Space Exploration

Latest about Space Exploration

a rocket lifting off above a plume of steam. in front to the right is a sign with an illustration showing the earth and a number of orbits and satellites

Watch Rocket Lab launch 5 'Internet of Things' satellites today

By Elizabeth Howell published

Rocket Lab plans to boost a French company's 'Internet of Things' constellation with a five-satellite launch today (Sept. 18). Watch the event live.

Launches & Spacecraft
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launches the Galileo L13 mission on Sept. 17, 2024.

SpaceX launches 2 European navigation satellites, lands rocket (video)

By Mike Wall last updated

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched two European navigation satellites tonight (Sept. 17) and then landed safely, acing its 22nd mission.

Launches & Spacecraft
White and black rocket launching into a blue sky with white clouds

FAA plans to fine SpaceX $630,000 for alleged launch violations

By Mike Wall published

The FAA has proposed fining SpaceX more than $630,000 for allegedly failing to comply with regulations on two launches in 2023.

Private Spaceflight
The Polaris Dawn crew of Anna Menon (at left), Scott Poteet, Jared Isaacman and Sarah Gillis seen aboard Dragon "Resilience" after their splashdown and recovery, Sept. 15, 2024.

9 firsts in 5 days: Polaris Dawn crew lands from history-making SpaceX mission

By Robert Z. Pearlman published

Four private astronauts are back on Earth after a five-day mission that set firsts and broke records in an effort to advance human spaceflight.

Private Spaceflight
an illustration of Earth surrounded by thousands of bright dots

Space missions are getting more complex − lessons from Amazon and FedEx can inform satellite and spacecraft management in orbit

By Mariel Borowitz, Koki Ho published

Space logistics can be surprisingly complex.

Missions
The Polaris Dawn crew. stand in front of large neon red letters spelling out "occupy Mars"

The Polaris Program: One big step for civilian spaceflight

By Ed Browne last updated

Reference Everything you need to know about the Polaris Program, a series of upcoming commercial space missions carried out by civilian astronauts.

Reference
polaris dawn crew members in black jumpsuits pose in front of spacex starship hardware

Polaris Dawn: Everything you need to know about the 1st mission of the Polaris Program

By Elizabeth Howell last updated

Reference Polaris Dawn was the first of three missions of the Polaris Program. The mission flew on a SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft and was commanded by Jared Isaacman.

Reference
Saturn's icy moon Mimas highlights with shadows the vast size of Herschel Crater and its centerpiece Herschel peak. The image was captured by Cassini's narrow-angle camera on October 22, 2016 using several of its spectral filters.

On This Day in Space! Sept. 17, 1789: Saturn's 'Death Star' moon Mimas discovered

By Hanneke Weitering last updated

On Sept. 17, 1789, the British astronomer William Herschel discovered Saturn's "Death Star" moon, Mimas.

Space Shuttle
a bright light on earth circled by red, surrounded by darkness, in a picture taken from space

NASA astronaut photographs SpaceX's private Polaris Dawn capsule reentry from ISS (photo)

By Elizabeth Howell published

The private Polaris Dawn was within view of the ISS when the four-person private mission concluded its work on Sept. 15. Experienced NASA astronaut Don Pettit wielded the camera.

Human Spaceflight
A tan flat-faced semi pulls an erect white rocket out of a tall hanger.

China prepares for 1st launch of new Long March 8A rocket

By Andrew Jones published

China's new Long March 8A rocket could fly for the first time by the end of the year, helping the country build a number of planned satellite megaconstellation.

Launches & Spacecraft
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