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The U.K. rocket startup Skyrora tested its Skylark Micro suborbital rocket last year. In the future, the company's rockets will be powered by a renewable fuel made from non-recyclable plastics.

Can biofuels make spaceflight greener? UK space startups reveal plans for cleaner rocket launches

By Tereza Pultarova

Two British start-ups claim their biofuel-based rockets produce much less carbon emissions and dangerous soot particles than their fossil fuel-powered counterparts.

Very early observations of Saturn's moon Iapetus revealed the extreme color contrast on its surface. The light and dark features give the moon a distinctive yin and yang appearance.

On This Day in Space! Oct. 25, 1671: Saturn's Yin-Yang Moon Iapetus Discovered by Giovanni Cassini

By Hanneke Weitering

On Oct. 25, 1671, the Italian astronomer Giovanni Cassini discovered a new moon at Saturn! See how it happened in our On This Day In Space series.

Adam Dipert space juggler

Space juggling and dance could make suborbital flights more fun

By Elizabeth Howell

A 'space juggler' plans to release a film shortly about the joys and challenges of doing performance art in zero gravity.

An artist's concept depicting the near-Earth orbital debris field, based on real data from the NASA Orbital Debris Program Office.

Steve Wozniak's stealthy space startup Privateer hires chief scientific adviser

By Mike Wall

Privateer aims to help humanity tackle its growing space-junk problem, and the startup has just hired one of the people who will lead this ambitious effort.

China test-fired a massive new solid-fueled rocket motor on Oct. 19, 2021.

China just test-fired a massive solid-fueled rocket

By Andrew Jones

China has test fired a huge new solid rocket motor, creating more propulsion options for the country’s growing space activities.

An Arianespace Ariane 5 rocket carrying the SES-17 and Syracuse 4A communications satellites for SES and France's Ministry of Defense, respectively, lifts off from the Guiana Space Center in Kourou, French Guiana at 10:10 p.m. EDT (0210 GMT) on Oct. 23, 2021.

Ariane 5 rocket successfully launches two satellites into orbit on its heaviest mission ever

By Elizabeth Howell

An Ariane 5 rocket will launch satellites for SES and the French military tonight, Oct. 23, and you can watch it live here.

Experts recently shared that they think the U.S. needs to seriously invest in nuclear technology to stay ahead of CHina in space.

NASA thinks US needs nuclear-powered spacecraft to stay ahead of China

By Chelsea Gohd

The U.S. needs to invest more in nuclear-powered spacecraft to be competitive with nations like China, experts say.

The Orion spacecraft for NASA’s Artemis I mission, fully assembled with its launch abort system, is lifted above the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket in High Bay 3 of the Vehicle Assembly Building at Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Oct. 20, 2021.

NASA targets February launch for Artemis 1 mission on its 1st first moon rocket since Apollo

By Amy Thompson

An uncrewed Orion capsule could ride the first Space Launch System megarocket as early as Feb. 12, 2022. But a lot has to go right.

SpaceX stacks its SN20 Starship prototype atop its Super Heavy booster for the first time at the company's Starbase facility in South Texas in August 2021.

FAA wraps up public hearings on SpaceX Starship launch site environmental review

By Mike Wall

The FAA held two public hearings this week about its environmental assessment of SpaceX's orbital launch activities in South Texas. People voiced strong opinions, both pro and con.

A small sounding rocket launches from NASA's Wallops Flight Facility on Wallops Island, Virginia during a three-launch test for the U.S. military to assist hypersonic weapons development for the Navy and Army.

The US military just launched 3 rockets from a NASA center to boost hypersonic weapons research

By Tariq Malik

The hush-hush launches from NASA's Wallops Flight Facility tested advanced hypersonic weapons technology for the U.S. military.

The Long March 2F carrying Shenzhou 13 shortly after liftoff on Oct. 15, 2021.

China's Shenzhou 14 is on standby to launch in case of space station emergency

By Andrew Jones

China just launched what is planned to be its longest crewed mission to date, but the next spacecraft in the series is ready to blast off should the Shenzhou 13 astronauts need rescuing.

Part of a panorama taken by Zhurong released on announcement of the end of the solar conjunction period.

At Mars, China's Tianwen 1 orbiter and Zhurong rover are back in action after a radio blackout

By Andrew Jones

China's Tianwen 1 orbiter and Zhurong rover are once again active at Mars following a communications blackout caused by the sun interfering with radio signals sent from Earth.

SpaceX's Starship SN20 prototype could make its first orbital test flight as soon as next month. This visualization depicts SpaceX's Starship could launch on its first uncrewed flight to Mars in 2024.

Elon Musk says SpaceX could launch Starship orbital flight test next month

By Chelsea Gohd

SpaceX's latest Starship prototype could blast off into orbit earlier than expected.

The SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft "Resilience" is seen docked to the Harmony module's forward docking adapter at the International Space Station on Jan. 27, 2021.

NASA wants to buy more astronaut rides on private spaceships

By Rahul Rao

NASA wants more private-sector firms to ferry its astronauts up into space, including missions to and from the International Space Station.

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.

The Orion spacecraft that will fly uncrewed to the moon in a few months is being attached to the Space Launch System rocket at the iconic Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

Watch live @ 1 pm ET: NASA to discuss Orion/SLS rocket and Artemis 1 moon launch

By Space.com Staff

NASA astronaut Megan McArthur celebrated her 50th birthday while on the International Space Station on Aug. 30, 2021 with a party that was out of this world.

Birthday parties in space! NASA astronaut shares how to celebrate in orbit (video)

By Chelsea Gohd

How do astronauts in space celebrate holidays and big moments?

Space Books Recommended Reading

Best space and sci-fi books for 2021

By Space.com Staff

Space.com's editors present a reading list for space and sci-fi lovers, as well as children who are interested in astronomy and spaceflight.

French astronaut Thomas Pesquet reads "Dune" aboard the International Space Station.

'Dune' reaches space as astronaut celebrates Frank Herbert's iconic sci-fi novel

By Elizabeth Howell

Thomas Pesquet tucked a copy of the story in paperback somewhere in the SpaceX Crew Dragon before his launch.

An Arianespace Ariane 5 rocket on the launch pad.

Arianespace delays double-satellite launch indefinitely to allow extra ground systems checks

By Elizabeth Howell

Arianespace halted plans to launch two communications satellites into orbit on Friday (Oct. 22) to allow time for more ground equipment checks.