Spaceflight

people in helmets and bright orange jackets sit in an inflatable boat in the ocean next to a cone-shaped white capsule floating in the water

NASA has used the US military for astronaut rescue for decades. So why ask private companies for help now?

By Brett Tingley published

NASA is asking private industry and academia for ideas for new rescue services for its astronauts on Earth in the event of emergencies.

Private Spaceflight
Recovery crews surround the return capsule of China's Shenzhou 19 astronaut mission after it returned to Earth on April 30, 2025.

China's Shenzhou 19 astronauts return to Earth after 6 months aboard Tiangong space station (video, photos)

By Mike Wall published

China's three-person Shenzhou 19 mission came home on Wednesday (April 30) after six months in orbit.

Human Spaceflight
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Science & Astronomy

Night sky map

New moon of April 2025 sees Venus and Saturn join up in the sky this weekend

By Jesse Emspak published

The new moon occurs April 27, and a day later Venus and Saturn will make a close approach to each other (known as a conjunction) in the predawn sky.

The moon
An image of Mars

Mars is covered in evidence of ancient lakes, rain and snow — but scientists aren't sure how that's possible

By Victoria Corless published

Valleys on Mars suggest the Red Planet was once covered in flowing water — but it's still a mystery how that could have been.

Mars
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Meet the team

Search For Life

This strange bacteria aligns to Earth's magnetic field and needs friends to survive

By Jessica Rendall published

A unique type of bacteria appears to have social groups — left alone, they'd die.

Search for Life

Doubts over signs of alien life on exoplanet K2-18b are rising: 'This is evidence of the scientific process at work'

By Sharmila Kuthunur published

An independent analysis of recent data from K2-18b casts doubt on claims of detecting alien life on the distant exoplanet.

Search for Life
a blue planet near a red star, with thousands of stars seen in the background around them

The pursuit of truths: A letter on the boy who cried aliens (op-ed)

By Darryl Seligman, Adina Feinstein published

As scientists, we must not forget our collective direction: the pursuit of truths and our responsibility to share these truths — and only these truths — with humanity.

Search for Life
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Skywatching

northern lights in Norway, appearing as vast ribbons or curtains of purple and green light, the entire sky is filled with color and is reflected in the water below.

Northern lights (aurora borealis): What they are and how to see them

By Daisy Dobrijevic, Stefanie Waldek last updated

Reference The northern lights are one of the most mesmerizing natural wonders you can witness firsthand.

Reference
A Celestron Classic Firstscope 76mm Tabletop Telescope against a purple background with concentric circles and a Space Deals logo.

Going fast, this child-friendly Celestron Firstscope 76mm is under $58

By Chris McMullen published

Deals Save 20% on this super-compact Celestron 76mm Signature Series FirstScope, ideal for kids and absolute beginners, but it's a limited time deal so you'll have to be quick!

Deals

Northern lights forecasts, alerts, and geomagnetic storm warnings - live updates

By Daisy Dobrijevic last updated

The latest aurora forecast for tonight help you make sure you're in the right place at the right time to see the northern lights.

Auroras
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Entertainment

three toy models of moon rovers set against a red and blue space backdrop.

Lego and Lunar Outpost to roll out 'Moon Rover Space Vehicle' in August

By Robert Z. Pearlman published

The first U.S. teleoperated rover to reach the moon's surface is rolling out as a Lego model this summer, together with two futuristic vehicles inspired by real-life robotic explorers.

Space Toys & Lego
Avengers Doomsday logo

Avengers: Doomsday: Release date, plot, cast, and everything else we know

By Fran Ruiz last updated

Earth's mightiest heroes are assembling again in 2026. Here's what we know about Avengers: Doomsday so far.

Space Movies & Shows

20 years ago, 'Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith' hit theaters... but 2 weeks earlier, the tie-in game had already spoiled the ending

By Fran Ruiz published

2005 was a fantastic year for original Star Wars video games, but Revenge of the Sith's direct adaptation, quirks and all, shouldn't be forgotten.

Entertainment
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References

northern lights in Norway, appearing as vast ribbons or curtains of purple and green light, the entire sky is filled with color and is reflected in the water below.

Northern lights (aurora borealis): What they are and how to see them

By Daisy Dobrijevic, Stefanie Waldek last updated

Reference The northern lights are one of the most mesmerizing natural wonders you can witness firsthand.

Reference
Graphic illustration with 'space calendar' in large blue neon letters and 2025 below it in smaller white letters. Below the title are four neon images depicting a meteor or comet, a telescope, a rocket launch and an astronaut's helmet. There is a starry background to the entire image.

Space calendar 2025: Rocket launches, skywatching events, missions & more!

By Space.com last updated

Reference Keep up with all the rocket launches, astronomical events and mission milestones for 2025 with our space calendar.

Reference
Avengers Doomsday logo

Avengers: Doomsday: Release date, plot, cast, and everything else we know

By Fran Ruiz last updated

Earth's mightiest heroes are assembling again in 2026. Here's what we know about Avengers: Doomsday so far.

Space Movies & Shows
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