Space Features
About
Explore Space Features
What comes after Webb? NASA’s next-generation planet-hunting telescope
The James Webb Space Telescope only launched recently, but scientists are already plotting a planet-hunting telescope that will help find worlds like our own.
What exactly makes an exoplanet ‘habitable’?
Astronomers have been on the hunt for habitable planets outside of our own solar system for decades -- but what exactly counts as habitable?
Here’s what the James Webb Space Telescope will set its sights on next
Now that the James Webb Space Telescope has sent back its first images of deep space, you might be wondering what's coming next. Here's the scoop!
How NASA’s DAVINCI probe will withstand the hellish conditions of Venus
Venus's acidic, high-pressure atmosphere is one of the most inhospitable places in our solar system -- and NASA is building a probe that can withstand it
This is how NASA measures rising sea levels from space
NASA has been monitoring Earth's sea levels from orbit for over 30 years. Here's why measuring from space is actually easier than doing it terrestrially.
24 amazing images of our planet for Earth Day
Let's celebrate Earth Day with 24 stunning images of our very special planet, all shot from space.
Why the moon needs a space traffic control system
As interest in lunar exploration ramps up across the globe, scientists think we need a space traffic control system to avoid collisions and complications.
The James Webb Space Telescope is about to supercharge our hunt for exoplanets
The James Webb Space Telescope is set to launch in the coming months, and when it does, it will completely revolutionize how we hunt for habitable planets.
Spice in space: Inside NASA’s groundbreaking zero-gravity chile pepper project
Astronauts on the ISS are now growing and eating chile peppers in space, so we caught up with NASA to get some pointers on gardening in microgravity.
Meet the bold and brilliant Latinos of NASA
To celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, we rounded up this list of the most bold and brilliant Latinos at NASA, both past and present
Mars? Old news. The next 10 years will be the decade of Venus
In recent decades, space agencies have mostly been focused on visiting Mars -- but now their sights are shifting to Earth's other planetary neighbor: Venus
Meet the startup aiming to outshine SpaceX with reusable, 3D printable rockets
SpaceX has made some huge strides when it comes to launching an recovering reusable rockets, but Relativity Space wants to take the idea a step further
We’re going to the red planet! All of the past, present, and future missions to Mars
SpaceX isn't the only organization pining to visit the Red Planet. Here's a detailed list of all operational and planned missions to Mars and their objectives.
30 stunning spacewalk images to celebrate NASA’s 300th outing
On July 21, 2020, NASA will conduct its 300th spacewalk since 1965. To mark the occasion, we've gathered together 30 amazing images from some of those outings.
DARPA is building a robotic space mechanic to fix satellites in orbit
DARPA, the agency responsible for developing technologies for the U.S. military, is building a new high-tech spacecraft that will repair satellites in orbit.
Space Force needs to prepare for a new Cold War in Earth’s orbit
Are America's space assets at risk from enemy hunter-killer satellites? Retired Air Force general Chris Bogdan believes they are. But he's got a solution.
Launching little: Inside Rocket Lab’s ingenious plan to democratize space
When you think of rocket launches, you probably think of huge companies like Boeing or SpaceX manufacturing massive rockets like the Starship. But one company is taking the opposite approach to launches, making rockets which are smaller, lighter, and more affordable.
Low-Earth orbit is overcrowded. This Silicon Valley startup has a solution
Silicon Valley space-tracking startup LeoLabs is using radar to track what's happening in Low Earth Orbit. Here's what technology LeoLabs has developed to help.
Meet the robotic pioneers that will help humanity colonize Mars
The race to populate Mars is on. But before humans can visit the red planet, we need to send out robot scouts to see the lay of the land. The next generation of Martian robotics will use sophisticated AI, novel propulsion methods, and flexible smallsats to meet the challenges of colonizing a new world.
Meet OffWorld, the startup that wants to mine the moon with a swarm of robots
Will the future of space exploration involve swarms of smart robots aiding human pioneers by mining for resources, or even autonomously preparing new locations on other planets for human habitation? California-based startup OffWorld certainly thinks so. Here's what it is working on.
We’re slowly trapping ourselves under an umbrella of space junk
Kessler Syndrome is a scenario in which the density of objects in low Earth orbit is high enough that collisions between objects could cause a cascading effect that ultimately traps humanity beneath a ceiling of space junk. We spoke to the man who coined the term.
How facial recognition is helping astronomers reveal the secrets of dark matter
Could the same A.I. technology that is used to unlock people’s smartphones also help unlock the potential secrets of the universe? It sounds crazy, but that’s exactly what researchers from ETH Zurich in Switzerland are working to achieve. Here's what they have developed.
