A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California on Thursday night, carrying 20 Starlink satellites. However, about an hour later, the rocket’s second stage failed to reignite, resulting in the satellites being deployed into a shallower orbit, where they are expected to soon reenter and burn up in the atmosphere. CEO Elon Musk reported on X that the failure led … Continue reading SpaceX rocket grounded after orbital failure

Scientists are investigating a massive, enigmatic scar on Mars whose origins remain a mystery. Dubbed Aganippe Fossa, this feature stretches approximately 600km (373 miles) across, longer than the Grand Canyon, and is located on the lower flank of Mars’ colossal volcano, Arsia Mons. Initially identified in 1930, the scar has now been observed up close for the first time by the ESA spacecraft Mars Express. … Continue reading Scientists investigate mysterious giant scar stretching across Mars

The exoplanet HD 189733b, similar in size to Jupiter, has fascinated astronomers with its extreme conditions—searing temperatures, intense winds, and sideways rain composed of glass. Recent data from the James Webb Space Telescope has unveiled another intriguing detail: the planet emits a scent reminiscent of rotten eggs. Researchers detected trace amounts of hydrogen sulfide in its atmosphere, a gas known for its pungent sulfuric odor … Continue reading Scientists find a molecule never before found outside our solar system on a planet with glass rain

The European Space Agency’s long-awaited Ariane 6 rocket launched successfully from the Guiana Space Center in French Guiana, marking its maiden voyage after years of setbacks. The launch proceeded smoothly, achieving key milestones such as satellite deployment. However, approximately 2 hours and 50 minutes into the mission, an anomaly occurred during the rocket’s return phase, attributed to an engine reignition issue, CNN has reported. Despite … Continue reading Long-awaited European rocket experiences ‘anomaly’ before reentry to Earth

During its final close approach to Jupiter’s moon Io, NASA’s Juno orbiter captured unprecedented images of volcanic plumes erupting from the moon’s surface. Io, known as the most volcanically active world in our solar system, features numerous volcanoes spewing material miles high into space. Juno’s February flyby at a distance of 2,400 miles provided detailed snapshots of these eruptions, revealing new insights into Io’s volcanic … Continue reading NASA spacecraft catches volcano plumes blasting into space

Using the James Webb Space Telescope, scientists have made new discoveries about Jupiter’s Great Red Spot, revealing a surprisingly active and intricate atmosphere above the storm. Previously thought to be unremarkable, this region now shows complex structures and activity, influenced by gravity waves. Webb’s NIRSpec observations have provided high-resolution details that could support future missions like the Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer (Juice), enhancing our understanding … Continue reading Webb Uncovers Unexpected Phenomena Above Jupiter’s Great Red Spot

Four volunteers from NASA’s Crew Health and Performance Exploration Analog project completed a yearlong simulation of a Mars mission at Johnson Space Center in Houston. Kelly Haston, Anca Selariu, Ross Brockwell, and Nathan Jones emerged from the 3D-printed habitat after 378 days of confinement on June 25, 2023. The mission aimed to simulate conditions for future Mars expeditions, involving tasks like simulated spacewalks, vegetable cultivation, … Continue reading Crew of NASA’s earthbound simulated Mars habitat emerge after a year

Last week, Earth witnessed a rare celestial event with the close passing of two sizable asteroids, named 2024 MK and 2011 UL21. Although neither posed a threat, both came close enough to be captured by radar imaging systems, providing NASA with valuable snapshots. These images serve more than just commemorative purposes—they offer scientists crucial insights into the composition and behavior of near-Earth asteroids. Understanding these … Continue reading NASA Reveals Images of Large Asteroids That Just Sailed Past Earth

Firefly Aerospace’s Alpha rocket successfully launched early Thursday morning (July 4), marking its fifth mission. Named “Noise of Summer,” the launch occurred from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California at 12:04 a.m. EDT (0404 GMT; 9:04 p.m. local California time on July 3). Originally scheduled for two days earlier, the launch was delayed due to ground support equipment issues, prompting additional analysis before proceeding. The … Continue reading Firefly Aerospace launches 8 cubesats to orbit on 5th-ever launch

Deep within Earth lies a solid metal core that rotates independently of the planet’s outer layers, akin to a spinning top within a larger one, enveloped in mystery. Discovered in 1936 by Danish seismologist Inge Lehmann, this inner core’s movement—specifically its speed and direction—has intrigued scientists for decades. Studying seismic waves from large earthquakes has provided insights into its dynamics, revealing fluctuations in its rotation … Continue reading Earth’s core has slowed so much it’s moving backward, scientists confirm

Last Christmas Eve, a Falcon 9 rocket launched from California successfully deployed two spy satellites for Germany’s Bundeswehr into low-Earth orbit. Manufactured by OHB, the SARah satellites were intended to complete a next-generation reconnaissance constellation. Despite initial assurances of a successful deployment, the satellites have yet to become operational six months later due to issues with unfolding their antennas. Attempts to resolve the problem—including software … Continue reading Two of the German military’s new spy satellites appear to have failed in orbit

Russia’s space agency, Roscosmos, under the leadership of Yuri Borisov, has approved a plan to develop a new space station, signaling a shift away from international cooperation in space efforts since 2022. This move reflects Russia’s increasing geopolitical isolation amidst heightened Western sanctions following its invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. The announcement, posted on Telegram by RIA Novosti, outlined plans for the new Russian … Continue reading Russia’s New Space Station Gets Green Light

