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A Russian spacecraft with the Earth behind.

Cosmonauts dock Russian Progress cargo ship to ISS on remote control after autopilot glitch

By Tariq Malik published

Russian cosmonauts on the International Space Station took manual control of an incoming Progress 86 cargo ship on Sunday, Dec. 3, due to an autopilot issue.

A Japanese H-IIA rocket lifts off from the Tanegashima Space Center carrying JAXA's Hayabusa2 asteroid sample spacecraft on Dec. 3, 2014 (JST).

On This Day In Space: Dec. 3, 2014: Japan launches Hayabusa2 to sample an asteroid

By Hanneke Weitering last updated

On Dec. 3, 2014, Japan launched the Hayabusa2 spacecraft on a mission to fetch a sample from an asteroid.

moon phases december 2023

What is the moon phase today? Lunar phases 2023

By Tariq Malik last updated

Reference See what moon phase it is tonight and find out when you can see the rest of the moon phases for 2023.

An artist's depiction of an intruder star disrupting an infant planetary system.

A 'runaway star' could save Earth from extinction a billion years from now. Here's how.

By Abha Jain published

Earth will become too hot to handle in a billion years. There's a (very) remote chance a passing star could save us by knocking our planet back into the habitable zone.

a rocket rises as fire blasts from the bottom. brown smoke rises against a grey sky.

China's Landspace gears up for 3rd launch of its methane-powered rocket

By Andrew Jones published

The Zhuque-2 was the first methane-fueled rocket to reach Earth orbit, and the Chinese private spaceflight company Landspace is set to launch it again later on Dec. 5.

Earth can be seen behind the open bay of a white space shuttle

From Earth orbit to the moon: Europe's I-Hab continues Spacelab 40-year legacy

By Robert Z. Pearlman published

A legacy of European-built and operated space modules, which began in Earth orbit and is now heading for the moon, got its start with Spacelab 40 years ago.

Tech

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a cube-shaped satellite wrapped in gold foil floats above Earth

Lockheed Martin's 'Tantrum' tech could help get satellites up and running without the wait

By Andrew Jones published

Lockheed Martin and Firefly Aerospace are combining to launch a demonstrator that aims to slash the time it takes spacecraft payloads to become operational.

Incredible Technology
Beware of fake Lego brands this Black Friday weekend

If you're buying Lego on Amazon this Black Friday weekend, watch out for cheap imitators

By Kimberley Snaith published

Not every "Lego deal" you'll see is genuine Lego, so be careful what you buy in the Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales

Spaceflight

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A Russian spacecraft with the Earth behind.

Cosmonauts dock Russian Progress cargo ship to ISS on remote control after autopilot glitch

By Tariq Malik published

Russian cosmonauts on the International Space Station took manual control of an incoming Progress 86 cargo ship on Sunday, Dec. 3, due to an autopilot issue.

International Space Station
A Japanese H-IIA rocket lifts off from the Tanegashima Space Center carrying JAXA's Hayabusa2 asteroid sample spacecraft on Dec. 3, 2014 (JST).

On This Day In Space: Dec. 3, 2014: Japan launches Hayabusa2 to sample an asteroid

By Hanneke Weitering last updated

On Dec. 3, 2014, Japan launched the Hayabusa2 spacecraft on a mission to fetch a sample from an asteroid.

Science & Astronomy

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moon phases december 2023

What is the moon phase today? Lunar phases 2023

By Tariq Malik last updated

Reference See what moon phase it is tonight and find out when you can see the rest of the moon phases for 2023.

Reference
An artist's depiction of an intruder star disrupting an infant planetary system.

A 'runaway star' could save Earth from extinction a billion years from now. Here's how.

By Abha Jain published

Earth will become too hot to handle in a billion years. There's a (very) remote chance a passing star could save us by knocking our planet back into the habitable zone.

Earth

Meet The Team

Search For Life

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An illustration of the Dragonfly mission soaring over Saturn’s moon Titan

Nuclear-powered Dragonfly mission to Saturn moon Titan delayed until 2028, NASA says

By Robert Lea published

"The Dragonfly team has successfully overcome a number of technical and programmatic challenges in this daring endeavor to gather new science on Titan."

Alien Planets
two planets, one blue (farther), one tannish/green (foreground) float in space. a yellow star hangs in the black distance.

Exoplanet 'haze' makes it harder to identify water on alien worlds. Scientists may have a solution

By Conor Feehly published

Planetary scientists simulate how haze might be obstructing our view of exoplanet's atmospheres, and potentially alien water.

Alien Planets
Rocket lifting off and surrounded by plumes of exhaust

Can a private space mission pierce Venus's clouds?

By Leonard David published

Amid uncertainty over space agencies’ plans for future Venus exploration, enthusiasm for a private-sector mission grows.

Venus

Skywatching

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a large T-shaped space station is seen from above with Earth below it

How to see and track the Tiangong Chinese space station

By Robert Lea published

Reference Since 2021, China's Tiangong space station has orbited Earth, offering amateur astronomers a chance to glimpse it.

Reference
a person looks at the night sky through a telescope

The brightest planets in December's night sky: How to see them (and when)

By Joe Rao last updated

Reference During December, Jupiter dominates the evening sky, while Venus continues to serve as a beacon in the predawn morning sky.

Reference
Pococo galaxy star projector with cyber monday badge

Deal extended: Huge 47% off this Cyber Monday home planetarium deal

By Tantse Walter published

Deals One of the best star projectors, the Pococo galaxy is now 47% off, equalling its best ever price for Cyber Monday.

Deals

Entertainment

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Star Wars Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back_LucasFilm

'Star Wars' has changed the English language. Here's how

By Jeff Spry published

A new study explores the powerful influence of "Star Wars" in the modern vocabulary of the English language.

Star Wars
Fantastic Planet

The beautifully bizarre animated classic 'Fantastic Planet' turns 50 today

By Jeff Spry published

Director René Laloux's sublime animated sci-fi film "Fantastic Planet" blows out 50 birthday candles

Space Movies
Two men sitting either side of a desk in an office. Both are wearing grayish-blue jumpsuits. The older man is explaining something to the younger man.

'For All Mankind' season 4 episode 4 review: The shove that shook two worlds

By Richard Edwards published

As tensions between East and West intensify, a workplace dispute and a cover-up in Roscosmos have major ramifications on both Earth and Mars.

Space Movies

References

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moon phases december 2023

What is the moon phase today? Lunar phases 2023

By Tariq Malik last updated

Reference See what moon phase it is tonight and find out when you can see the rest of the moon phases for 2023.

Reference
a large T-shaped space station is seen from above with Earth below it

How to see and track the Tiangong Chinese space station

By Robert Lea published

Reference Since 2021, China's Tiangong space station has orbited Earth, offering amateur astronomers a chance to glimpse it.

Reference
a person looks at the night sky through a telescope

The brightest planets in December's night sky: How to see them (and when)

By Joe Rao last updated

Reference During December, Jupiter dominates the evening sky, while Venus continues to serve as a beacon in the predawn morning sky.

Reference