space-exploration
60 stories related to this topic, newest first.
rte.ieNASA Announces Three-Phase Plan and 2026 Robotic Missions for Proposed Lunar Base Near South Pole
NASA administrator Jared Isaacman announced on 26 May 2026 that three uncrewed missions will launch this year to scout landing sites and test rovers. The overall programme runs through 2036 and will culminate in a base hundreds of square kilometres in size.
spacenews.comNASA Awards $440 Million to Astrolab and Lunar Outpost to Develop Lunar Rovers for Planned Moon Base
NASA selected two companies to build lunar terrain vehicles for a planned moon base near the lunar south pole. The contracts total about $440 million and form part of a $20 billion program announced this week.
spacenews.comBlue Origin New Glenn Rocket Explodes in Test, Grounding Lunar Lander Plans
A Blue Origin New Glenn rocket exploded during an engine test on May 28, 2026, damaging the launch pad and halting near-term Blue Moon lunar missions. NASA had recently awarded Blue Origin contracts to deliver payloads to the lunar surface, but the accident leaves SpaceX as the p…
FortuneBlue Origin New Glenn rocket explodes during engine test at Cape Canaveral
A Blue Origin New Glenn rocket exploded during a pre-launch engine test on May 28, 2026. The incident grounds the vehicle that was scheduled to carry a Blue Moon lunar lander for NASA.
BBC NewsBlue Origin Rocket Explodes During New Glenn Test, Damaging Launch Pad
A Blue Origin rocket exploded during testing at a Florida launch site, damaging the pad and delaying future flights. The incident affects Amazon satellite plans and Nasa lunar missions scheduled for 2026 and later.
Usa TodaySpaceX Names Chun Wang to Lead Private Crewed Mars Flyby Mission
SpaceX announced plans for a private crewed mission that will fly around Mars and return to Earth. Cryptocurrency billionaire Chun Wang will lead both the Mars mission and a separate lunar flyby. The company provided no launch dates for either flight.
indiatoday.intoday.inNASA Details Phased Plan for Moon Base Development
NASA outlined a three-phase approach to building a lunar base, with initial missions scheduled through 2029. The agency plans to rely on private contractors for landers, rovers, and cargo delivery.
en.antaranews.comNASA Outlines Three-Phase Plan for Lunar South Pole Base
NASA released a roadmap and concept images for building a sustained human presence near the lunar South Pole. The plan divides development into three phases running from robotic missions through 2029 to continuous crewed operations after 2032.
news18.comNASA Outlines First Phase of Moon Base With Rovers and Landers
NASA on Tuesday detailed initial plans for a lunar base and awarded contracts worth hundreds of millions of dollars to four U.S. companies. The announcement comes less than two months after the Artemis II crewed lunar flyaround.
tass.comNASA Selects Blue Origin for Lunar Rover Deliveries and Details South Pole Base Plan
NASA outlined a three-phase lunar base program at the moon’s south pole, with the first robotic missions scheduled to begin this year. Blue Origin will test its Blue Moon Mark 1 Endurance lander in late 2026 as part of the initial phase.
upi.comNASA Awards First Contracts for Lunar South Pole Rovers
NASA selected Blue Origin, Firefly, and Astrolab to deliver rovers to the Moon’s south pole. The awards mark the first step toward a permanent lunar base after the Artemis II mission.
Nbc NewsNASA Outlines Three Robotic Missions to Begin Moon Base Construction
NASA announced three uncrewed lunar missions scheduled for later this year to scout landing sites and test equipment ahead of a planned crewed landing in 2028. The flights form the first phase of a multi-year effort to establish a permanent base at the Moon’s south pole.
tass.comNASA Outlines Plans for Lunar Base Operations by 2029
NASA announced details for a semi-permanent lunar base at the Moon's South Pole. The agency said the first phase will run through 2029 and involve 25 launches and 21 landings.
spacenews.comNASA Awards Contracts for Two Lunar Rovers
NASA announced contracts on Tuesday to develop two rovers that will support astronauts at a planned lunar base. The awards form part of the agency's ongoing program to establish a sustained presence on the Moon.
