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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Artist's illustration of NASA's Illustration of Low-Earth Orbit Flight Test of an Inflatable Decelerator (LOFTID) in orbit.

Next-generation inflatable Mars landing gear to get a test during launch on Nov. 1

By Mike Wall published

Technology that could help humanity land heavy hardware on Mars will get an in-space test early next week.

lunar base under construction with modules in the back, a floor plan in the front and a crane to the right

Shields up! Radiation coating experiment will spend six months outside space station

By Elizabeth Howell last updated

The International Space Station experiment is a small step towards testing this tech for lunar exploration for the Artemis program, proponents say.

One day, Russia could beam such adverts to its residents from space.

Cubesat formations could beam ads to Earth, some researchers think

By Andrew Jones published

A Russian study claims that flying a formation of cubesats to create adverts in the night sky could be economically viable.

5G network visualized as connected lines flowing from earth into space

SpaceX competitor Lynk testing 5G cell phone service from space

By Elizabeth Howell published

The experimental payload will launch on Lynk's second commercial satellite in December and will be tested with an undisclosed mobile partner.

cylinder shaped space station in deep space with earth in the far distance

Nanoracks tests tech to slice up space junk in orbit for 1st time

By Elizabeth Howell published

A robotic arm softened up metal in space in an aim to address the growing space debris problem.

small drone in front of a rocky hill with cloudy red sky in the background

Ingenuity Mars helicopter notches 33rd Red Planet flight

By Elizabeth Howell published

NASA's Ingenuity Mars helicopter has taken flight again, staying aloft for nearly a minute this past weekend on its 33rd extraterrestrial sortie.

Vast Space station concept as a spinning tube in orbit.

Startup Vast Space wants to take artificial gravity station concept for a spin

By Elizabeth Howell published

Vast Space, which is backed by a cryptocurrency billionaire, says it is in the early stages of looking at artificial gravity space stations, but few details are available..

red robot with a rock at the left, on a simulated plain of regolith

Moon's best friend: Robot dogs could be future lunar explorers

By Elizabeth Howell published

Future lunar robots could fetch incredible science by borrowing from thousands of years of dog evolution. These companions can dig, jump and flip items over on the moon.

silver sail deploying on the ground

'Drag sail' to deorbit satellites receives $750K in seed funding

By Elizabeth Howell published

Small satellite deorbiting technology received a funding boost from NASA and an investment partner, as the Spinnaker drag sail's team aims for commercial sales in 2023.

circular space station with solar panels above earth

Hilton hotels will design astronaut suites on private Starlab space station

By Elizabeth Howell published

Hotel giant Hilton is extending its operations to orbit with a new partnership on the Starlab private space station, which may be operational in 2027.

NASA's Ingenuity helicopter captured this photo on its 32nd Martian flight, on Sept. 18, 2022.

Ingenuity Mars helicopter soars on 32nd flight

By Mike Wall published

Ingenuity traveled about 308 feet (94 meters) on Sunday (Sept. 18), staying aloft for more than 55 seconds and reaching a maximum speed of 10.6 mph (17.1 kph).

spacecraft above moon

Europe's reusable 'Susie' spacecraft could launch astronauts on future deep-space missions

By Elizabeth Howell last updated

ArianeGroup's 'Susie' is a fully reusable craft designed to fit future rockets, one of which is being made right now for Arianespace.

astronaut walking in front of vehicle on mars in artist impression

Astronauts could use Mars soil for 3D-printing on the Red Planet

By Stefanie Waldek published

Making things for Mars astronauts on-planet would be a boon for future human missions.

a spacesuit glove next to an ungloved hand

NASA-funded spacesuit tech may help with menopause relief

By Elizabeth Howell published

A spinoff from the space shuttle program is offering people in menopause with relief from hot flashes, NASA says.

Space debris generated by the Russian anti-satellite missile test in November 2021.

US will push other nations to abandon destructive anti-satellite tests, VP Harris says

By Mike Wall published

The United States will soon ask other nations to follow its lead and abandon destructive, debris-spawning anti-satellite testing, Vice President Kamala Harris said.

NASA's Ingenuity Mars helicopter captured this image on Sept. 6, 2022 during its 31st Red Planet flight.

Ingenuity helicopter on Mars heads toward ancient river delta on 31st flight

By Mike Wall published

NASA's Ingenuity helicopter just flew for the 31st time on Mars, acing a short hop that took it closer to an ancient Red Planet river delta.

A rendering of the Boom Supersonic Overture in flight above the clouds.

Boom Supersonic and Rolls-Royce part ways on engine development

By Elizabeth Howell published

'Rolls' proposed engine design and legacy business model is not the best option,' the supersonic jet maker said in a statement.

close up of a rocket engine with orange flame underneath

Rocket Lab fires up space-flown engine in reusability milestone

By Elizabeth Howell published

Rocket Lab turned up the heat on a space-flown rocket engine Thursday (Sept. 1) as part of its quest to make Electron first stages reusable.

a vertical solar array on the moon with robot lander and rover

These 3 companies will help NASA build vertical solar arrays for the moon

By Tariq Malik published

NASA has tapped three companies to help develop new solar array technologies for Artemis missions to the surface of the moon by astronauts and robots.

Flight crews help the Zephyr drone take off.

So close! Zephyr drone lands just hours before setting flight-duration record

By Brett Tingley published

An experimental high-altitude drone being tested in conjunction with the United States Army has ended its epic flight just hours before breaking the world record for longest flight duration.