The Growth Of The Space Sector: Investment And Innovation On The Rise

The space sector is experiencing significant growth, driven by increasing investment. This surge in investment is expected to continue, with projections indicating substantial expansion by 2026. The sector's growth is fueled by advancements in technology and a decrease in the cost of accessing space. Companies are now able to launch satellites and other spacecraft at a lower cost, making it more feasible for businesses to invest in space-related projects. According to industry reports, the space sector is anticipated to see a substantial increase in investment over the next few years. For more information on the growth of the space sector, techrepublic. com provides valuable insights and analysis.

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SpaceX Launches Starlink 6-100 Mission From Cape Canaveral Despite Challenging Weather Conditions

The evening of January 18th witnessed a highly anticipated event in the realm of space exploration, as SpaceX geared up to launch its Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. This mission, designated as Starlink 6-100, aimed to deploy 29 Starlink internet satellites into low-Earth orbit, further expanding SpaceX's growing constellation. As the launch window opened at 6:31 p. m., a strong cold front was sweeping across Florida's Space Coast, bringing with it a drop in temperatures. The 45th Weather Squadron of the Space Force reported that the odds of favorable weather conditions would increase from 60% at the start of the four-hour window to 90% by its conclusion. The meteorological threats to the mission included cumulus clouds, thick clouds, and liftoff winds. However, the chances of a successful launch seemed promising, with the forecast suggesting that the conditions would improve as the window progressed. According to a report from Ravens Wire, the Falcon 9 rocket was expected to rise to the southeast, with its first-stage booster scheduled to land aboard the SpaceX drone ship A Shortfall of Gravitas in the Atlantic Ocean, marking its 24th flight.

Launch recap: Scroll down to review live updates from the Sunday, Jan. 18, liftoff of a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral on the Starlink ...

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Blue Origin's Lunar Lander 'Endurance' Embarks On Journey To Houston For Testing Ahead Of Historic...

A momentous occasion unfolded on Merritt Island as Blue Origin's lunar lander, aptly named Endurance, emerged from its facility, marking a significant milestone in the company's quest to explore the moon. The uncrewed lander, christened in honor of Ernest Shackleton's legendary ship that braved the unforgiving journey to Earth's South Pole, embodies the spirit of resilience that defines Blue Origin's mission to the lunar South Pole. Endurance is now en route to Houston for rigorous testing, a crucial step ahead of its historic flight to the moon. This lunar lander, known as Blue Moon Mark 1, is poised to play a pivotal role in NASA's ambitious plans, including the VIPER mission in 2027, which aims to uncover the secrets of the lunar south pole. The lunar south pole, a region of immense scientific interest, is also slated to welcome NASA's Artemis III mission in 2028, which will mark a historic milestone as astronauts set foot on the moon's surface. As the world watches with bated breath, Blue Origin's New Glenn rocket, soon to launch from Cape Canaveral, will propel the lunar lander on its pathfinder mission, further solidifying the company's commitment to advancing space exploration ← →

Those traveling on Brevard's Space Commerce Way, which was recently renamed State Road 321 , may have noticed a peculiar sight emerging from Blue ...

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NASA Launches Pandora Telescope, Taking JWST's Search For Habitable Worlds To A New Level | Live...

Astronomers have a trick to study exoplanet atmospheres. By observing the planets as they orbit in front of their host stars, we can study starlight that filters through their atmospheres. For a while, it seemed to work perfectly. But, starting from 2007, astronomers noted that starspots ⁘ cooler, active regions on the stars ⁘ may disturb the transit measurements.

In 2018 and 2019, then-Ph.D. student Benjamin V. Rackham , astrophysicist Mark Giampapa and I published a series of studies showing how darker starspots and brighter, magnetically active stellar regions can seriously mislead exoplanets measurements. We dubbed this problem "the transit light source effect." Most stars are spotted , active and change continuously . Ben, Mark and I showed that these changes alter the signals from exoplanets.

To make things worse, some stars also have water vapor in their upper layers ⁘ often more prominent in starspots than outside of them. That and other gases can confuse astronomers, who may think that they found water vapor in the planet. In our papers ⁘ published three years before the 2021 launch of the James Webb Space Telescope ⁘ we predicted that the Webb cannot reach its full potential.

