Latest about Space Exploration
SpaceX's Starship explodes on Texas launch pad in 'catastrophic failure' during routine test
SpaceX's Starship 36 underwent a "catastrophic failure" on the stand at its Texas launch site, but the latest setback is unlikely to dent the company's ambitions.
Satellite coated in ultra-dark 'Vantablack' paint will launch into space next year to help combat major issue
Researchers from the U.K. plan to launch a CubeSat covered with a newly formulated "hull-darkening" Vantablack paint into space next year. If successful, the coating could help mitigate light pollution from private satellite "megaconstellations."
First-ever image of China's mysterious 'quasi moon' probe revealed weeks after it secretly launched into space
A new image released by China's space agency offers the first glimpse at the Tianwen 2 spacecraft, which is en route to collect samples from one of Earth's "quasi-moons". The photo shows some surprising similarities with a current NASA probe.
Japanese spacecraft goes dark during attempted moon landing, holding fate of European rover in question
The private Japanese spacecraft "Resilience" has seemingly been destroyed in a "hard landing" on the moon on Thursday. The lander was carrying what would have been the first European-built rover to explore the moon.
Elon Musk threatens to decommission SpaceX's Dragon spacecraft after Trump feud. What does it mean for the US space industry?
A war of words between SpaceX CEO Elon Musk and President Donald Trump could lead to significant fallout for U.S.-led space exploration.
NASA plans to build a giant radio telescope on the 'dark side' of the moon. Here's why.
A NASA-funded plan to build a large radio telescope on the moon's far side is nearing final approval and could become a reality by the 2030s, researchers say. The ambitious project will help safeguard astronomy from satellite "megaconstellations" — and help scientists unravel more of the radio spectrum.
How many satellites could fit in Earth orbit? And how many do we really need?
The number of satellites orbiting Earth is rising fast, thanks to private companies such as SpaceX. But just how big will these "megaconstellations" become? And what problems might they cause?
'White streak' appears over US as China dumps experimental fuel in space
A recent launch of China's Zhuque-2E rocket triggered a giant white streak of light to appear above at least seven U.S. states after deploying six satellites into low-Earth orbit. The light show, which was visible in at least seven states, was the result of a "fuel dump," experts say.
Never-before-seen 'extreme' microbes surrounded NASA robot before it was sent to Mars 18 years ago, new study reveals
DNA analysis has revealed that 26 novel species of "extremophile" bacteria were lurking in a clean room that housed NASA's Phoenix lander before it was launched to Mars in 2007. The hardy microbes might be capable of surviving in space.
