Space Exploration

The UFO files: What did we learn from the Pentagon's 1st big release?

By Leonard David published 19 May 26

On May 8, the Pentagon released its first tranche of "UFO files." Space.com reached out to experts to make sense of this highly anticipated data drop.

Vega C rocket launches European-Chinese space weather satellite to orbit

By Mike Wall last updated 19 May 26

A Vega C rocket launched the European-Chinese SMILE space weather mission to orbit on Monday night (May 18).

This amazing NASA video shows the exact moment the Artemis 2 Orion capsule broke free of its service module, and we can't stop watching it

By Josh Dinner published 18 May 26

A new NASA video shows the Artemis 2 Orion capsule's separation from its service module just before the spacecraft slammed into Earth's atmosphere on April 10, 2026.

Artemis 2 moon astronauts snap gorgeous shot of swirling stars | Space photo of the day for May 18, 2026

By Chelsea Gohd published 18 May 26

What a view from the Orion capsule.

These Apollo 'UFO' images have been public for decades. So why are people talking about them now?

By Mike Wall published 18 May 26

Much of the UFO imagery that the Pentagon released last week was new, but we've known for decades about the odd things that the Apollo astronauts saw on and around the moon.

SpaceX Starlink and other satellite megaconstellations are creating an 'unregulated geoengineering experiment', scientists say

By Tereza Pultarova published 18 May 26

The space industry's plans to launch millions of satellites worry scientists as the rise in high-altitude air pollution threatens to alter Earth's climate.

SpaceX Dragon capsule delivers science and supplies to space station

By Robert Z. Pearlman published 17 May 26

A SpaceX Dragon cargo spacecraft delivered 6,500 pounds of science and supplies to the International Space Station on Sunday, May 17, 2026.

Giant radio telescope sees Artemis 2 astronauts on Orion flying around the moon. 'There are 4 people in those pixels.'

By Julian Dossett published 17 May 26

A giant radio telescope in West Virginia tracked Artemis 2's Orion spacecraft around the moon for five days, gathering precise observations on its movements during the historic mission.

NASA's Psyche spacecraft is flying to a metal asteroid. So, why did it just visit Mars?

By Sharmila Kuthunur published 16 May 26

NASA's Psyche flyby of Mars highlights how gravity assists help spacecraft gain speed, conserve fuel and travel across the solar system.

SpaceX launches 6,500 pounds of cargo to the International Space Station after delay (video)

By Mike Wall last updated 15 May 26

SpaceX launched its Dragon cargo capsule to the International Space Station today (May 15) after a weather delay, sending 6,500 pounds of supplies to orbit.