We Need Small Astronomy as Much as Big Astronomy
In an era of budget-busting mega-telescopes, we shouldn’t forget the importance of smaller telescopes, more focused missions and the unexpected surprises they reveal about the universe
Space Exploration
‘Ring of Fire’ Rocket Engines Put a New Spin on Spaceflight
Rotating detonation engines developed by NASA and others could spark a rocketry revolution
Low Oxygen May Smother Life’s Prospects on Europa, Jupiter’s Ocean Moon
The subsurface ocean of Jupiter’s moon Europa may have far less oxygen—and less potential for life—than previously believed, according to data from NASA’s Juno spacecraft
First Commercial Moon Landing Returns U.S. to Lunar Surface
Intuitive Machines’ IM-1 mission is the first U.S. soft landing on the moon since Apollo 17. It’s also a sign of private industry’s growing role in space
Second Private U.S. Lander Launches to the Moon
Odysseus, a lunar lander built by the aerospace company Intuitive Machines, launched atop a SpaceX rocket on a mission to the moon's south pole
Second Private U.S. Moon Lander Readies for Launch
Intuitive Machines’ IM-1 is aiming to be the first commercial mission to softly land on another celestial body—and the first to deliver NASA equipment to the moon
When Will We Finally Have Sex In Space?
We're talking about the big bang—but not in the way you might think.
Mars Mission’s Budget Problems Force NASA Layoffs
NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory is eliminating nearly 600 workers due to funding shortfalls for the space agency's Mars Sample Return mission
Japan’s SLIM Mission Is Revived on the Moon
After a nine-day shutdown, the upside-down lunar lander received enough sunlight to power up again
NASA’s Mars Helicopter Ingenuity Ends Mission on the Red Planet after 3 Years
NASA’s enterprising Mars helicopter and its remarkable 72 flights offered a new vision of planetary exploration
NASA Restores Contact with Mars Helicopter Ingenuity
After an unexpected communications dropout, NASA’s Ingenuity helicopter is back in business on Mars
Japan Reaches the Moon, but the Fate of Its Precision Lander Is Uncertain
Japan’s SLIM precision-landing spacecraft—a potential game-changer for upcoming lunar exploration—may expire on the moon before fulfilling its mission