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Incredible Technology

At the center of space exploration beats a heart of incredible technological marvels and innovation that inspires scientists and engineers to reach for the stars. See some of the wildest space tech concepts here, as well as technologies needed to ensure humanity's expansion across the solar system.

Related Topics: 3D Printing, Curiosity Mars Rover Mission, SpaceX, International Space Station 

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A NASA illustration shows an Orion spacecraft approaching the lunar Gateway with a logistics module, modeled on Northrop Grumman's Cygnus spacecraft, attached.

NASA to Seek Proposals for Lunar Gateway Logistics

By Jeff Foust

NASA will issue a formal call for proposals later this summer for cargo transportation services for its lunar Gateway, seeking to model that effort on the space station’s commercial cargo program.

The Planetary Society will launch its second solar sailing spacecraft, LightSail 2 on a SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket on June 24, 2019. Here's what to expect.

What to Expect When LightSail 2 Launches into Space

By Jason Davis

The Planetary Society's LightSail 2 spacecraft is finally ready to attempt flight by light. Here's what to expect from the June 24 launch!

NASA should apply lessons learned from the commercial crew program for Artemis, particularly for the development of lunar landers, according to the agency's safety panel.

Safety Panel Calls on NASA to Apply Commercial Crew Lessons for Artemis

By Jeff Foust

As NASA starts development of lunar landers for Artemis, it should carefully incorporate the lessons learned from the commercial crew program, a safety panel advised.

An artist's depiction of a sunflower-shaped starshade that could help space telescopes find and characterize alien planets.

NASA Wants to Build a 'Starshade' to Hunt Alien Planets. Here's How It Would Work

By Mike Wall

Starshade exoplanet-hunting missions may be technologically daunting, but they're not beyond NASA's reach, recent research suggests.

The Princeton Field Reversed Configuration device, the PFRC-2, at Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory in New Jersey. 

Fusion-Powered Spacecraft Could Be Just a Decade Away

By Mike Wall

The Direct Fusion Drive engine could take flight for the first time in 2028 or so, if all goes according to plan.

Testing complete! Space.com contributor Elizabeth Howell pulls out of the NDX-2 spacesuit, under supervision by Pablo de León, a space studies professor at the University of North Dakota (left). This prototype suit may be adapted for use in the field if NASA lunar landing missions move forward as planned, because NDX-2 is primarily designed to accommodate the priorities and constraints of walking on the moon.

Stellar Threads: Trying on a Spacesuit Brings Thrills and Challenges

By Elizabeth Howell

University of North Dakota graduate students Joseph Clift (bottom left) and Bradley Hoffmann (right) help Space.com contributor Elizabeth Howell into the NDX-2 spacesuit. Operations like this one require trust between team members because the person wearing the spacesuit needs help to get in and out of the NDX-2 safely.

Spacesuit Simulation: What It's Like to Wear an Astronaut's Outfit

By Elizabeth Howell

Nothing says celebration like trying on a spacesuit.

An artist’s illustration of the deployment of Sprite “chipsats” from the shoebox-sized KickSat-2 satellite in March 2019.

Tiny Chipsats, Big Success: Cracker-Size Probes Phone Home From Orbit

By Mike Wall

A fleet of tiny satellites has flashed some big potential in Earth orbit.

Tethers Unlimited's LEO Knight servicer is being designed to service spacecraft in orbits up to 1,200 kilometers.

Tethers Unlimited Developing Satellite Servicer for LEO Missions

By Caleb Henry

Tethers Unlimited is designing a satellite servicing vehicle that would leverage technologies developed for the U.S. Defense Department and NASA to service spacecraft in low Earth orbit.

The Planetary Society's LightSail 2 spacecraft is set to launch this year on SpaceX's Falcon Heavy rocket. Observers on the ground should readily be able to see the highly reflective craft as it orbits the Earth for a month or more. Astronomy and satellite-tracking apps and websites will generate viewing timetables for your location.

Sailing on Sunbeams: Planetary Society's LightSail 2 to Soar Higher Than Space Station

By Elizabeth Howell

A spacecraft powered by sunlight is expected to launch on June 22, capping off a yearslong odyssey for The Planetary Society.

A train of SpaceX Starlink satellites are visible in the night sky in this still from <a href="https://sattrackcam.blogspot.com/2019/05/wowowow-spectacular-view-of-spacex.html">a video captured by satellite tracker Marco Langbroek in Leiden</a>, the Netherlands on May 24, 2019, just one day after SpaceX launched 60 of the Starlink internet communications satellites into orbit.

Here's Why Astronomers Are So Worried About SpaceX's Planned 'Megaconstellation'

By Rafi Letzter

SpaceX put 60 bright satellites in space May 23, and astronomers are sounding the alarm about the eventual 12,000-strong Starlink constellation SpaceX plans.

A new, origami-inspired design would help soften impact forces for landing rockets or spacecraft.

Fold This! Origami-Inspired Material Could Soften Spacecraft Landings

By Elizabeth Howell

Future spacecraft and rockets may have softer landings thanks to technology inspired by origami, the Japanese art of folding.

Bernhard Riemann in 1863

Mathematicians Edge Closer to Solving a 'Million Dollar' Math Problem

By Rafi Letzter

A new paper could end up being a big step toward solving one of the oldest unanswered puzzles in mathematics: Is the Riemann hypothesis correct?

An illustration of a spacecraft for deep space missions powered by nuclear thermal propulsion. Congress has added funding to NASA appropriations bills to support development of the technology.

Momentum Grows for Nuclear Thermal Space Propulsion

By Jeff Foust

With congressional funding and industry support, nuclear thermal propulsion technology is making progress for potential use on future NASA deep space missions.

large hadron collider

Supersymmetric 'Sleptons' Might Exist. But They'd Have to Be Huge.

By Rafi Letzter

The biggest, most expensive science experiment in the world might be losing all its dark matter. But physicists are looking on the bright side.

In this screenshot, you can see what may be an "anomalous aerial vehicle."

Why Is the Pentagon Interested in UFOs?

By Iain Boyd

New rules encourage U.S. Navy pilots and sailors to report UFO sightings. Here's why.

The U.S. national kilogram, created in 1879.

There's a Brand-New Kilogram, And It's Based on Quantum Physics

By Rafi Letzter

The kilogram isn't a thing anymore. Instead, it's an abstract idea about light and energy and fundamental universal constants.

Russia, China and the United States each have separate GPS systems. With blockchain technology, entrepreneur Arie Trouw argues,spacefarers could share satellite data securely to improve navigation and accuracy.

Could Blockchain Tech Launch Spacefaring Nations Into a Data-Sharing Frontier

By Elizabeth Howell

Data sharing between entities in space will be easier and more secure using technologies such as blockchain, an industry participant argued at the Humans to Mars summit on May 16.

An illustration of a hypersonic aircraft, published by Hermeus Corp.

Startup Hermeus Wants to Build a Hypersonic Jet That Flies at 5 Times the Speed of Sound

By Doris Elin Salazar

A U.S. venture-capital firm recently led a round of seed investment for Hermeus Corp., a new startup looking to develop a hypersonic aircraft.

Parachutes being developed for Boeing's CST-100 Starliner undergo a reliability test using a "dart" in place of the crew capsule.

Parachute Development a Challenge for Commercial Crew

By Jeff Foust

An incident involving a test of parachutes for one commercial crew vehicle has heightened awareness of the challenges involved in developing those systems.