Space.com: NASA, Space Exploration and Astronomy News

Tech

an illustration of a satellite in orbit covered in leaves

Japan has a wild idea to launch a satellite made of wood in 2024

By Josh Dinner published 31 May 23

An international partnership has designed a wooden satellite scheduled to be jointly launched by the Japanese space agency (JAXA) and NASA sometime next year.

a small spacecraft expands to form an octagonal heat shield as it enters Earth's atmosphere

SpaceX could launch this wild, origami-inspired folding heat shield later this year

By Josh Dinner published 30 May 23

A private company has plans to test a revolutionary new heat shield that folds and unfolds like origami, and it could conduct a test flight aboard a SpaceX rocket later this year.

Spaceflight

The European Space Agency's headquarters in Paris, France.

On This Day In Space: May 30, 1975: European Space Agency established

By Hanneke Weitering last updated 31 May 23

On May 30, 1975, the European Space Agency officially opened for business.

astronauts on the moon planting a Chinese flag

China plans to put astronauts on the moon before 2030

By Sharmila Kuthunur published 31 May 23

China could land astronauts near the south pole of the moon before the end of the decade, according to statements made by officials with the country's space agency.

Science & Astronomy

a view of the active orange sun firing off a powerful solar flare.

New technique could probe the heart of powerful solar storms

By Robert Lea published 31 May 23

Neutral particles accelerated to incredible speeds could be used to investigate powerful solar storms, according to a new study.

The Ax-2 mission splashes down in the Gulf of Mexico.

Space pictures! See our image of the day

By Space.com Staff published 31 May 23

The SpaceX Dragon crew capsule Freedom splashed down safely in the Gulf of Mexico with four crew members of the Ax-2 mission on board.

Meet The Team

Tariq Malik

Editor-in-Chief

Brett Tingley

Editor

Dr. Mike Wall

Spaceflight Editor

Tereza Pultarova

Senior Writer

Dr. Elizabeth Howell

Staff Writer

Dr. Daisy Dobrijevic

Reference Writer

Jason Parnell-Brookes

Skywatching & Cameras Editor

Dr. Ian Stokes

Tech & Entertainment Editor

Alexander Cox

Staff Writer

Steve Spaleta

Senior Producer

Dr. Gemma Lavender

Astronomer, Space.com contributor

Search For Life

An artist's depiction of the Trace Gas Orbiter at work around Mars.

'Alien' signal beamed to Earth from Mars in SETI test

By Mike Wall published 24 May 23

A European Mars orbiter beamed a coded message to Earth today (May 24), kicking off a weeks-long project designed to help us prep for a real signal from E.T.

The Allen Telescope Array in Northern California is dedicated to astronomical observations and a simultaneous search for extraterrestrial intelligence (SETI).

How would we decode a message from ET? New project will give us a trial run

By Mike Wall published 22 May 23

A new project called 'A Sign in Space' will give scientists and laypeople around the world practice at decoding a message from intelligent aliens.

Artist's impression of the newfound exoplanet LP 791-18 d, a roughly Earth-size world that may be quite volcanically active.

Volcanoes may carpet surface of newfound Earth-size exoplanet

By Mike Wall published 17 May 23

A newfound exoplanet that lies 90 light-years from Earth may be studded with active volcanoes, whose emissions could sustain an atmosphere.

Skywatching

Starlink satellite train in the skies of canada shows how to photograph spacex starlink satellites

How to photograph SpaceX Starlink satellites in the night sky

By Tantse Walter published 31 May 23

Reference Discover the best methods and camera equipment to photograph Starlink satellites at night using this step-by-step method.

Reference

a large sunspot on the surface of the sun with four Earths superimposed over it for scale

A massive sunspot is currently visible to the unaided eye. Here's how to see it safely before it's gone

By John Loeffler published 30 May 23

A massive new sunspot is visible without using a telescope or binoculars, but you'll still need to protect your eyes when observing it.

One of the best star trackers for astrophotography, the Star Adventurer Mini Composited in front of a starry sky landscape

Best star trackers for astrophotography 2023

By Jamie Carter last updated 30 May 23

Buying Guide The best star trackers help render stunning long-exposure images of the stars by moving with the Earth's rotation, making astrophotography a breeze.

Buying Guide

Entertainment

Lego Star Wars deals 2023: savings on vehicles, ships, helmets and more

By Ian Stokes last updated 31 May 23

Deals These are the Lego Star Wars deals you've been looking for.

Deals

Lego space deals: savings on spaceships, space stations and NASA kits

By Kimberley Snaith last updated 31 May 23

Deals Combine your love of space with your love of Lego with the best deals on Lego NASA shuttles, kid-friendly rockets and more.

Deals

promotional poster for "futurama" showing the main characters in the foreground and a spaceship in the background.

'Futurama' fuels up for Season 8 as Hulu's reboot blasts off this summer

By Jeff Spry published 31 May 23

'Futurama' flies once again for an eighth season on Hulu this summer.

References

How to photograph SpaceX Starlink satellites in the night sky

By Tantse Walter published 31 May 23

Reference Discover the best methods and camera equipment to photograph Starlink satellites at night using this step-by-step method.

Reference

The narrow galaxy elegantly curving around its spherical companion in this image is a fantastic example of a truly strange and very rare phenomenon — gravitational lensing.

A cosmic magnifying glass: What is gravitational lensing?

By Robert Lea published 31 May 23

Reference Gravitational lensing is a powerful tool for telescopes such as the James Webb Space Telescope as it images some of the most distant and faint early galaxies.

Reference