Human Spaceflight

Former NASA astronaut Mark Kelly sues Pentagon, Pete Hegseth over censure campaign

By Mike Wall Published 12 January 26

Former NASA astronaut and current U.S. Senator Mark Kelly is fighting back, suing the Pentagon for its plan to censure him over comments he made in a video late last year.

Moon fever hits DC as Artemis 2 rocket 'candle' lights up Washington Monument just 1 month before launch (photos)

By Elizabeth Howell Published 10 January 26

The Washington Monument lit up on New Year's Eve in celebration of the Artemis 2 moon mission as well as the 250th anniversary year of the Declaration of Independence.

How does NASA handle astronaut medical issues in space?

By Josh Dinner Published 8 January 26

NASA just postponed a spacewalk because of a medical concern with an astronaut. Here's how the agency has handled such issues in the past.

Trump administration censures former NASA astronaut Mark Kelly over 'illegal orders' video

By Mike Wall Published 5 January 26

The Department of Defense is taking administrative action against former NASA astronaut and current U.S. Senator Mark Kelly over remarks he made in a 90-second video in November.

Scientists are getting our robotic explorers ready to help send humans to Mars

By Sharmila Kuthunur Published 31 December 25

"It's really not a question of robotic exploration or human exploration," Ehlmann said. "It is an 'and' — it's robotic and human exploration and how we do these best together."

Meet Qingzhou, China's next-gen cargo craft for its Tiangong space station (video)

By Andrew Jones Published 22 December 25

Qingzhou is a lighter and potentially lower-cost alternative to China's Tianzhou freighter.

Experiments on a private space station: Vast asks scientists for research proposals

By Andrew Jones Published 17 December 25

The California startup Vast has opened a call for scientific research aboard its Haven-1 private space station, which is set to launch atop a SpaceX rocket next year.

Chinese astronauts inspect damaged Shenzhou 20 spacecraft during 8-hour spacewalk (video)

By Mike Wall Published 9 December 25

Two Chinese astronauts installed more debris shielding on the Tiangong space station and assessed the damage to the attached Shenzhou 20 spacecraft during a spacewalk on Tuesday (Dec. 9).

Scientists sent a menstrual cup to space. This is how it went

By Jessica Rendall Published 7 December 25

Most astronauts who menstruate pause their cycle with hormones before hitting the stars, but in the future, we'll need more options.

Blue Origin's next space tourism flight will break new ground for people with disabilities

By Leonard David Published 5 December 25

Blue Origin's upcoming NS-37 space tourism launch has special significance: One of the passengers is Michi Benthaus, who will become the first wheelchair user in space.