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This summer, researchers tested rover and drone prototypes on lava fields in Iceland from July 8 to Aug. 5, 2019. This work will inform NASA's Mars 2020 operations team.

Robots Explore 'Mars-Like' Lava Field in Iceland as Prep for NASA's Mars 2020 Rover

By Chelsea Gohd

Researchers traveled to Iceland this summer to test a prototype rover and drone. These tests will help to inform the Mars 2020 operations team.

Engineers install one of the three radioisotope thermoelectric generators (RTGs) on NASA's Cassini spacecraft, which orbited Saturn from 2004 to 2017.

Trump Issues New Launch Guidelines for Nuclear Spacecraft

By Samantha Mathewson

The United States has set new guidelines for launching safe and sustainable nuclear spacecraft on future missions to the moon, Mars and beyond.

An illustration of the SN 2016iet supernova explosion.

Monster 'Loner' Star Causes Scientists to Rethink Supernova Explosions

By Passant Rabie

This star has a number of odd qualities, and may have had one of the most powerful explosions ever observed.

Artist Carol Prusa surrounded by her astronomy-inspired silverpoint artwork.

Working in Silver, Artist Conveys Mystery of Solar Eclipses in New Show

By Meghan Bartels

The drama of a total solar eclipse has astonished countless astronomers and amateurs, but few have channeled that astonishment as beautifully as artist Carol Prusa.

NASA's Artemis program aims to land the first woman and next man on the moon by 2024. To do that, the agency must get better at mixed-gender mission needs, experts say.

If NASA Wants to Land the 1st Woman on the Moon, Her Spacesuit Better Fit

By Chelsea Gohd

Today (Aug. 20), the National Space Council discussed how NASA might support a mixed-gender astronaut crew.

NASA astronaut Doug Hurley and other NASA and SpaceX personnel practice pulling humans out of SpaceX's Crew Dragon capsule on Aug. 13, 2019.

NASA Rehearses Astronaut Launch — and Rescue — with SpaceX, Boeing (Photos)

By Elizabeth Howell

Both SpaceX and Boeing are busily preparing for the first crewed launches of their commercial spacecraft, and in case something goes wrong, they're simulating different types of emergencies.

New Moon

August New Moon 2019: Invisible 'Supermoon' Rises with Jupiter and Saturn

By Jesse Emspak

The new moon occurs Aug. 30, at 6:37 a.m. EDT (1037 GMT), just a few hours before the moon reaches perigee — the closest point in its orbit to Earth.

The "Discover Space with Snoopy" McDonald's Happy Meal comes with books and toys that feature the Peanuts comic strip dog and which promote NASA's missions and STEM education.

Snoopy and NASA Discover Space in New McDonald's Happy Meal

By Robert Z. Pearlman

Kids can now join Astronaut Snoopy as he blasts off on his NASA adventures with a new McDonald's Happy Meal.

A Russian Soyuz 2.1a rocket carrying an upgraded Soyuz space capsule (and the humanoid robot Skybot F-850) stands atop Launch Site No. 31 at Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan. The rocket will launch to the International Space Station on Aug. 21, 2019 at 11:38 p.m. EDT (0338 Aug. 22 GMT).

Russia Launching Humanoid Robot to Space Station Tonight: Watch Live

By Mike Wall

Russia is launching a Soyuz spacecraft on a test flight to the International Space Station tonight (Aug. 21), and you can watch the action live.

"Brother," Episode 201, Pictured: Tig Notaro as Chief Engineer Reno of the CBS All Access series "Star Trek: Discovery."

Comedian Tig Notaro Talks NASA's James Webb Space Telescope on Twitter

By Chelsea Gohd

Comedian Tig Notaro took to Twitter to support NASA's James Webb Space Telescope.

NASA astronaut Christina Koch (right) gives a fist pump to astronaut Andrew Morgan, also of NASA, during a spacesuit check ahead of an Aug. 21, 2019 spacewalk outside the International Space Station.

Two Astronauts Are Spacewalking Outside the International Space Station Today! Watch It Live

By Passant Rabie

Two astronauts are taking a spacewalk outside the International Space Station today (August 21) to install a new docking port.

NASA plans to launch the Europa Clipper mission in 2023 or 2025.

NASA's Europa Clipper Mission to Jupiter's Icy Moon Clears Big Hurdle on Path to Launch

By Mike Wall

A highly anticipated NASA mission to Jupiter's possibly life-supporting moon Europa remains on track for a mid-2020s launch.

Skywatchers can find Uranus and the Moon sharing the sky today (Aug. 21).

Look Up! Uranus and the Waning Gibbous Moon Share the Sky

By Chelsea Gohd

Just before dawn today (Aug. 21), skywatchers will be able to spot both Uranus and the waning gibbous moon.

An illustration of a spacecraft powered by nuclear thermal propulsion.

Nuclear Propulsion Could Be 'Game-Changer' for Space Exploration, NASA Chief Says

By Mike Wall

Humanity's next giant leap could be enabled by nuclear thermal propulsion, NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine said.

Russia's Skybot F-850: "Not a Terminator" but a space robot, and will launch to the International Space Station on a Soyuz space capsule in August 2019.

Meet Skybot F-850, the Humanoid Robot Russia Is Launching into Space

By Tom Metcalfe

When a Russian Soyuz spacecraft launches from Kazakhstan for the International Space Station Wednesday, it will carry a humanoid robot called Skybo F-850.

Vice President Mike Pence speaks at the sixth meeting of the National Space Council at the National Air and Space Museum in Chantilly, Va., on Aug. 20, 2019.

New US Space Command Will Launch Next Week, VP Pence Says

By Hanneke Weitering

The United States Space Command will officially be up and running by the end of the month, Vice President Mike Pence said today (Aug. 20) at a meeting of the National Space Council.

An illustration of exoplanet LHS 3844b, which may have a rocky surface similar to that of Earth's moon.

This Weird, Rocky Planet Has No Atmosphere

By Passant Rabie

A nearby, rocky exoplanet may be just a plain rock with no atmosphere — supporting a theory that planets orbiting small stars are more susceptible to lacking an atmosphere.

NASA has issued a request for proposals for American companies to design spacecraft that will deliver supplies to the lunar Gateway. This effort will support the agency's Artemis program.

NASA Wants Ideas for Private Cargo Ships to Supply a Lunar Gateway

By Chelsea Gohd

NASA has called for companies to submit proposals to create spacecraft that will deliver cargo to the lunar gateway.

An artist's illustration of India's Chandrayaan-2 orbiter (bottom) and the Vikram lander, which carries the Pragyan rover, in orbit around the moon.

India's Chandrayaan-2 Moon Mission Successfully Enters Lunar Orbit

By Meghan Bartels

India's Chandrayaan-2 mission has ticked off another key milestone in its journey to land safely on the moon: The spacecraft has successfully entered lunar orbit.

An artist's visualization of a black hole swallowing a neutron star.

Did a Black Hole Swallow a Neutron Star 900 Million Years Ago?

By Chelsea Gohd

Researchers at LIGO and Virgo may have detected a gravitational-wave signal from the merger between a black hole and neutron star. This would be a major first.