missions
54 posts
Katalyst Space slows Link spin, moves toward restoring control for Swift servicing
Katalyst Space has reduced Link’s spin from 9°/s to 1.47°/s using minimal fuel, paving the way to regain attitude control and service NASA’s Swift.
Aug 10, 2026 · 3 minNorthrop Grumman and CSA Adapt Gateway HALO Tech for Lunar Infrastructure Demo Missions
Northrop Grumman and CSA will repurpose Gateway HALO hardware for three lunar demo missions, testing power and communications for a future Moon base.
Aug 9, 2026 · 3 minKreios Space to Demonstrate Air‑Breathing Electric Propulsion in VLEO on NanoAvionics MP42 Bus
Kreios Space will test its air‑breathing electric propulsion on a VLEO mission using a NanoAvionics MP42 microsatellite, aiming to stay at 200 km without onboard propellant.
Aug 4, 2026 · 3 minApollo 15’s Historic First Televised Lunar Liftoff on August 2 1971
On Aug 2 1971 Apollo 15 televised its lunar module liftoff, marking the first live TV broadcast from the Moon.
Aug 2, 2026 · 3 minTalon‑A hypersonic test vehicle surpasses ten successful air‑launched flights
Stratolaunch's reusable Talon‑A has completed over ten hypersonic flights, proving routine air‑launch testing at Mach 5.
Aug 2, 2026 · 3 minCuriosity Rover Nears Erosional Supersurface on Mount Sharp, Sols 4961‑4967
Curiosity climbs Mount Sharp to examine a possible erosional supersurface, a regional break in the rock record that could reveal Mars’ ancient environment.
Jul 31, 2026 · 3 minJapan’s ispace selects H3 rocket for 2028 Mission 3, paving way for private lunar transport
ispace partners with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries to launch its Ultra lunar lander on Japan’s H3 rocket in 2028, marking the first private Japanese lunar transport system.
Jul 29, 2026 · 3 minNASA Satellite Data Shows Record Sargassum Levels in Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico, 2026
NASA satellites record near‑record Sargassum in June 2026, with Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico hitting all‑time highs.
Jul 29, 2026 · 3 minNASA’s Psyche spacecraft captures a growing Mars crescent during 2026 flyby
NASA’s Psyche mission filmed a time‑lapse of Mars turning from a thin crescent to a full disk during its May 2‑15, 2026 gravity‑assist flyby.
Jul 19, 2026 · 3 minNASA’s Artemis III Lander Test Serves as Dress Rehearsal for 2028 Lunar Return
NASA will launch an Earth‑orbit test of SpaceX’s Starship V3 and Blue Origin’s Blue Moon landers in 2027, rehearsing docking and crew operations for Artemis III.
Jul 19, 2026 · 3 minNASA's Psyche spacecraft completes Mars gravity‑assist flyby, delivering new data
NASA's Psyche probe used Mars' gravity on May 15, gathering instrument data that validates its tools before the 2029 asteroid mission.
Jul 18, 2026 · 3 minSwatch Launches Limited Edition Moonswatch for 1969 Apollo 11 Anniversary
Swatch introduces a limited edition Moonswatch to commemorate the 1969 Apollo 11 moon landing.
Jul 16, 2026 · 2 minSpaceX launches Starship on its thirteenth integrated flight test
SpaceX conducted Starship's thirteenth integrated flight test, advancing the path toward orbital missions and lunar landings.
Jul 16, 2026 · 2 minChina’s Tianwen‑2 reaches asteroid Kamoʻoalewa after a billion‑kilometre, 400‑day chase
After a 400‑day, 1‑billion‑km journey, China’s Tianwen‑2 has rendezvoused with near‑Earth asteroid Kamoʻoalewa, beginning its science phase.
Jul 15, 2026 · 2 minNASA’s Artemis III Lander Test Sets Stage for 2028 Crew Moon Landing
NASA’s 2027 Artemis III lander test will validate docking and descent operations, boosting safety for the agency’s first crewed Moon landing in 2028.
