vandenberg Space Force Base, marking the company"s 114th launch of the year and the fourth this month in support of the Starlink constellation. This mission brings the total number of Starlink satellites launched by SpaceX to nearly 3,000.
Researchers utilizing the GREGOR solar telescope at the Teide Observatory in Tenerife, Spain, have captured rare high-definition images of two X-class solar flares, providing invaluable insights into the magnetic field dynamics of active sunspots. These observations, published in the journal Research Notes of the AAS, contribute significantly to our understanding of solar activity and its potential impacts on space weather.
A Russian Soyuz rocket damaged its launch pad during liftoff on November 27, 2023, while carrying three astronauts to the International Space Station. The incident highlights concerns over the reliability and maintenance of launch infrastructure.
The European Retrievable Carrier mission (EURECA) satellite was scanned using a high-energy X-ray system, revealing internal damage including cracks in composite struts and damage to scientific instruments. This study provides valuable insights for the development of future reusable space hardware.
Firefly Aerospace has successfully landed its Blue Ghost 1 spacecraft on the moon, marking a major milestone for the company and NASA's Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) program. This achievement demonstrates the effectiveness of public-private partnerships in advancing space exploration.
Phil McAlister, a key figure in NASA"s commercial space initiatives, has left an indelible mark on the industry by saving the agency tens of billions of dollars and reinstating the United States" capability to transport astronauts to the International Space Station. His advocacy for public-private partnerships has paved the way for a new era in space exploration.
The increasing number of satellites in low Earth orbit is expected to interfere with the operation of future orbital telescopes, posing a significant threat to astronomical research. This interference could potentially limit the ability of these telescopes to conduct observations, impacting our understanding of the universe.
Billionaire private astronaut Jared Isaacman testified before the US Senate on December 3, 2024, as part of his nomination process for NASA administrator, marking a significant step in his potential leadership of the agency. Isaacman's nomination has major implications for the future of NASA and the US space program.
Blue Origin has revealed the crew for its upcoming NS-37 suborbital mission, which will include the first wheelchair user in space, marking a significant milestone in accessible space travel. The mission, set to reach the Kármán Line, will be the 37th flight of the reusable New Shepard rocket-capsule combo.
China"s Landspace attempted to launch and recover its first reusable rocket, the Zhuque-3, but the mission ended in failure when the first stage booster caught fire during landing, despite successfully reaching low Earth orbit. The incident is currently under investigation by Landspace.
A stunning new image of the Large Magellanic Cloud, a dwarf galaxy located approximately 160,000 light-years from Earth, showcases its intense star-forming activity. The galaxy, classified as an irregular galaxy due to its lack of a coherent spiral structure, is experiencing a burst of new star formation, providing valuable insights into the processes that shape the universe.
A high-speed solar wind stream and an incoming coronal mass ejection (CME) are expected to cause geomagnetic storms, making the northern lights visible in 15 US states on December 3-4. This phenomenon is a result of increased solar activity, which can affect Earth's magnetic field and atmosphere.