China’s sixth uncrewed lunar exploration mission, Chang’e 6, landed on and sampled the far side of the Moon. The mission was launched on a Chang Zheng 5 rocket from the Wenchang Space Launch Site on May 3 at 09:27 UTC. The Chang’e 6 vehicle consists of an orbiter, lander, ascent vehicle, and sample return capsule. […]

In the days leading up to the Starship integrated flight test, there was a flurry of activity at SpaceX’s Starbase facility in Boca Chica, Texas. Teams meticulously prepared the Orbital Launch Pad, fueling systems, and the flight hardware itself – Booster 11 and Ship 29. The booster, standing 71 meters tall and featuring 33 Raptor […]

Teams at NASA and Boeing confirmed on Monday that the Starliner spacecraft, ULA Atlas V rocket, and ground support equipment are healthy and ready for the 10:52 am ET June 5 launch of the agency’s Boeing Crew Flight Test. Meteorologists with the 45th Weather Squadron predict 90% favorable weather conditions for liftoff. On Wednesday, June […]

ESA’s experimental OPS-SAT CubeSat mission came to an end during the night of 22—23 May 2024 (CEST). Launched on 18 December 2019, OPS-SAT was tasked with opening up the world of spacecraft operations to the widest possible audience. Its founding principle was to provide a fast, no-charge, non-bureaucratic experiment service for European and Canadian industry […]

During the five days of ILA, Europe’s access to space will be one of the spotlight topics. ESA will unveil the launch date for the inaugural flight of Europe’s new heavy-lift launcher, Ariane 6. This next-generation launch vehicle will enable Europe to maintain autonomous access to space while initiating a shift towards a more competitive […]

Using data from NASA’s Magellan mission, scientists have discovered direct geological evidence of ongoing volcanic activity on the surface of Venus. The study, led by Davide Sulcanese of d’Annunzio University in Pescara, Italy, analyzed lava flows observed in two locations on the planet, revealing that the volcanic activity on Venus could be comparable to that […]

The Mahajamba river system in western Madagascar is distinct for its reddish-colored water caused by sediment from upstream. During heavy rainfall, the bright red soils are washed from hills into streams and rivers, eventually reaching the coast. This phenomenon has been spotted by astronauts on the International Space Station, who have described it as “bleeding […]

The stage is set for an electrifying moment in space exploration as ESA’s Young Professionals Satellite, YPSat, undergoes meticulous preparations in a cleanroom at Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana. This cutting-edge satellite is destined to embark on the inaugural flight of the highly anticipated Ariane 6 rocket, an event that promises to redefine the boundaries […]

With the second successful wet dress rehearsal (WDR) completed, SpaceX is making final preparations for the highly anticipated Flight 4 of the Starship vehicle. After successfully loading more than 10 million pounds of propellant into the stacked Super Heavy booster and Starship upper stage, the company confirmed that the launch is targeted as early as […]

Mars Express, ESA’s orbiting spacecraft, takes us on a breathtaking journey through Nili Fossae, a mesmerizing region on the Red Planet. Nili Fossae is characterized by parallel trenches, known as graben, that stretch for hundreds of kilometers across the Martian surface. These enigmatic features are a testament to the planet’s dynamic geological history. The video […]