Space Exploration
Latest about Space Exploration
![A concept image of a Chinese moon base](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/YqgiTfLiCBNyYVRHHsVns5-320-80.jpg)
Russia and China announce plan to build shared nuclear reactor on the moon by 2035, 'without humans'
By Harry Baker published
The proposed nuclear reactor, which could be transported and assembled without human assistance, would provide energy to a lunar base that Russia and China have agreed to build together.
![A rocket launch in China. Smoke billows from a ship at sea as a rocket lifts into the sky.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/mBv8j7PjvWM2W56HMQo2QH-320-80.jpg)
China will launch giant, reusable rockets next year to prep for human missions to the moon
By Jennifer Nalewicki published
China's new jumbo-size, reusable rockets are part of the country's plans to send humans to the moon by 2030.
![An illustration of the James Webb Space Telescope and some of its Cycle 3 observational targets including black holes, ancient galaxies and exomoons.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/hdNDxYULXzJMFHiqSBq9KJ-320-80.jpg)
James Webb telescope reveals targets for the next year, including monster black holes, exomoons, dark energy — and more
By Robert Lea published
The beloved James Webb Space Telescope will soon begin working on a fascinating to-do list for 2024 and 2025, including research into black holes, alien moons, dark energy and more.
![NASA astronaut Jasmin Moghbeli captured this shot of the solar eclipse of Oct. 14, 2023 from the International Space Station.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/iHXXFuEkmUSb9i9mcEwTRL-320-80.jpg)
Why ISS astronauts don't know where to look for the April 8 total solar eclipse
By Elizabeth Howell published
The cameras aboard the International Space Station may be ready, but it's still not clear where to point them in order to capture the April 8 total solar eclipse.
![Odysseus's final 'farewell' image of its landing site on the moon's south pole.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/vPQEmXC8LqZLyuUF2RDLgP-320-80.jpg)
'Goodnight, Odie': Odysseus, the 1st US moon lander since Apollo, shares farewell image after lunar face-plant
By Ben Turner published
The Odysseus lander powered down yesterday as it braces for two weeks of lunar night. This farewell image may be its last.
![Satellite around earth.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/MAJcqNiFhdtrHaCsMZ9VjE-320-80.jpg)
Russia's space weapon: How anti-satellite nuclear weapons could lead to utter chaos in orbit
By Matthew Powell, Dafydd Townley published
Reports that Russia may be developing an anti-satellite nuclear weapon have many rightfully alarmed. Here's why this type of technology is a danger to space exploration at large.
![A photo snapped by the Odysseus lander as it circled above the moon's surface.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/jjaWdHGTnfCkvYHwMmewta-320-80.jpg)
'The US has returned to the moon': Private company makes historic moon landing with Odysseus probe
By Ben Turner published
Intuitive Machines successfully landed its spacecraft on the moon's south pole in a historic mission that puts the U.S. back on lunar soil for the first time in over 50 years.
![Artist's illustration of ESA's ERS-2 satellite in Earth orbit. The spacecraft is expected to fall back to Earth in February 2024.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Hk5pX4DUPQLPZYHZDSAg5V-320-80.jpg)
5,000-pound European satellite burns up over Pacific Ocean after 30 years in orbit
By Ben Turner published
Europe's ERS-2 climate satellite has burnt up over the Pacific Ocean in an uncontrolled reentry after 30 years in orbit. No damage from falling debris has been reported.
![Commercial imaging company HEO Robotics captured images of the European Space Agency's ERS-2 satellite as it falls towards Earth's atmosphere on Feb. 14, 2024.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/2wyfwp2H7K33XXaAakt3MK-320-80.jpg)
Big, doomed 'TIE fighter' satellite seen from space just days before crashing back to Earth
By Brett Tingley published
The European Space Agency's ERS-2 Earth observation satellite was spotted in space as it prepares to make a fiery reentry into Earth's atmosphere on Feb. 21.
![This image shows Gemini North, one half of the International Gemini Observatory,](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Byy36eWpjuCc4UkCHnd8To-320-80.jpg)
Space photo of the week: Astronomers make an 'artificial star' over Hawaii
By Jamie Carter published
Twinkling stars can throw off telescope observations. To correct that, observatories like the Gemini North telescope in Hawaii create 'artificial stars' with lasers to hone their equipment.
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