Field: Aerospace
American Airlines plans to buy 20 supersonic planes
American Airlines has paid a non-refundable deposit for 20 supersonic planes from Denver-based startup Boom Supersonic.
Earth’s orbit is about to get way more crowded
Satellite mega constellations could bring the world online, but they're also a threat to astronomy. Can we study space and build in it, too?
Magnets could help astronauts breathe on Mars
A new study suggests magnets might be the key to developing lighter, simpler systems for generating oxygen in space.
NASA’s massive moon rocket is finally ready for launch (Updated)
After multiple delays, NASA’s new moon rocket — the Space Launch System — is finally on the launchpad ahead of its first test flight.
Russians reportedly building a satellite-blinding laser. How would it work?
If Russia is able to build the laser, it would be capable of shielding a large part of the country from the view of satellites.
NASA is sending a robot surgeon to the ISS
A MIRA surgical robot is heading to the ISS in 2024 so developers can test its potential to help astronauts survive medical emergencies.
NASA discovers the perfect cave to live in on the moon
A newly identified lunar pit where the temperature is always about 63 F could be the perfect place for NASA’s future moon base.
Flying sports car cleared for takeoff by FAA
Samson Sky has received approval from the FAA to begin flight testing its flying sports car, the three-wheeled Switchblade.
Watch NASA’s flying space bots work alongside astronauts
The three Astrobee robots aboard the ISS foreshadow a future in which autonomous bots are NASA astronauts’ partners in space.
NASA will send two more helicopters to Mars to bring home samples
Inspired by the overachieving Ingenuity, NASA has updated the Mars Sample Return mission to include two new Mars helicopters.
NASA is closer than ever to generating nuclear power on the moon
NASA has given three companies $5 million contracts to develop mini reactors capable of generating nuclear power on the moon by 2031.
NASA was “completely wrong” about the asteroid Bennu
It wasn’t until landing on the asteroid Bennu that NASA learned its surface was more like a plastic ball pit than the relatively solid moon.
The sci-fi plan to create artificial gravity on the moon, Mars
To create artificial gravity for off-world explorers, Japan plans to build spinning, cone-shaped facilities on the moon and Mars.
Electric “seagliders” may soon skim the Hawaiian shoreline
Flying low above the sea, “seagliders” from Boston-based company REGENT may be cruising Hawaii by 2025.
7 spectacular lessons from James Webb’s first deep-field image
With its first deep-field image, the James Webb Space Telescope has truly ushered in an entirely new era in astronomy and astrophysics.
James Webb’s first science images: before-and-after
The James Webb Space Telescope's first set of science images showcases the breadth of the observatory’s capabilities.
James Webb’s record-breaking first science image: explained
On July 11, 2022, the very first science image of the James Webb Space Telescope was unveiled to the world.
NASA teases Webb telescope’s first images with list of targets (Updated)
NASA has announced the first targets for the James Webb Space Telescope and plans to share the full-color images on July 12.
Chinese astronomers unveil a plan to find Earth 2.0 — and aliens
China’s Earth 2.0 mission will survey the Milky Way in the hope of identifying exoplanets similar to Earth.
This is the damage a tiny speck of space debris can do at 15,000mph
A crater 5 inches deep was caused by something about the size and weight of an eraser on the end of a pencil.
MIT proposes Brazil-sized fleet of “space bubbles” to cool the Earth
A raft of “space bubbles” could be used to reverse global warming, according to an MIT group's solar geoengineering proposal.
Ukrainian startup expects to fly “self-devouring” rocket in 2022
Ukrainian startup Promin Aerospace is developing a “self-devouring” rocket built from a material that its engine can burn as fuel.
Pilotless German air taxi flies for first time
Volocopter’s four-seat air taxi — the VoloConnect — has completed its maiden flight and is on track for a 2026 commercial launch.
US plans to put nuclear-powered spacecraft in orbit by 2026
Nuclear thermal propulsion systems could power missions to Mars, help defense satellites evade attacks, and more.
