Former NASA astronaut Jon McBride, who was the pilot on the first mission to launch seven people into space, has died at the age of 80. McBride flew on STS-41G, Challenger's sixth flight, in 1984.
Space News & Blog Articles
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Aurora alert: Possible geomagnetic storm could see northern lights alongside Perseid meteor shower this weekend
Northern lights could be visible over some northern and upper Midwest states on Aug. 9 and Aug. 10. A geomagnetic storm watch has been issued by NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center.
'World's oldest calendar' discovered carved into ancient monument
A controversial comet strike theory has been circulating for 20 years. Now a group of researchers say they have found new evidence for it in ancient carvings at Göbekli Tepe, in Turkey.
Prepare for the Perseids and a Pretty Planetary Pairing
The year’s long-awaited Perseid meteor shower will be accompanied by a graceful planetary conjunction. It’s well worth staying up all night to watch.
How to watch the Perseid meteor shower live online this weekend
Find out where and when you can watch the peak of the Perseid meteor shower online for free.
US Space Force will make history when SpaceX's Crew-9 mission launches in September
When Crew-9 lifts off no earlier than Sept. 24, Space Force will be launching one of their own active servicemembers from their own launch complex for the first time ever.
Gaia spots possible moons around hundreds of asteroids
ESA’s star-surveying Gaia mission has again proven to be a formidable asteroid explorer, spotting potential moons around more than 350 asteroids not known to have a companion.
New Study Suggests that Our Galaxy is Crowded or Empty. Both are Equally Terrifying!
Is there intelligent life in the Universe? And if so, just how common is it? Or perhaps the question should be, what are the odds that those engaged in the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence (SETI) will encounter it someday? For decades, scientists have hotly debated this topic, and no shortage of ink has been spilled on the subject. From the many papers and studies that have been written on the subject, two main camps have emerged: those who believe life is common in our galaxy (aka. SETI Optimists) and those who maintain that extraterrestrial intelligence is either rare or non-existent (SETI Pessimists).
James Webb Space Telescope finds a shock near supermassive black hole (image)
By examining a distant supermassive black hole, astronomers using the James Webb Space Telescope have found a shocking link between jets and dust around these cosmic titans.
SpaceX targeting Aug. 26 for historic Polaris Dawn astronaut mission
SpaceX is now targeting Aug. 26 for the launch of Polaris Dawn, a crewed flight to Earth orbit that will feature the first-ever private spacewalk.
Scientists Discover New Geological Link Between Earth and Venus
Venus is sometimes called Earth’s sister planet because of their shared physical, geological, and atmospheric features. Scientists have discovered something new about Venus’ geology that’s reminding us of the similarities between the two planets. We have to look deep inside both planets to see what the researchers found.
Firefly Aerospace announces contract with L3Harris for up to 20 launches on Alpha rocket
A streak shot of Firefly Aerospace’s fifth launch of its Alpha rocket on a mission named “Noise of Summer.” Image: Firefly Aerospace/Sean Parker
Coming on the heels of another large launch deal, Firefly Aerospace announced it sold up to 20 flights on its Alpha rocket to L3Harris. The agreement would see these missions fly between 2027 and 2031.
The Hubble Ultra-Deep Field, 15 Years Later
Fifteen years ago, the Hubble Space Telescope gazed intently at the infrared glow of galaxies in a tiny fraction of the sky. New research shows how this patch of space has changed since then.
NASA ‘getting more serious’ about backup plan to bring Starliner astronauts home if needed
Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft that launched astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams to the International Space Station is pictured docked to the Harmony module’s forward port. Image: NASA.
As NASA debates the safety of Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft in the wake of multiple helium leaks and thruster issues, the agency is “getting more serious” about a backup plan to bring the ship’s two crew members back to Earth aboard a SpaceX Crew Dragon, officials said Wednesday.
NASA considers sending Boeing Starliner astronauts home on SpaceX Dragon
As Starliner's planned 10-day mission stretches past two months, the next ISS SpaceX launch will now delay into September to give NASA the option of including the Starliner crew on its ride home.
China launches 1st batch of satellites for planned 14,000-strong megaconstellation (video)
A Long March 6A rocket launched 18 internet satellites Wednesday morning (Aug. 7), kicking off construction of a Chinese constellation that could eventually host 14,000 spacecraft.
Private space launches could double by 2028, FAA says
The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) expects the number of licensed launches each year to continue rising steeply, potentially reaching 338 by 2028.
Over 300 hidden planet-devouring stars within the Milky Way found by AI
A new AI-powered algorithm has discovered over 300 polluted white dwarfs in the Milky Way that were overlooked in old telescope data.
Bubble-blowing dead stars could create 'most violent phenomena in the universe'
Scientists have tracked mysterious, violent blasts of radiation called fast radio bursts to plasma-blowing, highly magnetic dead stars or magnetars.
Group of ancient stars spotted near the sun could rewrite the Milky Way's history
Researchers using the Gaia space telescope studied some ancient stars near the sun, revealing that our corner of the Milky Way may be billions of years older than once thought.
