Space Exploration

Latest about Space Exploration

Artist's concept of a nuclear thermal rocket. Such vehicles could help humanity get to Mars and other planets in the solar system.

Nuclear rockets could travel to Mars in half the time − but designing the reactors that would power them isn't easy

By Dan Kotlyar published

Fission technology is well established in power generation and nuclear-powered submarines, and its application to drive or power a rocket could one day give NASA a faster, more powerful alternative to chemically driven rockets.

Launches & Spacecraft
Graphic illustration with 'space calendar' in large blue neon letters and 2023 below it in smaller white letters. Below the title are four neon images depicting a meteor or comet, a telescope, a rocket launch and an astronaut's helmet. There is a starry background to the entire image.

Space calendar 2024: Rocket launches, skywatching events, missions & more!

By Space.com last updated

Reference Keep up with all the rocket launches, astronomical events and mission milestones for 2024 with our space calendar.

Reference
The lower limb of a large blue sphere looms behind a cross-shaped space station

Vast Space unveils Haven-2, a private space station to follow the ISS after its fiery end

By Robert Lea published

U.S. company Vast has unveiled Haven-2, its proposed commercial successor to the soon-to-be-retired International Space Station.

International Space Station
a streak of a rocket lifting off into the darkness of night with the moon shining overhead

SpaceX launches 100th rocket of 2024 during Starlink doubleheader (video, photos)

By Elizabeth Howell published

SpaceX launched two Starlink satellite missions just hours apart today (Oct. 15), one of which was the company's 100th liftoff of the year.

Launches & Spacecraft
The bulbous blue orb of Earth as seen from above. On its face, on the left, a giant white swirl of this cloud, a hurricane. On the bottom right, within the sliver of black space beneath the Earth, a white spacecraft is partially seen.

SpaceX makes Starlink internet service free for people hit by hurricanes Helene and Milton

By Samantha Mathewson published

In the wake of Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton, SpaceX has distributed more than 10,000 Starlink kits and waived monthly fees for using the satellite internet service in affected areas.

Satellites
illustration of a silver cylindrical object breaking apart in orbit, with earth in the background

The moon, Mars and space junk: World space agency heads outline grand plans, but also concerns

By Andrew Jones published

Leaders of major space agencies stated grand plans for the near future at the International Astronautical Congress in Milan, while noting concerns regarding Earth and the space environment.

Missions
NASA's Cassini spacecraft lifts off on Oct. 15, 1997, atop a Titan IVB rocket.

On this day in space! Oct. 15, 1997: Cassini-Huygens probe launches to Saturn

By Hanneke Weitering last updated

On Oct. 15, 1997, NASA launched the Cassini spacecraft on a mission to explore Saturn and its moons.

Space Shuttle
Many robot cubes float in etheral space

Cubesats, the tiniest of satellites, are changing the way we explore the solar system

By Mustafa Aksoy published

Whether discovering exoplanets or measuring the size of an asteroid, cubesats are affordable throughout the space community, even to small startup, private companies and university laboratories.

Satellites
a cube satellite with dishes on top and bottom and solar panels extended from two sides is burning up in earth's atmosphere. space is seen to the left, and the earth to the right below.

Pollution from rocket launches and burning satellites could cause the next environmental emergency

By Tereza Pultarova published

The growing number of rocket launches and satellites burning up in Earth's atmosphere could trigger the world's next big environmental emergency.

Satellites
Citing cost growth, NASA has dropped plans to develop a magnetometer instrument selected in 2015 for the Europa Clipper mission, but will look for ways to add a less expensive version to the spacecraft.

NASA's Europa Clipper mission to Jupiter: Mission updates

By Tariq Malik last updated

See the latest updates for the launch of NASA's Europa Clipper to Jupiter's icy moon here.

Missions
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