ForbesSpaceX Starship Must Complete Multiple Refueling Tests to Meet 2028 Moon Landing Goal
SpaceX completed a Starship flight test on May 26, 2026. The company faces additional technical requirements before landing astronauts on the Moon by 2028 under a White House executive order.
spacenews.comNASA Awards Contracts for Moon Base Landers Rovers and Drones
NASA has awarded contracts worth hundreds of millions of dollars to four U.S. companies for the first phase of a planned lunar base. The hardware is scheduled to arrive before astronauts land on the moon as early as 2028.
upi.comNASA Announces Timeline and Contracts for Lunar Base Development
NASA released a phased schedule for building Moon outposts and awarded lunar lander contracts to Blue Origin. The plan outlines successive stages leading to permanent settler facilities.
app.buzzsumo.comNASA Selects Lunar Outpost for Lunar Terrain Vehicle Services Contract
NASA awarded Lunar Outpost a task order under its Lunar Terrain Vehicle Services contract. The award covers development of the Pegasus crewed lunar terrain vehicle for Artemis program operations.
New York PostNASA Administrator Announces Three 2026 Moon Missions
NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman stated that three lunar missions are scheduled for 2026. The missions will be conducted by Blue Origin, Astrobotic, and Intuitive Machines to deliver agency payloads.
France 24China Launches Shenzhou 23 Spacecraft to Tiangong Station
China launched the Shenzhou 23 spacecraft and docked it with the Tiangong Space Station. The new crew will conduct experiments and prepare for future lunar landings, including a planned year-long stay in orbit.
WiredPsyche Probe Captures Mars Images During Gravity-Assist Flyby
NASA used the Psyche spacecraft's close approach to Mars to test its instruments. The probe passed within 4,609 kilometers of the planet and gathered data on the surface and atmosphere.
foxnews.comIce Erupts from Jupiter and Saturn Moons
Water plumes on ocean moons of Jupiter and Saturn could freeze into low-density ice resembling croissant texture. Researchers identified this material as a potential obstacle for future lander missions.
arstechnica.comNASA Plans 2028 Test of Nuclear Electric Rocket for Mars Mission
NASA will test a nuclear-powered spacecraft in 2028 designed to shorten travel times to Mars. The project, called Space Reactor-1 Freedom, is part of the Ignition announcement released in March.
France 24China Launches Shenzhou-23 Mission With Year-Long Orbit Stay Planned
China sent three astronauts to the Tiangong space station on Sunday aboard a Long March 2-F rocket. One crew member will remain in orbit for a full year to study long-duration spaceflight effects.
nypost.comNASA Astronaut Reid Wiseman Describes Artemis II Crew Training and Flight
Commander Reid Wiseman discussed the selection process, family considerations, and daily operations during the Artemis II lunar mission. The interview covered training adjustments, spacecraft challenges, and emergency procedures encountered in flight.
NprSpaceX Launches Upgraded Starship V3 on Test Flight
SpaceX launched its third-generation Starship rocket Friday from Texas. The uncrewed vehicle deployed mock satellites before splashing down in the Indian Ocean.
focustaiwan.twSpaceX Names Chun Wang Commander of First Crewed Mars Flyby Mission
SpaceX announced that Chun Wang, co-founder of Bitcoin mining pool F2Pool, will serve as commander of its first crewed Mars flyby mission. The selection was reported by CoinDesk.
app.buzzsumo.comNASA Tests Mars Helicopter Rotors Past Speed of Sound
NASA engineers tested larger rotor blades for future Mars aircraft and reached speeds above Mach 1 in a simulated Martian atmosphere. The tests produced about 30 percent more lift than previous designs. Data analysis is ongoing.
SpaceX to Launch Upgraded Starship Version 3 on Thursday
SpaceX plans to conduct its next Starship test flight on Thursday at 6:30 p.m. ET. The launch will debut a taller rocket with upgraded engines and comes after a seven-month pause in flight testing.
Golfer Discusses Moon Landing Footage and Extraterrestrial Beliefs in Podcast
Bryson DeChambeau stated during a podcast interview that he believes humans reached the moon but questions the authenticity of existing footage. He also expressed belief in unidentified anomalous phenomena and interdimensional beings.
news.google.comNASA Tests High-Powered Plasma Thruster for Future Mars Missions
NASA conducted a test of a lithium-fed magnetoplasmadynamic thruster that reached 120 kilowatts of power. The agency said the system could reduce propellant use by up to 90 percent compared with chemical rockets.
FortuneTech Leaders Say Space Travel and Work Could Begin Within a Decade
Sam Altman, Elon Musk, and Jeff Bezos have each stated that space-related jobs and travel may become available to young workers in the coming years. Their comments come as some entry-level positions on Earth face pressure from automation.
