Astrobiology is the field of science that studies the origins, evolution, distribution, and future of life in the Universe. In practice, this means sending robotic missions beyond Earth to analyze the atmospheres, surfaces, and chemistry of extraterrestrial worlds. At present, all of our astrobiology missions are focused on Mars, as it is considered the most Earth-like environment beyond our planet. While several missions will be destined for the outer Solar System to investigate “Ocean Worlds” for evidence of life (Europa, Ganymede, Titan, and Enceladus), our efforts to find life beyond Earth will remain predominantly on Mars.
Space News & Blog Articles
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Sierra Space's 1st Dream Chaser space plane aces key tests. Next stop: Florida launch site.
Sierra Space's first Dream Chaser space plane has finished rigorous environmental testing in Ohio and is being prepped for the journey to its Florida launch site.
NASA's Nancy Grace Roman Telescope will hunt for tiny black holes left over from the Big Bang
Primordial black holes left over from the Big Bang and no wider than a dime could be a prime target for NASA's Nancy Grace Roman Telescope after it launches in 2026.
'Star Wars: Tales of the Empire' review: A gorgeous but ultimately uneven set of stories
Lucasfilm Animation's second Star Wars anthology series often wows, but neither the tales chosen nor the structure feel like a good fit for the format.
James Webb Space Telescope chief scientist Jane Rigby receives highest US civilian award
Last week, the chief scientist of the James Webb Space Telescope, Jane Rigby, was awarded the 2024 Medal of Freedom.
Gargantuan sunspot 15-Earths wide erupts with another colossal X-class solar flare (video)
A sunspot so big it rivals the gigantic sunspot responsible for the Carrington Event in 1859 has unleashed another X-class solar flare. Watch the eruption here and find out how to see the sunspot for yourself.
Historic space-baked cookie lands in the Smithsonian
It's been four years since it was made, but if you could smell it, you'd find it still retains the whiff of a DoubleTree Cookie. The first food item baked in space is now at the Smithsonian.
China launches 4 satellites on 1st flight of new Long March 6C rocket (video)
China launched its first Long March 6C rocket, helping the nation further its goal of launching 100 orbital missions this year.
'Star Trek: Discovery' season 5 episode 7 'Eirgah' is the best yet of this final season
With just three more episodes remaining after this one, "Star Trek: Discovery" offers us a surprisingly well-written installment.
'I don't see any evidence of aliens.' SpaceX's Elon Musk says Starlink satellites have never dodged UFOs
Elon Musk isn't convinced that aliens have ever visited Earth, according to remarks the SpaceX CEO and founder made during a conference on Tuesday (May 7).
'Major lunar standstill' may reveal if Stonehenge is aligned with the moon
Is Stonehenge aligned with the moon? Scientists hope to find out during a rare 'major lunar standstill, which happens once every 18.6 years.
AI in Earth observation: a force for good
The upcoming launch of the Φsat-2 mission is a prime example of the pioneering work that ESA does in the field of AI in Earth observation.
Roman Space Telescope Will Be Hunting For Primordial Black Holes
When astrophysicists observe the cosmos, they see different types of black holes. They range from gargantuan supermassive black holes with billions of solar masses to difficult-to-find intermediate-mass black holes (IMBHs) all the way down to smaller stellar-mass black holes.
Boeing's Starliner rolled off launch pad to replace 'buzzing' rocket valve (photo)
Boeing's Starliner spacecraft was rolled off the launch pad today (May 8) to replace a misbehaving valve on its Atlas V rocket.
A failed star and an ammonia trail could reveal how some giant exoplanets form
The James Webb Space Telescope is teaching us about how planets form.
Live coverage: SpaceX to fly 13 more Direct to Cell Starlink satellites on Falcon 9 rocket launch from Vandenberg SFB
A Falcon 9 rocket stands ready to support the Starlink 7-9 mission from Vandenberg Space Force Base. The mission also includes the first six satellites that will be used for the company’s direct-to-cell service. Image: SpaceX
SpaceX is getting ready for the second Falcon 9 launch of the day following a successful mission from Florida’s Space Coast. Notably, the Starlink 8-2 mission from the company’s West Coast launch pad features 13 more satellites boasting a Direct to Cell capability.
World's largest visible light telescope spies a galaxy cluster warping spacetime
New images from the VLT Survey Telescope will help scientists learn about galaxy pasts, and perhaps futures.
What Deadly Venus Can Tell Us About Life on Other Worlds
Even though Venus and Earth are so-called sister planets, they’re as different as heaven and hell. Earth is a natural paradise where life has persevered under its azure skies despite multiple mass extinctions. On the other hand, Venus is a blistering planet with clouds of sulphuric acid and atmospheric pressure strong enough to squash a human being.
SpaceX launching 20 satellites from California tonight on 2nd leg of Starlink doubleheader
SpaceX is set to launch 20 Starlink internet satellites tonight (May 8), on the second leg of a spaceflight doubleheader for the company.
Star Wars makes Darth Jar Jar official in 'Lego Star Wars: Rebuild the Galaxy' mini-series (video)
One of the Star Wars fandom's most infamous memes is joining the Star Wars canon (kind of) in this Lego Star Wars special mini-series.
NASA's TESS spacecraft resumes exoplanet hunt after recovering from glitch
NASA's exoplanet-hunting spacecraft TESS is back in action after nine days in safe mode, returning to scientific observations on May 3.
