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
![a white rocket lifts off from a launch pad with green hills and cloudy skies in the background.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/MAqLEpCBYLPqDYzx3LsSQn-320-80.jpg)
China launches Yaogan 40 spy satellite on Long March 6A rocket (video)
By Andrew Jones published
China launched a new classified Yaogan satellite on Sunday (Sept. 10), continuing the country’s recent rapid launch rate.
![astronauts on the moon planting a Chinese flag](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Yxs7FVNobFmitS8AA74wck-320-80.jpg)
China wants ideas to name spaceship and lander for astronauts on the moon
By Andrew Jones published
China is looking for names for two spacecraft which will deliver astronauts to the surface of the moon.
![a rocket engine blasts out a plume of blue flame](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/wrHChTHzDRGGry7eN2LEMc-320-80.png)
Watch Europe's new Ariane 6 rocket fire up its engine for the 1st time (video)
By Andrew Jones published
Europe's next-generation heavy-lift rocket just took a big step towards its first, much-awaited launch thanks to a successful hot fire of its Vulcain 2.1 engine.
![a rocket launch](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/gEkdxhxvusuAeFbqEzhscE-320-80.jpg)
China launches classified Yaogan remote sensing satellites (video)
By Andrew Jones published
Two separate launches within a week boost the country's remote sensing capabilities.
![a fiery structure against a black sky.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/EB57cVNmE6GwD32aLGehP6-320-80.gif)
Here's our last look at Europe's Aeolus satellite falling to its fiery death (photo)
By Andrew Jones published
ESA's wind-measuring Aeolus satellite was spotted before its flaming demise over Antarctica.
![A cubical satellite under assembly in a clean room.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/7nCKPss77okoJAAncseW3c-320-80.jpg)
Europe assembles Hera spacecraft to eye aftermath of DART asteroid crash (video, photos)
By Andrew Jones published
The European Space Agency's Hera spacecraft is now assembled ahead of its journey to analyze the asteroid smashed by NASA's DART mission.
![a metal stand is rocketed down train tracks as a parachute is pulled behind.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/4zYKW5Fmb9CvYeaYjhRuT4-320-80.jpg)
India tests parachutes for Gaganyaan crew capsule using a rocket sled (video)
By Andrew Jones published
Last month, India tested the parachute system for its Gaganyaan crew capsule using a rocket-powered sled. See footage of the action.
![a white rocket on a launch pad](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/4ZQ826gycNz4ovTAQs2EsC-320-80.jpg)
Crucial test of Europe's long-delayed Ariane 6 rocket delayed
By Andrew Jones published
Hotfire testing of the new Ariane 6 rocket has been delayed due to problems with ground equipment.
![3D illustration of Tiangong, the Chinese space station, orbiting Earth, with Earth in the background.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/v7r5vQPLWWXgjTx26gp6LZ-320-80.jpg)
Amazing satellite video shows China's space station come together in Earth orbit (video)
By Andrew Jones published
An Australian company has released images showing how China constructed its Tiangong space station.
![An image of Jupiter in space.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/DGpsWbWhFV5DkcFp6vBJJe-320-80.jpg)
Amateur astronomers spot new impact on Jupiter
By Andrew Jones published
A flash of light on our solar system's gas giant has alerted space enthusiasts of an intriguing impact
![a roughly cube-shaped spacecraft covered in solar panels descends to the surface of the moon](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/E6bm6JHy7uB5vfnhPb7Uak-320-80.jpg)
Japan's SLIM spacecraft, a 'moon sniper,' to join lunar landing rush
By Andrew Jones published
The Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) will send the Smart Lander for Investigating Moon, or SLIM, to our natural satellite to demonstrate accurate lunar landing techniques.
![snaking rover tracks in the gray dirt of the moon.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/TL3aenZH4krPheV3BMekra-320-80.jpeg)
China's Yutu 2 rover reveals deep layers below far side of the moon
By Andrew Jones published
A team of scientists have put together an image of the layers beneath the surface of the far side of the moon using data from China's Yutu 2 rover.
