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NASA astronauts Bob Behnken (left) and Doug Hurley give a thumbs up after arriving at NASA's Kennedy Space Center ahead of SpaceX's Demo-2 mission, on May 20, 2020.

NASA is having a virtual 'Launch America' party for historic SpaceX flight. (Yes, you're invited)

By Elizabeth Howell

NASA is ready to virtually host thousands of excited people for America's first launch of astronauts from United States soil to orbit since 2011.

SpaceX's Crew Dragon capsule sits ready for launch atop a Falcon 9 rocket on Launch Complex 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. On Wednesday (May 27), two NASA astronauts will launch to the International Space Station for the first crewed test flight of a Crew Dragon spacecraft. The Crew Dragon and Falcon 9 rocket reached the launch site on Thursday (May 21).

It's official: SpaceX is 'go' to launch NASA astronauts on Crew Dragon spaceship

By Mike Wall

SpaceX remains on target to launch its landmark Demo-2 mission to the space station this week, NASA officials said.

NASA astronauts Bob Behnken (at left) and Doug Hurley give a thumbs up after arriving at the Launch and Landing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida ahead of launching on SpaceX's Demo-2 mission, May 20, 2020.

From trees to tags, NASA astronauts start traditions before first SpaceX launch

By Robert Z. Pearlman

As the first NASA astronauts set to launch from American soil in almost a decade, they are laying the foundation for the pre-flight traditions that U.S. commercial spacecraft crews will follow.

NASA astronauts Bob Behnken (left) and Doug Hurley, wearing SpaceX spacesuits, walk through the Crew Access Arm connecting the launch tower to the SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft during a dress rehearsal at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Jan. 17, 2020.

How SpaceX's sleek spacesuit changes astronaut fashion from the space shuttle era

By Elizabeth Howell

A new breed of spaceship requires a new breed of spacesuits.

An artist's illustration of the center of Mars

New Marsquake study could shatter theories on how Mars was born

By Gemma Lavender

A team of researchers at the University of Tokyo has revealed tantalizing details about Mars’ seismic activity for the very first time.

SpaceX's first Crew Dragon spacecraft for the Demo-2 test fight with astronauts is seen before being mated to its Falcon 9 rocket.

NASA review of Space's 1st launch to carry astronauts goes into overtime

By Tariq Malik

NASA's Aqua satellite captured this view of Typhoon Amphan on May 20, 2020 at 1 p.m. India Standard Time (0730 GMT).

Satellite images show Typhoon Amphan's landfall in India, Bangladesh

By Elizabeth Howell

Satellites are keeping a careful watch on Typhoon Amphan during and after landfall near eastern India and Bangladesh Wednesday (May 20).

This illustration (made using real images and data) shows the moon in shadow during the "new moon" lunar phase.

May new moon 2020: Mercury and Venus meet up in the 'moonless' night sky

By Jesse Emspak

The new moon occurs Friday (May 22), at 1:39 p.m. EDT (1839 GMT), the same day that Venus and Mercury make a close approach.

President Donald Trump speaks with NASA astronauts Christina Koch and Jessica Meir from the White House on Oct. 18, 2019 as the astronauts performed the first all-woman spacewalk in history at the International Space Station.

Trump will watch SpaceX's 1st astronaut launch for NASA in person

By Tariq Malik

President Donald Trump may watch SpaceX's first astronaut launch for NASA in person on May 27.

Farewell Venus, hello Mercury! The innermost planet steals the spotlight this week

By Joe Rao

As the "evening star" Venus begins to retreat from the evening sky, the tiny planet Mercury prepares to put on a show.

Former NASA Associate Administrator for the Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate Douglas Loverro speaks at a NASA town hall event on Dec. 3, 2019, at NASA Headquarters in Washington.

Why did NASA's human spaceflight chief Doug Loverro abruptly resign?

By Hanneke Weitering

Space.com spoke with NASA's former human spaceflight chief Doug Loverro, who abruptly resigned on the eve of a historic launch with little explanation.

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket carrying the first Crew Dragon spacecraft to carry astronauts is raised atop its launch pad at Pad 39A of NASA's Kennedy Space Center on May 21, 2020. Liftoff is set for May 27.

SpaceX Crew Dragon reaches launch pad for historic NASA astronaut launch

By Chelsea Gohd

Crew Dragon has arrived at Launch Pad 39A ahead of next week's launch.

An animation showing SpaceX's Crew Dragon capsule, which is set to launch May 27, 2020.

Watch astronauts talk SpaceX's Demo-2 launch with 'Virtual Astronomy Live' today!

By Chelsea Gohd

Today (May 21), former NASA astronauts Mike Massimino and Garrett Reisman will go live to chat about SpaceX's upcoming historic launch.

NASA astronauts Bob Behnken (at left) and Doug Hurley are set to launch aboard SpaceX's Dragon spacecraft on the first U.S. rocket to launch into orbit from U.S. soil in nearly a decade.

SpaceX will make history with NASA astronaut launch next week. But will it draw crowds to Florida?

By Meghan Bartels

NASA wants spectators to stay home amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

An artist's impression of the Wolfe Disk, a massive disk galaxy in the early universe.

Massive disk galaxy could change our understanding of how galaxies are born

By Chelsea Gohd

A massive, rotating disk galaxy that first formed just 1.5 billion years after the Big Bang, could upend our understanding of galaxy formation, scientists suggest in a new study.

The Five-hundred-meter Aperture Spherical Telescope (FAST) in southwest China's Guizhou Province.

Ready, SETI, go: Is there a race to contact E.T.?

By Leonard David

Researchers using China's huge new FAST radio telescope are piecing together a technological strategy to carry out a major and sweeping search for extraterrestrial intelligence (SETI).

Virgin Orbit’s LauncherOne rocket falls away from its carrier plane during the company’s first-ever drop test on July 10, 2019.

Virgin Orbit to attempt 1st launch of LauncherOne rocket this weekend

By Mike Wall

Virgin Orbit is targeting Sunday (May 24) for its Launch Demo mission, with a backup opportunity on Monday (May 25). The four-hour window will open each day at 1 p.m. EDT (1700 GMT).

NASA astronauts Bob Behnken (right) and Doug Hurley (left) arrived today (May 20, 2020) at NASA's Kennedy Space Center a week ahead of their historic test mission Demo-2 aboard SpaceX's Crew Dragon capsule.

NASA astronauts arrive at launch site for historic SpaceX test flight

By Chelsea Gohd

Veteran NASA astronauts Bob Behnken and Doug Hurley arrived at NASA's Kennedy Space Center today (May 20), ready to take off on SpaceX's historic Demo-2 test flight.

An artist's depiction of the OSIRIS-REx spacecraft approaching the surface of the asteroid Bennu for a sampling attempt.

NASA plan to sample asteroid Bennu delayed by coronavirus pandemic

By Meghan Bartels

After delays from the coronavirus pandemic, NASA has picked a date for its spacecraft to snatch up a chunk of space rock to bring home.

A Mitsubishi Heavy Industries H-IIB rocket launches the final HTV cargo ship to the International Space Station from Tanegashima Space Center at 2:31 a.m. JST on May 21, 2020 (1:31 p.m. EDT/1731 GMT on May 20).

Japanese HTV cargo ship, the last of its kind, launches to International Space Station

By Tariq Malik

An unpiloted Japanese cargo ship, the last of its kind, launched toward the International Space Station today (May 20), kicking off a final voyage for the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA).