Space news

Catherine O’Connell-Cooper, APXS Strategic Planner and Payload Uplink/Downlink Lead, University New Brunswick, NB, Canada Earth planning date: Friday, Sept. 11, 2026 This week we had two planning days (Tuesday and Friday), as Monday was Labor Day in North America, where many of the Curiosity team are based. Labor Day (the first Monday in September) marks […]

NASA and SpaceX are targeting 11:10 a.m. EDT, Thursday, Oct. 1, as the earliest launch opportunity for the Crew-13 mission to the International Space Station. Over the next several days, teams will complete a series of prelaunch activities and intensive reviews to confirm the crew, the space station, and SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft, and Falcon 9 rocket […]

NASA’s Office of the Chief Health and Medical Officer formed a working group in August 2026 to review the most recent data related to extravehicular activity (EVA) prebreathe testing and decompression sickness (DCS) events, venous thromboembolism (VTE) in-flight occurrences, and patent foramen ovale (PFO) implication as they relate to NASA’s Artemis (lunar and beyond) missions. The recommendations from this working group are built upon and integrate the outcomes of previous working groups hosted by OCHMO.

Four Expedition 75 crewmates are preparing for their return to Earth aboard a SpaceX Dragon next month as their replacement crew gets ready for launch. Meanwhile, aboard the International Space Station the orbital residents continued studying biomedicine, activating Earth imagery hardware, and unpacking a cargo craft.

Lee esta historia en español aquí. NASA-supported scientists have discovered an organism that lives at extreme temperatures previously thought impossible for complex life. High temperatures can cause the destruction of necessary cell components, which is a big problem for cells with complex parts like a nucleus encasing delicate genetic information. In the heated waters of […]

NASA-supported scientists have discovered an organism that lives at extreme temperatures previously thought impossible for complex life. High temperatures can cause the destruction of necessary cell components, which is a big problem for cells with complex parts like a nucleus encasing delicate genetic information. In the heated waters of California’s Lassen Volcanic National Park, a […]

Using NASA’s Chandra X-ray Observatory, researchers found mysterious objects that give off unusually low-energy X-rays but intense levels of ultraviolet radiation. One of the galaxies they studied, M101, is pictured here in this image released on Sept. 9, 2026. Astronomers suggest these newly spotted objects in other galaxies may help solve not one, but two […]

Students in New Hampshire will hear from NASA astronaut Anil Menon as he answers prerecorded STEM questions while aboard the International Space Station. The Earth-to-space call will begin at 11:35 a.m. EDT Thursday, Sept. 24, and will stream live on the agency’s Learn With NASA YouTube channel. This event is hosted by the McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center in Concord, […]

UK-based launch facility SaxaVord Spaceport has confirmed that it abandoned plans to develop a shared suborbital launch rail, with German rocket builder HyImpulse now preparing to bring its own system to the Scottish launch site for the second flight of its SR75 rocket. The UK Space Agency awarded SaxaVord £378,000 in December 2022 for Project […] The post SaxaVord Scrapped Launch Rail Plans, Forcing HyImpulse to Bring Its Own appeared first on European Spaceflight.

The Call sets out a shared vision for strengthening Europe's role in human and robotic space exploration and provides political guidance for preparations ahead of the Intermediate Ministerial Meeting in Rome on 15 December.

APOD Science APOD APOD: 2026 September 22 –… Today’s APOD Archive Submissions Index Search Calendar RSS Education About Discuss   APOD Astronomy Picture of the Day Discover the cosmos! Each day a different image or photograph of our fascinating universe is featured, along with a brief explanation written by a professional astronomer. Chance Triple Alignment: […]

The tilt in Earth’s axis of rotation makes the apparent position of continents shift with the seasons in imagery from a NASA camera in deep space.

The Republic of Albania signed the Artemis Accords Monday during a ceremony hosted by NASA at the agency’s headquarters in Washington, joining the coalition of like‑minded nations committed to the responsible and transparent exploration of space. “It is my privilege to welcome the Republic of Albania as the 73rd signatory of the Artemis Accords,” said […]

NASA kicked off its State Hubs for Skilled Technical Workforce initiative Sept. 15, 2026 with awardees at Space Center Houston. Agency leadership convened State Hub partners to align strategy and build momentum while focusing on partnerships, small business engagement, and next steps. “The NASA State Hubs initiative is a top priority for the agency, because […]

A total of five orbital launches are scheduled this week. SpaceX will launch its Falcon… The post Launch Preview: Electron, Falcon 9, and Starship set for launches appeared first on NASASpaceFlight.com.

