Space Exploration

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A split screen diagonally. On the top is the Hubble Space Telescope, wrapped in silvery material. On the bottom is TESS, a golden object with blue solar panel wings.

NASA's Hubble Telescope is back in action — but its TESS exoplanet hunter may now be in trouble

By Robert Lea published

Both the Hubble Telescope and TESS exoplanet hunter went into safe mode on April 23. Hubble is back on, but TESS remains off.

Launches & Spacecraft
a charred cone-shaped spacecraft floats in the ocean with five large red spherical balloons on top

NASA inspector general finds Orion heat shield issues 'pose significant risks' to Artemis 2 crew safety

By Brett Tingley published

NASA's inspector general writes that the Artemis 1 test flight of the Orion spacecraft revealed anomalies that "pose significant risks to the safety of the crew."

Artemis
a large white and silver rocket stands upright in a large hangar

Restored Atlas rocket erected on display as Mercury astronaut's ride to orbit

By Robert Z. Pearlman published

Sixty-one years after it stood ready to send NASA's last one-man mission into orbit, the Mercury-Atlas 9 rocket is standing again. A replica is on display at the National Museum of the US Air Force.

Human Spaceflight
Dragon approaches the ISS during a redocking mission on May 2

SpaceX's Crew-8 astronauts move Dragon at the ISS to make way for Boeing's Starliner

By Mike Wall last updated

The four astronauts of SpaceX's Crew-8 mission moved their Dragon capsule to a different port at the ISS on Thursday morning (May 2).

International Space Station
a cone-shaped spacecraft with hatch open. earth is in the background

Here's what to expect during Boeing Starliner's 1st astronaut test flight on May 6

By Elizabeth Howell published

Boeing Starliner will launch its 1st mission to the ISS with NASA astronauts on May 6. Here are the milestones to watch for, from launch to docking to landing.

Human Spaceflight
two astronauts in spacesuits with visors open. the woman astronaut in front turns to smile at the camera while the man astronaut in back looks to the side

'It almost feels unreal': NASA astronauts excited for 1st crewed Boeing Starliner launch May 6

By Elizabeth Howell published

Two experienced NASA astronauts will take Boeing Starliner on its first human excursion on May 6. Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams bring test pilot and spaceflight experience to bear.

Human Spaceflight
NASA's James Webb Space Telescope in its deployed form as seen in an artist's illustration.

NASA's James Webb Space Telescope mission — Live updates

By Robert Lea published

Read the latest news about NASA's James Webb Space Telescope.

James Webb Space Telescope
a cone-shaped spacecraft near a structure of the international space station. below is the curve of earth

2 astronaut taxis: Why NASA wants both Boeing's Starliner and SpaceX's Dragon

By Elizabeth Howell published

Boeing's Starliner will make its first crewed launch as soon as May 6, about four years after SpaceX's. Having two private astronaut taxis will provide redundancy for ISS operations and more.

Human Spaceflight
a white rocket lifts off under a cloudy sky

Satellite operator SES acquiring Intelsat in $3.1 billion deal

By Mike Wall published

SES plans to buy fellow satellite operator Intelsat, in a deal that could help the combined company compete with SpaceX's huge Starlink broadband network.

Satellites
A view of the Milky Way from Einstein's Probe's perspective. There are various squares overlain on the image and bright purple spots of X-ray activity.

Einstein Probe X-ray telescope releases 1st images taken with 'lobster vision'

By Keith Cooper published

Einstein Probe, which is the new Chinese–European X-ray mission, has revealed its first widescreen views of the universe.

Missions
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