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NASA announces unprecedented return of sick ISS astronaut and crew
By Sascha Pare last updated
NASA has announced the early return of Crew-11 from the International Space Station after an unidentified astronaut experienced a medical problem.

Rare 'sunglint' transforms Alabama River into a giant 'golden dragon'
By Harry Baker published
Earth from space A 2023 astronaut photo shows the moment the Alabama River briefly morphed into an undulating golden serpent, similar in shape to a Chinese dragon. This temporary transformation was the result of a rare mirror-like phenomenon known as a "sunglint."

Russia accidentally destroys its only working launch pad as astronauts lift off to ISS
By Harry Baker published
The recent launch of a Soyuz rocket carrying three astronauts to the International Space Station has caused significant damage to Russia's only launch pad capable of sending humans into space.

Human stem cells become more active in space — and that's not a good thing
By Patrick Pester published
Stem cells age faster and become functionally exhausted in low Earth orbit, making crewed long-duration space travel even more challenging.

Astronaut snaps giant red 'jellyfish' sprite over North America during upward-shooting lightning event
By Harry Baker published
NASA astronaut Nichole Ayers captured an electrifying image of a giant lightning "sprite" shooting up over Mexico and southern U.S. states. The red "jellyfish" could help researchers learn more about this rare phenomenon.

Astrophotographer snaps 'once-in-a-lifetime' shot of solar flare photobombing the ISS
By Harry Baker published
An astrophotographer has captured an extremely rare and "difficult" photo of a solar flare exploding from the sun at the exact moment the International Space Station passed directly in front of our home star.
'Never been seen before': First images from new ISS solar telescope reveal subtle 'fluctuations' in sun's outer atmosphere
By Harry Baker published
NASA's new "CODEX" telescope has snapped its first photos of the sun's outer atmosphere, revealing previously imperceptible changes that could help scientists better predict potentially dangerous space weather events.

It's time to clean up space junk before orbits become 'unusable,' according to new ESA report
By Damien Pine published
A new report released April 1 by the European Space Agency sheds light on space pollution surrounding our planet — how bad the problem is, and what we need to do to keep Earth orbits clean enough to use.

NASA astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore were carried away on stretchers after return from space. Here's why that's normal.
By Sharmila Kuthunur last updated
When astronauts return from a prolonged visit to space, they are often carried out of their capsules and placed on stretchers. The 'stranded' astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore were no exception. Here's why.

Finally! NASA and SpaceX launch Crew-10 mission to bring 'stranded' ISS astronauts back to Earth
By Ben Turner published
Butch Wilmore and Sunni Williams have spent nine months aboard the International Space Station following the failure of Boeing’s Starliner mission. Their rescue rocket has finally been launched.
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