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Space Exploration news
Space radiation sparks: A biological cascade of cancer
Deep space travel comes with a huge potential downside—radiation exposure that can kill an astronaut either quickly or slowly over time if not managed correctly. But what exactly does that mean, and is there any way to handle ...
Astronomy
6 hours ago
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X-rays and AI reveal how spacecraft heat shields burn in real time
Heat shields are one of the most important parts of any spacecraft that intends to enter an atmosphere. And the material they are made of is critical. Improving them has been a challenge, though, as researchers typically ...
Astronomy
7 hours ago
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Team selected for NASA program to explore potential lunar cave
NASA has selected a Planetary Science Institute–led proposal to investigate whether a potentially large underground cave extends beyond the opening of a lunar pit. Such a cave may one day provide a safe haven for astronauts ...
Space Exploration
Oct 2, 2026
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Astronauts arrive at International Space Station on the quickest US express flight yet
Four astronauts pulled up at the International Space Station on Thursday after launching on an eight-hour express that set a U.S. speed record.
Space Exploration
Oct 2, 2026
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SpaceX launches 4 astronauts on a fast track to the International Space Station
Four astronauts rocketed into orbit Thursday on a space station mission that will stretch until spring, among them a Canadian whose wife will give birth while he's away.
Space Exploration
Oct 1, 2026
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90-plus-day spaceflights linked to higher rates of hip fractures in astronauts
New research has found that the rate of hip fractures among astronauts after spaceflights lasting more than 90 days was higher than after shorter spaceflights or among people who were not astronauts. The findings of the study ...
Space Exploration
Oct 1, 2026
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Starship's first orbital flight put its heat shield to the test
SpaceX's Starship, the most powerful launch vehicle ever developed, reached Earth orbit for the first time on Sept. 28, 2026. This mission, the rocket's 14th test flight, also marked the first time that Starship deployed ...
Space Exploration
Sep 30, 2026
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Under the Microscope: NASA-made material for moon manufacturing
Photos taken using a microscope reveal the colorful, kaleidoscope-like crystal structure of a new NASA-made material that could be used for manufacturing during future space missions. Developed at NASA's Glenn Research Center ...
Space Exploration
Sep 29, 2026
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SpaceX's Starship rocket does its job during first orbital flight
SpaceX sent its Starship super-rocket on its first orbital flight—a shorter-than-planned test mission that put operational Starlink satellites into orbit for the first time.
Space Exploration
Sep 29, 2026
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NASA highlights lessons learned from Swift boost mission
A commercial mission to boost NASA's Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory ended without raising the spacecraft's orbit, but the agency and Katalyst Space gained experience that will benefit future in-space servicing programs.
Space Exploration
Sep 29, 2026
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NASA announces new missions for Boeing Starliner spacecraft
NASA announced Monday that it is planning new missions using Boeing's Starliner spacecraft, the first since a troubled test flight left two astronauts stranded at the International Space Station for months.
Space Exploration
Sep 29, 2026
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NASA ramps up support to get Boeing's astronaut capsule flying after Butch and Suni fiasco
NASA is throwing extra support and money behind Boeing's troubled astronaut capsule to get it fixed and flying again as soon as possible.
Space Exploration
Sep 29, 2026
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How NASA's Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope will open a window into the Milky Way
Look up at the night sky with the naked eye and it may seem like it rarely changes. Yet the universe is in constant flux. Stars drift through space, orbiting the center of the Milky Way as planets orbit them. They rotate, ...
Astronomy
Sep 29, 2026
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Diving into an out-of-sync galaxy
Galaxies are like snowflakes: No two are exactly alike, even the spirals. The Hubble Space Telescope took a close look at the distant spiral NGC 4698 and found intriguing hints about its past. For one thing, this member of ...
Astronomy
Sep 29, 2026
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Testing tiny telescope robots reveals design changes that could improve galaxy maps
Astronomers have cataloged billions of stars and hundreds of billions of galaxies. We have found thousands of planets orbiting stars. We can also map where galaxies sit and trace how the universe changes over time.
Astronomy
Sep 28, 2026
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NASA tests dual mode propulsion CubeSat ahead of launch
Spacecraft propulsion traditionally relies on volatile fuels and separate, bulky systems for different types of maneuvering in space. NASA is working to change that. Engineers at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, ...
Space Exploration
Sep 28, 2026
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SpaceX's supersized Starship launches into orbit for the first time but flight ends early
SpaceX launched its enormous Starship into orbit for the first time Monday and successfully delivered the most advanced Starlink satellites yet, but cut the flight short to ensure safety.
Space Exploration
Sep 28, 2026
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SpaceX aims to put Starship in orbit for the first time
Three years after its first test flight, SpaceX's Starship rocket will attempt Monday to enter Earth orbit, a key step in developing the massive launch vehicle for future missions to the moon and Mars.
Space Exploration
Sep 28, 2026
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Engineers teach spacecraft to 'dream' their way to the space station
Docking with the ISS may seem simple. However, actually doing so shows how difficult orbital mechanics can be. It's like traveling down a highway at 28,000 km/hr (17,000 mph) and parallel parking in an open garage on a multibillion-dollar ...
Space Exploration
Sep 26, 2026
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A real-time look inside spacecraft heat shields during extreme heat conditions
When a spacecraft reenters Earth's atmosphere at hypersonic velocities, its protective heat shield faces extreme conditions, including temperatures beyond 3,000 degrees Fahrenheit (1,650 degrees Celsius). To survive, the ...
Space Exploration
Sep 26, 2026
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More news
Engineers just designed a better 'shock absorber' for spacecraft
NASA to study human health and performance during Crew-13 mission
Silicon solar cells could cut satellite power costs by up to 90%
UK to launch new military space squadron to protect satellites
Exercise keeps astronauts' hearts strong enough for flight to Mars
NASA spacecraft discovers a huge new crater on the moon
SpaceX prepares for first orbital flight of Starship rocket
US acknowledges for the first time that it has deployed weapons in space
No cities on the moon—there isn't enough water, scientists say
A new plasma thruster design breathes thin air for propellant
Cataract surgery will be needed in space, surgeon predicts
NASA's next great observatory could spot oceans on distant worlds
A new surface atlas of Phobos will help MMX mission collect its samples
Scientists want to 3D print houses on Mars with the help of yeast
Other news
New saber-toothed predator from Argentina suggests its lineage survived longer than believed
A novel path to fusion ignition: Heat first, then add fuel
Atomic motion could help push solar cells beyond conventional limits
Quantum systems never quite forget where they came from
Rare insect discovery reveals a new species from the dinosaur age
What to know about Europe's push to compete in space
As African space race heats up, Senegal pursues homemade satellites
A new mission could rendezvous with Halley's Comet in 2061
How studying astronauts could help tackle aging on Earth
