Space Exploration

Latest about Space Exploration

a split-screen view of a rocket launch and a first stage landing, both at night

Falcon 9 rocket sets new reuse record on SpaceX's 2nd Starlink launch of the day (video)

By Robert Z. Pearlman published

Two SpaceX Falcon 9 rockets, each carrying Starlink satellites, launched from California and Florida on Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026. The second booster set a new reuse record.

Launches & Spacecraft
a man in a blue suit with a yellow tie speaks into a microphone in a richly decorated room

Trump says US government will declassify its UFO files. Will we actually learn anything this time, or is this a distraction?

By Brett Tingley published

President Donald Trump has issued a statement that he will instruct the federal government to begin releasing all of its files related to UFOs.

Search for Life
NASA’s Artemis II SLS rocket and Orion spacecraft stand vertical on mobile launcher 1 at Launch Complex 39B at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Feb. 10, 2026. 

'This is really getting real.' NASA's Artemis 2 moon rocket fueling test went so well, astronauts could launch March 6

By Mike Wall published

NASA announced today (Feb. 20) that it’s targeting March 6 for the liftoff of Artemis 2, which will be the first crewed mission to go beyond low Earth orbit since Apollo 17 back in 1972.

Artemis

Scientists successfully mine meteorites on International Space Station — using microbes

By Julian Dossett published

Can we use fungus to mine precious metals from asteroids?

International Space Station
A black rocket stage with white letters stands against a purple sky.

Firefly Aerospace prepares Alpha rocket for 1st launch since explosive mishaps last year

By Josh Dinner published

Firefly Aerospace is gearing up for the seventh liftoff of its Alpha rocket on Feb. 27, after two explosive events in 2025 stalled development of the launch vehicle.

Launches & Spacecraft
NASA completed the wet dress rehearsal for its Artemis 2 moon rocket on Feb. 19, 2026.

NASA just fueled up its Artemis 2 moon rocket in 2nd critical test. Was it a success? (It sure looked like it.)

By Josh Dinner last updated

NASA's second attempt to fuel up its Artemis 2 moon rocket appeared to go well on Thursday (Feb. 19), potentially keeping the mission on track to launch as soon as early March.

Artemis
the first stage of a rocket is seen lit at night in silhouette standing on its four landing legs atop a sea-based droneship

SpaceX lands Falcon 9 rocket in The Bahamas for 2nd time ever (video)

By Mike Wall last updated

SpaceX landed a rocket in The Bahamas for the second time ever on Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026, after launching 29 Starlink satellites from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida.

Launches & Spacecraft
An orange rocket with a white top stands against a dynamic sky. A danger sign stands on the left.

Artemis 2 SLS wet dress rehearsal latest news: 'Launch' countdown completed for moon rocket fueling test

By Josh Dinner last updated

Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026: NASA carried out last major test of SLS before the launch of Artemis 2 and a crew of astronauts around the moon.

Artemis
A white and blue Boeing Starliner capsule floats above a blue Earth with the black of space in the background.

'We almost did have a really terrible day.' NASA now says Boeing's 1st Starliner astronaut flight was a 'Type A mishap'

By Mike Wall published

"This was a really challenging event in our recent history."

Human Spaceflight
SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket debris burns up over Ingersleben, DE on Feb. 19, 2025.

Scientists measure air pollution from reentering SpaceX rocket in real-time: 'It's never been done before'

By Tereza Pultarova published

For the first time ever, scientists have observed in near real time a cloud of air pollution created as a SpaceX rocket burned up in Earth's atmosphere.

Launches & Spacecraft
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