Russian satellite plays 'cat-and-mouse' with a commercial US spacecraft likely used by Ukraine. But why the risky close encounter?
A Russian satellite just conducted a startlingly close approach of a private American Earth-observing satellite. What was the goal of the controversial maneuver?
SpaceX turns a profit after a string of losses as its satellite and computer leasing businesses soar
SpaceX reported a bigger quarterly profit than expected Tuesday as its satellite communications operations and its business of leasing computing power to other companies boomed.
APOD: 2026 October 21 – New Ghosts Revealed in Cassiopeia
APOD Science APOD APOD: 2026 October 21 – New… Today’s APOD Archive Submissions Index Search Calendar RSS Education About Discuss APOD Astronomy Picture of the Day Discover the …
Extratropical Cyclone Whips Past Iceland
The powerful low-pressure system formed over the North Atlantic out of the remnants of Hurricane Isaias.
A magnetar can be born when two neutron stars touch
All neutron stars have intense magnetic fields. The typical magnetic field of a neutron star is about 100,000 times stronger than the strongest magnetic fields we can create on Ea…
Rare solar radiation storm gives scientists clearest picture yet of flight risks
The most comprehensive data set ever collected from Earth's atmosphere during a solar radiation event has highlighted the importance of better-coordinated radiation monitoring for…
SpaceX will attempt 1st-ever double Starship rocket catch on next test launch, a 'profound technology milestone,' Elon Musk says
SpaceX will try to recover both Starship stages during the megarocket's next test flight, which is expected to take place in November, according to Elon Musk.
'Terror of kings': Why the 1066 appearance of Halley's Comet terrified the medieval world
A sequence on the Bayeux Tapestry shows King Harold alongside a crowd gazing at the sky, beneath the embroidered caption Isti mirant stella ("those people marvel at the star"). Ab…
Using eyedrops in space—wearable patch offers a new approach
Applying eyedrops is difficult in space, where there is almost no gravity. A KAIST research team has developed a wearable patch that delivers eyedrops to the eye without relying o…
On this day in space! Oct. 20, 1970: The Soviet Union launches last-ever Zond moon mission
On Oct. 20, 1970, the Soviet Union launched the Zond 8 spacecraft on a mission to the moon. Here's why it mattered.
Water as we've never known it: Physicists test water beyond Earth-like conditions
Water isn't always as it seems. Under extreme conditions, such as those found on other planets, it has been discovered to change its atomic structure, giving it the means to alter…
Aurora supercomputer powers two of the largest cosmological simulations to date
Researchers at the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Argonne National Laboratory have completed two of the largest cosmological simulations ever performed. Each simulation modeled…
Can’t make it to the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art for the 'Star Wars' display? This is the companion book set you’re looking for!
Prepare for a lightspeed tour of Lucas's lifetime collection ofpaintings, posters, comics, concept art, and illustrations
The Orionid meteor shower is coming. Here's how and when to watch
The Orionids—one of two major meteor showers caused by remnants from Halley's Comet—will peak this week, though a large moon will dim visibility until after it sets late at night.
A pulsar's apparent slowdown reveals a rare stellar trio
Pulsars are rapidly rotating neutron stars, the extremely dense cores left behind when massive stars explode. Astrophysicists have recently observed a pulsar rotating over 300 tim…
NASA’s SR-1 Freedom Advances with Progress on Nuclear Power Module
Destined for Mars and beyond, NASA’s Space Reactor-1 (SR-1) Freedom will be humanity’s first fission-powered spacecraft to travel outside Earth’s orbit. Announced during NASA’s “I…
Jeff Bezos is playing the long game with Blue Origin (op-ed)
If Blue Origin goes public, it will have to meet the expectations of shareholders. Jeff Bezos may therefore want to establish a stronger business before committing to a listing.
NASA experimental Mars helicopter blade designs target longer flights
NASA researchers are developing the future of flight on Mars, laying the groundwork for helicopters with the ability to fly higher and farther while conducting science on the Red …
A supercomputer is about to launch to the moon for the 1st time, aboard a rover named FLIP
And yes, it has AI.
Hot plasma may explain how rapidly feeding black holes launch powerful jets
Some supermassive black holes rapidly consume surrounding matter while simultaneously firing powerful streams of plasma into space at nearly the speed of light. However, this crea…
NASA Experimental Mars Helicopter Blade Designs Target Longer Flights
NASA researchers are developing the future of flight on Mars, laying the groundwork for helicopters with the ability to fly higher and farther while conducting science on the Red …
NASA Provides Progress Update on Moon Base Rovers
As NASA works to build the Moon Base, crewed and robotic lunar rovers will play a crucial role during early development through technology demonstrations, astronaut transport, ter…
Webb Captures Stellar Jets
An image from NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope released on Oct. 6, 2026, reveals a cauldron of cosmic creation. Webb has unveiled numerous stars formerly hidden by clouds of dust…
NASA Welcomes Uzbekistan as Newest Artemis Accords Signatory
The Republic of Uzbekistan became the 77th signatory of the Artemis Accords during a ceremony in Samarkand on Monday, committing to the practical principles that guide safe, trans…