Space
The Moon May Soon Face an American Frontier-Era Land Rush
Private firms like SpaceX and Bigelow Aerospace, along with a growing number of national space agencies, are eyeing a manned return to the moon, with an emphasis on settlement rather than exploration.
The First Moon Landing Was Achieved With Less Computing Power Than a Calculator
It is often said that we now have more computing power in our pocket than the computer aboard Apollo 11 did 50 years ago. But is that true? And, if so, how much more powerful are our phones?
How an Autodidact Astronomer Became the First American to Discover a Comet
Maria Mitchell was the only widely recognized and respected female astronomer of her time—something she fought to change.
NASA Says It Hopes to Accommodate Smaller Sizes in a New Space Suit Planned for the Mid-2020s
Though the agency eliminated the extra-small and small in previous space suits, NASA's lead spokesperson says sizing will factor into new designs.
Why NASA Canceled the First All-Female Space Walk
Can the space suits of tomorrow overcome the gender disparities of today?
What Will the Success of China's Space Program Mean for NASA?
China's achievements continue to accumulate, leading some to wonder if this could be the start of a new space race.
Stories You Might Have Missed This Week
Washington state implements new gun purchase restrictions, more border fencing could be constructed, and NASA gets a a good look at a far-off celestial body.
As NASA's Kepler Mission Comes to an End, Planetary Research Moves Forward
The Kepler telescope has run out of fuel and officially entered retirement. Luckily, there is a replacement on the way to continue our observation of the stars.
Spotting the Hardware in the Heavens
It's tricky to get a good estimate for how many satellites are in the skies above us, but if you've ever looked up at the night sky you've probably seen one orbiting the Earth.
The White House's NASA Budget Focuses on Putting Americans Back on the Moon
Sending American astronauts back to the Moon in preparation for deep-space exploration is a top space priority for the Trump administration.
A Group of Scientists Is Helping to Determine the Future of America's Satellites
An influential new survey will help government agencies decide which satellite capabilities to fund.
Could a 'Mystery Object' in Our Solar System Tell Us About Alien Life?
A professor of engineering breaks down what the 'Oumuamua projectile could possibly be and the secrets it could hold–but we still have no definite answers.
How to Make Friends in Outer Space
When Carl Sagan's team sent two gold-plated records into space in 1977, it wanted to make alien contact. Forty years later, those time capsules are hurtling beyond the reaches of the Solar System, still seeking intelligent life.
Viewfinder: A Satellite Launch in India
The Indian Space Research Organisation communication satellite GSAT-19, carried onboard the Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle, launches from Sriharikota on June 5th, 2017.
India Launches Satellite Aboard Most Powerful Rocket in Country's History
The rocket helped propel a three-tonne GSAT-19 satellite into orbit, the country's largest to date.
Should Humans Really Go to Mars?
We must consider the possibility that going to Mars is just as much an act of grief in denial as an act of triumph in achievement.
We Can Now Detect Earthquakes From Space—and Maybe Venusquakes Too
Quakes may offer scientific clues about planets' interiors.
What a Trip to Mars Could Do to People's Brains
The preliminary science suggests Marstronauts are going to need some protection.
How the Hubble Space Telescope's Iconic Photos Changed the Way Everybody Saw Space
Hubble scientists and historians reflect on how the famed telescope's images impacted American culture and science.
The 30 Top Thinkers Under 30: The Aspiring Astronaut and Polymath Who Sees Patterns in Just About Everything
We canvassed the world of the social and behavioral sciences, looking for rising stars whose careers promise to make a lasting mark. We'll be profiling the top 30 throughout the month of April.
What Spending a Year in Space Does to Your Mind
It's stressful, but transcendental too.
Astronomers Found an Ancient Ocean on Mars
Now a cold, barren desert, Mars once had an ocean bigger than the Arctic.
The Psychology of Mars One Hopefuls
Studies show that it takes a certain kind of crazy to volunteer for a trip to Mars.
The Big Sleep: The Potential Benefits of Hibernation in Humans
The extreme survival tricks of hibernators could help us overcome life-threatening injuries.