Exploration

A SpaceX Falcon Heavy will launch NASA’s water-hunting VIPER rover carried aboard an Astrobotic Griffin lander in 2023.

Astrobotic select Falcon Heavy to carry NASA water-hunting VIPER rover

Pittsburgh-based space technology company Astrobotic has selected the SpaceX Falcon Heavy to launch its Griffin lunar lander carrying a NASA rover. Announced April 13, the...
NASA will set a new date for the maiden flight of its Ingenuity Mars helicopter next week after a first attempt was scrapped.

NASA’s Ingenuity Mars helicopter needs a software update

NASA has identified the issue that delayed the maiden flight of its Ingenuity Mars helicopter and will need to install a software update to...
For its maiden flight on Mars, NASA's Ingenuity helicopter will climb to an altitude of three meters and hover for 20 seconds before returning to the Martian surface.

NASA tentatively set date for maiden flight of Ingenuity Mars helicopter

NASA is targeting no earlier than April 11 for the maiden flight of its Ingenuity helicopter on Mars. The flight will be the first...
NASA's Europa Clipper mission had cleared its Critical Design Review kicking off the fabrication and assembly of key components.

NASA’s Europa Clipper mission passes major milestone

NASA announced April 1 that its Europa Clipper mission had passed a major milestone with the completion of its Critical Design Review. The Europa Clipper...
As part of ESA’s European Large Logistics Lander plans, the agency is considering plans for a spherical lunar cave probe.

German-led team proposes spherical probe to explore lunar caves

As part of the European Space Agency's larger study of lunar cave mission concepts, a German-led team is proposing the use of a spherical...
NASA’s Ingenuity helicopter is being prepared for the first flight on another planet after hitching a ride to Mars aboard Perseverance.

NASA’s Ingenuity helicopter is set to attempt the first flight on Mars

NASA announced March 23 that the first flight of its Ingenuity Mars helicopter is slated to occur no earlier than April 8. The shoebox-sized Ingenuity...
The first two SLS solid rocket boosters have been stacked atop the mobile launch platform at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

NASA complete stacking of Artemis I SLS solid rocket boosters

NASA announced March 9 that it has completed stacking the twin Space Launch System (SLS) solid rocket boosters for the agency’s Artemis I mission...
ESA is looking for astronauts for the first time in over a decade.

ESA to recruit astronauts for the first time in over a decade

The European Space Agency (ESA) has announced that it is preparing to recruit its first astronaut class in over a decade. During a February 16...
Axiom Mission 1 will transport a crew of four to the International Space station for an eight-day stay.

Axiom Space select crew for first private mission to International Space Station

Axiom Space announced on January 26 that it had selected a crew for the first private mission to the International Space Station (ISS). The...
Japan returned a sample from a distant asteroid.

Japan return sample from an asteroid almost 300 million kms from Earth

A small probe containing a sample from a distant asteroid touched down at the Woomera Test Range in Australia on December 5. The sample...
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Latest News

NASA has yet to find a solution to a computer memory module problem that forced the Hubble Space Telescope’s science instruments into safe mode on June 13.

Is this the end for Hubble?

An issue with the onboard computer that runs NASA's Hubble Space Telescope continues to persist with no immediate solution. On June 13, NASA's Hubble Space...
The first seat aboard a Blue Origin New Shepard rocket has been sold for $28 million to a currently anonymous bidder.

First seat aboard Blue Origin New Shepard sells for $28 million

The first seat aboard a Blue Origin New Shepard rocket has been sold for $28 million concluding a multi-week auction. Blue Origin announced on May...
SpaceX will look to continue its blistering launch cadence as we move into the second half of 2021 on their way to 40 Falcon 9 missions in a single year.

SpaceX set blistering launch cadence in first half of 2021

As we approach the halfway mark of 2021, SpaceX continues to set a blistering launch cadence that whole nations have not been able to...
After almost two years on the surface of Mars, InSight’s solar panels have become covered in fine Martian dirt that needs to be cleared if it is going to remain operational.

NASA InSight lander gets 2% power boost after dirt shower

A counterintuitive plan to clear dust from the solar panels of NASA's InSight lander has been successful resulting in a 2% power boost. NASA's InSight...
A Government Accountability Office report has revealed that the development of the Blue Origin BE-4 engine is facing technical difficulties.

GAO report identifies problems with Blue Origin BE-4 engine

A report published by the Government Accountability Office has revealed that the development of the Blue Origin BE-4 engine is experiencing "technical challenges." United Launch...
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