Space Technology - Space Exploration Technologies

During the International Space Station’s Expedition 64, investigations utilizing organ-on-a-chip technology will include studies on muscle loss, lung function, and the blood brain barrier — all on devices the size of a USB flashdrive.

SpaceX's Crew-1 launch for NASA is carrying rock-eating microbes (and more weird science)

By Elizabeth Howell

The first operational commercial crew mission will not only bring astronauts to the International Space Station but also a suite of unique science experiments for the crew to work on.

The "impossible" EmDrive engine, which purportedly generates thrust by bouncing microwaves around inside a cone-shaped chamber.

Can the EmDrive actually work for space travel?

By Paul Sutter

The EmDrive doesn't just violate our fundamental understanding of the universe; the experiments that claim to measure an effect haven't been replicated. When it comes to the EmDrive, keep dreaming.

Sphingomonas desiccabilis, one of three microbes chosen for the BioRock experiment, seen growing on basalt.

Microbe 'biominers' could help humanity build settlements on other worlds

By Mike Wall

Bacteria successfully extracted resources from rocks in microgravity and at simulated Mars gravity, suggesting that "biomining" has real potential to aid off-Earth settlement, a new study reports.

Sixty just-launched SpaceX Starlink satellites zoom around Earth together before being deployed toward their operational orbits.

SpaceX opens Starlink satellite internet to public beta testers: report

By Samantha Mathewson

SpaceX is now sending out email invitations for public beta testing of Starlink, the company’s upcoming satellite internet service.

A Rocket Lab Electron rocket launches 10 Earth-imaging satellites for Planet and Canon Electronics into orbit from Launch Complex 1 on the Mahia Peninsula, New Zealand on Oct. 28, 2020.

Rocket Lab will try to recover an Electron booster during Nov. 15 launch

By Mike Wall

Rocket Lab aims to recover the first stage of its two-stage Electron rocket during its next mission, which is scheduled to launch from New Zealand during a window that opens on Nov. 15.

The GMC Hummer EV Edition 1 comes with a white exterior and "Lunar Horizon" interior inspired by the Apollo 11 moonshot.

New Hummer EV was GM's 'moonshot,' features nods to Apollo 11

By Robert Z. Pearlman

General Motors may not have designed its first all-electric pickup truck to drive on the moon, but the first edition of its new GMC Hummer EV has a definite lunar look.

A high-resolution view of a recent cluster of craters on Mars that an artificial intelligence tool identified; this view comes from MRO's HiRise instrument.

Artificial intelligence helps classify new craters on Mars

By Samantha Mathewson

An innovative artificial intelligence (AI) tool developed by NASA has helped identify a cluster of craters on Mars that formed within the last decade.

A particle of light, called a photon (yellow, coming from the left), produces electron waves out of an electron cloud (grey) of a hydrogen molecule (red: nucleus). The result of those interactions is what’s called an interference pattern (violet-white). The interference pattern is slightly skewed to the right, allowing researchers to calculate the time for the photon to get from one atom to the next.

Meet the zeptosecond, the shortest unit of time ever measured

By Stephanie Pappas

Scientists have measured the shortest unit of time ever, the time it takes for a particle of light to cross a hydrogen molecule.

An artist's depiction of astronauts working on the moon.

NASA awards $370 million to private companies to aid moon exploration push

By Mike Wall

SpaceX, Astrobotic and a dozen other companies just got an infusion of NASA cash to develop potentially game-changing exploration technologies.

The first stage of a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket lands on May 30, 2020, after launching the Demo-2 mission toward the International Space Station. Russia plans to develop a new rocket called the Amur whose first stage will land in a similar fashion.

Russia planning to go reusable in 2026 with new Amur rocket

By Mike Wall

The Amur looks a lot like a SpaceX Falcon 9.

an abstract representation of a magnetic field in blue lines

Black hole-sized magnetic fields could be created on Earth, study says

By Stephanie Pappas

The magnetic fields are more than a thousand times stronger than the magnetic field used in MRI machines..

An artist's illustration of SpaceX's Starlink internet satellites in orbit. The company has won a U.S. military contract for missile-warning satellites.

SpaceX, L3Harris win missile-warning satellite contracts from US military

By Elizabeth Howell

Eight military satellites will be deployed for a new missile-warning system under construction from the Department of Defense's Space Development Agency (SDA).

The Space Foundation's Space Technology Hall of Fame will celebrate its 2020 inductees on Oct. 8, 2020.

Watch the Space Technology Hall of Fame 2020 induct 3 vital communication spinoffs from space tech

By Elizabeth Howell

Three commercial space technologies devoted to distance communications will be inducted into the Space Technology Hall of Fame today (Oct. 8). Here's how you can watch it live.

An artist's illustration of a 5G mobile network over North America.

5G keeps rolling out on Earth and space in turbulent 2020, promising faster mobile for people stuck at home

By Elizabeth Howell

The rollout of 5G mobile internet is happening in an environment we couldn't anticipate even a year ago. Here's what to expect as 5G rolls out across the United States.

NASA astronaut Charles Duke filmed Commander John Young as Young drove the Lunar Roving Vehicle, in footage shot on April 21, 1972 during the fifth day of the Apollo 16 moon landing.

Astonishing AI restoration brings Apollo moon landing films up to speed

By Mindy Weisberger

Artificial intelligence transformed NASA footage of Apollo missions to the moon, making decades-old events look like they were shot on high-definition video.

Artist's illustration of the planned spaceport in Sutherland, Scotland, that will be used for vertically launched rockets. Some of those rockets may consume themselves as they fly, if development of a "self-eating" rocket engine goes well.

'Self-eating rocket' tech snags funding from UK government

By Mike Wall

The UK government aims to spur the development of rockets that gobble themselves up on the way to orbit.

Artist's concept of water ice trapped in sunshine-shy craters on the moon.

Tiny moonbound spacecraft have very big goals

By Leonard David

Four small spacecraft are being readied for moonbound treks to help quench a thirst for new data about lunar water ice.

World Space Week 2020 is celebrating satellite technology. Here's how to watch.

By Elizabeth Howell

World Space Week 2020 kicks off today (Oct. 4) and will celebrate how satellites have changed humanity. Here's how to watch.

ICON illustration of a conceptual lunar base with 3D printed infrastructure, including landing pads and habitats.

Texas company aims to 3D-print buildings on the moon with 'Project Olympus'

By Mike Wall

Austin-based startup ICON, which 3D-prints houses here on Earth, just launched Project Olympus, an ambitious effort to develop a space-based construction system.

The OROS x NASA 39A flight jacket features an aerogel lining and bold NASA branding. For sale Oct. 1, 2020, the jacket comes with an astronaut-signed certificate and is limited to 400 pieces.

New flight jacket wears its NASA heritage on — and inside — its sleeve

By Robert Z. Pearlman

The first NASA-branded product from OROS, an outerwear company that was built around a space-age insulator, the 39A flight jacket launched for sale today (Oct. 1).