Rocket

In a first, perovskite and organic solar cells have been tested in space. Not only did they perform well, but they’re much thinner and lighter than the silicon cells currently used and were even able to absorb diffuse light reflected back from Earth.

The United Arab Emirates has successfully launched its first interplanetary mission. This morning, Al Amal, or the Hope Probe, took off from Japan at 6:58 am Monday 20th July (local time), and is currently headed towards Mars.

As July 1st and 4th approach, people in Canada and the US (respectively) may be thinking about setting off some fireworks. They might want to consider a more eco-friendly and reusable alternative, though, in the form of the Rammaxx rocket.

Constructed using 3D printing technology, the Prometheus is a liquid-fueled rocket engine demonstrator that is intended as the model for the next generation of potentially reusable propulsion systems suitable for a wide variety of launch vehicles.

BAE Systems has successfully tested a ground-based version of its Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System (APKWS) laser-guided rocket, which is designed to allow ground combat units to engage distant targets without air support.

A UK-based company has carried out the first static engine test of a space rocket in Britain in over half a century. The Skylark L rocket carried out a full-scale launch test while restrained to the ground at the Kildemorie Estate in North Scotland.

Kerbal Space Program (KSP) is set to get a free update in partnership with the European Space Agency. It will let gamers play through world-famous exploration missions, with the help of new heavy rocket components.

A Florida team working with the US Air Force says that it's built and tested an experimental model of a rotating detonation rocket engine, which uses a spinning series of chaotic explosions inside a ring channel to create super-efficient thrust.

Rocket Lab is looking to join the rocket recycling party by collecting the first stage of its Electron launch vehicle in midair using a helicopter, a method that it has now successfully demonstrated over the open ocean in New Zealand.

The US Space Force has delivered its first national security payload into orbit, with a satellite successfully lifting off atop a United Launch Alliance rocket today to complete a network of protected communications satellites for US armed forces.

University of Washington engineers are working on a new rocket engine called a Rotational Detonation Engine that promises to be lighter, more efficient, and simpler to make than conventional liquid-fuel rockets .... but it's far less predictable.

SpaceX has successfully deployed 60 communication satellites to bolster the population of its Starlink megaconstellation. The launch saw the third landing of a Falcon 9 core stage, and the impressive catch of a fairing half as it fell to Earth.