News

Mesmerizing plasma loops on the sun | Space photo of the day for Sept. 3, 2026

By Daisy Dobrijevic Published 3 September 26

"To see one AND catch it right on the limb AND have it happen on a clear day when I'm home and able to catch it was a real treat."

On this day in space! Sept. 3, 2006: Europe's SMART-1 spacecraft crashes into the moon in lunar death dive

By Hanneke Weitering Published 3 September 26

Watch India launch its 1st geosynchronous Earth-imaging satellite today

By Mike Wall Published 3 September 26

India aims to launch an Earth-imaging satellite toward geosynchronous orbit today (Sept. 3) — something it has never done successfully — and you can watch the action live.

Rocket issues delay 1st-ever private mission to Venus: 'We are awaiting Neutron readiness'

By Leonard David Published 3 September 26

The first-ever private mission to Venus is still groundbound due to delays with its launch vehicle, Rocket Lab's Neutron. But team members remain bullish on the groundbreaking mission.

2 spacecraft headed to Mercury are about to begin their long-awaited arrival for Europe and Japan — watch it live today

By Mike Wall Last updated 3 September 26

The European-Japanese BepiColombo mission will begin its drawn-out Mercury arrival phase on Sept. 3, and you can watch the action live.

Astronomers discover mysterious 10-sided cloud structure at Saturn's south pole

By Charles Q. Choi Published 2 September 26

A mysterious giant 10-sided pattern of clouds has recently formed around Saturn's south pole, a new study finds.

China's private, reusable Pallas-1 rocket aces debut launch (video)

By Mike Wall Published 2 September 26

Galactic Energy's new Pallas-1 rocket aced its debut launch on Monday (Aug. 31), successfully reaching orbit. The vehicle's first stage did not attempt a landing, however.

This was always the way: 'The Mandalorian and Grogu' is finally on Disney+

By Jeff Spry Published 2 September 26

This 'Star Wars' spin-off movie disappointed at the box office, but it could find renewed life as a streaming smash hit.

Blue Origin wins $700 million contract to build NASA's next Mars orbiter

By Mike Wall Published 2 September 26

NASA has picked Blue Origin to build its next Mars telecommunications orbiter, awarding a $700 million contract to Jeff Bezos' spaceflight company.

Supermassive black holes 'too big' for the early universe may not be so massive after all

By Robert Lea Published 2 September 26

Over massive supermassive black holes too big for early galaxies and detected by the James Webb Space Telescope may not be quite so massive after all.