Aurora Scientists Enlist Private Astronauts on Unusual Space Mission
The commercial astronauts onboard SpaceX’s Fram2 mission are flying closer to Earth’s poles than anyone has before, offering an intriguing opportunity for auroral science
SpaceX Hits New Milestone with Fram2, the First-Ever Crewed Polar Mission
The privately funded Fram2 mission is the first ever to take astronauts into polar orbit—and the latest sign of a “new normal” for human spaceflight
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Watch SpaceX Launch Historic Fram2 Crewed Mission over Earth’s Poles Tonight
Fram2, a first-of-its-kind private mission to send four astronauts into polar orbit around Earth, is about to launch
Shark Sounds, Molecules on Mars and Continued Federal Cuts
Cuts to federal health and science agencies continue. Plus, we discuss the sounds of sharks, the meaning of Martian molecules and one big dino claw.
What Makes a Moon?
Defining the word “moon” is harder than you might think
We’re Not Going to Mars Anytime Soon—Despite What Musk Says
Elon Musk and Donald Trump have announced ambitious plans to send a mission to Mars in 2026 and 2028. It’s not going to happen
Blue Ghost Lander Successfully Completes Historic Lunar Mission
Firefly Aerospace’s Blue Ghost commercial lander has gone dark on the moon as planned, but not before sending back spectacular views of the lunar sunset
After 286 Days in Space, NASA Astronauts Return to Earth with a Splash
NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams had been “stuck” at the International Space Station since June 6, 2024, after Boeing’s Starliner, the vehicle they rode to get there, ran into multiple hardware problems
New NASA Missions, Bonus Moons for Saturn and Whale Urine That Balances Ocean Chemistry
The EPA rolls back regulations, NASA launches two exciting missions, and we discuss the surprising way whale urine moves nitrogen across the ocean.
NASA Begins Mass Firings ahead of Trump Team’s Deadline
Top advisers in NASA’s Office of the Chief Scientist are among the first to go amid a government-wide downsizing effort
Athena Lunar Lander Declared Dead on the Moon
For the second time in two years, a commercial lunar lander built and operated by Intuitive Machines has fallen over on the moon
Intuitive Machines’ Athena Lander Reaches the Moon Lopsided—Just like Its Predecessor
Despite some connection delays postlanding, the lunar lander Athena is officially set to study what lies beneath the moon’s surface over the next 10 days