Jul 15, 2026 · 3 minHera Mission to Investigate Asteroid Impact Site in November
ESA's Hera mission will arrive at the asteroid impact site in November 2026, investigating the aftereffects of the DART mission's asteroid strike.
Jul 14, 2026 · 3 minCuriosity Rover Reveals Pinstriped Bedrock Layers Near Fourth of July, Sols 4941‑4947
During sols 4941‑4947, Curiosity captured striking pinstriped strata at a geologic boundary, shedding light on Mars’ sedimentary history.
Jul 14, 2026 · 3 minD-Orbit Secures Major Contract with ArkEdge Space to Boost Asia-Pacific Small Satellite Launches
D-Orbit secured a significant contract with Japan's ArkEdge Space for recurring small satellite launches in 2027 and 2028. This expands D-Orbit's Asia-Pacific presence and highlights demand for…
Jul 8, 2026 · 4 minOrbit Fab Secures New Leadership and Funding to Accelerate On-Orbit Satellite Refueling Operations
Satellite refueling firm Orbit Fab has appointed a new CEO and raised over $25 million in interim funding. This strategic move aims to transition the company from technology development to…
Jul 7, 2026 · 5 minHayabusa2 Successfully Flies Past Asteroid Torifune, Advancing Planetary Defense Capabilities
JAXA's Hayabusa2 successfully flew past asteroid Torifune, capturing images and testing orbital maneuvers for planetary defense. This extended mission provides vital data on near-Earth objects.
Jul 7, 2026 · 4 minSpirit Electronics Secures U.S.-Based Advanced Semiconductor Manufacturing for Aerospace and Defense
Spirit Electronics announces managed access to U.S.-based 28nm CMOS semiconductor manufacturing for aerospace and defense programs. This secures domestic supply chains for critical mission-ready…
Jul 7, 2026 · 3 minArtemis II Crew Dedicates Second-Generation 'Moon Tree' Honoring Apollo 14 Legacy
The Artemis II crew dedicated a second-generation 'Moon Tree' at NASA's Johnson Space Center, continuing the legacy of Apollo 14 astronaut Stuart Roosa's space-flown seeds. This event symbolizes the…
Jul 7, 2026 · 4 minChinese Scientists Propose Optimal Nuclear Detonation Method for Asteroid Deflection
New research from China explores the most effective nuclear detonation strategies for deflecting threatening asteroids. A deep-crater method shows promise for larger objects with sufficient warning.
Jul 7, 2026 · 4 minUniversity Team Proposes Retractable, Pressurized Tunnels for Martian Habitat Connections
A University of Michigan team has proposed "LATCH" – Lightweight Actuated Tunnels for Crewed Habitation – to connect Martian surface assets, reducing reliance on time-consuming EVAs and improving…
Jul 7, 2026 · 5 minNew Horizons Mission Detects Significant Slowdown of Solar Wind in Outer Solar System
New Horizons measures the solar wind slowing down as it encounters interstellar gas, helping scientists define the heliosphere's boundary and understand our solar system's edge.
Jul 6, 2026 · 4 minNASA and SBA Partner to Inject Capital into Critical Space Technologies for Artemis and Beyond
NASA and the Small Business Administration are collaborating to funnel private investment into key aerospace technologies. This partnership aims to strengthen supply chains and fuel American space…
Jul 6, 2026 · 3 minMars Express Spots Dozens of Towering Dust Devils in Ancient Mamers Valles Canyon
ESA's Mars Express captured dozens of active dust devils in Mamers Valles, offering insights into Martian weather. These colossal whirlwinds are vital for dust distribution on the Red Planet.
Jul 5, 2026 · 5 minNASA's ERNEST Prototype Demonstrates Autonomous Navigation for Future Lunar and Martian Missions
NASA's ERNEST rover prototype completed a 16-mile autonomous trek in the California desert, showcasing advanced AI and mobility for future lunar and Mars exploration. This technology aims to enable…
Jul 5, 2026 · 5 minNASA's Europa Clipper Mission Completes Crucial Testing, Nearing Launch for Icy Moon Exploration
NASA's Europa Clipper mission has successfully completed critical thermal vacuum testing, bringing it closer to its launch. This mission aims to investigate Europa's subsurface ocean for signs of…
Jul 5, 2026 · 4 minNavigating Titan's Future: The Debate Between Human and AI-Powered Robot Exploration
A recent summit explored the future of Titan exploration, weighing the roles of human astronauts against rapidly advancing AI-powered humanoid robots for Saturn's moon.
