World's space achievements a bright spot in otherwise stressful 2020
Astronauts blasted into orbit from the U.S. for the first time in nearly a decade, three countries sent spacecraft hurtling toward Mars, and robotic explorers grabbed rocks from the moon and gravel from an asteroid for return to Earth.
Jupiter and Saturn will appear to touch in closest conjunction since 1623
The aligning orbits of two gas giants like Jupiter and Saturn happens every few decades, but this great conjunction will be the closest the two planets have been in centuries.
Success! SpaceX launches rocket with Sirius XM satellite onboard
This was SpaceX's 25th launch this year.
Rocket motor fails to ignite on Virgin Galactic test flight
A Virgin Galactic test flight Saturday ended prematurely as the spacecraft's rocket motor failed to ignite and it then glided down safely to its landing site in southern New Mexico.
Window opens for Virgin Galactic’s first rocket-powered test flight from spaceport
The window opens Friday for Virgin Galactic’s first rocket-powered test flight from Spaceport America in southern New Mexico as the company prepares for commercial flights next year.
Pence announces Space Force bases, plans for honoring Chuck Yeager
Two military installations in Florida will be the first to carry the "Space Force" moniker, Vice President Mike Pence announced during a visit to the Kennedy Space Center on Wednesday.
SpaceX Starship crash-lands during highest test flight
SpaceX launched its shiny, bullet-shaped, straight-out-of-science fiction Starship several miles into the air from a remote corner of Texas on Wednesday, but the 6 1/2-minute test flight ended in an explosive fireball at touchdown.
NASA reveals 18 astronauts on Artemis Team, includes first woman, next man on moon
The first woman and next man on the moon will come from this elite group.
SpaceX launches rocket to resupply the ISS, completing 100th successful Falcon 9 liftoff
This mission hits several milestones for both SpaceX and NASA.
NASA grows radishes for first time onboard International Space Station
It was one small step for the plant kingdom but a giant leap for NASA after it grew radishes for the first time onboard the International Space Station last month.
Jupiter and Saturn to align in the sky this month as 'Christmas Star'
The rare occurrence will happen after sunset on Dec. 21, 2020, the start of the winter solstice.
Dazzling Geminid meteor shower will peak Dec. 13 — here’s how to watch
According to NASA, the Geminids are considered to be one of the best and most reliable annual meteor showers.
Meteor causes fireball and loud boom over NY, several other states
A large bang heard over central New York on Wednesday afternoon was likely caused by the sonic boom from a meteor falling to the earth.
China successfully lands spacecraft on moon to bring rocks back to Earth
The China National Space Administration says Chang'e 5 successfully landed at its designated site shortly after 11 p.m., or 1500 GMT, Tuesday after making a powered descent from its orbiter.
Damaged Arecibo radio telescope in Puerto Rico collapses
The Arecibo Observatory telescope's 900-ton receiver platform and the Gregorian dome fell onto the northern portion of the vast reflector dish more than 400 feet below.
Winners of NASA essay contest will witness 1st Artemis deep space exploration launch in 2021
The three grand prize winners for the NASA and Future Engineers Artemis Moon Pod essay contest will attend the first launch of NASA’s Artemis 1 mission, which will be the foundation for human deep space exploration.
NASA starts assembling Artemis Space Launch System rocket
Artemis I mission is scheduled for next year, with astronauts returning to the moon as soon as 2024.
Jupiter and Saturn are about to do something not seen for nearly 800 years
The rare occurrence will happen after sunset on Dec. 21, 2020, the start of the winter solstice.
SpaceX gearing up for Starlink satellite launch on Sunday
The launches come just a week after SpaceX sent a crewed mission to the ISS.
Puerto Rico's iconic Arecibo radio telescope to close in blow to science
The huge telescope at the renowned Arecibo Observatory in Puerto Rico will be dismantled in a blow to scientists who depend on it to search for planets, asteroids and extraterrestrial life.