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Coronavirus

Here is Space.com's complete coverage of the coronavirus outbreak's effects on space industry, exploration and astronomy research. For other info from Live Science and Space.com: Our kids activity guide, U.S. case counts, coronavirus symptoms, our kids guide, comparison with seasonal flu and treatments in the works.

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NASA has delayed selecting its new astronaut class, the 23rd in its history, due to constraints imposed by the coronavirus.

NASA delays new astronaut selection due to coronavirus constraints

By Robert Z. Pearlman

NASA has delayed the selection of its next astronaut class, citing constraints related to the ongoing spread of the coronavirus.

This image shows vials of Russia's COVID-19 vaccine, named "Sputnik V."

Russia names its 1st COVID-19 vaccine 'Sputnik V' after space race triumph

By Chelsea Gohd

Russia's working on a COVID-19 vaccine, and it's got a seriously space-y name: Sputnik V.

A view from space of how emissions are changing in response to coronavirus.

Dropped emissions during COVID-19 lockdown will do 'nothing' for climate change

By Chelsea Gohd

While greenhouse gas emissions plummeted as the world locked down, such dips will do "nothing" to slow climate change unless society moves away from fossil fuels, researchers have found.

Space Camp may be forced to close its gates permanently unless the U.S. Space & Rocket Center's "Save Space Camp" campaign can raise $1.5 million by October 2020.

Donations needed to 'Save Space Camp' after pandemic shortfall

By Robert Z. Pearlman

Space Camp may soon be forced to count down to its final launch. The U.S. Space & Rocket Center, which has been home to Space Camp since 1982, is at risk of permanently closing due to the pandemic.

NASA's James Webb Space Telescope in the clean room at Northrop Grumman, Redondo Beach, California, in July 2020. It's launch is now scheduled for Oct. 31, 2021.

NASA delays launch of flagship James Webb Space Telescope to Oct. 31, 2021

By Mike Wall

NASA's next flagship observatory, the James Webb Space Telescope, will now launch on Oct. 31, 2021.

A view of San Francisco Bay at night seen by the Suomi NPP satellite, a joint project of NASA and the National Ocean and Atmospheric Administration and one of the satellites feeding a new international COVID-19 dashboard.

NASA teams with Japan, Europe for COVID-19 global impacts project

By Meghan Bartels

Three space agencies have pulled together data monitoring the global impact of the COVID-19 pandemic into one joint information source in hopes of assisting understanding of the public health crisis.

It's only a matter of time before a big, dangerous asteroid lines up Earth in its crosshairs, experts say.

How the coronavirus pandemic can help us prepare for an asteroid impact

By Leonard David

The emergency preparedness activities now underway to combat the coronavirus pandemic offer insight about our readiness to deal with a dangerous incoming asteroid, experts say.

In a recent test at a Northrop Grumman facility in Redondo Beach, California, NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope deployed and extended its Deployable Tower Assembly. This component of the telescope separates its iconic gold mirrors from the spacecraft's scientific instruments and propulsion systems.

Another delay: NASA's James Webb Space Telescope won't launch in March 2021

By Mike Wall

We'll have to wait a bit longer still to see NASA's next big space telescope get off the ground.

A Rocket Lab Electron booster carrying satellites for the U.S. National Reconnaissance Office, NASA and more stands atop Launch Complex 1 at Mahia Peninsula, New Zealand ahead of the "Don't Stop Me Now" mission launching on June 11, 2020.

Rocket Lab to launch satellites for US spysat agency and NASA Saturday. Here's how to watch.

By Tariq Malik

The small-satellite launch company Rocket Lab will loft a mini-fleet of payloads for NASA, a U.S. spy satellite agency and universities early Saturday (June 13) and you can watch it live online.

Crowds gathered May 27, 2020 to see SpaceX's Demo-2 launch attempt.

SpaceX's historic astronaut launch try draws huge crowds despite NASA warnings

By Chelsea Gohd

Despite warnings from NASA officials and the risks implied by the current pandemic, approximately 150,000 people gathered on Florida's space coast to watch the Crew Dragon launch.

NASA astronauts Bob Behnken (at left) and Doug Hurley are set to launch aboard SpaceX's Dragon spacecraft on the first U.S. rocket to launch into orbit from U.S. soil in nearly a decade.

SpaceX will make history with NASA astronaut launch next week. But will it draw crowds to Florida?

By Meghan Bartels

NASA wants spectators to stay home amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

An artist's depiction of the OSIRIS-REx spacecraft approaching the surface of the asteroid Bennu for a sampling attempt.

NASA plan to sample asteroid Bennu delayed by coronavirus pandemic

By Meghan Bartels

After delays from the coronavirus pandemic, NASA has picked a date for its spacecraft to snatch up a chunk of space rock to bring home.

A United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket carrying an X-37B space plane stands atop Space Launch Complex 41 of Cape Canaveral Air Force Station on May 14, 2020 during launch preparations for the USSF-7 mission.

Space Force to launch X-37B space plane on secret mission today. Here's how to watch live.

By Tariq Malik

The Space Force will launch a robotic X-37B space plane on a new secret mission for the U.S. military on Saturday (May 16) and you can watch it live online.

Until May 28, all Star Trek Online captains can participate in the "Defense of Pahvo" event on PC, Xbox One and PlayStation 4.

'Star Trek Online' and 'Neverwinter' join forces to help coronavirus relief efforts

By Elizabeth Howell

Whether you're a starship captain or dungeon master, a new "Star Trek Online" and "Neverwinter" collaboration will let you join a mission to help those in need.

Factory smoke stacks releasing clouds of greenhouse gases.

Air pollution levels will bounce back as COVID-19 restrictions loosen, scientists say

By Chelsea Gohd

Smog has cleared as people stay inside and factory production is halted, but it won't last.

Astronaut Leland Melvin speaks with a class of elementary school students in 2008.

Your kids can join a free class with an astronaut (and more) in these virtual school days

By Meghan Bartels

Want to study space exploration with an astronaut? Now's your chance.

Yevgeny Mikrin, head of Russia's human spaceflight program, in an undated agency photograph.

Head of Russian human spaceflight program dies after COVID-19 diagnosis

By Meghan Bartels

Yevgeny Mikrin, the head of Russia's human spaceflight program, has died, space agency Roscosmos confirmed in a statement released on May 5.

NASA astronauts Doug Hurley and Bob Behnken familiarize themselves with SpaceX’s Crew Dragon, the spacecraft that will transport them to the International Space Station as part of NASA’s Commercial Crew Program.

How the coronavirus pandemic has affected SpaceX's 1st crewed mission for NASA

By Mike Wall

The coronavirus pandemic threw a pretty big curveball at the planners of SpaceX's first crewed mission.

Decreases in air pollution, specifically nitrogen dioxide in the troposphere above the Northeast United States due to COVID-19 response.

Drop in fossil fuel emissions from coronavirus response is changing Earth's air, NASA satellites show

By Chelsea Gohd

Fossil fuel emissions are dropping as a result of changing human behaviors in response to COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus, NASA satellites continue to show.

The FDA has approved this VITAL ventilator for coronavirus disease patients designed and built by engineers at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California.

FDA approves new NASA ventilator for COVID-19 treatment

By Tariq Malik

A new ventilator developed by NASA to treat victims of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic has received emergency approval from the FDA.