News

'The dawn of a new space era': Vikram-1, India's 1st private orbital rocket, aces debut launch

By Mike Wall Last updated 18 July 26

Skyroot Aerospace's Vikram-1 rocket aced its debut mission on Saturday morning (July 18), making India the third nation with a private orbital launch capability.

These 'metallic' dunes on Mars look like sci-fi. What are they really?

By Sharmila Kuthunur Published 17 July 26

New images from the European Space Agency's Mars Express orbiter have captured strange-looking waves on the Red Planet.

The Perseid meteor shower starts this week. Here's why you should look up now

By Jamie Carter Published 17 July 26

The Perseid meteor shower begins on July 17 alongside two others, making "shooting stars" likely any night this month and next.

Earth's largest particle accelerator opens new window into the early universe just after the Big Bang: 'A culmination of a decades-long quest'

By Robert Lea Published 17 July 26

According to one researcher, this observation "promises new insights into the evolution of the early universe."

'The Starry Night' in space: Dark Energy Camera channels a cosmic Van Gogh (video)

By Robert Lea Published 17 July 26

The Dark Energy Camera has captured a vibrant view of the Corona Australis Molecular Cloud, with the star-forming region resembling a cosmic take on Van Gogh's The Starry Night.

Smoke from devastating Canada wildfires visible from space | Space photo of the day for July 17, 2026

By Chelsea Gohd Published 17 July 26

Satellites have captured images of the billowing smoke.

The Perseid meteor shower is here! How to see the best shooting stars this summer

By Anthony Wood Published 17 July 26

The 2026 Perseid meteor shower is active from tonight and peaks alongside a dramatic total solar eclipse on Aug. 12-13.

Astronauts just launched on a Soyuz rocket with an energy-drink ad on it, continuing a Russian tradition

By Elizabeth Howell Published 17 July 26

This week's ISS astronaut launch used a Soyuz rocket emblazoned with an ad for an energy drink. It's not the first time Russia has put an ad in space — and more may be coming.

SpaceX Starship Flight 13 launch updates: Targeting July 20 liftoff

By Josh Dinner Last updated 17 July 26

SpaceX is progressing toward Starship's next big test launch.

Are we underestimating the threat of solar storms? A 'once-in-a-thousand-year' disaster is worth considering, scientists say

By Samantha Mathewson Published 17 July 26

A new study suggests the most extreme solar storms to strike Earth could have greater impacts on satellites, power grids and communications than previously thought.