Browse the complete archive of aerospace journalism with contextual analysis
The X-59 jet, developed by NASA and Lockheed Martin Skunk Works, has successfully broken the sound barrier for the first time, reaching a speed of Mach 1.1 as part of the Quesst mission to develop quiet supersonic technology. This achievement marks a significant milestone in the development of supersonic flight capabilities.
On June 17, the Ariane 6 rocket will launch a record 36 Amazon Leo satellites into low Earth orbit, marking the first use of upgraded P160C solid rocket boosters. This mission is a significant step forward for both Amazon's satellite constellation and the Ariane 6 program.
On June 17, the Ariane 6 rocket will launch 36 Amazon Leo satellites into low Earth orbit using upgraded P160C solid rocket boosters, increasing its payload performance by over two metric tons. This mission marks a significant milestone in Amazon's constellation development and the evolution of the Ariane 6 launch vehicle.
China has successfully launched two Long March rockets, adding 36 satellites to the Qianfan constellation and bringing the total number of satellites in orbit to 200. This milestone marks a significant step towards providing global users with low-latency, high-speed, and ultra-reliable satellite broadband internet services.
China successfully launched 36 satellites into polar orbits using Long March 6A and Long March 8 rockets, bringing the total number of satellites in the Qianfan constellation to 200. This milestone marks a significant expansion of China's satellite network, with implications for the global aerospace industry.
NASA is making progress towards establishing a permanent human presence on the moon, with the ultimate goal of using this achievement as a stepping stone for a mission to Mars. The agency aims to balance its short-term lunar objectives with its long-term strategic trajectory, which includes sending humans to the Red Planet.
Apex, a leading satellite manufacturer, has raised $200 million in funding, bringing its total raised capital to over $718 million and nearly doubling its valuation to $2.3 billion. This significant investment will enable the company to expand its satellite production capabilities and further develop its vertically integrated manufacturing approach.
The Exploration Company has completed a drop test of its Nyx capsule, a crucial step towards the spacecraft's planned orbital flight test in 2028. The successful test demonstrates the company's progress in developing a reliable cargo transportation system to low Earth orbit.
The National Reconnaissance Office is undergoing a significant transformation driven by advancements in commercial space and artificial intelligence, with a focus on leveraging these technologies to enhance its spy satellite capabilities. This shift is expected to have major implications for the agency's operations and the broader aerospace industry.
SpaceX is set to become the 7th most valuable US company with its upcoming initial public offering (IPO), valuing the company at $1.77 trillion, and plans to use the funds to expand into new areas such as artificial intelligence and further develop its Starship program. The IPO will raise $75 billion, providing a significant boost to the company's ambitious goals in space exploration and technology.
Following the catastrophic explosion of the New Glenn rocket, NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman is urging the development of a new launcher for Blue Origin's Blue Moon landers to ensure the Artemis mission deadlines are met. The agency aims to return astronauts to the moon's surface before 2028, and finding an alternative launch vehicle is crucial to achieving this goal.
SpaceX successfully launched two Falcon 9 rockets carrying Starlink satellites to low Earth orbit within a span of 19 hours, marking the company"s 63rd and 64th launches of the year. This achievement brings the total number of active Starlink satellites in orbit to over 10,500 spacecraft.
A new study suggests that mini-Neptune exoplanets may have atmospheres filled with soot, which could help explain their origins and provide insight into their formation processes. This theory is supported by observations from the James Webb Space Telescope and has significant implications for our understanding of exoplanetary atmospheres.
The NASA spacecraft MAVEN, which studied Mars" atmosphere for nearly a dozen years, has been declared dead after months of radio silence and is expected to remain in orbit before crashing into the planet. This event marks the end of an era for a mission that significantly advanced our understanding of the Martian atmosphere and its interaction with the solar wind.
The NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR) mission, launched on July 28, 2025, utilizes synthetic aperture radar technology to track natural disasters, monitor ecosystems, and study agriculture, glaciers, and other Earth surface features. This collaborative effort between NASA and ISRO aims to provide valuable insights into our planet's dynamics and has significant implications for the broader aerospace industry.
The European Space Agency (ESA) and China have successfully launched the SMILE mission to study the Earth"s magnetosphere and its interaction with the solar wind, marking a significant cooperation between the two space agencies. This joint endeavor aims to enhance our understanding of the complex dynamics governing the Earth"s magnetic field and its response to solar activity.
A recently discovered meteorite in the Sahara Desert, classified as an angrite, provides evidence of a long-lost world that may have existed in the early solar system, offering insights into the formation and evolution of rocky planets. The meteorite's unique chemical signature suggests that this ancient world may have been comparable in size to Earth's moon.
Researchers have proposed using the moon as a secure site for biocontainment of extraterrestrial samples to protect Earth from potential contaminants, highlighting the need for rigorous biosafety standards in space exploration. This proposal comes as space agencies like NASA and CNSA plan to establish a sustainable presence on the moon.
The Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope has successfully completed its final inspection and is now ready for launch from NASA"s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, marking a significant milestone in the mission to explore the cosmos. The telescope is scheduled to launch on August 30, equipped with a 7.9-foot-wide primary mirror to collect and focus light from distant objects.
After a 20-year search, radio astronomers have pinpointed the origin of long-period radio transients to a symbiotic binary system comprising a white dwarf star and its neighboring red dwarf star. This discovery sheds new light on the mysterious phenomena, providing valuable insights into celestial mechanics and astrophysical processes.
Blue Origin intends to repair and launch its New Glenn rocket again before the end of 2026 following a recent explosion during a static hot fire test at Launch Complex-36, with the company aiming to overcome the setback and achieve its mission objectives. The incident has significant implications for the aerospace industry, highlighting the challenges and risks associated with space exploration.
After months of attempting to reestablish communication, NASA has officially ended the Mars Atmosphere and Volatile EvolutioN (MAVEN) mission, marking the conclusion of a highly successful orbital campaign that significantly advanced our understanding of Mars" atmosphere. The MAVEN satellite, launched in 2013, far exceeded its initial one-year mission duration, operating for over a decade and providing invaluable data on the Martian atmosphere and its interactions with the solar wind.
On June 18, 1983, Sally Ride became the first American woman to fly to space aboard NASA"s STS-7 mission, marking a significant milestone in the history of human spaceflight. This achievement paved the way for future generations of women in aerospace and continues to inspire people today.
Despite a recent launch pad explosion that destroyed its New Glenn rocket, Blue Origin plans to resume launches by the end of the year, underscoring the company’s commitment to its spaceflight ambitions. The incident occurred at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station and has significant implications for NASA’s Artemis program.