Space Exploration
Latest about Space Exploration
Astronauts stranded in space due to multiple issues with Boeing's Starliner — and the window for a return flight is closing
By Ben Turner published
NASA and Boeing engineers are troubleshooting various faults in the Starliner spacecraft. But with only 45 days of docking time available, the window for return is closing.
NASA engineers finally fix Voyager 1 spacecraft — from 15 billion miles away
By Sascha Pare published
The Voyager I spacecraft went haywire last year, but NASA engineers say they have finally fixed its data transmission systems and are receiving usable signals from all four science instruments.
Vera C. Rubin Observatory: The groundbreaking mission to make a 10-year, time-lapse movie of the universe
By Jamie Carter published
Armed with the world's largest digital camera, the forthcoming Vera C. Rubin Observatory in Chile will take night-sky images that revolutionize astronomy.
2 new helium leaks discovered on Boeing's Starliner — forcing NASA astronauts to skip sleep to fix them
By Ben Turner published
Two helium leaks appeared on the spacecraft en route to the International Space Station, in addition to a leak engineers knew about prior to launch. The crew are not thought to be in any danger.
LIFTOFF! Boeing Starliner carries 2 astronauts to space in 'final test' for NASA (watch live)
By Brandon Specktor published
Boeing's Starliner spacecraft successfully carried two NASA astronauts to space today (June 5) in the final test of the spacecraft's capabilities. Starliner is bound for the International Space Station.
China's secret space plane has released another unknown object over Earth
By Joanna Thompson published
China's mysterious Shenlong space plane has released an unidentified object in orbit — the seventh such object released in the past six months. The U.S. Space Force is monitoring the situation.
Things are finally looking up for the Voyager 1 interstellar spacecraft
By Monisha Ravisetti published
Two of the four science instruments aboard the Voyager 1 spacecraft are now returning usable data after months of transmitting only gibberish, NASA scientists have announced.
NASA details plan to build a levitating robot train on the moon
By Ben Turner published
NASA's plan to build a train track on the moon is part of the agency's Innovative Advanced Concepts program, which aims to develop "science fiction-like" projects for future space exploration.
Horned 'SpaceX spiral' photobombs auroras over Europe in 1st-of-its-kind sighting
By Harry Baker published
Aurora-hunting photographers were surprised to spot a misshaped SpaceX spiral with ethereal horns over Europe during a recent geomagnetic storm.
China has launched a secret robot to the far side of the moon, new Chang'e 6 photos reveal
By Harry Baker published
A tiny, previously undisclosed lunar rover has been spotted strapped to the side of China's moon-bound Chang'e 6 lander in newly released pre-launch photos. The true purpose of the rover, which is scheduled to land on the moon's far side, remains a mystery.
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