Jiuquan, China (AFP) April 24, 2025
A Chinese rocket carrying three astronauts to the country's space station blasted off from its remote launch site Thursday, the latest milestone in Beijing's race to become a leading celestial power. Beijing has pumped billions of dollars into its space programme in recent years in an effort to achieve what President Xi Jinping describes as the Chinese people's "space dream". The world's

On 28 March 2025, a powerful magnitude 7.7 earthquake struck central Myanmar, sending shockwaves through the region. While the country is still dealing with the devasting aftermath, scientists have used radar images from the Copernicus Sentinel-1 satellites to reveal a detailed picture of how the ground shifted as a result of the quake – offering new insights into the mechanics of the tectonic Sagaing Fault and the scale of the seismic rupture.

Image: Solar Orbiter’s widest high-resolution view of the Sun

ESA's Biomass mission is on the launch pad at Europe’s Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana. Don’t miss the live coverage of liftoff on Tuesday 29 April, on ESA WebTV. Coverage will start at 10:55 CEST with commentary live from Kourou and ESA’s European Space Operations Centre in Germany. The Vega-C rocket carrying Biomass is scheduled for liftoff at 11:15.

As the launch of the Biomass satellite approaches, the excitement is palpable at ESA’s European Space Operations Centre (ESOC) in Darmstadt, Germany. Over the winter months, a dedicated team has been meticulously preparing for the satellite's critical "Launch and Early Orbit" phase (LEOP).

College Station, TX (SPX) Apr 23, 2025
In a groundbreaking study co-authored by a Texas A and M University scientist, researchers have revealed new insights into the geological history of Mars' Jezero Crater, the landing site of NASA's Perseverance rover. Their findings suggest that the crater's floor is composed of a diverse array of iron-rich volcanic rocks, providing a window into the planet's distant past and the closest chance y

Hampton VA (SPX) Apr 23, 2025
When a planet's orbit brings it between Earth and a distant star, it's more than just a cosmic game of hide and seek. It's an opportunity for NASA to improve its understanding of that planet's atmosphere and rings. Planetary scientists call it a stellar occultation and that's exactly what happened with Uranus on April 7. Observing the alignment allows NASA scientists to measure the tempera

Los Angeles CA (SPX) Apr 23, 2025
Researchers at the University of Arizona have introduced a breakthrough coronagraph that could make previously invisible exoplanets detectable by suppressing the overwhelming light from their parent stars. This advance may pave the way for imaging Earth-like planets in habitable zones, areas where temperatures could support liquid water and potentially life. "Earth-like planets in the habi

Los Angeles CA (SPX) Apr 23, 2025
NASA is advancing flight communications with a breakthrough antenna made from one of the lightest solid materials ever created. Engineers at NASA's Glenn Research Center are embedding this innovative device directly into aircraft surfaces, offering a sleeker and more efficient solution for future aviation platforms, including autonomous air vehicles and drones. The antenna employs a polyme

Los Angeles CA (SPX) Apr 23, 2025
NASA's James Webb Space Telescope is ushering in a transformative chapter in the pursuit of life beyond Earth. Although Webb was not purpose-built for life detection, its remarkable capabilities in infrared observation are enabling scientists to examine small, rocky exoplanets orbiting distant stars with an unprecedented level of detail. Webb is uniquely equipped to detect atmospheres arou