Space Exploration
Latest about Space Exploration
![An artist impression of the Voyager 1 probe in interstellar space.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/MPjMjH3FeVauE7vF27yLNm-320-80.jpg)
NASA engineers finally fix Voyager 1 spacecraft — from 15 billion miles away
By Sascha Pare published
The Voyager I spacecraft went haywire last year, but NASA engineers say they have finally fixed its data transmission systems and are receiving usable signals from all four science instruments.
![An aerial view of the Vera C. Rubin Observatory in Chile with a spectacular sunset.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/6eDVcAWJ57LhUonLuzhzdm-320-80.jpg)
Vera C. Rubin Observatory: The groundbreaking mission to make a 10-year, time-lapse movie of the universe
By Jamie Carter published
Armed with the world's largest digital camera, the forthcoming Vera C. Rubin Observatory in Chile will take night-sky images that revolutionize astronomy.
![The Boeing CST-100 Starliner spacecraft on top of the ULA Atlas V rocket blasting off from Kennedy Space Center on June 5, 2024.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/WtVskjPJNn22TXMVgRFPLB-320-80.jpg)
2 new helium leaks discovered on Boeing's Starliner — forcing NASA astronauts to skip sleep to fix them
By Ben Turner published
Two helium leaks appeared on the spacecraft en route to the International Space Station, in addition to a leak engineers knew about prior to launch. The crew are not thought to be in any danger.
![Boeing's Starliner spacecraft is strapped to an Atlas V rocket and ready to launch on June 5, 2024](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/PWrc2BXXqHCouvAGSVHs9j-320-80.jpg)
LIFTOFF! Boeing Starliner carries 2 astronauts to space in 'final test' for NASA (watch live)
By Brandon Specktor published
Boeing's Starliner spacecraft successfully carried two NASA astronauts to space today (June 5) in the final test of the spacecraft's capabilities. Starliner is bound for the International Space Station.
![An artist's rendering of the space plane cruising above the earth](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/sASYtwMvmDVxyVuEJnk2Ka-320-80.jpg)
China's secret space plane has released another unknown object over Earth
By Joanna Thompson published
China's mysterious Shenlong space plane has released an unidentified object in orbit — the seventh such object released in the past six months. The U.S. Space Force is monitoring the situation.
![Voyager 1](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/NSEdPEbDCFxgytGKxnTW8D-320-80.jpg)
Things are finally looking up for the Voyager 1 interstellar spacecraft
By Monisha Ravisetti published
Two of the four science instruments aboard the Voyager 1 spacecraft are now returning usable data after months of transmitting only gibberish, NASA scientists have announced.
![An artist's concept of the lunar rail network.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/aqjCN84rKHFDeDWuS5SDzM-320-80.jpg)
NASA details plan to build a levitating robot train on the moon
By Ben Turner published
NASA's plan to build a train track on the moon is part of the agency's Innovative Advanced Concepts program, which aims to develop "science fiction-like" projects for future space exploration.
![A spiral of light in the night sky with two horn-like pillars of light surrounding it](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/6qwrgzeTYD73mKiN7c2rVJ-320-80.jpg)
Horned 'SpaceX spiral' photobombs auroras over Europe in 1st-of-its-kind sighting
By Harry Baker published
Aurora-hunting photographers were surprised to spot a misshaped SpaceX spiral with ethereal horns over Europe during a recent geomagnetic storm.
![A moon lander with a small rover strapped to its side](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Dk8p7upurCBasts8gueDq6-320-80.jpg)
China has launched a secret robot to the far side of the moon, new Chang'e 6 photos reveal
By Harry Baker published
A tiny, previously undisclosed lunar rover has been spotted strapped to the side of China's moon-bound Chang'e 6 lander in newly released pre-launch photos. The true purpose of the rover, which is scheduled to land on the moon's far side, remains a mystery.
![A photo of Boeing's Starliner before the aborted launch attempt.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/6fnFxtBCHo7m6LVa47GrUM-320-80.jpg)
Boeing's 1st Starliner astronaut launch scrubbed due to loud buzzing valve
By Ben Turner published
The first crewed launch of Boeing's Starliner space capsule was canceled on Monday (May 6) due to a loudly buzzing valve on the Atlas V rocket carrying it. The delay is yet another headache for Boeing in its attempt to get its Starliner capsule up and running.
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