World’s fastest passenger jet hits near-supersonic speeds
Aircraft manufacturer Bombardier has unveiled the Global 8000, the fastest private jet in the world with a max operating speed of 721 mph.
Einstein was right. Flying clocks around the world in opposite directions proved it.
By flying planes both with and against Earth's rotation, and returning them all to the same starting point, we tested Einstein's theory.
NASA to help put first Japanese astronaut on the moon
The first non-American to reach the lunar surface will likely do so as part of NASA’s Artemis mission — and could be a Japanese astronaut.
Perseverance rover kicks off new hunt for life on Mars
NASA’s Perseverance rover has begun its Delta Front Campaign, the part of its mission most likely to produce evidence of past life on Mars.
Boeing’s Starliner is finally on its way to the ISS (Updated)
Boeing’s Starliner capsule — developed to carry NASA astronauts — is now en route to the International Space Station.
NASA is planning to bring back supersonic flight over land
Supersonic flight over land is currently banned in the US, but a plane being built by NASA and Lockheed Martin could rewrite the rules.
Chinese rover makes surprise discovery about liquid water on Mars
Data from China’s Zhurong rover suggests there was substantial liquid water on Mars far more recently than we thought.
Stanford’s gravity telescope concept uses the sun to see exoplanets
Stanford scientists have designed a gravity telescope concept that could take stunningly clear images of exoplanets.
How the Kessler Syndrome can end all space exploration and destroy modern life
The sheer amount of stuff already floating in space makes the domino effect of explosions a likely possibility.
Scientists grow plants in real lunar soil for the first time
Lunar soil was used to grow plants for the first time, suggesting that we may be able to produce food for astronauts off-world.
A 20-seat hypersonic plane is being built in Atlanta
Atlanta-based startup Hermeus is developing a hypersonic plane to ferry passengers around the globe at incredible speeds.
Watch: SpinLaunch just flung a camera toward space at 1,000+ mph
California startup SpinLaunch sent a camera flying toward space at more than 1,000 mph and then released the video online.
The world’s first airport for flying cars and drones has just landed
The UK's development of an urban airport for flying cars and drones could inspire other nations to follow suit.
New private astronaut training will be open to the public
Colorado startup Star Harbor is building a first-of-its-kind center for private astronaut training and space research.
How NASA’s liquid lenses could revolutionize space exploration
NASA recently tested a liquid lens technology that could make a space telescope so large it would dwarf all that have come before.
Space Force backs 125 teams to take down orbital debris
The US Space Force is giving 125 teams up to $250,000 each to develop tech to deal with the orbital debris circling our planet.
China is going to try to move an asteroid
As part of its new planetary defense strategy, the China National Space Administration is going to launch a mission to redirect an asteroid.
Watch: Incredible jumping robot triples world record
A new jumping robot that can soar nearly 100 feet into the air might use the ability to explore the moon for NASA.
This hydrogen aircraft could really work
California startup HyPoint plans to make a hydrogen-powered aircraft with nearly three times the range of a turboprop commuter jet.
Watch a helicopter attempt to catch a falling rocket (Updated)
Aerospace startup Rocket Lab is going to attempt to catch a falling rocket using a long hook dangling from a helicopter.
Elon Musk’s Starlink fights off Russian attacks in Ukraine
A Pentagon official was impressed by how quickly the Starlink internet network responded to electromagnetic warfare in Ukraine.
NASA uses “holoportation” in space for first time
Holoportation tech developed by Microsoft virtually sent a flight surgeon to the ISS to talk to an astronaut.
Former NHL enforcer builds an incredible electric airplane
An electric airplane developed by Beta Technologies, an ex-NHL player's startup, is on the wish lists of Amazon, the US Army, UPS, and more.
Unbelievably sensitive NACHOS satellite is ready to save lives
The cutting-edge NACHOS satellite will aid in our fight against climate change and potentially save hundreds of people from gruesome deaths.
Israeli and US Navy lasers successfully shoot down drones, rockets, artillery
Israeli and American armed forces have successfully tested air defense systems using lasers to destroy incoming targets.
