Space Exploration

Latest about Space Exploration

a tall orange rocket stands in the distance on the left, with a large white fuel tank in the foreground on the right.

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
City lights are visible on the night side of Earth between the solar panels of docked spacecraft in a picture captured from the International Space Station.

Lunar New Year fireworks seen from orbit | Space photo of the day for Feb. 19, 2026

By Anthony Wood published

Beijing sparkles with Lunar New Year celebrations.

International Space Station

Do you suffer from IBS? This doctor says 'gravity intolerance' may be to blame

By Jessica Rendall published

By bringing gravity into the equation, we can focus on effective strategies for managing IBS in space and on Earth.

Human Spaceflight
debris from spacex starship falling over a boat in the ocean

SpaceX will resume landing rockets in The Bahamas after raining debris on the country last year

By Mike Wall published

The Bahamas has given SpaceX permission to resume rocket landings in the country, which were paused last year after a Starship test flight explosion caused a debris shower.

Launches & Spacecraft
Gas, vapor and soot form a flower-like rocket plume in a black sky, backlit by rocket engines.

SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket plume blossoms over Florida | Space photo of the day for Feb. 18, 2026

By Anthony Wood published

The NASA/SpaceX Crew-12 mission launched four astronauts on a journey to the International Space Station.

Space Exploration
A white rocket nose with the circular NASA logo stands next to the metal gantry underneath a glowing large full moon in a black night sky

NASA will fuel up its Artemis 2 moon rocket for the 2nd time on Feb. 19. Will it leak again?

By Mike Wall published

NASA will try again to fuel up its Artemis 2 moon rocket on Feb. 19. If all goes well, the crewed mission could launch as soon as March 6.

Artemis
A circular blue patch is surrounded by world flags around its circumference while in the middle in white letters is "esa" all lowercase.

From Ariane to ExoMars: The ultimate ESA trivia challenge

By Kenna Hughes-Castleberry published

Test your knowledge of Europe's boldest missions, brilliant spacecraft, and groundbreaking discoveries as you dive into a trivia challenge dedicated to the European Space Agency.

Launches & Spacecraft
During its high-speed return from the moon, the thermal protection system of Orion's crew module must endure blistering temperatures to keep crew members safe. Measuring 16.5 feet (5 meters) in diameter, Orion's heat shield is the largest of its kind developed for missions carrying astronauts.

The Artemis 1 moon mission had a heat shield issue. Here’s why NASA doesn’t think it will happen again on Artemis 2

By Leonard David published

The Orion capsule's heat shield had issues during the uncrewed Artemis 1 moon mission in late 2022. Here are the steps NASA has taken to prevent them from recurring on Artemis 2.

Artemis
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