Latest articles by Elizabeth Howell
NASA funds spherical 'Aerobots' that could explore the caves of Saturn's moon Titan
An early-stage grant is offering a look at spherical 'Aerobots' that could zoom around the caves of Titan, in a demo mission similar to Mars Ingenuity.
1-billion-year-old Mars meteorite found in Algeria is like nothing we've seen from the Red Planet
Scientists found a Martian meteorite on Earth that is finally filling in a nearly 2-billion-year-old geology-history gap on the Red Planet.
NASA figured out how to keep its 48-year-old Voyager 2 probe running for yet another year
NASA's Voyager 2 probe, which launched in 1977, can keep operating its last science instruments after a power reduction operation performed in interstellar space.
Rocket issue delays 1st orbital rocket launch from the UK
While testing a rocket on the launch pad at the U.K.'s SaxaVord Spaceport, RFA found 'an issue with the vehicle that requires further investigation.'
Watch SpaceX's Starship land at sea in these stunning new videos
SpaceX used drones and a special 'buoy cam' to capture incredible footage of its Starship upper stage making a soft ocean landing after its 13th test flight on July 24.
The US government wants to bypass environmental laws for commercial launches and spacecraft reentries
The FAA, facing a backlog in demand for space missions, is proposing to cut down on environmental reviews to accelerate launches and re-entries.
A massive crater was spotted on Google Earth. It could be a scar from an ancient meteorite impact
While getting ready for a camping trip, an amateur astronomer spotted a possible crater. It appears to be a match, pending microscopic results.
Astronauts just launched on a Soyuz rocket with an energy-drink ad on it, continuing a Russian tradition
This week's ISS astronaut launch used a Soyuz rocket emblazoned with an ad for an energy drink. It's not the first time Russia has put an ad in space — and more may be coming.
149 million views! Artemis II moon mission breaks NASA's streaming record
The Artemis II astronauts made an impact on potentially hundreds of millions of people during their mission, according to NASA figures.
Staffing the moon base: How many astronauts should live in NASA's lunar outpost?
A simulation of future astronaut moon bases suggests that mission design, and not just psychology, needs to be considered for success.
Artemis 2's Jeremy Hansen stepping down from active astronaut duty after epic moon mission
The Canadian Space Agency's Jeremy Hansen will step back from active astronaut service in September for a new role.
Chinese scientists find the best way to nuke an asteroid on its way to impact Earth
While no imminent asteroid threats have been found for Earth, Chinese scientists discussed two ways to deflect a space rock in case of trouble.
Unidentified metal spheres found on Australian beach are 'debris from a foreign rocket body', space agency says
The Australian Space Agency is warning residents of Queensland to be on the lookout after metallic-looking spheres, possibly space debris, appeared on a beach.
NASA audit puts Boeing's Starliner under an even bigger microscope: When will it fly astronauts again?
A new NASA audit says the agency will need to purchase more astronaut flights to the ISS by 2030 and focuses on issues with Boeing's Starliner spacecraft.
How NASA's 'America 250' celebrations are reaching from the sky to the moon
NASA has big plans for July 4 — the 250th anniversary of the ratification of the Declaration of Independence — which involves both aircraft and spacecraft.
Could future astronauts use oysters as water filters? Here's why one company thinks so
A prototype oyster habitat used for water filtration is aiming for an eventual space launch after an early-stage prototype was demonstrated to the public earlier this year.
NASA used a drone to deliver a human kidney. Is this the future of transplant transport?
The drone flew beyond line of sight with a kidney not viable for organ transplant, to test the concept for future deliveries to patients.
NASA sent a FIFA World Cup 2026 ball to the ISS so astronauts can test their footwork in zero gravity (video)
Soccer balls are tricky to design for proper spin. NASA highlighted how it is helping with FIFA ball design — and providing entertainment for ISS astronauts.
Why is the US Space Force researching 'orbital warehouses'?
As the US military readies for two 2027 missions to test spacecraft maneuvering, a new challenge with orbital warehouses aims to beef up space infrastructure.
The critical robot arm on the ISS isn't working properly, but NASA has a plan to fix it
A part of Canadarm2 robotic arm on the ISS broke in May, requiring repairs by spacewalking astronauts no earlier than June 30. A spare is already on the station.
Elon Musk wants to put 1 million AI satellites in space. Here's how SpaceX could do it
SpaceX CEO Elon Musk outlined more details for his company’s planned data centers in space ahead of a widely anticipated IPO on Friday (June 12) expected to make him a trillionaire.
NASA chief defends all-male Artemis 3 astronaut crew amid backlash: 'I don't think anyone should be reading into this'
The four astronauts named to the Artemis 3 crew are all male, but NASA officials emphasized they were selected based on their qualifications and experience.
Thruster breakthrough? New 2-in-1 propulsion system is about to get an in-space test
A new propulsion system feeds the same "monopropellant" fuel into electrical and chemical thrusters, potentially saving on mass and complications for future missions to Mars.
