Space
New Atlas keeps you up to date with the latest space news and fantastic images from all corners of the Universe.
Latest News
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The official definition of a planet could soon change again
July 26, 2024The official definition of a “planet” could be set to change again soon. Last time that happened, Pluto was kicked out of the club, but the new proposed definition is designed to be more inclusive. -
Rolls-Royce gets $6M to develop its ambitious nuclear space reactor
July 23, 2024Rolls-Royce has received an additional £4.8 million (US$6.2 million) in funding from the UK Space Agency (UKSA) to develop key technology for a nuclear micro-reactor that could one day power lunar bases and spacecraft propulsion. -
How NASA and SpaceX will deorbit and destroy the ISS
July 18, 2024NASA has revealed details about its plan to deorbit the International Space Station (ISS) after it's decommissioned in 2030. At a press conference, NASA explained how the US Deorbit Vehicle (USDV) being built by SpaceX will be used for the job. -
China plans to deflect near-Earth asteroid in 2030
July 17, 2024China is looking to get into the planetary defense business. A new paper by the China National Space Administration (CNSA) confirms that in 2030, the country plans to conduct a test mission to deflect a small asteroid from its current course. -
Massive lunar cave: Prime real estate for an underground Moon base
July 16, 2024If you've wondered where future Moon explorers will live, it may be in natural caves deep beneath the lunar crust. Radar data from NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter confirms that giant lava tubes lead to tunnels large enough to house entire bases. -
Astronauts may soon be drinking their own "pee water" via real-world stillsuits
July 12, 2024In the not-too-distant future, astronauts could be drinking water harvested from their own urine, courtesy of a Dune-inspired system integrated into their spacesuit. If nothing else, it should certainly beat just peeing into a diaper. -
New microwave process could let astronauts make bricks out of moon dust
July 11, 2024Scientists have developed what could be a much quicker and easier technique for astronauts to make building-construction bricks out of lunar soil. The secret lies in heating that moon dust, then sticking it in an aerospace-grade microwave oven. -
Starliner astronauts are now 'not stranded' on ISS until at least August
July 10, 2024The Boeing Starliner spacecraft's one-week visit to the International Space Station (ISS) has been extended at least into August as NASA rules out a rescue mission to return the two "not stranded" astronauts to Earth. -
Interplanetary shock wave angles are key to infrastructure threat
July 10, 2024Giant shock waves emanating from the Sun can give us some breathtaking auroras here on Earth. They can also cause energy surges that can damage our infrastructure, says a new study that looks at how their angles of impact shape their consequences. -
Ariane 6 roars into space
July 09, 2024Europe's newest heavy-lift rocket roared into space today as the Ariane 6 booster lifted off from the Kourou Spaceport in French Guiana at 4:00 pm GFT (19:00 GMT). Designated VA262, the inaugural flight carried a variety of payloads into orbit. -
How to watch the maiden flight of the Ariane 6 heavy lift rocket
July 07, 2024Europe will be back in the heavy lift rocket business on July 9, 2024 when the Ariane 6 lifts off on its maiden flight carrying almost a dozen satellites and experiments. The launch window at Kourou, French Guiana opens at 2:00 pm EDT. Here's how to watch. -
SpaceX's first Polaris Dawn mission to launch after July 30
July 03, 2024The first commercial spacewalk mission looks to be back on schedule with Polaris Dawn saying that it will launch no earlier than July 31, 2024. The Dragon spacecraft is slated to carry the four-person crew farther from Earth than any mission in over 50 years. -
Technical failures leave Starliner crew 'not stranded' on ISS indefinitely
June 30, 2024NASA says that the astronauts sent to the International Space Station aboard Boeing's malfunctioning Starliner spacecraft are "not stranded in space." However, Barry Wilmore and Sunita Williams may be staying in orbit for a very long time. -
NASA selects SpaceX to destroy the International Space Station
June 27, 2024In a contract worth up to US$843 million, NASA has selected SpaceX to design the "US Deorbit Vehicle." The spacecraft will bring the $150 billion International Space Station out of orbit to safely and burn up in our atmosphere at 3,000 ºF (1,649 ºC). -
China first to haul back rocks from the far side of the Moon
June 26, 2024A somewhat scorched Chang'e-6 return craft landed in Inner Mongolia yesterday, bringing with it the first rock and dust samples from the far side of the Moon – and hopes of unlocking some lunar secrets.
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