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
US military taps Rocket Lab to launch hypersonic test vehicle in 2025
By Andrew Jones published
Rocket Lab will launch a drone on its suborbital launch vehicle as part of a U.S. Defense Department hypersonic development project.
Bulgaria signs Artemis Accords for peaceful moon exploration
By Andrew Jones published
Bulgaria became the 32nd nation to sign the Artemis Accords in a signing ceremony Nov. 9 with NASA Administrator Bill Nelson and Milena Stoycheva, Bulgaria's minister of innovation and growth.
US military gives Lockheed Martin $33.7 million to develop nuclear spacecraft
By Andrew Jones published
The U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory just awarded $33.7 million to Lockheed Martin to help 'mature high-power nuclear electric power and propulsion technologies and spacecraft design.'
Powerful new thrusters for NASA's moon-orbiting Gateway space station get a test (photo)
By Andrew Jones published
The propulsion system for NASA's planned moon-orbiting Gateway space station has been undergoing qualification testing at NASA's Glenn Research Center in Cleveland.
SpaceX will launch Ireland's 1st-ever satellite this month
By Andrew Jones published
EIRSAT-1, a student-led gamma-ray astronomy cubesat, is due to launch atop a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket at the end of November.
Surprise! China's space station has a 3rd, mini robotic arm. Watch it in action (video)
By Andrew Jones published
Inside the Tiangong space station's Mengtian experiment module, there's a small, dextrous arm that can assist astronauts' everyday activities, Chinese broadcaster CCTV revealed.
Europe wants a private cargo spacecraft by 2028
By Andrew Jones published
The European Space Agency is looking to change the way it approaches space exploration and foster a commercial cargo return capability within five years.
China launches mystery satellite on Long March 7A rocket (photo)
By Andrew Jones published
China launched what it describes as a communications technology satellite on Nov. 3. The craft is part of the TJS series, which may be a cover name for satellites for a range of different uses.
Japan's mission to bizarre asteroid Phaethon delayed to 2025
By Andrew Jones published
Japan's DESTINY+ mission to 3200 Phaethon, the parent body of the famous Geminid meteor shower, will have to wait a bit longer to get off the ground.
China's Shenzhou 16 astronauts apparently landed with a ripped parachute (photo)
By Andrew Jones published
China's Shenzhou 16 astronauts landed safely on Earth this week despite an apparent hole appearing in their return capsule's parachute.
Intuitive Machines private moon lander launch set for January 2024
By Andrew Jones published
Intuitive Machines' lunar landing mission is again delayed two months to January 2024, but its Nova-C moon lander is ready to go.
Watch China launch pair of Earth-mapping satellites on its 50th launch of 2023 (video)
By Andrew Jones published
A Long March 6A rocket lifted off carrying two Tianhui-5 Earth-mapping satellites on Nov. 1, marking China's 50th launch of the year.
Rocket Lab targets late 2024 for private Venus mission launch
By Andrew Jones published
Rocket Lab's mission to Venus, which aims to investigate the potential for life high in the planet's atmosphere, could launch as soon as Dec. 30, 2024.
Satellite companies may be starting to take the fight against space junk seriously
By Andrew Jones published
French startup ThrustMe just announced a jump in orders for its in-space propulsion systems, which could indicate a shift toward a more sustainable space environment.
China's Shenzhou 16 astronauts hand over Tiangong space station to new crew (video)
By Andrew Jones published
The departing Shenzhou 16 astronauts handed over control of the Tiangong space station to the newly arrived Shenzhou 17 crew during a short ceremony on Sunday (Oct. 29).
China's Shenzhou 16 astronauts land safely after 5 months aboard Tiangong space station (video)
By Andrew Jones published
The three astronauts of China's Shenzhou 16 mission returned to Earth on Monday (Oct. 30) after a five-month stint aboard the country's Tiangong space station.
China plans to take 'hack-proof' quantum satellite technology to new heights
By Andrew Jones published
China launched the first-ever dedicated quantum communications satellite to low Earth orbit in 2016. The nation is now working to send a quantum craft to a higher altitude.
China's astronauts grow vegetables in orbit, with an eye on deep space exploration
By Andrew Jones published
China's Shenzhou 16 astronauts have been growing vegetables aboard the Tiangong space station, as part of plans for future deep space exploration.
UK Space Agency signs deal with Axiom Space for human spaceflight mission
By Andrew Jones published
The U.K. Space Agency and Axiom Space have inked a deal that could see U.K. astronauts embark on a two-week mission to the International Space Station in the near future.
China launches new 3-astronaut crew to Tiangong space station
By Andrew Jones published
A Long March 2F rocket lifted off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in the Gobi Desert today (Oct. 25), carrying the Shenzhou 17 spacecraft and its crew into orbit.
China continues remote-sensing buildup with new launch of Yaogan satellites (video)
By Andrew Jones published
A Long March 2D rocket launched into the night sky above the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in southwest China on Oct. 23, carrying three more Yaogan 39 satellites to orbit.
China unveils Shenzhou 17 astronauts launching to Tiangong space station tonight (video)
By Andrew Jones published
China has revealed its latest crew of astronauts set for a six-month-long mission to the Tiangong space station today.
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.
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.
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.
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