Space News, Articles, & Resources

Investigation underway following SpaceX Starship explosion

SpaceX’s Starship exploded shortly after separating from the Super Heavy booster following the company’s seventh scheduled test.

New Glenn reaches orbit on first launch

Blue Origin’s New Glenn launch vehicle successfully lifted off on Jan. 16 and delivered its payload to medium Earth orbit.

ESA’s Proba-3 mission launches to create artificial eclipses in orbit

On Dec. 5, Proba-3 lifted off on a PSLV-XL rocket from Satish Dhawan Space Centre in India.

ESA’s Proba-3 satellite pair will create artificial solar eclipses in orbit to study ejections from the Sun.

International Space Station moved twice to dodge orbital debris

Crews have maneuvered International Space Station twice in one week to avoid orbital debris, using thrusters to move the research outpost to a higher orbit.

Global workforce growth shows annual overall gains

SpaceX Crew-7 astronauts train in Hawthorne, California, for their mission to the International Space Station. The crew, which returned to Earth in March, consisted of four astronauts from different government agencies: NASA, ESA, JAXA, and Roscosmos. Credit: SpaceX

Annual workforce data shows a net gain of more than 26,000 space workers. That compares to 6,436 added jobs in the prior year comparison. While methodologies differ, tracking annual data provides some insight to the growth of the global workforce.

Space Force beats recruiting goals, aims higher in 2025

The small, highly selective service, Space Force, is known for plucking the smartest recruits and turning down more people than it lets in.

With commercial spacewalk, Polaris Dawn makes history

Polaris Dawn astronauts exit their SpaceX capsule on Sept. 12. Credit: Polaris Program

September’s five-day Polaris Dawn mission included an altitude record and the first spacewalk by private citizens, showing a vision for the future for commercial human spaceflight.

New missions, better warnings aim to mitigate solar storms

Solar flares peaking during the May 10 solar storm. Credit: NASA

The strongest solar storm in two decades struck the planet in May, disrupting satellites and spreading a brilliant array of northern lights across the skies.

Commercial space stations trekking new paths to orbit

A rendering of the fully built-out Orbital Reef station, designed by Blue Origin and Sierra Space. The first segment of the station is planned for launch in 2027. Credit: Blue Origin

As NASA prepares to deorbit the International Space Station, four commercial space stations are planned to succeed it.

Nation in Review: Norway

Artist’s rendering of the European Space Agency’s Arctic Weather Satellite deploying its solar panels. The satellite, launched in August, will provide accurate weather forecasts for Norway. Credit: ESA/Mlabspace

Norway’s history of collaboration with international organizations and industry gives the nation a strong position in the space industry. The Norwegian Space Agency estimates that the country’s space activity totals US$1.1 billion annually.

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