Space Exploration

SpaceX will launch its 1st-ever Starship V3 megarocket today. The stakes couldn't be higher

By Mike Wall published 21 May 26

There's a lot riding on the debut flight of SpaceX's Starship V3 megarocket — including some of NASA's lunar ambitions.

Space debris is forcing satellites to dodge more often — costing us vital science. 'Things will get worse before they get better'

By Tom Brown published 20 May 26

Satellites forced to avoid space debris appear to have lost some of their data due to the movement. They've also lost precious fuel.

SpaceX stacks Starship V3 rocket, completes major fueling test ahead of debut launch

By Josh Dinner published 20 May 26

SpaceX has stacked its Starship spacecraft and Super Heavy booster at the company's new Starbase launch pad, ahead of the rocket's 12th test flight.

US military test-launches nuclear-capable ICBM from California (photos)

By Brett Tingley published 20 May 26

The U.S. military test-launched an unarmed intercontinental ballistic missile from Vandenberg Space Force Base on May 20, 2026.

NASA's Psyche probe takes awesome images of Mars on way to (possibly) precious asteroid

By Monisha Ravisetti published 20 May 26

NASA's asteroid-bound Psyche spacecraft flew by Mars for a gravity assist on the way to its final target. And it took some close-up pictures on the way.

SpaceX launches Starlink satellites on stunning sunset Falcon 9 flight (video)

By Robert Z. Pearlman published 20 May 26

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket carrying 24 Starlink satellites lifted off from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California on Tuesday, May 19, 2026.

Worker dies at SpaceX's Starbase ahead of Starship V3 megarocket launch

By Mike Wall published 19 May 26

A worker died at SpaceX's Starbase site in South Texas early Friday morning (May 15), as the company geared up for the debut launch of its Starship V3 megarocket.

Vast, builder of private space stations, launches line of high-power satellites

By Mike Wall published 19 May 26

The California startup Vast, which is best known for its space station plans, announced today (May 19) that it's launching a new line of high-power satellites.

NASA satellite will test orbital 'gas station' tech to help astronauts reach the moon and Mars

By Josh Dinner published 19 May 26

You can travel much farther with a full tank.

Scientists just solved a tricky asteroid-hopping spacecraft riddle

By Keith Cooper published 19 May 26

Plotting the optimal trajectory to visit multiple asteroids is a fiendishly difficult take on the Traveling Salesperson problem, but a new mathematical approach has succeeded in solving it.