![the orange exhaust plume from a launching rocket lights up a black night sky](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/2HAEFLj6GAbGvWLebmLP5g-320-80.jpg)
China launches Gaofen Earth-observation satellite (video)
By Andrew Jones published
China added to its fleet of Earth-observation satellites with a new launch on Sunday (Aug. 20), sending a Gaofen 12 spacecraft to orbit.
![A rocket stage hangs suspended on its side in a warehouse hanger.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/e2xTArTdTqNSw59c4khC2i-320-80.jpg)
Artemis 3 rocket hardware arrives in Florida for crewed moon mission
By Andrew Jones published
The upper stage of NASA's Artemis 3 moon rocket arrived at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, in Florida ahead of a planned 2025 launch.
![closeup of the moon's surface, showing numerous craters](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/dJW3QDrxq5W6v6aDhJYkTY-320-80.jpeg)
India's Chandrayaan-3 images far side of the moon ahead of Aug. 23 landing try (photos)
By Andrew Jones published
India's Chandrayaan-3 probe has photographed the far side of the moon, testing out landing optics that will be put to use during an Aug. 23 touchdown try.
![Cylindrical and dome pieces of metal are organized and laid out on the floor of a large factory. A long fuselage lays on the right.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/ZwTHfDxeQo7GcAtcFkrGzh-320-80.png)
See Blue Origin's New Glenn rocket come together at Florida space coast factory (photo)
By Andrew Jones published
Social media post provides rare insight into Blue Origin's work and progress on its New Glenn rocket.
![black and white view of a martian landscape littered with sand dunes and large rocks](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/FHuYfKuJW2bZsSBRhJifC-320-80.jpg)
How NASA's Curiosity rover overcame its steepest Mars climb yet (video)
By Andrew Jones published
The Curiosity Mars rover recently aced its toughest Red Planet climb yet: a sharp 23-degree slope covered slippery sand and wheel-size rocks.
![a small white rocket stands on a launch pad at night.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/sCS5h2vYWKum8LqwuLXjyL-320-80.jpg)
Japan's Interstellar Technologies aims to launch 1st orbital rocket in 2025
By Andrew Jones published
Interstellar Technologies Inc. says it is now aiming to launch its Zero Rocket in 2025, with static fire tests due later this year as part of its test program.
![Left image: lab technicians in clean suits work on a gold-foil-wrapped spacecraft. Right image: gold and black Indian moon lander, rover and its ferry spacecraft in a clean room](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/eYwqeHQnBjYzoJapNs6Kcg-320-80.jpg)
Chandrayaan-3 vs. Luna-25: Are India and Russia racing to the moon's south pole?
By Andrew Jones published
On one hand, this so-called race has no discernable prize — but on the other, it could set the stage for a rich future of lunar exploration.
![artist's illustration of Chinese space station Tiangong above Earth in the background.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/RdV4BJCVXhYEgpT2vtRyUU-320-80.jpg)
China's space station, Tiangong: A complete guide
By Andrew Jones, Daisy Dobrijevic last updated
Reference Tiangong is China's operational space station located in low Earth orbit. We explore the space station in more detail here.
![a dark-brown space capsule rests on flat, snowy ground at night](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/xKdLtyaYeM6wC8YeRDsGCC-320-80.jpg)
China makes Chang'e 5 moon samples open to international researchers
By Andrew Jones published
China is making lunar material collected by its Chang'e 5 moon mission available to research proposals by international scientists for the first time.
![A rocket motor that’s part of the development program for NASA’s Mars Ascent Vehicle is tested at a Northrop Grumman facility in Elkton, Maryland on March 29, 2023.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Pso8XnWusbSDWRbgLBWkxj-320-80.jpg)
NASA test-fires rocket motors that will help launch samples off Mars (video)
By Andrew Jones published
NASA has test-fired rocket motors as part of the development of an ascent vehicle designed to launch samples off the surface of Mars.
![a white rocket launches with green mountains in the background](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/iENwiwR7L8YatyGvj8Doa4-320-80.jpg)
China launches new radar satellite for disaster mitigation (video)
By Andrew Jones published
China launched a new radar remote sensing satellite for environmental monitoring on Tuesday (Aug. 8).