Inside the luxury cabins taking tourists to space with a balloon
Space Perspective plans to use a massive space balloon to lift a luxury cabin containing space tourists high above the Earth.
Largest comet ever seen is 80 miles wide, says NASA
Comet Bernardinelli-Bernstein is the largest comet ever observed, according to a new study based on Hubble Space Telescope data.
SpinLaunch to fling a NASA payload toward space
SpinLaunch is going to use a massive centrifuge to accelerate a NASA payload to supersonic speeds before flinging it toward space.
An old satellite was hacked to broadcast signals across North America
A recent satellite hacking shows that end-of-life satellites may be vulnerable.
Lasers from space create unique new map of Earth’s forests
A lidar instrument on the ISS has been used to create a near-global 3D map of the Earth’s biomass for conservation and climate research.
NASA’s massive SLS rocket is one test away from launch
NASA's moon-bound SLS rocket is at Kennedy Space Center and ready for its wet dress rehearsal — the last major test before launch.
Farthest galaxy from Earth discovered by Tokyo astronomers
Astronomers have discovered a new farthest galaxy from Earth, and it could change what we thought we knew about the early universe.
Hubble smashes record for farthest star ever seen
NASA's Hubble Space Telescope has smashed its own record for farthest star ever seen with the detection of “Earendel.”
ESA space telescope snaps pic of new NASA neighbor
ESA’s Gaia observatory has snapped a photo of NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope, its new neighbor at Earth’s second Lagrange point.
Researchers scheme how they could ride a laser to Mars
Researchers have proposed an idea that will cut travel time to Mars down to just 45 days. All it takes is hitching a ride on a giant laser.
ESA plans to make the first oxygen on the moon
ESA plans to send a device that pulls oxygen from lunar regolith to the moon by 2025 and then build an oxygen-producing plant in the 2030s.
Radical new “Flying-V” plane aims to transform flight
The Flying-V airplane doesn’t look like anything you’ll find at today’s airports, but it could be the future of aviation.
NASA’s helicopter on Mars snaps stunning desert photo
NASA has shared a new photo taken by Ingenuity, its helicopter on Mars, and announced plans to extend the spacecraft’s mission.
Elon Musk’s Starlink internet helps destroy Russian tanks
An elite Ukrainian drone unit is using SpaceX’s Starlink internet service to coordinate attacks on high-priority Russian military targets.
Space lettuce engineered to stimulate bone growth
To protect Mars astronauts from bone loss, scientists genetically engineered a lettuce that produces a bone-stimulating hormone.
NASA shares stunning star image taken by Webb telescope
A star image taken by NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope suggests the first-of-its-kind spacecraft is going to work even better than expected.
NASA opens untouched moon rock container from 50 years ago
NASA is opening a vacuum-sealed sample of moon rock and gas to help astronauts prepare for the next mission to the moon.
Curiosity discovers a “flower” rock on Mars
Curiosity has discovered a Martian rock shaped like a flower, and it's helping NASA scientists unravel the history of water on Mars.
An asteroid could wipe out an entire city – here’s NASA’s plan to prevent catastrophe
Cosmic bodies, like asteroids and comets, are constantly zooming through space and often crash into our planet.
NASA considers stingray-like drone to fly the skies of Venus
The winged drone is designed to ride 200-mph Venusian winds.
Starlink lands in Ukraine
Starlink satellite internet service has been established in Ukraine.
Hubble gets first good look at the dark side of a “hot Jupiter”
The first detailed look at the dark side of a hot Jupiter exoplanet reveals conditions that could create metal clouds and liquid gem rain.
A rogue rocket is on course to crash into the Moon. It won’t be the first.
Earlier in the Space Age, little thought was given to leaving what many call “trash” on the lunar surface.
New exoplanet discovered orbiting Proxima Centauri
A third exoplanet has been discovered orbiting Proxima Centauri, and it’s one of the lightest astronomers have ever detected.
NASA gets first images from James Webb telescope
NASA has shared the James Webb Space Telescope’s first images, and so far, it looks like the epic spacecraft is working exactly as hoped.
