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NASA satellite ends 17-year mission measuring the sun’s impact on climate
NASA has shut down a spacecraft that measured the amount of solar energy entering Earth's atmosphere for 17 years, more than three times the mission's original design life.
ESA science missions back in action after coronavirus-related shutdown
Four of the European Space Agency's robotic missions, including the agency's two Mars orbiters, are resuming science operations after a stand-down triggered by the positive diagnosis of an employee at ESA's control center in Germany with the coronavirus.
VideoSpaceX loses third Starship prototype in cryogenic ground test
A prototype for SpaceX's Starship space vehicle collapsed during pressure testing early Friday at the company's facility in South Texas -- the program's third failure during such testing since November -- but assembly of a new version is already underway.
In parallel with rocket development, Firefly launches lunar lander initiative
A souped-up version of the Israeli Beresheet moon lander built in Texas could be ready to carry NASA science and technology payloads to the lunar surface before the end of 2022, according to officials from Firefly Aerospace.
Back in Florida, Orion capsule nears readiness for Artemis test flight
The Orion spacecraft slated to fly around the moon on an unpiloted mission next year has arrived back at the Kennedy Space Center following an environmental test campaign in Ohio, ready for a series of final checkouts before officials pause launch preparations this summer to await readiness of NASA's Space Launch System.
NASA picks SpaceX to deliver cargo to Gateway station in lunar orbit
NASA has selected SpaceX to deliver supplies to the planned Gateway mini-space station in lunar orbit using a new version of the Dragon cargo vehicle launched atop Falcon Heavy rockets.
Facing pandemic, NASA shutters rocket factory, halts SLS and Orion testing
NASA announced Thursday that work on the Space Launch System heavy-lift rocket and Orion crew capsule at facilities in Louisiana and Mississippi is being halted due to the spreading coronavirus pandemic, a stoppage that could force further delays on the already behind-schedule and over-budget programs. Meanwhile, NASA officials are making plans to continue working on the agency's next Mars rover to keep it on schedule for launch later this year, even if the virus forces further closures.
SpaceX selected to launch Intelsat telecom satellite, NASA pollution monitor
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will launch an Intelsat communications satellite with a NASA-funded air pollution monitor to be positioned over the Americas in 2022, officials announced Tuesday.
NASA no longer counting on Gateway for 2024 moon landing
NASA is modifying plans to send astronauts back to the moon in 2024 by taking the Gateway -- a mini-space station to be assembled in lunar orbit -- out of the critical path in favor of a simplified architecture, according to the agency's chief of human spaceflight.
Launch of ExoMars rover delayed to 2022
Most parts of the joint European-Russian ExoMars lander and rover are nearly ready for launch, but trouble with parachutes, electronics, software and concerns about the growing coronavirus pandemic have delayed the mission's departure to Mars from this year until 2022, officials announced Thursday.