China launches Tianzhou-9 to Tiangong space station with record cargo and upgraded EVA suits
Europe’s Space Act shows it’s getting serious about space policy
Plans to overhaul European space regulation would come with unprecedented enforcement power over domestic and foreign satellite operators, including on-site inspections and steep fines to uphold safety, cybersecurity and sustainability standards.
Ignis mission highlights
After 20 days in space, ESA project astronaut Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski and his Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4) crewmates returned safely to Earth today, 15 July 2025.
Ax-4 private astronaut mission returns to Earth
A SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft safely splashed down off the California coast early July 15, wrapping up a nearly three-week private astronaut mission to the International Space Station.
Smile passes gruelling set of tests
All its parts have been built and put together. It has been wrapped in shiny gold insulating foil. Its launch is getting closer. But the Smile spacecraft had one major phase to pass before it could be certified ready for space – and it involved testing, testing and yet more testing.
Space Forge and Intuitive Machines team up to boost US orbital chip production
Space Forge Inc., a leader in orbital materials engineering, has entered into a strategic partnership with Intuitive Machines to deploy its semiconductor manufacturing payload aboard the Zephyr orbital return vehicle. The collaboration forms part of Intuitive Machines' Earth Reentry Program and is backed by the Texas Space Commission.
This joint effort aims to rapidly advance the U.S. dome New Martian rock reveals clues about volcanic history on the Red Planet
In a major breakthrough, scientists from Chengdu University of Technology have analyzed a newly discovered Martian meteorite that could help explain how volcanoes once shaped Mars. The meteorite, named Northwest Africa (NWA) 16254, is a rare type known as a gabbroic shergottite and offers a unique glimpse into the planet's deep interior and ancient volcanic systems.
The research, published Six Chinese universities to launch new low altitude space major this fall
In a concerted push to support China's rapidly expanding low-altitude space sector, six leading universities will introduce an undergraduate major in the field this fall. The program, approved in April by the Ministry of Education, is part of a national strategy to cultivate professionals for an industry projected to surpass 1.5 trillion yuan ($207 billion) in value by the end of 2025.
The Newly discovered interstellar object 'may be oldest comet ever seen'
A mystery interstellar object discovered last week is likely to be the oldest comet ever seen - possibly predating our solar system by more than three billion years, researchers say.
The "water ice-rich" visitor, named 3I/ATLAS, is only the third known object from beyond our solar system ever spotted in our cosmic neighbourhood and the first to reach us from a completely different region o 