We sounded the alarm bell. Astronomers realized that we were trying to judge our wine in light of flickering, unstable candles. Pandora breaks with NASA's conventional model. We proposed and built Pandora faster and at a significantly lower cost than is typical for NASA missions. Our approach meant keeping the mission simple and accepting somewhat higher risks.

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Weighing The Risks And Rewards Of Investing In SpaceX's Anticipated IPO

The allure of SpaceX, that pioneering force in commercial space launch services, satellite internet, and reusable rocket technology, has captivated many. As the company prepares for its anticipated initial public offering in 2026, a pressing question arises: should one invest? According to experts, SpaceX's technological prowess is undeniable, but potential risks and rewards must be carefully weighed. The company's valuation, timing, and execution risk could undermine returns for public investors. As noted by a research analyst at ARK Invest, the autonomous technology and robotics strategy requires meticulous consideration. Meanwhile, "Mr. IPO," a professor emeritus at the University of Florida's Warrington College of Business, cautions that the investment landscape is complex. A director of government affairs at Quilty Space emphasizes the need for a nuanced understanding of the space sector. A Harvard Business School professor, focusing on the commercialization of space and its economic implications, advises a cautious approach. Gizmodo reports that SpaceX's IPO could be a historic $30 billion offering, but experts urge investors to exercise prudence. As the space industry continues to evolve, investors must carefully consider the potential risks and rewards of investing in SpaceX.

Elon Musk's SpaceX has emerged as the dominant force in commercial space launch services, satellite internet, and reusable rocket technology.

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Turmoil In Space And On Earth: A Week Of Alarming Scientific Discoveries

This week's science news was a maelstrom of cosmic calamity and terrestrial turmoil. The International Space Station's Crew-11 made a precipitous exit, a medical emergency necessitating their early return, a first in the ISS's 25-year history. The sudden departure, announced mere days in advance, left the station with a skeletal crew of four, awaiting the arrival of Crew-12 next month. Meanwhile, NASA's Mars sample return mission, a vaunted endeavor to retrieve rocks collected by the Perseverance rover, was unceremoniously defunded, its future now uncertain. Yet, in a striking counterpoint, a recent study revealed that the world's most majestic river deltas - the Nile, Amazon, and Ganges - are sinking at an alarming rate, outpacing the rising seas. The culprit? Groundwater pumping, exacerbated by rapid urban growth and dwindling sediment flows. The confluence of rising oceans and sinking land portends a future of catastrophic floods for the world's largest cities. And yet, in a remarkable discovery, a new map of Antarctica has unveiled a hidden world of lakes, valleys, and mountains, buried beneath miles of ice. Information for this article was obtained from --- Science.

This week's science news was way over our heads, as astronauts and space agencies rocketed to the front pages.

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Advancements In Robotics Shine At CES 2026

Several robots caught attention, showcasing remarkable advancements in stability and movement. Unitree's G1 robots, for instance, made a significant impression, with the company even staging a boxing match between two of its creations. Although the fight was more clunky than polished, it demonstrated the robots' ability to perform complex moves. Another notable exhibit was the A2 Series, a line of full-sized humanoid robots introduced by Unitree. These robots boast impressive capabilities, making them potential game-changers in various industries. Agibot, a company focused on creating humanoid robots for the corporate market, also made a splash at CES 2026. Their robots are designed to serve as guides for presentations and showrooms, offering a unique and engaging experience. For those interested in learning more about these cutting-edge robots, bgr. com provides an in-depth look at the coolest robots that might have flown under the radar at CES 2026.

CES 2026 is already behind us, but it's easy to miss some of the coolest announcements at a trade show as giant as this one.

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The Sun's Baffling Corona: Unraveling A Mystery Of Extreme Heat

The Sun, a celestial --- of unyielding fascination, harbors a profound enigma that has long puzzled scientists. At its core, a nuclear fusion reactor of epic proportions liberates energy, powering the star. However, it is the Sun's outer atmosphere, the corona, that presents the most baffling mystery. With temperatures soaring to millions of degrees, the corona far exceeds the heat of the Sun's surface, which shines at a scorching 6000°C. This phenomenon defies a fundamental law of physics, leaving scientists to ponder the source of the extra energy that fuels the corona. Dr. Miho Janvier, a solar physicist from the European Space Agency, describes it as "very strange," noting that, typically, distance from a heat source corresponds to a decrease in temperature. The Sun's corona, however, behaves in a manner that contradicts this principle. Researchers are driven to unravel this mystery, as understanding the corona's heating mechanism may hold the key to protecting technology and astronauts from the devastating effects of space weather. The stakes are high, with gigantic storms of radiation and energy occasionally bursting from the Sun and colliding with planets, including Earth. According to BBC Science Focus Magazine, this puzzle has significant implications for our comprehension of the Sun's behavior ← →

But our nearest star also provides us with what is literally the biggest mystery in the Solar System, spanning millions of miles.

