Category: Space News

Deploying autonomous satellite constellations for tasks like deep space exploration and planetary surveys is crucial for the future of space missions. Unlike individual satellites that need extensive communication with Earth, these swarms can operate semi-independently.…

Initially launched in 2016, the OSIRIS-REx spacecraft started on a mission to locate the asteroid Bennu and collect samples. Completing this mission, it delivered 8.8 ounces (250 grams) of asteroid material to Earth in September…

NASA has achieved a significant milestone in space exploration with the introduction of a revolutionary heat shield material known as 3D-MAT, or 3-Dimensional Multifunctional Ablative Thermal Protection System. This innovation, developed through collaboration with industry…

Last October, NASA launched the Psyche mission on a SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket to explore the asteroid Psyche, known for its high metal content. Positioned between Mars and Jupiter in the asteroid belt, Psyche is…

Since the Space Shuttle’s retirement in 2011, NASA has depended on Russian spacecraft for trips to the International Space Station (ISS). In recent years, private companies such as SpaceX have transformed American space travel, and…

Recently, the world marveled at a rare spectacle: an expansive solar storm casting vivid hues across the sky, which was a breathtaking display of the Northern Lights. Though harmless, the event served as a reminder…

NASA’s groundbreaking Hybrid Thermally Efficient Core (HyTEC) stands as a testament to the agency’s relentless pursuit of excellence. Throughout the past century, aviation technology has undergone remarkable transformations, with recent years witnessing a significant shift…

These days, transatlantic trips by plane are routine, but that might not be the case without Charles Lindbergh and the plane built by Ryan Airlines in the 1920s. The plane, the Spirit of St. Louis,…

The goal of NASA’s Quiet Supersonic Technology (QueSST) program, which has been underway for almost ten years, is to greatly reduce the noise generated by breaking the sound barrier in order to facilitate supersonic passenger…

This little moon, which is around the size of a tiny US state, is being seen by many for the first time. Amalthea, the third-closest satellite to Jupiter, provides some of the most breathtaking vistas…

In the 1960s, the company supplied the F-1 engines for NASA’s Saturn V rocket, which put astronauts on the Moon during the Apollo program. It also provided Boeing’s X-51 supersonic plane with a dual ramjet/scramjet…

The space race is contested by three leading companies: SpaceX, Virgin Galactic, and Blue Origin. With the launch of the first all-civilian crew to space in 2021 under the leadership of Elon Musk, SpaceX marked…

NASA, driven by the need for superior materials for space exploration, revealed the GRX-810 a groundbreaking 3D-printable high-temperature alloy, technically classified as an oxide dispersion-strengthened (ODS) alloy. Developed by Dr. Tim Smith and Christopher Kantzos…

Since its inception, SpaceX, under the helm of Elon Musk, has fundamentally reshaped space exploration in a remarkably brief period. By capitalizing on the concept of reusability, the company not only reignited the space race,…

Spacecraft represent humanity’s most remarkable technological achievements, poised to venture into the depths of outer space, where conventional life cannot survive. These vessels hold the promise of extending humanity’s presence beyond Earth’s confines, but realizing…

Just as we assumed we had observed the pinnacle of intense flares emanating from a vast sunspot, the sun defied expectations by unleashing its most robust eruption of the weekend. This unforeseen event not only…

The sleek and innovative Dream Chaser spacecraft is on the brink of its cosmic odyssey, having triumphantly concluded its rigorous environmental trials. Now, poised in Florida, it prepares for the ultimate evaluations preceding its eagerly…

After the Boeing Starliner’s first mission got delayed suddenly, a NASA contractor is worried that there could still be big problems with the rocket it’s supposed to fly on. The mission got postponed on Monday,…

Another setback hit the Starliner spacecraft, as its launch was once again postponed due to issues with the launch rocket, rather than any fault of Boeing’s. This marks another delay in the spacecraft’s journey, which…

Space tourism is rapidly gaining popularity, fueled by advancements in rocket technology and spacecraft design. Among the companies offering space travel experiences, SpaceX stands out for its pioneering approach. While companies like Virgin Galactic and…

The Moon holds a mystique in our skies, its familiar face always presenting the same side to Earth due to tidal locking. This perpetual concealment of the far side has sparked endless speculation and artistic…

Have you ever pondered the sheer size of the jet engines powering commercial aircraft? While they may appear colossal, those hanging from the wings of single-aisle airliners measure just under three meters in length. Despite…

Nearly seven months have passed since the launch of the Psyche spacecraft, starting on a pioneering mission to explore an asteroid located over 257 million miles away from Earth. While its arrival at the asteroid…

NASA has initiated an ambitious project known as CHAPEA, short for Crew Health and Performance Exploration Analog, which involves an isolated habitat located at the Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas. This habitat, named Mars…

