The New Space Race
Reusable rockets are real, the internet is in orbit, and we’re heading to Mars. With space manufacturing, asteroid mining, and lunar bases, the new space race has just begun, transforming life on Earth forever.
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The billionaire building space lasers to power Earth
Space startup Aetherflux has a mission straight out of sci-fi: harvest solar power in orbit and beam it down to Earth via laser.
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T-Minus: Counting down the top 10 space stories of 2024
A look back on the 10 greatest space stories of 2024, from SpaceX’s “Mechazilla” to a first-of-its-kind civilian spacewalk.
T-Minus: Kessler Syndrome
Experts answer 10 big questions about the nightmare scenario that could send us back to the pre-Space Age.
T-Minus: 10 milestones in commercial spaceflight
T-Minus looks back at 10 major milestones in the commercial space industry — including several SpaceX triumphs.
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An AI co-pilots a military jet for the first time
On December 16, 2020, the Air Force flew an AI co-pilot on a U-2 spy plane. This is the first time that the Air Force completed a military flight with AI.
What alien life could teach us about humanity
As we continue to search for extraterrestrial life, we need to get creative by redefining the unique attributes of life itself.
SpaceX’s Starship exploded, but the flight was a success
During a test flight, a SpaceX Starship rocket prototype soared to a record height of eight miles, completed a successful “belly flop” — and then crashed.
Can Japan’s asteroid samples show us how life began?
JAXA’s Hayabusa2 has successfully returned asteroid samples to Earth. Its next mission? Gather information that could help prevent an asteroid impact.
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?
Reusable rockets: Making space more affordable
Reusable rockets, like those developed by SpaceX, are ushering in a new, cheaper era in space exploration
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.
Why NASA just landed a spacecraft on the asteroid Bennu
NASA has collected samples from the asteroid Bennu that could yield insights into everything from the origin of life to avoiding an asteroid impact on Earth.
Nokia is building a 4G network on the moon
As part of NASA’s “Tipping Point” program, Nokia will establish a 4G network on the moon to help astronauts communicate with each other and Earth.
Supersonic travel went stale. Can Boom bring it back with new commercial jet?
The startup aims to make supersonic travel available to the public within a decade.
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.
Fresh ice spotted in unexpected part of Saturn's moon Enceladus
Saturn’s moon Enceladus is already suspected of hosting extraterrestrial life, and new Cassini data suggests where that life might exist.
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.
Signs of life found on Venus
Scientists found the gas, phosphine, in Venus’ atmosphere. So far, the only explanation is alien life.
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.
New route makes a journey to the moon faster, cheaper
To make a journey to the moon faster, the NASA scientists behind an upcoming moon mission designed a brand new route for their spacecraft to take.
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