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NASA's Artemis II Mission Set To Launch On February 6, Marking Historic Lunar Return

Staff inbox at Times Now:

In the depths of winter, a profound moment in space exploration is anticipated. NASA's Artemis II mission, a pioneering lunar crewed flight, is poised to launch on February 6, marking a significant milestone after decades of lunar absence. This ambitious endeavour will see four astronauts - Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Jeremy Hansen - embark on a journey around the moon, ultimately returning to Earth. As the countdown begins, NASA is meticulously preparing for the mission. The fully stacked Space Launch System (SLS) rocket, accompanied by the Orion crew spacecraft, is scheduled to roll out from the Vehicle Assembly Building to Launch Pad 39B at Kennedy Space Center, a journey of four miles that may take up to 12 hours. Although the launch is targeted for February 6, the date and time remain contingent upon technical preparations and weather conditions. Lori Glaze, acting associate administrator for NASA's Exploration Systems Development Mission Directorate, expressed enthusiasm for the impending launch, stating, "We are moving closer to Artemis II, with rollout just around the corner." She emphasized that crew safety will remain the top priority as NASA nears humanity's return to the moon.

On 6th February, NASA is preparing for its Artemis II mission, which is the first lunar crewed flight under the Artemis programme.

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NASA's Roman Space Telescope Nears Launch, Poised To Expand Understanding Of The Universe

Published by Live Science:

NASA's Roman Space Telescope Nears Launch. The Roman Space Telescope, named after pioneering scientist Nancy Grace Roman, has been completed and is poised to begin its mission. This next-generation spacecraft, following the Hubble Space Telescope and the James Webb Space Telescope, will work alongside them, expanding humanity's understanding of the universe. According to --- Science, the telescope, standing 42 feet tall and weighing 9,184 pounds, has been under construction since February 2016. The project has stayed within its initial budget of $4. 3 billion. Once launched, Roman will be positioned around 1 million miles from Earth at a Lagrange point, specifically Sun-Earth L2, where other space telescopes already reside. Its 7. 9-foot mirror will focus light from the cosmos toward a powerful 288-megapixel camera. NASA Associate Administrator Amit Kshatriya stated that completing the Roman observatory marks a defining moment for the agency, delivering an observatory that will expand understanding of the universe. The telescope is expected to unveil over 100,000 distant worlds, hundreds of millions of stars, and billions of galaxies in its first five years. Experts predict a launch date ahead of schedule, potentially beginning data collection before the end of 2026.

Experts have also revealed the most probable launch date for the next-generation spacecraft, confirming that it will likely lift off ahead of ...

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Iranians Turn To Starlink As Internet Blackout Continues Amid Government Crackdown

Iran's internet blackout has entered its second week, with citizens turning to SpaceX's Starlink for connectivity. The satellite internet service has become a vital link to the outside world amid the government's crackdown on communication. In a verified video, a man demonstrated his Starlink device's functionality on a highway. This development has sparked a cat-and-mouse game between the Iranian government and Starlink's parent company, SpaceX. The government has deployed measures to halt or slow down Starlink connections, while activists and SpaceX work to counter these efforts. Protests have been ongoing in Iran for three weeks, prompting the government to cut off internet and phone access. Human Rights Watch states that this tactic has helped the regime "conceal widespread atrocities." Iran has also lobbied the International Telecommunication Union to force SpaceX to cease operations in the country. NBC News provided details on this topic, including a video showcasing the Starlink device in use. The near-total communication ban has made Starlink the only viable option for many Iranians seeking high-speed internet access.

As Iran's national internet blackout stretches to its second week, the satellite internet service Starlink has become a crucial lifeline for many ...

