spacecraft

SpaceX's Starship completed a test flight ending with a splashdown in the ocean, with the spacecraft appearing to burn up or break apart as it hit the water in a fiery descent. The landing marks another step in the company's testing of the vehicle designed for deep-space missions.

SpaceX has launched its Starship rocket on a roughly 10-hour test flight, with the spacecraft set to circle the Earth six times before the mission concludes. The long-duration flight is intended to test the vehicle's endurance and reentry capabilities as SpaceX develops the system for future deep-space missions. Coverage is focused on how the extended flight plan marks a step up from earlier, shorter Starship tests.

SpaceX launched its Starship rocket on a new test flight, with the mission described as unprecedented for the vehicle. Coverage focuses on the liftoff and what the test means for the next-generation spacecraft. SpaceX is using the flights to gather data toward future missions, and observers are watching how the rocket performs through its flight sequence.

The large robotic arm on the International Space Station has stopped working, and NASA says it cannot move it for the time being. Engineers are working to understand the fault on Canadarm2, which is essential for catching cargo spacecraft, moving astronauts during spacewalks and repositioning modules. The outage raises questions about station operations until the arm is restored.

NASA says it will proceed with both uncrewed and crewed flights using Boeing's Starliner spacecraft, despite the capsule's well-documented technical setbacks. The decision signals continued confidence in the program after earlier issues with propulsion and safety. Observers are debating whether the spacecraft can prove itself reliable, especially as SpaceX remains NASA's other commercial crew provider.

SpaceX is preparing its Starship vehicle for an attempt at a roughly 10-hour spaceflight, with live coverage planned for the event. The mission, if successful, would mark a significant endurance milestone for the spacecraft as the company continues developing the vehicle for future deep-space missions. Space enthusiasts and observers are following the launch preparations closely.

NASA says it will attempt to fly astronauts on Boeing's Starliner spacecraft, despite the capsule's troubled history of technical failures on earlier missions. The decision keeps Boeing in the program alongside SpaceX as a second provider for carrying crews to the International Space Station, and space observers are debating whether the spacecraft is ready to carry people safely.

SpaceX's Starship mission ended with the vehicle breaking apart in flames during its flight. The dramatic destruction of the spacecraft, developed by Elon Musk's company for deep-space missions, is drawing wide attention as footage of the fiery failure circulates. Details about the cause and implications for SpaceX's test programme remain limited.

NASA has announced a new plan for Boeing's troubled Starliner spacecraft, including naming the commander of a future mission. The capsule has faced technical problems that have kept it from flying crewed missions as intended, and the agency's latest decision outlines how Boeing will move forward. Details on the spacecraft's next steps and the astronaut leading the upcoming flight are drawing attention.

SpaceX has launched its Starship spacecraft on the giant rocket's first flight to orbit. The test flight marks a major milestone for the company's next-generation launch system, one of the most powerful rockets ever built. The launch drew wide attention from space enthusiasts and news outlets worldwide as people watched to see how the vehicle would perform through its ascent and orbital attempt.

SpaceX has launched its largest Starship rocket yet on a flight into orbit. The supersized vehicle marks another step in the company's program to develop a fully reusable spacecraft for missions to the Moon and Mars. The launch is drawing wide attention from space watchers and the general public, with coverage focusing on the rocket's unprecedented size and what the flight means for future deep-space travel plans.

The Canadarm2, the large robotic arm on the International Space Station, has reportedly stopped working. The arm is critical for capturing cargo spacecraft, moving equipment and supporting spacewalks, so a failure would be a significant operational problem for the station's crews and their backers at NASA and the Canadian Space Agency. Details on the cause and possible fixes remain limited.

The Canadarm2, the large robotic arm outside the International Space Station, has reportedly stopped working, according to an Ars Technica report. The arm is essential for capturing cargo spacecraft, moving equipment and supporting spacewalks, so a failure would be a significant operational problem for the station's crews and ongoing maintenance.

NASA and Boeing are scheduled to hold a briefing on the status of the Starliner spacecraft programme. The update is expected to cover progress on the capsule, which has faced repeated delays and technical issues on its path to routinely carrying astronauts to the International Space Station. Observers are watching for any word on future crewed flight plans and remaining certification milestones.

NASA is increasing support to help Boeing get its Starliner astronaut capsule back in flight following the troubled mission that left Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams stuck aboard the International Space Station. The spacecraft is set to return with a cargo-only launch to the ISS, and a crewed test flight is planned for 2028 as Boeing works to regain confidence in the program.

ESA's JUICE mission to Jupiter and its icy moons passed less than 10,000 km overhead at 13:45 CEST during its second Earth gravity assist, with scientists noting ships in the Indian Ocean were directly beneath its path. The spacecraft will return for a final slingshot flyby in 2029 before heading onward to Jupiter.

Northrop Grumman has delivered 21 data-relay satellites for a military satellite constellation, according to SpaceNews. The satellites are intended to relay data between spacecraft and ground forces as part of a military network. Further details on the customer, timeline and constellation design have not yet been reported, and commentary on the delivery remains limited.

NASA has published an account of lessons learned from the Swift boost mission, the effort to raise the orbit of the Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory. The agency outlines operational insights gained from the spacecraft's orbital adjustment, offering takeaways for future mission planning and spacecraft servicing efforts.

NASA and Boeing are holding a joint news conference to give an update on the future of the Starliner spacecraft program. The briefing comes amid ongoing questions about the capsule's readiness and next steps for its missions, and viewers are following the announcement live as details emerge about the program's path forward.

NASA says it is currently unable to move the International Space Station's large robotic arm, the Canadarm2, for the time being. The arm is essential for capturing cargo spacecraft, moving equipment and supporting spacewalks outside the orbiting laboratory. Few further details about the cause of the problem or expected repair timeline have been released, and observers are waiting for updates from the agency.

Scientists suggest Saturn's icy moon Enceladus could host microbial life, and that plumes of water erupting from beneath its surface offer a way to detect it. The geysers blast material from a subsurface ocean into space, meaning a spacecraft could potentially sample it without drilling through the ice, keeping hopes alive in the search for life beyond Earth.