SpaceX developing technology to advance human space travel
SpaceX is working on a new technology that its founder says will mark a significant point in human history. The project aims to expand capabilities beyond current space operations.
SpaceX Reports Routine Docking With Space Station
SpaceX stated that docking operations with the space station have become routine. The company noted that it continues to treat each docking with care.
techjuice.pkResearchers Propose Slightly More Fuel-Efficient Lunar Routes via Earth-Moon L1
Researchers analysed 30 million trajectories and found that approaching Lagrange Point L1 from the moonward side saves 58.8 metres per second in velocity compared with earlier routes. The path keeps spacecraft visible from Earth and allows 13-day stays for potential tourist excha…
Elon Musk Says SpaceX Will Take Steps to Protect Long-Term Mission from Short-Term Pressures
Elon Musk, head of SpaceX, said the company intends to structure itself so he cannot be removed. He cited the need to keep the company focused on making life multiplanetary rather than quarterly financial targets.
forbes.comSpaceX Targets May 19 Launch of Upgraded Starship Version 3
SpaceX is aiming for a May 19 launch of its Starship megarocket from South Texas, marking the vehicle's 12th test flight and the debut of an extensively redesigned Version 3. The flight will test new propulsion, thermal protection and in-space refueling capabilities critical to N…
WiredNASA Frees Curiosity Rover Drill Stuck on Martian Rock
The Curiosity rover's drill became stuck to a 28.6-pound rock after a sample collection on April 25. Engineers spent nearly a week using the rover's cameras, arm movements, vibrations and rotations to dislodge it. The rock broke free on the first full attempt after several days o…
thehindu.comSpaceX Loads 11 Million Pounds of Propellant on Fully Stacked Starship V3
The company has for the first time loaded 11 million pounds, or 5,000 metric tonnes, of propellant onto a fully stacked Starship V3 vehicle. The propellant loading marks a significant step in ground operations for the vehicle. The company has indicated that such rehearsals bring…
themarketherald.com.auFootage Released From Artemis II Recovery After Splashdown
Newly released video from the Artemis II mission commander shows the view from inside the spacecraft as recovery teams opened the hatch following splashdown. The footage provides an astronaut's-eye perspective of the post-landing operations. The release comes as NASA continues it…
news.google.comRussia Building First Privately Developed Spaceport for Ultralight Rockets, Targeting 2026 Launch
Space Energy is constructing Russia's first private spaceport, with the first launch possible as early as 2026. The Primorsky cosmodrome was selected for its ballistic conditions and sea landing zones. @MarioNawfal reported the development on Sunday.
nypost.comPentagon Declassifies Transcripts and Images From Apollo and Gemini Missions
The Defense Department on May 8, 2026, published more than 160 documents including Apollo 17 transcripts in which astronauts described bright tumbling particles resembling Fourth of July fireworks and three dots in triangular formation above the lunar surface.
medium.comJames Webb Telescope Finds LHS 3844 b Is a Barren, Airless World With Volcanic Rock Surface
NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope has delivered the first direct look at the surface of the rocky exoplanet LHS 3844 b, also known as Kua’kua, revealing a dark, airless world dominated by ancient volcanic rock. The observations, published this week in Nature Astronomy, show a pla…
SemaforSpaceX Shifts Focus to Starship Over Falcon 9 at California Launch Site
SpaceX plans to reduce Falcon 9 launches in 2026 as it transitions resources to the larger Starship vehicle. Vandenberg Space Force Base in California has become the company's busiest launch site so far this year. The move supports ambitions for lunar landings, Mars missions, orb…
upi.comNASA Releases Over 12,000 Images from Artemis II Crewed Lunar Flyby
The agency made public thousands of new photographs captured by the Orion spacecraft Integrity during the crewed mission that circled the moon in April 2026. Images document Earth passing behind the lunar horizon, a solar eclipse observed by the crew, and detailed views of lunar…
NASA Releases Thousands of Photos from Artemis II Mission
NASA has released over 12,000 images from the Artemis II mission, which orbited the moon in April 2026. The photos capture views of Earth, the lunar surface, and a solar eclipse observed during the crew's return. Astronauts from the mission also visited the United Nations headqua…
foxnews.comPresident Releases Message Marking National Astronaut Day
The White House issued a presidential message on May 5, 2026, commemorating National Astronaut Day. The statement honors American astronauts and underscores the legacy of space exploration starting with Alan Shepard's 1961 flight.
