Can we (legally) colonize space?
The space race is heating up, but many legal issues are still open to debate.
Moon glass helps solve a lunar mystery
Analyzing moon samples from the 1980s with a new laser technique shows we were wrong about the moon’s magnetic field.
Scientists listen to marsquakes to map the inside of the planet
With information garnered from marsquakes, researchers have created the first complete image of the interior structure of Mars.
Astronomers catch “ghosts” dancing around radio galaxies
Astronomers with the EMU Project have released a spooky image of “dancing ghosts” emanating from a pair of distant radio galaxies.
“Star shrapnel” from a supernova explosion is exiting the galaxy
A metallic star is hurtling out of the Milky Way, propelled by a supernova explosion triggered after it ate its partner star as a white dwarf.
Harvard astrophysicist will lead hunt for alien technology
Harvard astrophysicist Avi Loeb’s new Galileo Project will hunt for alien technology using proven scientific methods and equipment.
Baby exoplanet appears to be forming a moon
A unique baby exoplanet surrounded by a disc of gas and dust could unravel some of the mystery surrounding planet and moon formation.
Black holes caught eating neutron stars for first time
Using gravitational waves, astronomers have observed collisions between black holes and neutron stars for the first time.
See the first 3D map of the heliosphere
Astronomers have created the first ever 3D map of the heliosphere, using satellite data to reveal the part of the universe influenced by our sun’s solar wind.
Astronomers find more than 100,000 "stellar nurseries"
The biggest survey of stellar nurseries to date, PHANGS-ALMA, charts more than 100,000 star formation regions across our corner of the universe.
Gecko gripper could clean up space junk
The Earth is circled by a sea of space junk, and it poses a danger to satellites and astronauts. We know we should...
See the most realistic simulation of star formation yet
A new simulation of star formation is the most realistic ever created, giving scientists an unprecedented opportunity to study the birth of a star.
Radioactive plutonium from space found in Pacific Ocean
A rare form of plutonium has been discovered on Earth for the first time — and an exploding star appears to have helped it get here.
Catching the most dangerous thing in space
More than 8,000 tons of space debris orbit Earth, endangering our astronauts and satellites. Can we clean up space before it’s too late?
Algorithm quickly simulates massive universes in high-res
A new algorithm lets astrophysicists produce high-res cosmological simulations of large parts of the universe far more quickly than was previously possible.
NASA plans to send probe deep into interstellar space
An in-development Interstellar Probe could explore an area 10 times farther away than any craft before it, providing an unprecedented look at interstellar space.
More than 5,000 tons of space dust hit Earth every year
We now know about how much space dust — micrometeorites that may have seeded Earth with the ingredients for life — hits the planet every year.
Scientists measure Mars’ core — and it is shockingly big!
For the first time, scientists have measured Mars’ core — and found it is much bigger than expected.
A distant exoplanet made itself a second atmosphere
A distant exoplanet, GJ 1132 b, appears to have created a second atmosphere for itself after being stripped of its first.
Building infrastructure on Mars is tricky — these bugs could help
Landing on Mars is just the beginning — to live there, we'll need to invent Martian concrete.
Icelandic rocks hold clues to Mars’ ancient climate
Water once flowed on Mars. But was ancient Mars’s climate hot and wet, or dry and glacial? Iceland may hold the answer.
This cloudless “hot Jupiter” is unlike any known exoplanet
Astronomers have discovered a first-of-its-kind cloudless hot Jupiter — and it could expand our understanding of exoplanet formation.
We're floating in 6,000 tons of junk
There's a lot of trash in outer space. We need to clean it up before it becomes unusable.
Series| Coded
Hacking satellites with $300 worth of TV gear
There are nearly 3,000 satellites in orbit, and all of them are subject to a breach in satellite security. Here’s how white hat hackers can help.
Citizen scientists helped NASA map our cosmic backyard
NASA was able to create a highly detailed 3D map of nearby brown dwarfs thanks to the efforts of 150,000 citizen scientists.
Scientists may have found the hum of the universe
Scientists may have recorded the "hum" of the universe for the first time by measuring irregularities in gravitational waves.
The most anticipated space missions of 2021
The list of 2021's most exciting space missions includes several Mars orbiters, a couple of moon shots, and the launch of an asteroid-deflecting spacecraft.
5 awesome space exploration achievements of 2020
2020 was a big year for space news. Here are five achievements in space exploration that were particularly awesome.
See the Milky Way 1.6 million years from now
Using data from the Gaia spacecraft, ESA scientists predict where 40,000 stars in the Milky Way will be 1.6 million years from now.
What alien life could teach us about humanity
In partnership with John Templeton Foundation
As we continue to search for extraterrestrial life, we need to get creative by redefining the unique attributes of life itself.
Why do we care about moon rocks, anyway?
China’s Chang’e 5 is bringing the first new set of moon rocks and debris to Earth since the 70s. Why do scientists want these precious stones?
Bacteria could make space mining 400% more efficient
Using a bioreactor packed with bacteria could make space mining more efficient by speeding up the extraction of elements from rock.
