June 9th, 2026
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A new study presents the atmospheric impacts of different aspects of spaceflight. Focus of the research was to appraise the effects of chemical reactions in the rocket plume in setting up a global emission inventory, leading to emission indices that vary with altitude. The study team was led by Yvar S. W. Vliex, an operations […]
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Asteroid Day 2026 explores both the risks asteroids pose to our planet and the extraordinary opportunities they represent for science and exploration. Five astronauts are converging in Arizona for Asteroid Day, a special event presented by Lowell Observatory, Meteor Crater, and Meteor Crater Education Alliance, with support from the B612 Foundation. B612 develops tools and […]
On June 5, while pressurizing the Zvezda module’s transfer chamber (Tcha) to International Space Station (ISS) pressure, specialists from the ISS Russian Segment’s lead operations team detected a leak in the Tcha. During an inspection of the Tcha, the cosmonauts discovered two potential air leaks. The first was quickly sealed with the first layer of […]
I am saddened to report the passing of my dear friend, Alan Hale – an astronomer that made us all look up and ponder about a visitor from afar – the noted Hale Bopp comet. That object was one of the most widely observed space intruders of the 20th century. When it passed perihelion […]
Question: Who Owns the Most Satellites? SpaceX leads all operators. Commercial networks now outscale legacy public and state-backed space operators by about 12-to-1. Satellites are becoming the backbone of the modern space economy. From broadband internet to Earth observation, orbital infrastructure now supports industries far beyond aerospace. Those are among key takeaways from Cody Good […]
China successfully launched on June 1 the Long March-12B Y1 carrier rocket into space from the Dongfeng commercial space innovation pilot zone. According to China Central Television (CCTV) it took 21 months for the carrier rocket to go from the concept validation stage to the completion of product development. In doing so, it set a […]
“Drilling always keeps the rover in place for a little while, and our 47th successful drill, ‘Campo Marte,’ was no exception,” reports Susanne Schwenzer, a professor of planetary mineralogy at The Open University in the United Kingdom. “The team used the time wisely and on top of the drilling, we also have many observations,” adds […]
In the micro-gravity of space, the human body loses muscle and bone density. Not only that but eyes change and fluids shift to the brain, among other issues. The European Space Agency (ESA) is deep diving into dry-immersion baths as a way to recreate aspects of living in microgravity, part of their human spaceflight research. […]
A research team advocates use of Earth’s moon as a secure site for biocontainment of extraterrestrial samples, particularly from Mars, but also from other exploration locales, like Enceladus, a moon of Saturn. For more details, go to my new Space.com story – “Should we store Mars samples on the moon to keep alien germs away […]
BOULDER, Colorado – Increased attention is being given to the rising intrusion of exotic materials into Earth’s atmosphere from satellite and space hardware re-entry. Exasperating the situation is the ongoing proliferation of satellite “megaconstellations” being undertaken by multiple nations. Atmospheric impacts of spacecraft launches and re-entries, what is known and unknown, along with research priorities […]