Jul 3, 2026 · 5 minSpaceX Expands Starlink Constellation with 24 New Satellites Launched from California
SpaceX successfully launched 24 Starlink satellites from Vandenberg Space Force Base, growing its global internet constellation. This mission marks the 79th Falcon 9 launch this year.
Jul 2, 2026 · 3 minIsar Aerospace Secures Contract to Launch German-Built Planet Imaging Satellite, Bolstering European Space Sovereignty
Isar Aerospace will launch Planet's German-built Pelican imaging satellite, marking a significant step towards sovereign space capabilities for Germany and Europe. This collaboration highlights a…
Jul 2, 2026 · 4 minSkyroot Aerospace Poised to Launch India's Inaugural Private Orbital Rocket, Vikram-1
Indian startup Skyroot Aerospace is set to launch the Vikram-1 rocket, marking the nation's first private orbital mission. This historic launch signifies a major step in India's burgeoning private…
Jul 2, 2026 · 4 minULA Concludes Atlas V 551 Operations with Final Amazon Leo Satellite Launch
United Launch Alliance successfully launched its final Atlas V 551 rocket, deploying 29 Amazon Leo broadband satellites. This mission marks a significant transition for ULA to its next-generation…
Jul 2, 2026 · 4 minSpaceX Prepares for 24-Satellite Starlink Mission from Vandenberg, Expanding Global Broadband Network
SpaceX is set to launch 24 Starlink satellites on a Falcon 9 from Vandenberg SFB, further expanding its low Earth orbit broadband constellation. This mission marks another step in providing global…
Jul 2, 2026 · 4 minTESS Uncovers First Microlensing Exoplanet, Expanding Its Planet-Hunting Horizon
NASA's TESS satellite has unexpectedly discovered its first exoplanet using gravitational microlensing, a method distinct from its usual transit technique. This breakthrough suggests more distant…
Jul 1, 2026 · 4 minNASA's PACE Satellite, Designed for Oceans, Reveals Unexpected Wildfire Monitoring Capabilities
NASA's PACE satellite, primarily built for ocean and atmosphere study, is proving invaluable for monitoring wildfires, smoke plumes, and vegetation health from space. Its hyperspectral data offers…
Jul 1, 2026 · 4 minESA's Ambitious 2050 Enceladus Lander Mission: Unveiling the Secrets of an Ocean World
The European Space Agency is planning a flagship mission to Enceladus in the 2050s, featuring advanced instruments to search for life's ingredients. This mission aims to explore the moon's…
Jul 1, 2026 · 5 minThe Largest Digital Camera Ever Built Begins Decade-Long Survey of the Universe
The Vera C. Rubin Observatory has started its 10-year cosmic survey, using the world's largest digital camera to map billions of stars and galaxies. This ambitious project aims to uncover secrets of…
Jun 30, 2026 · 4 minScientists Begin Mapping Crewed Missions to Titan, Saturn's Largest Moon, for Human Exploration
Experts gathered at the Humans to Titan Summit 2026 to seriously explore Saturn's moon Titan as the next human destination after Mars, citing its dense atmosphere and rich resources. This initiative…
Jun 30, 2026 · 5 minNASA Launches Daring Rescue Mission to Save Swift Space Telescope from Atmospheric Reentry
NASA is launching a critical mission to save the Swift Observatory from burning up in Earth's atmosphere. A private spacecraft will grapple and tow the telescope to a higher orbit, extending its…
Jun 29, 2026 · 5 minUnforeseen Sensor Degradation Challenges Aether-X Exoplanet Mission's Ambitious Goals
The Aether-X exoplanet survey telescope faces unexpected sensor degradation, jeopardizing its mission to characterize potentially habitable worlds. This setback could delay crucial atmospheric data…
Jun 27, 2026 · 4 minThe International Space Station and Tiangong: Two Decades of Life, Science, and Sanitation in Orbit
Explore the International Space Station and China's Tiangong, humanity's orbital outposts. Discover how astronauts live, conduct science, and manage daily life, including waste, in the unique…
Jun 22, 2026 · 14 minNASA's Artemis Program Accelerates: Artemis IV to Mark First Crewed Lunar Landing Since Apollo
NASA's Artemis program is on track for its first crewed lunar landing since 1972 with Artemis IV, targeted for early 2028. This mission is pivotal for establishing a permanent human presence on the…
Jun 20, 2026 · 14 minVoyager 1 and 2 in Interstellar Space: What They Found Beyond the Heliosphere
Launched in 1977, Voyager 1 and Voyager 2 are the most distant human-made objects in existence. Both have crossed into interstellar space and are still transmitting data. What they found at the edge of the solar system has surprised scientists.