NASA: Lockheed Martin will build the Mars Ascent Vehicle
NASA’s Mars Ascent Vehicle, a first-of-its-kind rocket capable of launching from the surface of Mars, will be built by Lockheed Martin.
“Space tug” tows dead satellite into a new orbit
China has used a space tug to change the orbit of a defunct satellite, proving it’s a viable way to clean up some old space junk.
NASA offers $1 million prize for prototypes to grow space food
NASA’s Deep Space Food Challenge will give away $1 million in exchange for prototypes that could help feed astronauts on long-term missions.
NASA plans to destroy the ISS in 2031
NASA will deorbit the International Space Station in 2031 by sending it plunging into the Pacific Ocean's “spacecraft cemetery.”
Toyota is building a “Lunar Cruiser” for Japan
Toyota's pressurized moon rover, the “Lunar Cruiser,” could help astronauts live on the moon — and help us combat climate change on Earth.
New space plane would fly directly into orbit from a runway
Radian Aerospace is building a first-of-its-kind space plane that flies directly into orbit after taking off horizontally from the ground.
A space film studio is launching into orbit in 2024
A new space module designed for the recording and livestreaming of movies and sporting events is expected to attach to the ISS in 2024.
Chinese lander finds first onsite evidence of water on the moon
The first onsite evidence of water on the moon suggests that subterranean lunar rock contains larger stores than can be found on the surface.
China builds “artificial moon” on Earth
China’s artificial moon, which uses magnets to mimic lunar gravity, could help with the creation of future moon colonies.
SpaceX’s Starship is ready for its first trip into space
SpaceX's Mars-bound Starship — the largest spacecraft ever built — is expected to undergo its first orbital test flight in March 2022.
MIT is testing a levitating space rover
MIT engineers have designed a levitating space rover that could allow us to explore parts of the moon that are too rough for rolling rovers.
The most anticipated space missions of 2022
2022 will be a big year for space missions, with huge rocket launches, several rover rollouts, and a first-of-its-kind asteroid collision.
NASA tosses rockets to prepare for Mars sample return
NASA is developing a system for the Mars Sample Return mission that tosses a rocket into the air just prior to ignition on Mars.
This startup is ready to make electric flight a reality
After years of preparation, Washington-based startup Eviation is ready to lead the charge to electric flight.
Water on Mars found hidden in massive canyon
Scientists have discovered a huge store of hidden water on Mars, and it’s just below the surface of the Valles Marineris canyon system.
The Hubble Space Telescope is dying. Here’s what’s next.
With Hubble living on borrowed time, NASA and its partners prepare to launch the satellite's successor: the James Webb Space Telescope.
Clever sleeping bag design might save astronauts’ eyesight
A sleeping bag designed for use in microgravity could protect astronauts’ vision by pulling eyeball-deforming fluids away from their brains.
What comes after the ISS?
NASA is investing more than $400 million to help private companies develop space stations that could one day replace the ISS.
Is this one-seat flying saucer the future of flight?
Startup ZEVA Aero’s vision for the future of eVTOLs is a one-person flying saucer-shaped vehicle that travels 160 miles per hour.
First commercial mission to the ISS prepares for launch
Private astronauts will have a chance to conduct microgravity research on the International Space Station during Axiom Space’s Ax-1 mission.
NASA plans to put a nuclear reactor on the moon by 2031
NASA and the Department of Energy are asking U.S. companies for help putting a nuclear reactor on the moon by 2031.
Bullet-shaped plane promises to slash air travel costs
Otto Aviation has finished phase 1 flight testing of its Celera 500L, a highly efficient airplane that could cut the cost of air travel.
See the surface of the sun evolve in stunning time lapse
A stunning time lapse of the surface of the sun created using NASA images shows the activity that occurs over the course of just one month.
Russian satellite strike creates huge cloud of space debris
A Russian anti-satellite weapons test threatened the safety of ISS astronauts by adding more space debris to Earth’s orbit.