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Apollo Fusion is licensing technology from JPL to create a new high-power Hall thruster called AXE that offers a longer lifetime than existing systems.

Apollo Fusion Obtains Hall Thruster Technology from JPL

By Jeff Foust

Satellite electric propulsion startup Apollo Fusion is expanding its product line through an agreement with NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, giving it access to advanced Hall thruster technology.

What makes more sense: Sending a human or a robot to Mars?

Are Astronauts Worth Tens of Billions of Dollars in Extra Costs to go to Mars?

By Steve Swanson

As society contemplates going to the moon or Mars, there's a rising debate as to whether it's worth the money.

An unarmed Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile launches during an operational test at 3:40 a.m. EDT (0740 GMT; 12:40 a.m. PDT) on May 9, 2019, at Vandenberg Air Force Base, California.

North Korea, US Fire Missiles in Early-Morning Tests (Video)

By Mike Wall

North Korea fired off two short-range missiles in quick succession early this morning (May 9), and the United States followed suit with a test of its own just minutes later.

Researchers at NASA's Langley Research Center are developing soft robot actuators from 3D-printed flexible silicone molds to study how "soft robots" can be used for space exploration.

NASA Is Developing 'Soft Robots' to Help Explore Other Worlds

By Elizabeth Howell

Think robots are all square corners and rigid parts? Think again. Two interns at NASA are part of a larger group working on "soft robots" that could be used for exploring worlds beyond Earth.

SpinLaunch CEO Jonathan Yaney (left), Spaceport America CEO Dan Hicks (center) and New Mexico Economic Development Department Secretary Alicia Keyes mark the start of construction on a $7 million SpinLaunch test facility on May 7, 2019.

Secretive Startup SpinLaunch Breaks Ground on Satellite-Flinging Test Flight Facility

By Mike Wall

SpinLaunch has begun building the facility where it will test out its radical new satellite-lofting strategy.

In the Photobioreactor, the green microalgae Chlorella vulgaris converts carbon dioxide into oxygen and edible biomass through photosynthesis.

Algae 'Bioreactor' on Space Station Could Make Oxygen, Food for Astronauts

By Samantha Mathewson

Astronauts on the International Space Station will begin testing an innovative algae-powered bioreactor to assess its feasibility for future long-duration space missions.

NASA has picked 18 innovative technologies to receive funding for development under the agency's 2019 NASA Innovative Advanced Concepts program.

Venus Missions? Interstellar Probes? Here Are 18 Wild Space Tech Ideas NASA Is Looking At

By Samantha Mathewson

The NASA Innovative Advanced Concepts (NIAC) program funds 18 project proposals. The projects are aimed to design and test technology concepts for potential future NASA missions.

One of Planet Lab’s Earth-observing Dove cubesats captured this image of a North Korean short-range missile test on May 4, 2019.

North Korea's Short-Range Missile Test Spotted from Space (Photo)

By Mike Wall

The rogue nation conducted its first missile test in 18 months early on May 4, launching a short-range vehicle east into the Pacific Ocean. A Planet Labs cubesat saw the smoke trail.

Amid questions about the cost and timeline for developing some key technologies for a human return to the moon, like new spacesuits, NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine said May 1 the additional funding will not be nearly as much as some reports claimed.

NASA Chief Plays Down Costs of 2024 Moon Landing

By Jeff Foust

NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine told Senate appropriators that while the administration is not yet ready to release a revised budget that accommodates an accelerated human lunar landing program.

An upcoming NASA procurement will seek proposals for integrated lunar lander concepts, and not just the ascent stage as originally announced.

NASA Tweaks Call for Moon Lander Concepts

By Jeff Foust

NASA has updated a planned call for proposals for lunar landers to enable a human mission in 2024, broadening the scope to include integrated lander concepts.

The Lego Boost Droid Commander, available Sept. 1, 2019, lets you build and control your favorite "Star Wars" droids.

Lego Boost Droid Commander Turns Coding Into a Star Wars Mission

By Avram Piltch

The best robot kit for kids is getting a major upgrade and a heavy dose of Star Wars magic with the Lego Boost Droid Commander launching this year.

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The Best 'Star Wars Day' Gifts and Deals 2019

By SPACE.com Staff

This "Star Wars Day" (May 4), a swarm of Jedi-worthy deals is coming to a galaxy near you!

Artist's illustration of a potentially hazardous asteroid headed for Earth.

A Killer Asteroid Is Coming — We Don't Know When (So Let's Be Ready), Bill Nye Says

By Mike Wall

Nye warned that catastrophic impacts like the one that offed the dinosaurs 66 million years ago are not confined to the past.

One of the Astrobee robots, with its "eyes" glowing on its touch screen.

Meet the Astrobees! These Tiny, Cube-Shaped Robots Have Arrived in Space

By Chelsea Gohd

Last week, two little, cube-shaped Astrobee robots arrived at the International Space Station. These robots are designed to help out astronauts and maintain the space station.

An artist's depiction of the U.S. Air Force's unmanned X-37B space plane in orbit with its solar array deployed and payload bay open.

X-37B Military Space Plane's Latest Mystery Mission Passes 600 Days

By Mike Wall

The U.S. Air Force's X-37B space plane has now been circling Earth for more than 600 days on its latest mystery mission.

Mu Space CEO & Founder James Yenbamroong (left) and Relativity Space CEO & Founder Tim Ellis (right) stand in front of Relativity's Stargate, the world's largest metal 3D printer.

Relativity Space to Launch Thai Satellite on 3D-Printed Rocket

By Doris Elin Salazar

The 3D rocket-printing company Relativity announced its second partnership ever, this time with the Thai satellite company mu Space.

Artist's illustration of the OSCaR cubesat, which would clean up space junk in Earth orbit.

Meet OSCaR: Tiny Cubesat Would Clean Up Space Junk

By Mike Wall

A little spacecraft could soon make a big contribution in the fight against space junk.

The voyage to Mars will expose astronauts to deadly levels of cosmic radiation. But a group of college students has a plan to shield spacecraft from radiation.

College Students Hatch Nuclear-Powered Magnetic Plan to Protect Marsonauts from Cosmic Rays

By Rafi Letzter

A team of undergraduate students at Drake University in Iowa is developing a magnetic shield to defend interplanetary astronauts from the intense cosmic radiation between Earth and Mars.

A still from a clip explaining the technology of a solar sail that would propel the Near-Earth Asteroid Scout mission to its target.

'Speed' Docuseries Shows What Light-Powered Cubesat Might Look Like in Space (Video)

By Doris Elin Salazar

One future journey through the solar system might be possible, thanks to a sail powered by the sun.

The combustion chamber of Reaction Engines' Synergistic Air-Breathing Rocket Engine (SABRE) core.

Air-Breathing Rocket Engine Gets Green Light for Major Tests

By Tereza Pultarova

The SABRE air-breathing rocket engine is ready for a major round of testing in the next 18 months after passing a preliminary design review by the European Space Agency.