Substrate placeholder — needs reviewElon Musk Announces xAI Integration Into SpaceX
Elon Musk announced that xAI will cease to exist as a separate company and be integrated as SpacexAI. The move comes as Musk’s artificial intelligence company halted construction of a water reuse facility intended to ease pressure on the Memphis-area water supply. Many investors…
app.buzzsumo.comNASA Releases New Photos from Artemis II Mission Capturing Earth, Moon and Eclipse
NASA has released additional photographs from the Artemis II mission, depicting Earth and the Moon from space during the crew's journey and return. The images, taken in early April 2026, include views of the Earth passing behind the Moon and the Moon eclipsing the Sun. All 12,217…
benzinga.comFirefly Aerospace Reports $81 Million Q1 Revenue and $1.3 Billion Backlog
Firefly Aerospace announced record revenue of $81 million for the first quarter of 2026, alongside a $1.3 billion backlog. The company highlighted wins in the Artemis program and defense sectors. It also provided an outlook for the full year during its earnings call.
app.buzzsumo.comAsteroid Apophis to Pass Within 20,000 Miles of Earth in 2029, NASA Says
An asteroid named Apophis will pass closer to Earth than many satellites on April 13, 2029, with no risk of impact, according to NASA. The object, classified as potentially hazardous, was discovered in 2004 and has been monitored since. Space agencies plan to study it during the…
theconversation.comAstronomers Identify 27 Potential Planets Orbiting Binary Star Systems
A new survey using NASA's TESS telescope has identified 27 potential circumbinary planets, which orbit two stars instead of one. Researchers developed a method to detect these planets by monitoring changes in binary star orbits and eclipse schedules. The findings suggest thousand…
medianama.comU.S. Imposes 25% Tariffs on EU Vehicles and Plans Withdrawal of 5,000 Troops from Germany
President Trump stated he will impose 25% tariffs on EU cars and trucks while withdrawing 5,000 troops from Germany amid tensions with Merz. Other recent developments include a humpback whale release in the North Sea and space experiments in France. Euronews reported these events…
goodnewsnetwork.orgArtemis II Astronaut Captures Lunar Images During Moon Orbit
An astronaut on the Artemis II mission took photographs while orbiting the Moon. The images were captured to provide unique shots for an individual named James. The mission has been completed.
app.buzzsumo.comArtemis II Crew Discusses Historic Lunar Mission and Record-Breaking Journey
The astronauts of NASA's Artemis II mission shared details of their recent loop around the moon, marking the farthest human travel from Earth. They described witnessing unique phenomena and conducting experiments on space radiation. The crew participated in interviews and a town…
nasa.govArtemis II Crew Returns Safely; Supreme Court Rules on Redistricting
The Artemis II mission concluded with a splashdown in April 2026, marking the farthest journey from Earth by humans and a step toward lunar return. One state enacted a new congressional map following a major Supreme Court ruling on redistricting this week. Philosopher Ben Bramble…
thehindu.comArtemis II Pilot Victor Glover Discusses Goals for Mars Missions
Artemis II pilot Victor Glover outlined his views on future space exploration, including the objective of sending astronauts to Mars. The Artemis II crew also commented on potential returns to space. These statements were made during a CBS News segment.
nasa.govNPR Covers NASA's Artemis II Mission
NPR has released a report on the Artemis II mission. The coverage was produced by science correspondent Nell Greenfieldboyce and Rob Schmitz. The report is available through various NPR platforms including podcasts and embeds.
Substrate placeholder — needs reviewSpaceX Positions Falcon Heavy at Historic Launch Complex 39A, Indicating Imminent Launch
SpaceX has positioned its Falcon Heavy rocket at Launch Complex 39A, the site of past Apollo Moon missions. This move signals an upcoming launch, as rolling the rocket into the hangar typically precedes liftoff. Falcon Heavy remains the most powerful operational rocket in use tod…
Ars TechnicaCorrosion Found in Lunar Gateway Modules as NASA Pauses Program for Lunar Surface Focus
NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman confirmed corrosion issues in the HALO and I-HAB modules of the Lunar Gateway during congressional testimony. The program has been paused to focus on lunar surface activities, with repairs underway on HALO. Stakeholders are exploring repurposing…