Paris (AFP) Mar 27, 2025
Europe's Gaia space telescope was powered down and sent into "retirement" on Thursday after a decade revealing the secrets of the Milky Way, but its observations will fuel discoveries for decades to come. Since launching in 2013, the telescope has been charting the positions, motion and properties of nearly two billion stars to create an unparalleled map of our home galaxy, according to the

Los Angeles CA (SPX) Mar 30, 2025
Sierra Space, a top-tier commercial space and defense technology company focused on leveraging space to enhance life on Earth, has deepened its collaboration with German space biotech firm Yuri. The new agreement centers on a forthcoming ScienceTaxi BioSpin mission, targeting advancements in microgravity-enabled biological research and pharmaceutical development. The expanded contract foll

Los Angeles CA (SPX) Mar 30, 2025
China executed its 15th space launch of the year late Wednesday night, successfully placing a new data relay satellite into orbit from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in Sichuan province. The China Aerospace Science and Technology Corp (CASC), the nation's primary aerospace contractor, confirmed the mission. Lifting off at 11:55 pm local time, a Long March 3B rocket deployed the Tianli

Los Angeles CA (SPX) Mar 30, 2025
The microgravity and radiation of space present not only risks to human health but also rare opportunities for breakthroughs in science and medicine, Chinese researchers say. This dual nature of the space environment came into focus when two NASA astronauts returned from a prolonged nine-month stay aboard the International Space Station, visibly weakened. The challenges they faced undersco

Oslo (AFP) Mar 30, 2025
The first orbital rocket launched from continental Europe crashed seconds after blast-off Sunday, dealing a blow to the continent's bid to build a new space economy. The Spectrum rocket, developed by German start-up Isar Aerospace, started smoking from its sides, then crashed back to Earth with a powerful explosion just after launching from Norway's Andoya Spaceport in the Arctic, in live vi

The European Space Agency (ESA) has selected Airbus to design and build the landing platform for the ExoMars Rosalind Franklin rover. In 2028, ESA will launch this ambitious exploration mission to search for past and present signs of life on Mars.

The first launch of Isar Aerospace’ Spectrum rocket failed March 30 when the vehicle lost attitude control seconds after liftoff and plummeted to Earth.

Oslo (AFP) Mar 30, 2025
The first orbital rocket launched from continental Europe crashed seconds after blast-off Sunday, in a closely watched test for the continent's bid to build a new space economy. The Spectrum rocket, developed by German start-up Isar Aerospace, started smoking from its sides, then crashed back to Earth with a powerful explosion just after launching from Norway's Andoya Spaceport in the Arctic

Cape Canaveral (AFP) Mar 31, 2025
SpaceX is set to launch the first human spaceflight directly over Earth's polar regions on Monday - a days-long, privately funded orbital mission involving four astronauts. Named "Fram2" after the famed Norwegian ship built in the 19th century for Arctic and Antarctic expeditions, the mission will feature a range of experiments including taking the first X-ray in space and growing mushrooms