Space Exploration

Latest about Space Exploration

NASA astronaut and SpaceX Crew-12 mission commander Jessica Meir snapped this photo of northern Africa from the International Space Station. She posted it on X on Sept. 27, 2026.
'It really does change you': SpaceX Crew-12 commander wishes we could all see our fragile Earth from space

By Mike Wall Published

The astronauts of SpaceX's Crew-12 mission wish that we could all see Earth as they just did — as a beautiful but fragile outpost of life in a vast void.

International Space Station
An artist's illustration of the GOES-1 weather satellite.
On this day in space! Oct. 16, 1975: NASA launches the 1st-ever GOES weather satellite to watch Earth from space

By Hanneke Weitering Published

On Oct. 16, 1975, NASA launched the first operational GOES weather satellite. Here's why it mattered.

Space Exploration
a man wearing a white spacesuit and sun glasses stands on a mobile stairway outside a 60's style airport terminal
'Mission: 60s' event promises passport back to the Space Age

By Robert Z. Pearlman Published

Your invitation to revisit the Space Age has arrived.Whether you miss the days when people got dressed up to fly or wish your other ride was a rocket, Mission: 60s has a *space* reserved for you.

Apollo
Artist's illustration of Rocket Lab's next-gen Neutron launcher in flight.
Rocket Lab pushes 1st launch of next-gen Neutron rocket to 2027

By Mike Wall Published

Rocket Lab has delayed the debut of its powerful, partially reusable Neutron launcher to 2027 due to a manufacturing issue.

4 Comments
Launches & Spacecraft
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launches the classified USSF-481 mission for the U.S. Space Force from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California on Oct. 15, 2026.
SpaceX launches classified mission for the US Space Force (video)

By Mike Wall Last updated

SpaceX launched a classified mission for the U.S. Space Force from California this evening (Oct. 15), on the 114th Falcon 9 mission of the year.

Launches & Spacecraft
NASA's Cassini spacecraft lifts off on Oct. 15, 1997, atop a Titan IVB rocket.
On this day in space! Oct. 15, 1997: NASA launches Cassini-Hugyens probe on 7-year voyage to Saturn

By Hanneke Weitering Published

Space Exploration
A close-up near the open nosecone of the SpaceX CRS-35 Cargo Dragon spacecraft hangs in the black of space.
SpaceX Cargo Dragon delivers more than 6,000 pounds of supplies to the ISS

By Josh Dinner Last updated

Docking occurred 10:27 a.m. EDT.

Launches & Spacecraft
A rich chemical diversity has been discovered in planet-forming disks around young stars.
Scientists discover 'chemical starter kit' for life in planetary birthplaces

By Keith Cooper Published

The discovery of surprising molecules of methanol and associated maser activity has expanded the inventory of the chemical starter kit that builds planets in young star systems.

Search for Life
SpaceX's Starship megarocket launches on its 14th test flight on Sept. 28, 2026.
SpaceX wants to launch Starship more than 450 times per year from South Texas

By Mike Wall Published

SpaceX has proposed increasing the number of allowed Starship launches from its Starbase site in South Texas from 25 per year to 456. The FAA is currently reviewing the request.

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Launches & Spacecraft
Astronauts could make rocket fuel out of the carbon-dioxide atmosphere on Mars in order to fly home.
SpaceX's Starship just turned 10 years old. When will it go to Mars?

By Andrew Jones Published

A decade after Elon Musk publicly unveiled plans for the fully reusable megarocket, Starship has reached orbit. How far away is Mars?

4 Comments
Launches & Spacecraft
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