Space Exploration
Latest about Space Exploration
NASA only needs a single grain of ice to detect alien life on Enceladus, study finds
By Sharmila Kuthunur published
The icy moons of Saturn and Jupiter shoot enormous geysers into space that may contain evidence of life. New research shows that NASA only needs to grab a few grains of ice from these plumes to find out for sure.
NASA's Voyager 1 sends readable message to Earth after 4 nail-biting months of gibberish
By Emily Cooke published
After four months of being unable to detect comprehensible data from the Voyager 1 spacecraft, NASA scientists have had fresh luck after sending a "poke."
SpaceX's incredibly powerful Starship lost in the Indian Ocean after reaching orbit for 1st time
By Ben Turner published
SpaceX's powerful Starship system spent roughly an hour in orbit performing test maneuvers for the first time ever. But two simultaneous communications errors means the rocket won't be recoverable.
NASA unveils cryptic message from Earth to be sent to Jupiter's icy ocean moon Europa
By Emily Cooke published
From a poem written by a U.S. Poet Laureate to millions of stenciled names, NASA's Clipper spacecraft's trip to Europa will be marked with a human touch.
Controversial paper claims satellite 'megaconstellations' like SpaceX's could weaken Earth's magnetic field and cause 'atmospheric stripping.' Should we be worried?
By Harry Baker published
A theoretical new paper argues that atmospheric metal pollution from falling space junk could create an invisible conductive shield around our planet that might weaken our magnetosphere. However, other experts are skeptical of this idea.
Dying SpaceX rocket creates glowing, galaxy-like spiral in the middle of the Northern Lights
By Harry Baker published
A large swirl of white light that temporarily outshone vibrant auroras in the Arctic last week was triggered by the death throes of a SpaceX rocket that deployed more than 50 satellites into space.
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.
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.
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.
Sign up for the Live Science daily newsletter now
Get the world’s most fascinating discoveries delivered straight to your inbox.