Jun 17, 2026 · 8 minExoplanet Atmospheres: How Webb Reads the Chemistry of Alien Worlds
When an exoplanet passes in front of its star, a fraction of starlight filters through the planet's atmosphere. Different molecules absorb different wavelengths, leaving a chemical fingerprint. JWST is already detecting water, CO2, and methane in worlds dozens of light-years away.
Jun 16, 2026 · 7 minWhat James Webb Has Already Taught Us About the Early Universe
The James Webb Space Telescope has been operating for less than three years and has already rewritten our understanding of the early universe — detecting galaxies from within 300 million years of the Big Bang and challenging the standard timeline of cosmic structure formation.
Jun 15, 2026 · 7 minWater Ice on the Moon: The Resource That Makes Lunar Settlement Possible
For most of the 20th century, astronomers assumed the Moon was completely dry. That changed when NASA's LCROSS mission in 2009 confirmed water ice in lunar craters. Lunar water ice is now one of the most strategically important resources in the solar system.
Jun 13, 2026 · 7 minNew Horizons at Pluto and the Wonders of the Kuiper Belt
When NASA's New Horizons flew past Pluto in July 2015, it transformed a fuzzy dot into a world — mountains of water ice, a vast nitrogen plain, and an active geology. The outer solar system has not looked the same since.
Jun 9, 2026 · 8 minThe Europa Clipper Mission and the Search for Life in an Alien Ocean
Under Europa's icy crust lies a global ocean of liquid water — more water than in all of Earth's oceans combined. Europa Clipper, launched in 2024, will make 49 close flybys measuring the ocean's depth, chemistry, and whether it could support life.
Jun 8, 2026 · 7 minNASA's Artemis Program: Building a Permanent Presence on the Moon
More than fifty years after Apollo 11, NASA is sending humans back to the Moon — but this time with the explicit goal of staying. Artemis aims to land the first woman on the lunar surface and create infrastructure for permanent human presence and eventual Mars missions.
Jun 7, 2026 · 7 minThe Perseverance Rover: Drilling Into Mars for Signs of Ancient Life
NASA's Perseverance rover has been operating on Mars since February 2021, crawling through Jezero Crater — an ancient lake delta — drilling rock samples that may contain fossilized microbial life for a future return mission to Earth.
Jun 6, 2026 · 7 minFuture Giant Space Telescopes Beyond James Webb
James Webb is the largest and most powerful space telescope ever built, but its successors are already being planned. The Habitable Worlds Observatory and Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope would push astronomy into territory Webb cannot reach — directly imaging Earth-like exoplanets.
Jun 5, 2026 · 8 minBreakthrough Starshot and Laser-Pushed Lightsails to Alpha Centauri
In 2016, a coalition of scientists and billionaires announced a project to send a thumbnail-sized spacecraft to Alpha Centauri within a generation. The plan: accelerate a tiny sail to 20% the speed of light using a ground-based laser array. The physics works. The engineering is the challenge.
Apr 24, 2026 · 4 min