Description NASA’s Perseverance Mars rover used its Mastcam-Z camera to capture this 360-degree panorama of “Turquoise Bay,” a geologic area of interest in the “Margin Unit.” The 818 images used to create the natural-color panorama were captured between Oct. 5 and Oct. 16, 2023, the 933rd to 944th Martian days, or sols, of the mission. […]

A variety of human research encompassing body measurements, exercise monitoring, and breath rate recording kicked off the week aboard the International Space Station. The Expedition 75 crew members also prepared for an upcoming crew swap, worked inside a pair of cargo spacecraft, and activated automated Earth observation hardware on Monday.

NASA astronaut and commander of the agency’s Artemis II mission, Reid Wiseman, a Baltimore native, takes a selfie with fans at an NFL game between the New Orleans Saints and the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium, Sunday, Sept. 20, 2026, in Baltimore. NASA’s engagement at NFL games is part of the agency’s Inspiration Tour, […]

The first planned orbital Starship mission is scheduled for launch from Starbase in Texas as soon as Sept. 28, pending final approval from the Federal Aviation Administration.

SpaceX’s disk-shaped Starfall reentry capsule, first flown on Falcon 9 in June, now has two… The post Exolaunch, Space Cargo book Starship Starfall missions appeared first on NASASpaceFlight.com.

When NASA’s Perseverance rover reached the inner edge of Mars’ Jezero Crater in September 2023, mission scientists were surprised by what they found. Called the “Margin Unit,” the geologic area stretches along the shoreline of an ancient Martian lake, so they expected sedimentary rocks, which would have formed as layers of sand piled on top […]

September 21, 2026— Washington, D.C.—The Commercial Space Federation (CSF) is pleased to welcome ORBITInsure and Renaissance Strategic Advisors (RSA) as its newest members. ORBITInsure joins CSF as a Space Supply […] The post Commercial Space Federation (CSF) Welcomes Two New Members appeared first on SpaceNews.

The European Space Agency’s Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer (Juice) will return to Earth on 28 September, with flight controllers guiding the spacecraft close to our home planet to alter its speed and direction en route to Jupiter.

From the ESA Blogs.

From the ESA Blogs.

On Sept. 12-13, NASA’s Johnson Space Center employees brought the excitement and wonder of space exploration to Houston’s Japan Festival at Hermann Park.  For more than 30 years, the festival has immersed guests in traditional Japanese culture through food, dance, martial arts, music, and more, Johnson has supported the festival as an exhibitor for the […]

Paris, 18 September 2026 – Access to appropriate finance is becoming a strategic enabler of Europe’s space ambitions. At ESA Headquarters in Paris, investors, financial institutions, industry leaders, European institutions and policymakers, representing close to 200 participants, came together for the Investor Forum 2026 to explore how public demand and private capital can work together to strengthen Europe’s competitiveness, industrial capabilities and commercial growth.

The European Space Agency (ESA) and the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) have signed an exchange of letters extending their long-standing Cooperative Agreement for a further five years, until 8 January 2032, reaffirming Europe's and India's commitment to expanding cooperation in space.

The European Space Agency (ESA) has confirmed that it is aware of delays affecting the Ariane 6 launch schedule following reports of an engine turbopump anomaly. French news outlet La Tribune first reported an issue with an unspecified Ariane 6 component on 17 September. According to the report, the additional checks were expected to disrupt […] The post ESA Acknowledges Ariane 6 Delays Following Reports of Turbopump Issue appeared first on European Spaceflight.

APOD Science APOD APOD: 2026 September 21 –… Today’s APOD Archive Submissions Index Search Calendar RSS Education About Discuss   APOD Astronomy Picture of the Day Discover the cosmos! Each day a different image or photograph of our fascinating universe is featured, along with a brief explanation written by a professional astronomer. Cocoon Nebula Wide […]

While the sea ice melt season has lengthened dramatically in most of the satellite era, the trend unexpectedly stabilized around 2010.

Using NASA’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter, a team of scientists has discovered the largest, newly formed… The post LRO discovers large new lunar crater, finds interesting thermal emission phenomenon appeared first on NASASpaceFlight.com.