A Chinese private company’s space rocket crashed and exploded near a city after an accidental launch during a test. The Tianlong-3 rocket’s first stage departed from its launch pad due to a structural failure, according to Beijing Tianbing, also known as Space Pioneer. The incident occurred in Gongyi, central China, where the rocket landed in a hilly area. Video footage showed the rocket ascending vertically, … Continue reading Chinese space rocket crashes in flames after accidental launch

NASA has awarded SpaceX an $843 million contract to develop a U.S. Deorbit Vehicle, aimed at safely guiding the aging International Space Station (ISS) back through Earth’s atmosphere for a controlled reentry into the Pacific Ocean by 2030. The ISS, a symbol of international cooperation and a football field-sized flying laboratory, has been continuously occupied for over 23 years. Alongside China’s Tiangong Space Station, it … Continue reading NASA Contracts SpaceX to crash the International Space Station into the ocean

NASA has confirmed that a sizable piece of space debris discovered last month on a mountain trail in North Carolina originated from a SpaceX capsule that recently returned from the International Space Station. The roughly 3-foot debris chunk, found near Asheville by an employee of The Glamping Collective, belonged to the service module or “trunk” of a SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule. This trunk, which carries … Continue reading A chunk of space debris found in N.C. came from a SpaceX capsule, NASA says

A spectacular green fireball streaked across the late evening skies recently, leaving residents in awe across Texas and neighboring states. According to NASA’s Meteor Watch, the meteor was first spotted 54 miles above Malakoff, Texas, traveling at a staggering speed of 58,000 mph. It covered 61 miles in the upper atmosphere in just 3.8 seconds before disintegrating over Everglade Park near Dallas. NASA confirmed that … Continue reading Fireball quickly lights up Texas ‘like daylight’ before disappearing

Data from NASA’s Mars InSight Lander, though no longer active on the Red Planet, remains pivotal in new scientific discoveries. Researchers, led by Brown University, used InSight’s data to reveal that Mars might be experiencing more frequent meteoroid impacts than previously known. The study, published in Science Advances, suggests impact rates could be two to 10 times higher than earlier estimates, depending on meteoroid size, … Continue reading Surprising asteroid sample reveals Bennu may have originated from an ocean world

Data from NASA’s Mars InSight Lander, though no longer active on the Red Planet, remains pivotal in new scientific discoveries. Researchers, led by Brown University, used InSight’s data to reveal that Mars might be experiencing more frequent meteoroid impacts than previously known. The study, published in Science Advances, suggests impact rates could be two to 10 times higher than earlier estimates, depending on meteoroid size. … Continue reading Analysis of NASA InSight data suggests Mars hit by meteoroids more often than thought

Astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore, on board Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft, face an uncertain return date after issues with helium leaks and thruster outages prolonged their mission beyond its initial timeframe. NASA and Boeing are working to ensure the spacecraft’s safety for their return, with NASA considering extending the mission from 45 to 90 days. Engineers are conducting ground tests in New Mexico to understand … Continue reading Boeing Starliner spacecraft could wait months before return

A massive asteroid known as 2011 UL21 is set to make an exceptionally close approach to Earth this week, hurtling past at a speed of approximately 58,000 mph (93,000 km/h). Despite being classified as “potentially hazardous,” this mountain-sized object will safely pass by our planet, marking one of the largest close encounters with Earth in over a century. The asteroid orbits the sun every three … Continue reading Mountain-size ‘planet killer’ asteroid will make a close approach to Earth this week

Two NASA astronauts, Barry “Butch” Wilmore and Sunita “Suni” Williams, launched aboard Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft on June 5 from Cape Canaveral, Florida, bound for the International Space Station (ISS). However, they have encountered multiple mechanical issues that have delayed their return, originally scheduled for June 14. As part of NASA’s Commercial Crew Program, the mission aims to certify Boeing’s spacecraft for regular ISS missions. Despite … Continue reading NASA astronauts stuck waiting aboard ISS to return to Earth amid issues with Boeing’s Starliner

China’s Chang’e-6 lunar mission successfully returned to Earth this week, marking a historic achievement with the first-ever collection of rock and soil samples from the far side of the moon. The return vehicle landed in Inner Mongolia at 2:07 p.m. local time on Tuesday, concluding its 53-day mission, as reported by the China National Space Administration (CNSA). In a news release, CNSA hailed the mission … Continue reading China’s lunar probe returns to Earth with 1st samples from far side of the moon

NASA plans to launch an “artificial star” named Landolt into orbit around Earth by 2029 to help calibrate ground-based telescopes. This shoebox-sized satellite, equipped with eight lasers, will orbit at 22,236 miles and mimic a real star. In its first year, Landolt will appear to hover above the United States, although it will be too dim to see with the naked eye. However, astronomers using … Continue reading NASA’s ‘artificial star’ in Earth orbit to help with telescope calibration

NASA’s recent hypothetical exercise revealed a 72% chance of a potentially hazardous asteroid impacting Earth, highlighting potential preparedness gaps. The exercise, part of NASA’s fifth biennial Planetary Defense Interagency Tabletop Exercise conducted in April, included nearly 100 representatives from US government agencies and international collaborators. Held at the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory, the exercise aimed to assess Earth’s readiness for an asteroid threat, despite … Continue reading There’s A 72% Chance That An Asteroid May Hit Earth On This Exact Day

NASA has delayed the return of astronauts Barry “Butch” Wilmore and Sunita Williams from the International Space Station (ISS) due to issues with the Boeing spacecraft. Originally scheduled to return on June 26, their stay was extended by two weeks because of thruster malfunctions and helium leaks. NASA announced on Friday that they need more time to review these problems. This mission is Boeing’s first … Continue reading Astronauts stranded in space face further setback to return home