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Félicette, the first cat in space (seen here at right), will soon be immortalized as a bronze sculpture at the International Space University in Strasbourg. On the left here is one of the first photos of the artwork in progress, and at the center is a small scale model.

Hail Félicette! French Space Cat Memorial Beginning to Take Shape

By Hanneke Weitering

Fifty-six years after a cat named Félicette became the first feline to launch into space, plans to build the cosmic cat's first proper memorial are beginning to take shape.

The skin of grapes contain a compound that may help protect the musculoskeletal systems of future astronauts bound for Mars. A person on a long-duration mission to Mars would have to endure the deteriorative effects of the planet's gravity, which is about 40% as strong as what we experience on Earth's surface.

Martian Merlot? How a Red Wine Compound May Help Us Cope with Mars' Gravity

By Doris Elin Salazar

Researchers recently studied the effects that a plant compound found in grapes and wine could have to preserve the density and mass of muscles in rats placed under Martian-like conditions.

An artist's depiction of one satellite in the pair of cubesats that make up the Optical Communications and Sensor Demonstration mission.

Steam-Powered Cubesats Dance in Space as One NASA Spacecraft Commands Its Twin

By Elizabeth Howell

Using old-fashioned steam power, two cubesats executed the first coordinated maneuver in low-Earth orbit.

Artist's illustration of NASA's Parker Solar Probe approaching the sun.

NASA's Parker Solar Probe Is Beaming Back Extra Data as it Buzzes the Sun

By Meghan Bartels

NASA's Parker Solar Probe has already completed two daring dives into the sun's atmosphere, and now scientists have realized that they'll be able to gather more data than expected from the mission.

A piece of SpaceX's "Mk1" orbital Starship prototype at the company's facility in Boca Chica, Texas. SpaceX founder and CEO Elon Musk tweeted this photo on Aug. 5, 2019.

SpaceX's Mars-Colonizing 'Starship' Prototype Coming Together in Texas (Photos)

By Mike Wall

The first orbital prototype of SpaceX's Mars-colonizing Starship vehicle should be ready to fly soon, company founder and CEO Elon Musk said.

Long-term exposure to deep-space radiation can damage astronauts' brains, a new study suggests. The results should inform NASA's plans for crewed missions to Mars.

Space Radiation Will Damage Mars Astronauts' Brains

By Mike Wall

Space radiation will take a toll on astronauts' brains during the long journey to Mars, a new study suggests.

A United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket carrying the U.S. Air Force's Advanced Extremely High Frequency 5 military communications satellite lifts off from Space Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida on Aug. 8, 2019.

Atlas V Rocket Launches Advanced Communications Satellite for US Military

By Amy Thompson

A United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket took to the skies early this morning (Aug. 8), delivering a highly advanced communications satellite into space for the U.S. Air Force.

The Atlas V rocket that will launch the AEHF-5 satellite rolls out to the launch site at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida.

Here's How to Watch an Atlas V Rocket Launch a US Military Satellite Today

By Hanneke Weitering

A United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket will launch a military communications satellite together with an experimental cubesat Thursday morning (Aug. 8), and you can watch the mission live online.

A Soviet N-1 rocket lifts off during one of four failed launch attempts between 1969 and 1972 to test the giant rocket, which was designed to eventually send two cosmonauts to the moon during the Space Race.

What Was the Space Race?

By Adam Mann

Here's how two world powers raced to the moon.

Footage from China Central Television shows grid fins on a Long March 2C rocket that launched in July 2019.

See China's Cool New Rocket Fins in Action!

By Elizabeth Howell

They may look like waffle-makers, but China's new rocket fins are cooking up something even more special: the ability to guide rockets to a safe zone after launch.

An artist's illustration of the U.S. Air Force's X-37B space plane in orbit.

X-37B Military Space Plane's Latest Mystery Mission Hits 700 Days

By Mike Wall

The U.S. Air Force's X-37B military space plane has now been circling Earth for 700 days, just a few weeks shy of the vehicle's spaceflight-duration record.

Half of a SpaceX Falcon 9 payload fairing settles into the net of the boat GO Ms. Tree on the night of Aug. 6, 2019, in this screenshot from a video posted on Twitter by SpaceX founder and CEO Elon Musk.

Watch SpaceX Catch a Falling Rocket Fairing with a Giant Net (and Boat!) in This Awesome Video

By Mike Wall

The speedy, net-equipped GO Ms. Tree plucked a payload fairing out of the sky for the second time ever on Tuesday evening (Aug. 6).

SpaceX plans to modify Launch Complex 39A at the Kennedy Space Center to host launches of its Starship vehicle and Super Heavy booster.

Report Outlines SpaceX's Plans for Starship Launches from NASA's Kennedy Space Center

By Jeff Foust

SpaceX plans to build facilities at the Kennedy Space Center's Launch Complex 39A for launches and, eventually, landings of its next-generation launch vehicle, according to a newly released report.

An artist's depiction of permanently shadowed craters near the moon's south pole.

Shallow Craters on Moon and Mercury May Hide Thick Slabs of Water Ice

By Meghan Bartels

Would-be moon explorers are eager to learn better tactics for tracking down ice, which they hope to turn into water and rocket fuel — and new research may have found a new key to spotting buried ice.

United Launch Alliance's Atlas 5 booster sits on the mobile launch platform at the Vertical Integration Facility adjacent to Space Launch Complex-41 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. The rocket will launch the fifth Advance dExtremely High Frequency (AEHF-5) protected communications satellite for the U.S. Air Force.

Upcoming Atlas V Mission Will Launch Air Force Cubesat Before It Releases Main Payload

By Sandra Erwin

The Air Force integrated a 12U cubesat on the Centaur's aft bulkhead carrier.

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launches the Amos-17 communications satellite from Florida on Aug. 6, 2019.

Twice-Flown SpaceX Rocket Launches Huge Communications Satellite

By Amy Thompson

SpaceX successfully launched its ninth space mission of the year today (Aug. 6), delivering an Israeli communications satellite into orbit.

Artist's illustration of the first stage of a Rocket Lab Electron booster returning to Earth for recovery and reuse.

Rocket Lab Plans to Snag Falling Boosters with a Helicopter and Refly Them

By Mike Wall

The California-based company plans to start recovering and reflying the first stage of its Electron launch vehicle in the near future.

An Ariane 5 rocket designated VA249 launches the Intelsat 39 and EDRS-C communications satellites into orbit on Aug. 6, 2019.

In Photos: Ariane 5 Rocket Launches Intelsat 39 and EDRS-C Communications Satellites

By Hanneke Weitering

On Aug. 6, 2019, Arianespace used an Ariane 5 rocket to launch two new communications satellites into orbit on a rideshare mission. See photos of the mission here!

Ariane 5 soars into the midday sky with two new telecommunication satellites on board.

Ariane 5 Rocket Launches 2 New Communications Satellites

By Passant Rabie

Arianespace launched an Ariane 5 rocket Tuesday (Aug. 6) from Kourou, French Guiana, sending two new telecommunications satellites into orbit.

An image of the Pacific Ocean and Baja California captured by India's Chandrayaan-2 mission on Aug. 3, 2019.

Stunning Photos Show Earth from India's Spacecraft Headed to the Moon

By Meghan Bartels

An Indian spacecraft is taking the scenic route to the moon and has the photos to prove it.