Space

Private astronauts arrived at the International Space Station, continuing a long-standing Israeli research initiative. A European spacecraft was lost during reentry, a U.S. solar probe completed another close pass by the Sun, and a new telescope began its mission to map the skies. This Week in Space

For centuries, missiles and rockets have played a dual role in human progress—sometimes advancing science, but more often serving as instruments of destruction. How were these technologies developed? What are they capable of? And how do we defend against them?

An embarrassing malfunction for SpaceX, the U.S. revives its “Star Wars” defense ambitions, and China refuels satellites in orbit. This Week in Space

Rare documentation of a planet in an unusual planetary system, a delay in a private mission, and a successful launch by Rocket Lab. This Week in Space

A Japanese spacecraft failed in its Moon landing attempt, a new European telescope designed to detect dangerous asteroids, and new research questions whether a galactic collision is truly inevitable. This Week in Space

An Israeli study suggests a new way to detect life on Jupiter’s moon Europa. A new dwarf planet has been identified at the edge of the solar system. China launches a mission to collect asteroid samples, and Starship makes slow progress, despite a fiery end. This Week in Space

Researchers recently reported the discovery of a biological molecule in the atmosphere of a distant exoplanet – raising excitement about the possibility of life beyond Earth. However, a series of new studies casts significant doubt on the likelihood of life there.

After two failed test flights, the spacecraft finally reached space — but entered an uncontrolled spin mid-flight and exploded during reentry into the atmosphere.

Scientists photographed a visible-wavelength Mars aurora for the first time, while another study suggests suspected water flows are likely dust avalanches. Starship faces new issues, and India lost a satellite. This Week in Space

In today’s social media-driven world, conspiracy theorists and pseudoscience advocates find fertile ground to spread misinformation and resurrect long-debunked ideas – ranging from flat Earth beliefs to outdated geocentric models – that science laid to rest centuries ago.

Tiangong space station and a culture of Niallia bacteria, closely related to the space-developed species. Sources: China Manned Space Engineering Office, Leibniz Institute DSMZ

Ramon.Space makes headlines with a multi-million-dollar satellite computer deal, another Starship test launch approaches, Venus shows signs of tectonic activity, and new findings suggest the universe’s end may come sooner than expected. This week in space.

Kosmos 482, which sparked concern due to the uncertainty surrounding the timing and location of its reentry, fell into the Indian Ocean without causing injuries or damage.

A decades-old Soviet spacecraft on course to crash into Earth after spending more than five decades in orbit, NASA faces a major budget cut, and Japan moves closer to landing on the Moon. This Week in Space

Even if the Sun always looks the same to us, sunspots—whose sizes vary—were already identified back in the 18th century. The effort to understand what causes these changes led to a fascinating journey into the Sun’s activity cycles and the influence of the planets on it.

The veteran astronaut returns from space, changes and innovations aboard the Chinese space station, and how does one lose a spacecraft? This Week in Space

Molecules identified in a distant planet’s atmosphere form on Earth only through biological activity.

A development led by an Israeli scientist has significantly improved the image quality of ground-based telescopes. “These are the sharpest images we’ll see this decade.”

A major fellowship to a researcher studying high-energy astrophysical phenomena, an Israeli experiment launching aboard a private space mission, a farewell to a groundbreaking space telescope, and a closer look at what happens to bones in space. This Week in Space.

Project to launch a second Israeli spacecraft to the moon was frozen after failing to secure the necessary funding, but SpaceIL’s educational initiatives will continue as usual; Freezing the mission does not mean it has been abandoned, officials say

Private astronauts are once again pushing the boundaries of exploration, satellites are helping detect wildfires, and scientists have uncovered intriguing organic molecules on Mars. This Week in Space.

Boeing faces another test flight, India’s Moon program gains momentum, galaxies are aging faster than scientists once thought.

The Dragon spacecraft Freedom splashed down as planned off the Florida coast, carrying two Starliner astronauts who were originally scheduled to spend just eight days aboard the International Space Station, but ended up remaining there for nine months.

NASA is initiating layoffs as part of a cost-cutting plan. Meanwhile, a powerful new space telescope has launched, 128 new moons have been discovered orbiting Saturn, and the Voyager spacecraft are getting a life-extending strategy. This Week in Space.