Hold your horses, space adventurers! Boeing’s Starliner capsule won’t be taking private citizens to space just yet. Their focus is squarely on NASA for now. Boeing is laser-focused on getting its first Starliner mission with…

NASA needed a super strong plane to carry its space shuttles around. Regular cargo planes just wouldn’t do! So, they came up with a fascinating idea: modify giant Boeing 747 jets to become “shuttle carriers.”…

Earlier this year, Japan made big news by landing a special probe on the Moon. The probe, called Smart Lander for Investigating Moon (SLIM), was supposed to land smoothly, but it ended up landing face-first…

In early April, headlines buzzed with news of Space Solar, a British company racing to harness solar power in space and transmit it back to Earth. This breakthrough sparked curiosity, prompting further exploration into the…

In the foreseeable future, humanity might witness the inaugural crewed mission to Mars, a venture actively pursued by NASA. Although the spacecraft and necessary equipment are still in development, unprecedented efforts are underway to comprehend…

In the field of space exploration, inflatable space habitats have captured imaginations as a novel concept. Although conceived as far back as the 1960s during the peak of the original space race, it wasn’t until…

SpaceX is aiming to launch a record number of rockets this year – 148 to be exact! That’s even more than the 98 they launched in 2023. To achieve this goal, they’d need to launch…

In June 2023, news surfaced about a groundbreaking solid rocket engine known as Zeus, developed by American defense contractor Kratos in collaboration with Aerojet Rocketdyne. Less than a year later, Zeus is on the brink…

NASA eagerly awaited inclusion in the president’s fiscal year 2025 budget request, hoping to secure funding for its ambitious missions, including one targeting Saturn’s Moon Titan. Titan, with its unique characteristics, presents a promising opportunity…

The Next Generation Interceptor (NGI) program, conceived by the Missile Defense Agency, represents a significant leap forward in ballistic missile defense technology. Designed to replace aging interceptors within the Ground-based Midcourse Defense (GMD) system, the…

What once seemed like a distant fantasy is now materializing into reality: humanity’s endeavor to construct a crew-capable space station around the Moon. Dubbed Gateway, this pioneering project marks the first-ever habitation in lunar orbit,…

NASA recently announced the final contenders for the Lunar Terrain Vehicle (LTV) contract, marking progress in lunar surface exploration. While the LTV focuses on unpressurized rovers for short missions, broader lunar exploration plans necessitate pressurized…

Before the Space Launch System rocket of the Artemis program and SpaceX’s Starship, the Saturn V rocket dominated as humanity’s largest and most powerful rocket during the Apollo Moon exploration program. While it no longer…

In the foreseeable future, Earth’s automotive industry may face a pivotal decision: maintain its current trajectory of manufacturing vehicles solely for terrestrial use or expand its horizons to include vehicles designed for extraterrestrial exploration. This…

Depending on their intended mission, spacecraft can utilize various propulsion technologies. While propellant and rocket engines currently dominate, a new propulsion method ideal for small, unmanned spacecraft in solar system exploration missions is gaining traction:…

After seven years of growth, Fortnite has transcended its origins as a free-to-play battle royale game to become a global phenomenon. Recently, around 230 million players logged in during the early months of 2024, a…

Solar power presents a promising solution to meet our energy needs, but its availability is limited by Earth’s rotation and weather patterns. To overcome this challenge, space-based solar power stations have been proposed, aiming to…

Conventional rocket-launched spacecraft are the predominant spacecraft in the commercial space exploration domain. However, a novel approach emerges with high-altitude balloons, offering a unique perspective on space tourism. Companies like Space Perspective and Halo Space…

Elon Musk’s ventures have continuously pushed the boundaries of innovation, from electric cars to reusable space rockets and satellite internet. Starlink, Tesla’s satellite internet constellation, has rapidly expanded, providing internet access to millions worldwide. Starlink’s…

April 8, 2024, marked a momentous event as large swathes of North America experienced a solar eclipse, fascinating approximately 32 million spectators. While eclipses are natural occurrences, their rarity and spectacle never fail to enthrall…

The Space Shuttle, despite enduring two significant accidents, remains one of humanity’s most successful lines of extraterrestrial craft. Since its introduction in 1981, the Shuttle family completed a remarkable 135 space missions, ferrying a total…

When examining space exploration objectively, it becomes evident that failures and unfulfilled dreams outnumber successes. In most industries, such a track record would be concerning, signaling a deviation from plans. However, in space exploration, each…

In a significant development for the space exploration industry, NASA has revealed the finalist companies competing to construct the crew-rated Moon rover for future Artemis missions. Among these contenders, the Venturi Astrolab proposition emerges as…