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
ULA's Vulcan rocket launch debut delayed by fireball during testing
By Andrew Jones published
United Launch Alliance's plans for a first launch of its new Vulcan rocket have been complicated by a violent explosion during testing of the rocket's upper stage.
China prepping next space station cargo mission for May launch
By Andrew Jones published
Components of the Long March 7 rocket that will launch the Tianzhou 6 cargo mission arrived at southern China's Wenchang Satellite Launch Center on April 13.
China launches new weather satellite after airspace closure issue with Taiwan (video)
By Andrew Jones published
China launched a new rainfall-monitoring satellite on Saturday (April 15) after a dispute with Taiwan over airspace closure issues.
Damage from violent clashes in Sudan visible from space (satellite photos)
By Andrew Jones published
Imagery from satellites operated by Maxar Technologies has provided insight into the damage caused by fighting between rival military factions in Sudan.
China's Shenzhou 15 astronauts complete record-breaking 4th spacewalk (video)
By Andrew Jones published
China's Shenzhou 15 astronauts have completed the fourth and final spacewalk of their six-month-long mission.
China's moon plans involve 3D printing bricks from lunar soil
By Andrew Jones published
China aims to test 3D printing bricks from lunar regolith later this decade in a step towards constructing a permanent base on the moon.
SpaceX's 1st Starship and Super Heavy launch: How it will work
By Andrew Jones last updated
SpaceX is gearing up to launch the first near-orbital-velocity test flight of its combined Super Heavy booster and Starship upper stage on Thursday (April 20). Here's what to expect.
Giant exoplanet found, imaged directly thanks to star-mapping data (photos)
By Andrew Jones published
Astronomers have directly detected and imaged a gas giant orbiting another star by combining different techniques for hunting exoplanets.
Europe preps dark matter-hunting Euclid spacecraft for trip to Florida launch site (photos)
By Andrew Jones published
Europe's newest space telescope is set to cross the ocean ahead of its planned launch atop a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket this summer.
China's Shenzhou 15 astronauts quietly conduct 3rd spacewalk (video)
By Andrew Jones published
China's Shenzhou 15 astronauts completed their third spacewalk outside the Tiangong space station in late March under a cloud of secrecy.
JUICE Jupiter mission marks a massive milestone for European space exploration
By Andrew Jones published
The newly launched JUICE Jupiter mission is Europe's first flagship exploration mission and its first voyage to the outer solar system — and it could pave the way for even bolder efforts.
Chinese rocket startup bounces back from 3 straight failures with successful launch (video)
By Andrew Jones published
Chinese commercial launch startup iSpace has completed its second successful flight of its Hyperbola 1 solid rocket.
Private Japanese moon lander targeting April 25 for historic touchdown try
By Andrew Jones published
Japan's Hakuto-R spacecraft is preparing to make a historic lunar landing attempt on April 25.
Chinese launch company tests vertical rocket landings with jet-powered prototype (video)
By Andrew Jones published
A Chinese launch company has stepped up its quest to develop reusable rockets with sea platform landing tests using a small demonstrator.
SpaceX launches Intelsat satellite with NASA Earth-observation experiment, lands rocket
By Andrew Jones last updated
SpaceX launched a commercial Intelsat satellite with a NASA Earth science instrument onboard early Friday (April 7) and landed the returning rocket on a ship at sea.
Spain establishes its own space agency
By Andrew Jones published
The country's Council of Ministers voted to allow the Spanish Space Agency, or Agencia Espacial Española (AEE), to commence operations on March 7.
China plans to use parachutes to control its rocket debris problem
By Andrew Jones published
China is finalizing testing of a parachute system to help control falling rocket debris downrange.
Chinese solid rocket launches 4 weather satellites to orbit (video)
By Andrew Jones published
A Chinese solid rocket sent four meteorological satellites into orbit last week, marking the nation's 12th launch of 2023.
Private Japanese moon lander sends home stunning image from lunar orbit
By Andrew Jones published
The Hakuto-R spacecraft operated by the Japanese company ispace snapped the image of a sunlit section of the moon following its arrival in lunar orbit on March 20.
South Korean probe's NASA moon camera illuminates dark lunar crater (photo)
By Andrew Jones published
An image of a crater rim near the moon's south pole shows how NASA's ShadowCam instrument is shining new light on the darker regions of our celestial neighbor.
Chinese scientists hold out hope for silent Zhurong Mars rover
By Andrew Jones published
China's Zhurong Mars rover may be stuck, but scientists using data from the mission are still hopeful that the vehicle can reactivate and explore once more.
China's 1st liquid-fueled rocket moved to launch pad for liftoff this month
By Andrew Jones published
Chinese launch company Space Pioneer is all set for its first attempt to reach orbit with the country's first liquid-fueled rocket.
NASA selects Firefly Aerospace for mission to moon's far side in 2026
By Andrew Jones published
NASA has selected Firefly Aerospace to land payloads on the moon and send another into orbit to provide communications with the lunar far side.