The plan to convert space debris into labs for astronauts
Space services company Nanoracks plans to convert space debris into orbiting “Outposts” that could serve as hotels, research parks, and more.
Fusion-powered spaceships could take us into deep space
Fusion could make frequent trips into deep space possible.
NASA confirms existence of water on the moon
A study confirmed the existence of water on the moon the same day another provided evidence that the lunar surface could be rife with water reserves.
Two dozen “superhabitable” exoplanets may be better than Earth
Earth is successful at supporting life, but it may not be the most successful. These 24 “superhabitable” exoplanets may be even better.
The latest step in manufacturing in space
Made In Space is sending a 3D printer to the ISS in hopes of providing proof-of-concept that microgravity is the place to build precision parts.
Can we turn the moon into a gas station?
NASA is looking to buy moon rocks from private companies. This lunar marketplace will spur the development of new technologies that can extract resources from the moon.
Astronauts lose muscle in space. These mice could hold the solution
Without gravity, astronauts experience muscle and bone loss, limiting mission time. Mice that gain mass in orbit may hold the key to preventing that loss.
The dwarf planet Ceres may hide a subterranean sea
The largest body in the asteroid belt, the dwarf planet Ceres may hide a salty subterranean sea.
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.
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.
The new space race has officially begun
The space race to the moon, a new “zombie” satellite discovery by an amateur astronomer, and more top stories in our weekly Progress Report.
NASA’s plan to stop an asteroid headed for Earth
In 2013, a small meteor exploded above Chelyabinsk, Russia that sent over 1,200 people to the hospital. Now, NASA has plans to detect Earth-bound asteroids and defend the planet from another large-scale catastrophe.
Closer to the Sun: NASA’s Parker Solar Probe
NASA is getting closer to the sun than ever before with the Parker Solar Probe, leaving researchers excited and bewildered by the data they saw.
Is anybody out there?
New breakthroughs in the technology used for exoplanet discovery mean we could find proof for the existence of extraterrestrials in our lifetime.
Tiny satellite “constellations” could bring the entire world online
SpaceX is out in front, but the race for global satellite internet is getting crowded.
The first private moonshot is ready to launch
The Israeli group's moon mission will be ride-sharing on a SpaceX rocket.
3 ways to think about the future
Why don’t we have a moon base? A cartoonist and a scientist explain.
Meet the amateur astronomer who found a lost NASA satellite
A $130 million satellite vanished. Over a decade later, a blogger/astronomer found it.
What we learned from a decade of commercial space travel
Businesses have gotten to space; now what?
SpaceX internet is coming
The Internet... in space! What's not to love?
This is the new space race
It’s been 44 years since a human stepped on the moon, and a new generation of entrepreneurs is laying the...
Why the U.S. government treated satellites and machine guns as the same for 15 years
Regulations forced companies that planned to sell satellites to other countries to register, in effect, as arms...
How do we respond to crimes in space?
As talk of space colonization heats up, is it time to have a serious conversation about conflict resolution in a...
Preparing the first space colonizers for life off of planet Earth
It’s only a matter of time until the average person can explore space. But, will the average person be ready?
Preparing for outer space
As the tech side of space travel advances, an annual gathering focuses on life off of planet earth.
The four weirdest things we've sent to space
We take a look at a few of the not-so-obviously-bizarre things we've launched beyond the earth's atmosphere.
Who owns the moon?
Throughout history, different organizations, governments, and even individuals have attempted to establish rules...
Can this startup give everyone access to the moon?
With advanced navigational technology, Astrobotic wants to provide a routine, affordable, and accurate delivery...
The market for tiny satellites is going to be huge
Fleets of small satellites can gather far more accurate and timely data than conventional satellites. And investors...
The startup that may be on the cusp of revolutionizing the satellite industry
Spire's satellites fit in the palm of your hand, cost a fraction of their predecessors, and transmit more data than...
Tiny satellites with a huge impact
Many satellites are nearing the end of their life. This is what could be next.
Here's what happens to the human body in outer space
As the idea of colonizing space becomes mainstream, it’s important to keep in mind that traveling in outer space...
What happens when stuff breaks in space?
Despite rigorous prep, astronauts often have to improvise when things go wrong in space. And a lot more duct tape...
Can we make it in space?
What if one day, everything in space was made in space? 3D printing may hold the answer.
Where did the commercial space sector come from?
Private companies have worked with NASA for decades. Can the next generation of space companies get by without the...
Can XCOR build the world's first airline for space?
Out of a small hangar in the Mojave Desert, XCOR is developing a rocket ship designed to fly to space four times a...
This week in ideas: Rockets in flight, poverty in decline, and explaining the unexplainable
A step forward for space tourism, extreme poverty could be on its way out, and illustrating advanced tech. These...
The new space race is here
Our new show will introduce you to the people and the technology that could make humans a multi-planetary species...
A delivery service for the moon
This startup wants to offer the world insanely accurate shipping to the moon.
New Space Race trailer
Meet the next generation of explorers taking us higher and farther than ever before.
Elon Musk explains the economics of getting to Mars
The SpaceX founder gave a rousing presentation on his company’s long-term plan for getting to Mars and establishing...