Andrew Jones
Andrew is a freelance space journalist with a focus on reporting on China's rapidly growing space sector. He began writing for Space.com in 2019 and writes for SpaceNews, IEEE Spectrum, National Geographic, Sky & Telescope, New Scientist and others. Andrew first caught the space bug when, as a youngster, he saw Voyager images of other worlds in our solar system for the first time. Away from space, Andrew enjoys trail running in the forests of Finland. You can follow him on Twitter @AJ_FI.
Latest articles by Andrew Jones
![Artist's illustration of space junk orbiting Earth.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/naQtry7CedNEFLbjen6Rqe-320-80.jpg)
SpaceX counters FAA claims that its reentering Starlink satellites could hurt or kill people
By Andrew Jones published
SpaceX has asked the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration to correct a report warning that components from reentering Starlink constellation satellites could injure or even kill people on the ground.
![a white rocket on a launch pad](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/4ZQ826gycNz4ovTAQs2EsC-320-80.jpg)
Europe's new Ariane 6 rocket will undergo crucial engine test fire in November
By Andrew Jones published
The European Space Agency has announced a timeline for key testing milestones for its upcoming next-generation Ariane 6 rocket.
![a white rocket launches into a cloudy gray sky.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Ye2tfTM4r7EF4DCMP58kxH-320-80.jpg)
South Korea set to finalize cancellation of launch contracts with Russia
By Andrew Jones published
International sanctions imposed against Russia following the country's invasion of Ukraine mean that a pair of satellites due to fly on Russian rockets in 2022 will need to find a new route to space.
![a spacecraft with two large solar arrays orbits the sun](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/dt9FEQwKg4awyaDhufkBN9-320-80.png)
India's Aditya-L1 solar observatory on course for its sunny parking spot 1 million miles from Earth
By Andrew Jones published
India's first solar observatory has made a trajectory correction maneuver to ensure it is on course for a special point in space where it will observe the sun.
![a white rocket launches into a blue sky.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/PjLMhEMZMCSa93CKPeCTnR-320-80.jpg)
Iran is seeking Russian assistance for a new spy satellite: reports
By Andrew Jones published
Iran plans to hold talks with Russia over assistance to build a new Khayyam remote-sensing satellite.
![a rocket lifts off from a launch pad with trees behind it](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/z568XwUhubmVS2K3PD9XjE-320-80.jpg)
Watch China launch more classified Yaogan spy satellites (video)
By Andrew Jones published
China added a secretive trio of new satellites to its clusters of Yaogan orbital reconnaissance spacecraft on Oct. 6.
![digital images of the path of cubesats orbiting earth together](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/LaEUYRzbYDQhxU5N8e7iK3-320-80.gif)
Spain's new cubesats will fly in space like a flock of geese
By Andrew Jones published
The mission is dubbed ANSER, which is also the Latin word for wild goose.
![a rocket launches at night next to a blue launch tower](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/8otuHEP7q58ZjixdpjZfYQ-320-80.jpg)
China adds yet another Yaogan spy satellite to its orbital fleet (launch video)
By Andrew Jones published
On Wednesday (Sept. 27), China launched a fourth satellite in the Yaogan 33 group, which are believed to be radar reconnaissance craft.
![two astronauts in blue spacesuits hold a match and a candle, respectively](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/wKTMKmDvdwfq5KPopEs6LX-320-80.jpg)
Watch Chinese astronauts light a match on Tiangong space station (video)
By Andrew Jones published
China's Shenzhou 16 astronauts conducted an eye-raising experiment in space involving open flames aboard the Tiangong space station.
![a rover with solar panel mast rolls off a lander on the lunar surface. earth can be seen in the sky in the background.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/ZgAQGiEtKQ5kePuLHq3amk-320-80.jpg)
Japan and India plan 2025 moon mission to hunt for water near the lunar south pole
By Andrew Jones published
The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) Is making progress on its rover for a joint mission with India to the south pole of the moon.
![black and white photo of earth against the blackness of space](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/j6tGCNpoTt4eRnXnDXiLPH-320-80.jpg)
Japan's 'moon sniper' probe snaps photo of Earth from orbit
By Andrew Jones published
Japan's SLIM lunar lander has sent back an eerie image of Earth as a test of the camera it will use to help it land accurately on the moon a few months from now.
