Spaceflight - News About Space Travel and Exploration

Astronaut Peggy Whitson floats in the cupola on board the International Space Station, backdropped by the Earth below.

National Space Society's ISDC 2021 conference goes virtual — here's how to watch it live Thursday

By Elizabeth Howell

The National Space Society (NSS) will hold its flagship annual event virtually this year, starting on Thursday (June 24) — and you can watch most of it live, for free.

Space Perspective's "Neptune One" balloon-borne test vehicle took this photo from an altitude of about 100,000 feet (30,000 meters) during the company's first test flight, on June 18, 2021.

Space Perspective starts selling seats for balloon rides to stratosphere

By Mike Wall

Space Perspective is taking seat reservations for its "Spaceship Neptune," a balloon-borne pressurized capsule designed to carry people about 100,000 feet into the sky. The price: $125,000 apiece.

A new batch of astronauts will join Europe's existing space farers in late 2022.

More than 22,000 apply to join European Space Agency's astronaut corps, a new record

By Tereza Pultarova

The European Space Agency has received a record number of applications for its recently closed call for new astronauts with more than 22,000 people applying.

There's a lot going in space this year. Check out our up-to-date space launch schedule and calendar here!

Space calendar 2021: Rocket launches, sky events, missions & more!

By Hanneke Weitering

Here's a guide to all the rocket launches and astronomical events in 2021, as well as milestones for space missions, anniversaries and conferences.

China's Tiangong space station has a modular design similar to the International Space Station.

China's Tiangong space station: What it is, what it's for, and how to see it

By Paulo de Souza

It will be built on a modular design, similar to the International Space Station operated by the United States, Russia, Japan, Canada and the European Space Agency.

The Hubble Space Telescope was originally deployed on April 25, 1990, from the space shuttle Discovery.

Hubble Space Telescope's 1980s computer glitch may run deeper than NASA thought

By Meghan Bartels

It turns out it's tricky to troubleshoot a 1980s computer that's dashing around Earth hundreds of miles over our heads.

A photograph shows the rocket-powered Bell X-1 supersonic plane during a test flight.

On This Day in Space! June 23, 1949: XS-1 rocket plane takes 117th Flight

By Hanneke Weitering

On June 23, 1949, the XS-1 rocket plane flew for the 117th time. See how it happened in our "On This Day In Space" series!

Tide has partnered with NASA to develop the first laundry detergent for use in space and to test stain removal on board the International Space Station in 2022.

Tide to develop first laundry detergent for astronauts' clothing on space station

By Robert Z. Pearlman

Future astronauts may not need to worry about moon dust and Mars soil stains, thanks to a new effort by Tide to develop a detergent for use in space.

Former astronaut Pam Melroy is sworn in as the 15th NASA deputy administrator by NASA Administrator Bill Nelson, as her husband, Doug Hollett, holds their family Bible on June 21, 2021, at the Mary W. Jackson NASA Headquarters building in Washington, D.C.

Former astronaut Pam Melroy sworn in as NASA deputy chief

By Mike Wall

Former astronaut Pam Melroy was sworn in as NASA deputy administrator on Monday (June 21), four days after being confirmed for the post by the U.S. Senate.

Reiner Gamma, a mysterious "lunar swirl" as seen by NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter.

NASA picks 3 new science experiments for commercial moon missions

By Rahul Rao

Behind the scenes, NASA's Artemis program relies on Commercial Lunar Payload Services partners to deliver science equipment to the moon.

ESA scientists simulated the burn-up during the atmospheric reentry of one of the bulkiest items aboard a typical satellite.

Plasma wind tunnel annihilates satellite model in atmospheric reentry test

By Mindy Weisberger

Satellite parts that melt away during reentry reduce the risk of space debris impacts on Earth, a new video demonstrates.

An image the Mars helicopter Ingenuity captured of its shadow during its eighth flight on Mars, on June 21, 2021.

Mars helicopter Ingenuity nails 8th flight on the Red Planet

By Meghan Bartels

NASA's experimental Mars helicopter has now flown eight times on the Red Planet, traveling farther than scientists hoped would be possible.

A Chinese Long March 2F rocket launches three astronauts on the Shenzhou 12 mission to the country's new Tiangong space station core module Tianhe from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China at 9:22 a.m. Beijing Time on June 17, 2021.

Russia wants to send cosmonauts to China space station

By Andrew Jones

Roscosmos is looking at ways to send its cosmonauts to the Chinese space station, launching from sites in either Russia or French Guiana.

NASA astronauts Barry “Butch” Wilmore (left) and Mike Fincke take a selfie on June 21, 2021, with a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket and the crew of R/S RocketShip, the ship that hauled the launcher from Alabama to Florida’s Space Coast. This Atlas V will launch Wilmore, Fincke and fellow NASA astronaut Nicole Mann on Crew Flight Test, Boeing’s first crewed mission to the International Space Station for NASA, in late 2021.

Rocket that will launch Boeing's 1st crewed mission for NASA arrives in Florida (photos)

By Mike Wall

The United Launch Alliance Atlas V booster that will loft Boeing's Crew Flight Test mission arrived at Cape Canaveral on Sunday (June 20), making the journey by boat from Decatur, Alabama.

NASA is sending a manikin on its Artemis 1 mission to gather data about how astronauts will experience the flight around the moon.

ACE? Rigel? NASA wants help naming a 'Moonikin' that will fly around the moon

By Elizabeth Howell

A moonbound 'manikin' that will fly on a forthcoming NASA Artemis mission needs a name — and the agency wants your help.

June 13, 2021, the Hubble Space Telescope shut down after an issue with a 1980s-era payload computer. Team members continue to work on the issue to get the telescope operational once again.

Hubble Space Telescope sidelined by issue with its 1980s computer

By Chelsea Gohd

NASA is working quickly to fix the Hubble Space Telescope after an issue with a 1980s-era computer on board caused the famous orbiting observatory to temporarily shut down.

A conceptual image illustrating space debris orbiting Earth.

New spacecraft sustainability rating targets space junk

By Tereza Pultarova

New spacecraft sustainability rating will evaluate satellite missions based on responsible design with respect to protecting the orbital environment from the proliferation of space debris.

Lego Education is collaborating with NASA to bring the Artemis 1 mission into classrooms with "Build to Launch."

Build to Launch: Lego Education to bring NASA's Artemis 1 mission into classrooms

By Robert Z. Pearlman

As NASA assembles the final parts for its return to the moon, Lego is ready to launch into classrooms with a learning series themed around the space agency's Artemis 1 mission.