Space & PhysicsJuly 19, 2021
Jeff Bezos and Blue Origin Are Finally Flying to Space
After nearly twenty years pursuing a lifelong dream of spaceflight, the world’s wealthiest person is at last ready for lift off
Stories by Mike Wall
Mike Wall has been writing for Space.com since 2010. His book about the search for alien life, “Out There,” was published on Nov. 13, 2018. Before becoming a science writer, Michael worked as a herpetologist and wildlife biologist. He has a Ph.D. in evolutionary biology from the University of Sydney, Australia, a bachelor’s degree from the University of Arizona, and a graduate certificate in science writing from the University of California, Santa Cruz.
Space & PhysicsJune 17, 2021
China Launches Astronauts to New Space Station
The nation’s first crewed liftoff in nearly five years is the third of 11 planned launches to complete the station’s construction
Space & PhysicsJune 9, 2021
Ganymede Looks Glorious in New Images from NASA’s Juno Mission
The spacecraft captured the first close-up views of the solar system’s largest moon in more than 20 years
Space & PhysicsMay 10, 2021
Huge Chinese Rocket Falls to Earth over Arabian Peninsula
Debris from the 20-metric-ton booster reportedly splashed down in the Indian Ocean north of the Maldives
Space & PhysicsMay 6, 2021
SpaceX Sticks the Landing in Latest Starship Test Flight
After multiple explosive endings to previous high-altitude tests, a prototype rocket for voyages to the Moon and Mars finally touched down safely
Space & PhysicsApril 26, 2021
Mars Helicopter Ingenuity Goes Long Distance in Third Flight
The rotorcraft set performance records in its latest test, flying a total distance of 100 meters
Space & PhysicsApril 22, 2021
NASA’s Perseverance Rover Makes Oxygen on Mars for First Time
The technique could someday help astronauts sustainably live and work on the Red Planet
Space & PhysicsApril 13, 2021
First Flight of NASA’s Mars Helicopter Ingenuity Is Delayed
The interplanetary aircraft will launch no earlier than next week because of glitches in its flight-control software
Space & PhysicsMarch 18, 2021
Perseverance Rover Settles In during First Month on Mars
With initial operations going smoothly, the rover could soon attempt to launch its pioneering helicopter, Ingenuity
Space & PhysicsMarch 11, 2021
Perseverance Mars Rover Records Sound of Rock-Zapping Laser
NASA’s latest robotic explorer is capturing the snaps, crackles and pops of sizzling stones on the Red Planet
Space & PhysicsFebruary 10, 2021
China’s First Mars Mission, Tianwen-1, Reaches the Red Planet
Now in orbit, the spacecraft will attempt a landing later this year
Space & PhysicsJanuary 13, 2021
Virgin Orbit’s First Launch of 2021 Is Imminent
The company is targeting Sunday, January 17 for sending its LauncherOne rocket to space from the belly of a 747 jet
Space & PhysicsDecember 21, 2020
Trump Signs Directive to Bolster Nuclear Power in Space Exploration
One goal laid out in the new policy is the testing of a fission power system on the moon by the mid- to late 2020s
Space & PhysicsDecember 10, 2020
SpaceX’s Starship SN8 Prototype Soars on Epic Test Launch, with Explosive Landing
Despite its “rapid unplanned disassembly,” the company’s highest-yet flight of its next-generation rocket was a success
Space & PhysicsDecember 7, 2020
Japanese Space Capsule Carrying Pristine Asteroid Samples Lands in Australia
Gathered by the Hayabusa2 spacecraft, the material from asteroid Ryugu will deepen scientists’ knowledge of early solar system history
Space & PhysicsDecember 1, 2020
China’s Chang’e 5 Lands on Moon to Collect Fresh Samples
The ambitious mission is the first effort since 1976 to bring lunar material back to Earth
Space & PhysicsNovember 24, 2020
China’s Chang’e-5 Mission Launches to Collect Lunar Samples
After a 44-year hiatus, humans are on the verge of returning fresh material from the moon
Space & PhysicsNovember 17, 2020
NASA Celebrates Crew-1 Arrival at Space Station
SpaceX’s first 4-astronaut mission for the agency is a milestone in human spaceflight
Space & PhysicsOctober 31, 2020
NASA’s OSIRIS-REx Probe Successfully Stows Space-Rock Sample
The spacecraft will deliver the pristine material from asteroid Bennu back to Earth in 2023
Space & PhysicsOctober 28, 2020
In the Hunt for Planet Nine, Astronomers Eye a New Search Technique
“Shifting and stacking” method could unveil the elusive world and other objects in the outer solar system
Space & PhysicsOctober 26, 2020
NASA’s OSIRIS-REx Is Overflowing with Asteroid Samples
The mission team is working to stow the sample as fast as possible to minimize losses
Space & PhysicsOctober 21, 2020
NASA’s OSIRIS-REx Successfully Touches Asteroid Bennu
The spacecraft attempted to collect samples from the asteroid for eventual return to Earth
Space & PhysicsSeptember 17, 2020
Scientists Spot Giant Planet Orbiting Dead Star’s Corpse
The discovery around a white dwarf suggests planets can survive their star’s demise
Space & PhysicsSeptember 16, 2020
Life on Venus? Breakthrough Initiatives Funds Study of Possible Biosignature
A team of scientists will examine the astrobiological prospects for phosphine on Earth’s hellish twin