![A spacecraft fires thrusters near an asteroid in artist's depiction](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/7RH5p4BqQ9qBJA8GQFY3XB-320-80.jpg)
After NASA's epic OSIRIS-REx capsule landing success, spacecraft heads to asteroid Apophis on new mission
By Andrew Jones published
NASA's OSIRIS-REx probe, which delivered samples of the space rock Bennu to Earth, is now on an extended voyage to study the infamous near-Earth asteroid Apophis.
![illustration of debris in orbit around Earth](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/kjZnmQnVX2VrH6MSjyUiym-320-80.jpg)
Close call! 2 huge pieces of space debris had a near-miss in Earth orbit
By Andrew Jones published
Two big pieces of space junk almost slammed into each other in low Earth orbit, highlighting the need to clear up space close to home.
![a yellow tube with fins underwater](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/CKVjT7xyfutfCuyuZNVb39-320-80.jpg)
Next stop, Europa? Nano subs to get test beneath Antarctic ice in 2026
By Andrew Jones published
A European collaboration aims to break through some of the technological barriers to the exploration of icy moons like Jupiter's Europa, using Antarctica as a proving ground.
![closeup of lettuce growing inside a white-walled module of China's space station.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/hZ7y4N5eYd3yso4GTNT87P-320-80.jpg)
China's astronauts have been tending a 'space garden' in orbit (video)
By Andrew Jones published
The astronauts of the Shenzhou 16 mission have been cultivating vegetables as part of their science experiment workload aboard the Tiangong space station.
![A gold and silver spacecraft with thrusters headed for the moon](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/LHZCdrZrEx2rqcz8Ho6P3T-320-80.jpg)
Japan's SLIM moon lander completes 1st critical phase in Earth orbit
By Andrew Jones published
Japan's SLIM moon lander has passed a first critical operation period in Earth orbit, meaning its solar panels, communications, propulsion and other systems are working well.
![a bright, gaseous galaxy in space](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Vn2h7TNaG8pArgWHryArMg-320-80.jpg)
China's new wide-field survey telescope scopes out Andromeda galaxy
By Andrew Jones published
A new high-resolution, wide-field telescope situated in China offers its first stunning view.
![illustration of a number of buildings and rovers on the moon.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/rd3wbyxYeM3TgyTSennVfT-320-80.jpeg)
Venezuela may put an astronaut on a Chinese moon mission
By Andrew Jones published
The first Venezuelan man or woman could land on the moon on a Chinese spacecraft, Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro said last week.
![nine well-dressed people stand in a wood-floored room in front of the american and german flags.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/5TfucuboxUF8VRNUCep4H9-320-80.jpg)
Germany signs on to NASA's Artemis Accords for moon exploration
By Andrew Jones published
Germany signed the Artemis Accords on Thursday (Sept. 14), becoming the 29th country to join NASA's framework for peaceful moon exploration.
![clusters of metal appear around a bright explosion of fire in orbit around earth.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/qbmHBxBJnssiQE5H2Xdkw8-320-80.jpg)
Humanity's current space behavior 'unsustainable,' European Space Agency report warns
By Andrew Jones published
Greater efforts are needed to make valuable orbits sustainable, according to a new report from the European Space Agency.
![A Shenzhou 16 astronaut vacuums on board China's Tiangong space station.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/9ra45LYcgumu3zpeqfbJaE-320-80.jpg)
Watch China's Shenzhou 16 astronauts clean the Tiangong space station (video)
By Andrew Jones published
China's Shenzhou 16 astronauts have been working hard to keep the Tiangong space station neat and clean, as a newly released video shows.
![a small crater appears on the moon's surface in a before-and-after animation](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/f3gXtiuuGjNAYNV3Qtd97E-320-80.gif)
Luna-25 failure won't be end of Russia's moon program, Putin says
By Andrew Jones published
Russia will continue its lunar exploration efforts despite the recent loss of its Luna-25 moon lander, according to Russian leader Vladimir Putin.
![eight men in dark suits stand in front of a rocket inside a spaceport facility.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/gwthAQLPAyabmkCC37BCE4-320-80.jpg)
Vladimir Putin meets North Korea's Kim Jong-un at Russia's Vostochny Cosmodrome spaceport for 5-hour summit
By Andrew Jones published
Vladimir Putin met with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un at a Russian spaceport on Wednesday (Sept. 13), likely discussing a range of possibilities for space-related cooperation.