Space

mars' surface with the left side of the image toned yellow and the right side blue

Astronomy

NASA shares colorful “postcard” of Mars’ surface

NASA has used photos taken by the Curiosity rover to create a gorgeous “postcard” of the Martian landscape.

Kristin Houser

a crowd of young people with their backs to the camera watching a rocket fly through the air in the distance

Aerospace

Students build reusable rocket, win $5,000 from NASA

The University of Alabama in Huntsville has won Student Launch 2023, NASA’s annual rocket-building competition.

Kristin Houser

an illustration of a capsule reentering Earth's atmosphere

Aerospace

SpaceX successfully launches world’s first “space factory”

SpaceX has successfully deployed a “space factory” developed by startup Varda Space Industries to manufacture drugs in microgravity.

Kristin Houser

Aerospace

Scientists find a new way to detect space junk orbiting Earth

A new technique for tracking space junk with lasers works during daylight hours — making previously “invisible” space debris visible.

Kristin Houser

Aerospace

A sunblock to save Martian explorers from radiation in space

Radiation in space is a major threat to astronauts’ health, but a new biomaterial could make space exploration a little less dangerous by blocking x-rays.

Kristin Houser

Aerospace

See prototype of Mars-bound Starship take its first “hop”

The first Starship test flight was a success, with the massive SpaceX rocket lifting off from a base in Texas and landing less than a minute later.

Kristin Houser

Aerospace

Tracking the Crew Dragon: Return to Earth

A SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft with two astronauts onboard has returned to Earth from the International Space Station, marking a milestone in spaceflight.

Kristin Houser

Aerospace

How to watch the Mars 2020 rover launch

NASA plans to launch its Mars 2020 rover on July 30. Here’s what you need to know about the agency’s latest Mars mission.

Kristin Houser

Aerospace

Meet NASA's autonomous vehicle — for Mars

When Perseverance lands on Mars, it will hopefully drive further faster than any rover before. NASA’s autonomous vehicle’s secret? A dedicated “pilot.”

B. David Zarley

Aerospace

What a simulated Mars mission can teach you about life

After a simulated Mars mission, researchers come home with lessons we can all live by.

Teresa Carey

Outer Space

Preparing for the first human mission to Mars

Mars is going to be bombarded with visitors from planet Earth — the U.S., China, and UAE are all launching unmanned spacecraft to the red planet this month.

Amanda Winkler

Outer Space

China Mars mission joins Emirates, with U.S. to follow

With each new Mars mission, the red planet renaissance heats up this July. China and newcomer the UAE are off-world, and NASA’s on deck.

B. David Zarley

Astronomy

Massive 3D map of the universe fills in “troublesome” gap

The Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS) has released the largest 3D map of the universe ever created, detailing 11 billion years that were previously uncharted.

Kristin Houser

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