Here is SpacePolicyOnline.com’s list of space policy events for the week of September 20-26, 2026 and any insight we can offer about them. The Senate is in session this week. […]

APOD Science APOD APOD: 2026 September 20 –… Today’s APOD Archive Submissions Index Search Calendar RSS Education About Discuss   APOD Astronomy Picture of the Day Discover the cosmos! Each day a different image or photograph of our fascinating universe is featured, along with a brief explanation written by a professional astronomer. Analemma over the […]

The Progress M-25 docked at the space-facing port of Russia’s Poisk module at 9:44 a.m. EDT (1344 UTC) after a one-week delay.

Liftoff from pad 4E at Vandenberg Space Force Base is scheduled during a window that opens at 6:47 p.m. PDT (9:47 p.m. EDT / 0147 UTC). It will be the 81st Starlink mission of the year.

The Roscosmos Progress 96 spacecraft docked to the space-facing port of the International Space Station’s Poisk module at 9:44 a.m. EDT Saturday.

NASA is streaming live rendezvous and docking coverage as the Roscosmos Progress 96 cargo spacecraft makes its way to the International Space Station. Watch online at:  https://www.nasa.gov/live

The German aerospace agency DLR’s MAPHEUS-17 suborbital research mission is slated to launch from Sweden’s Esrange Space Center as early as 1 October. In a 16 September update, the agency confirmed that several key preflight tests had been completed and that final preparations for the mission were now underway. According to SSC Space, the MAPHEUS-17 […] The post DLR’s Suborbital MAPHEUS-17 Mission to Launch as Early as 1 October appeared first on European Spaceflight.

APOD Science APOD APOD: 2026 September 19 –… Today’s APOD Archive Submissions Index Search Calendar RSS Education About Discuss   APOD Astronomy Picture of the Day Discover the cosmos! Each day a different image or photograph of our fascinating universe is featured, along with a brief explanation written by a professional astronomer. Night SkyAnnotation A […]

The European Space Agency (ESA) and The Pokémon Company International (TPCI) have launched an official collaboration to celebrate World Space Week 2026 from 4–10 October 2026.  

As China integrates crewed and robotic missions to further its lunar exploration program, it is… The post China progresses plans for Mars sample return, asteroid flyby and more launch sites appeared first on NASASpaceFlight.com.

The Republic of Albania will sign the Artemis Accords during a ceremony at 12 p.m. EDT on Monday, Sept. 21, at NASA Headquarters in Washington, becoming the 73rd country signatory. NASA Deputy Administrator Matt Anderson will host Albania’s Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Ferit Hoxha and Ambassador of the Republic of Albania to the […]

Using data from the Japan-led XRISM (X-ray Imaging and Spectroscopy Mission) observatory, astronomers have directly observed a giant star’s outflow, called a stellar wind, being captured by its compact companion and providing the power source for strong X-ray flares. The research is part of NASA’s exploration of the extreme universe to better understand how the […]

Expedition 75 wrapped up its week completing a lead-free soldering experiment, simulating a lunar landing, and exercising for research, among other advanced science activities. The International Space Station residents are also preparing for the arrival of a cargo mission and continuing housekeeping duties.

Paris, the capital of the French Republic, stretches across this photograph captured by ESA astronaut Sophie Adenot during her long-duration εpsilon mission aboard the International Space Station. 

To continue regular crew transportation to the International Space Station, NASA has awarded SpaceX three additional missions through a contract modification.

UC Berkeley engineers and managers watch as the COSI (Compton Spectrometer and Imager) detector assembly is slowly raised from a table in this July 8, 2026, image. The four pieces of silver material on the top of the detector box cover the flex circuits, which carry signals from the detectors to the readout electronics. COSI […]

IRVINE, Calif. and TORINO, Italy – Sept. 17, 2026 – Terran Orbital, a Lockheed Martin company and a global leader in satellite-based solutions primarily serving the aerospace and defense industries, […] The post Terran Orbital Promotes Margherita Cardi to Vice President of European Operations & Head of Strategic Programs appeared first on SpaceNews.

Though the spiral galaxy in this new image from the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope seems serene, it hides a chaotic secret. This galaxy is NGC 4698, and it lies about 55 million light-years away in the constellation Virgo. It’s one of over a thousand galaxies in the Virgo Cluster, the nearest large cluster of galaxies bound together by […]