Spaceflight - News About Space Travel and Exploration

The Beresheet spacecraft captured this "selfie" during its landing maneuver on April 11, 2019.

Israel will aim for the moon again in 2024 with Beresheet 2 mission

By Elizabeth Howell

The new Israeli Beresheet 2 moon spacecraft is go for a 2024 landing.

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket carrying the Sirius XM satellite SXM-7 is seen atop Space Launch Complex 40 of the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida after a launch delay on Dec. 11, 2020.

SpaceX calls off Sirius XM satellite launch at last minute

By Tariq Malik

SpaceX called off the launch of a Falcon 9 rocket carrying a new Sirius XM satellite on Friday (Dec. 11), halting the flight at the last minute for extra system checks.

A used SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket carrying the Sirius XM satellite SXM-7 stands atop its launch pad at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida for a Dec. 11, 2020 launch.

SpaceX to launch new Sirius XM satellite from Florida today. How to watch it live.

By Amy Thompson

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will launch on its seventh flight Friday (Dec. 11) to deliver the Sirius XM-7 communications satellite into orbit.

An image of the sun taken by Solar Orbiter early in its mission shows small structures nicknamed "campfires," which were previously unknown.

The Solar Orbiter is watching a new sun weather cycle begin. Scientists are thrilled.

By Meghan Bartels

Just two weeks after the sun produced its first medium-size flare of the new solar cycle, scientists offered an update on what the newest sun-studying spacecraft has been up to.

A United Launch Alliance Delta IV Heavy rocket launches the classified NROL-44 satellite for the U.S. National Reconnaissance Office on Dec. 10, 2020.

Powerful Delta IV Heavy rocket launches secret US spy satellite to orbit

By Amy Thompson

A Delta IV Heavy launched the heavy NROL-44 spacecraft for the U.S. National Reconnaissance Office today (Dec. 10).

An artist's illustration of China's Chang'e 5 moon sample-return spacecraft.

China's Chang'e 5 mission: Sampling the lunar surface

By Adam Mann

The historic Chang'e 5 mission is China's first attempt to bring samples back from the moon.

Vice President Mike Pence, joined by leaders of the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Space Force, helps reveal signs bearing the redesignated names of Cape Canaveral Space Force Station and Patrick Space Force Base in Florida on Wednesday, Dec. 9, 2020.

Cape Canaveral bases redesignated for Space Force, but in name only (for now)

By Robert Z. Pearlman

Cape Canaveral Air Force Station and Patrick Air Force Base in Florida have been formally re-designated for the U.S. Space Force, though in name only.

An artist's depiction of astronauts walking on the moon as part of NASA's Artemis program.

Trump unveils new national space policy for US leadership off the Earth

By Mike Wall

President Donald Trump released a new national space policy Wednesday (Dec. 9), laying out the fundamental principles of, and chief priorities for, the United States' space activities going forward.

A United Launch Alliance Delta IV Heavy rocket carrying the classified NROL-44 spy satellite stands atop Space Launch Complex 37 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in this Aug. 28, 2020 image. The mission will launch on Dec. 10.

You can watch a US spy satellite launch on a giant Delta IV Heavy rocket tonight. Here's how.

By Amy Thompson

A new U.S. spy satellite will launch into space Thursday (Dec. 10) on the mightiest rocket built by the United Launch Alliance: the massive Delta IV Heavy. Watch it live.

Boeing's Starliner capsule completed an uncrewed test flight that failed to reach the space station in December 2019. Attempt no. 2 is scheduled for March 29, 2021.

NASA, Boeing targeting March 2021 for next Starliner test flight

By Mike Wall

Boeing and NASA are targeting March 29 for the uncrewed Orbital Flight Test 2, Starliner's second attempt to meet up with the International Space Station.

SENSORIA M3 inside the HI-SEAS habitat during their lunar analog mission.

The start of the Sensoria M3 lunar mission is like Groundhog Day — Commander's report: lunar day 2

By Michaela Musilova

Commander Musilova reports about how the start of the Sensoria M3 mission feels like Groundhog Day and the emotional whiplash she gets after leading several lunar analog missions back to back.

SpaceX launched its first high-altitude test flight of the Starship SN8 rocket from Boca Chica, Texas on Dec. 9, 2020. The rocket performed well but did not stick its landing.

SpaceX's Starship SN8 prototype soars on epic test launch, with explosive landing

By Mike Wall

The Starship prototype flew smoothly for 6 minutes and 42 seconds before missing its landing.

NASA astronauts Jessica Meir and Christina Koch seen on the International Space Station.

One of these NASA astronauts will be the first woman on the moon

By Meghan Bartels

For as long as NASA has been aiming for a 2024 moon landing, it has touted that this time, unlike during the Apollo program, a woman will step on the lunar surface.

A United Launch Alliance Delta IV Heavy rocket carrying the classified NROL-71 spy satellite for the U.S. National Reconnaissance Office launches toward space from Space Launch Complex-6 at Vandenberg Air Force Base, California on Jan. 19, 2019.

United Launch Alliance: Combining the forces of two aerospace giants

By Adam Mann

An overview of the history and accomplishments of the private space venture United Launch Alliance.

The 18 members of NASA's Artemis Team, from top left to bottom right: Joe Acaba, Kayla Barron, Raja Chari, Matthew Dominick, Victor Glover, Woody Hoburg, Jonny Kim, Christina Koch, Kjell Lindgren, Nicole Mann, Anne McClain, Jessica Meir, Jasmin Moghbeli, Kate Rubins, Frank Rubio, Scott Tingle, Jessica Watkins and Stephanie Wilson.

NASA reveals 'Artemis Team' astronauts, includes first woman, next man on moon

By Robert Z. Pearlman

NASA has selected a group of astronauts to prepare for and possibly fly to the moon for the first time in more than 50 years.

The Gaofen 14 Earth observation satellite launched to Earth at 10:58 p.m. EST Dec. 5 (11:58 a.m. local time and 0358 GMT on Sunday, Dec. 6).

China launches yet another high-resolution Earth observation satellite, drops rocket debris

By Andrew Jones

As Chang’e 5 continues to make headlines for its exploits on and around the moon, China continues to launch rockets back on Earth.

Vice President Mike Pence speaks to NASA employees and space industry leaders inside the cavernous Vehicle Assembly Building at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida during a 2017 visit.

Vice President Mike Pence to lead his final National Space Council meeting today. Here's how to watch live.

By Samantha Mathewson

Vice President Mike Pence will visit Kennedy Space Center today (Dec. 9) for the eighth meeting of the National Space Council, and you can watch it live online.

The first flight core stage of NASA's new Space Launch System (SLS) is seen here, installed on the B-2 Test Stand at NASA's Stennis Space Center in Mississippi.

NASA begins fueling 1st Space Launch System megarocket core in 'green run' test

By Doris Elin Urrutia

NASA powered up the core stage of its new Space Launch System on Saturday (Dec. 5), kicking off the penultimate "green run" test of its next-generation megarocket.

Virgin Orbit will carry 10 cubesats on its LauncherOne Demo 2 flight this month

By Doris Elin Urrutia

Virgin Orbit announced that its LauncherOne rocket will soon perform in its second demonstration flight.

Selene II crew above the HI-SEAS habitat after successfully finishing their analog moon mission.

Making hair fertilizer wraps up the Selene II lunar mission — Commander's report: lunar day 14

By Michaela Musilova

Commander Musilova reports about how the Selene II crew finished their mission successfully with a combination of lava tube exploration and donating body hair to make plant fertilizer.