News

On this day in space! Aug. 11, 1960: 1st object successfully recovered from orbit

By Hanneke Weitering Published 11 August 26

President Eisenhower inspects the Discoverer 13 capsule after its return to Earth.

Behold the majestic mane of the Lion Nebula | Space photo of the day for Aug. 11, 2026

By Chelsea Gohd Published 11 August 26

The Lion Nebula glows gloriously in this new snapshot from the James Webb Space Telescope.

SpaceX wants to put 1 million AI satellites in orbit. What would that do to Earth's climate?

By Tereza Pultarova Published 11 August 26

Operating a million or more data centers in space would mean a massive increase in air pollution from rocket launches and concentrations of toxic ash from reentering satellites.

Will Perseid shooting stars be visible during the Aug. 12 total solar eclipse?

By Anthony Wood Published 11 August 26

"If anyone does see one, they had better go play the lottery asap!"

Total solar eclipse Aug. 12, 2026 live updates — 1 day to totality

By Daisy Dobrijevic Last updated 11 August 26

Follow our live coverage of the total solar eclipse 2026 as we count down to eclipse day with the latest news, expert insight and updates before bringing you live reports from Greenland and Spain.

Watch the total solar eclipse online Aug. 12 with these free livestreams

By Anthony Wood Published 11 August 26

Here's how to watch the Aug. 12 total solar eclipse live online for free.

'Launching anywhere, anytime and without compromise': Rocket Lab unveils new 'GHOST' portable spaceport system

By Mike Wall Published 10 August 26

Rocket Lab plans to start launching even more frequently and flexibly, thanks to a new portable spaceport system called "GHOST," which packages everything into standard shipping containers.

Chinese rocket explodes less than 90 seconds after liftoff (photos)

By Josh Dinner Last updated 10 August 26

China's latest rocket launch ended in failure this morning (Aug. 10), lighting up the skies with some unwanted fireworks.

Japanese H3 rocket launches 10,800-pound navigation satellite to high Earth orbit (video)

By Mike Wall Last updated 10 August 26

Japan's H3 rocket sent the Michibiki 7 navigation satellite aloft this afternoon (Aug. 10), on the ninth-ever mission for the launch vehicle.

The Andromeda galaxy may be getting bullied by a smaller galactic neighbor, scientists find

By Rahul Rao Published 10 August 26

Andromeda has slowed its star-forming rate over the last 40 million years. Scientists think they finally know why.