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Astronomers Discover Fastest-Spinning Asteroid To Date Using Advanced Observatory Technology

Astronomers at the NSF-DOE Vera C. Rubin Observatory have made a groundbreaking discovery, identifying the fastest-spinning asteroid to date. The asteroid, designated 2025 MN45, measures 710 meters (2,297 feet) in length, more than twice the height of the Eiffel Tower, and completes a rotation on its axis every 1. 88 minutes. According to Discover Magazine, this remarkable finding was made possible by the Legacy Survey of Space and Time (LSST) Camera, the largest digital camera ever built, as reported in The Astrophysical Journal Letters. The Vera C. Rubin Observatory's advanced technology has enabled scientists to detect thousands of asteroids, including 19 that are categorized as super or ultra-fast-rotating, with spin times of less than 2. 2 hours or 5 minutes, respectively. Asteroids, small chunks of rock that have been floating through the Solar System since its formation approximately 4. 6 billion years ago, are of great interest to scientists. With around 1. 45 million known asteroids, the majority are thought to be composed of smaller rocks held together by gravity, known as "rubble pile" asteroids. These fragile structures make them vulnerable to fragmentation.

2025 MN45 might not sound particularly catchy or noteworthy, but it has piqued astronomers' interest for one very specific reason: it is the fastest...

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A Pivotal Year For Space Science And Exploration

Article from seti.org:

In a year marked by significant advancements in space science, 2026 is poised to be a transformative period for exploration and discovery. As missions long in the planning stages begin to take shape, innovative approaches to lunar and deep-space exploration are emerging, and observational capabilities are becoming increasingly interconnected. This shift towards coordinated science across the solar system and beyond was recently discussed by SETI Institute Communications Specialist Beth Johnson and SETI Institute Senior Planetary Astronomer Dr. Franck Marchis in a SETI --- conversation. They highlighted the missions, milestones, and observations that will define space science in 2026, placing individual missions within a broader scientific framework focused on planetary systems, cosmic environments, and humanity's place in the universe. A key event that has shaped the scientific momentum entering 2026 is the discovery of interstellar comet 3I / ATLAS in mid-2025. Detected by the ATLAS survey, the object was identified as interstellar due to its hyperbolic orbit, indicating it originated outside the Sun's gravitational influence. Further observations revealed clear cometary activity, leading to its classification as an exocomet. Notably, measurements of gas-to-dust ratios using spectroscopy showed chemical behavior distinct from most Solar System comets, consistent with formation in a different stellar environment.

2026 is shaping up to be a notable year for space science. Long-planned missions are entering active phases, new approaches to lunar and deep-space ...

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Bridging Labour Gaps In The Future Of Work

The Future of Work: Robots Poised to Bridge Labour Gaps As the world grapples with the challenges of labour shortages and skills gaps, a paradigm shift is underway. Robots, once viewed with skepticism, are emerging as unlikely allies in the quest to revitalize workplaces. According to a forecast by the International Federation of Robotics (IFR), robots are set to become an integral part of the modern workforce, helping employers overcome the hurdles of specialised skills shortages.

The IFR's predictions are based on a surge in demand for automation, with the global market value of industrial robot installations reaching an all-time high of $16. 7 billion. The automotive industry, warehousing, and manufacturing sectors are among those leading the charge, with industry giants like Amazon at the forefront.

The e-commerce behemoth recently deployed its one millionth robot to a fulfilment centre in Japan, showcasing the potential for robots to augment human capabilities. The statistics are compelling: IFR data reveals that 542,000 robots were installed globally in 2024, more than double the number from a decade ago.

This upward trend is expected to continue, with the total number of industrial robots in operational use worldwide reaching 4,664,000 units in 2024 – a 9% ← →

Robots are set to become a more common fixture in workplaces worldwide as employers seek to close their workforce gaps with advancing technology, ...

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Anker E10 Home Backup System: A Scalable And Reliable Solution For Residential Power Outages

The Anker E10 Home Backup System represents a significant advancement in residential power backup technology, offering a versatile and scalable solution for homeowners seeking to mitigate the impact of power outages. Anker, a well-established player in the portable power station and home battery backup market, has leveraged its expertise to develop a system that seamlessly integrates battery, solar, and generator power to ensure a reliable energy supply.

A single E10 unit is capable of delivering up to 37. 2 kilowatt (kW) of power, making it suitable for powering demanding appliances such as a 5-ton air conditioner. For larger energy requirements, a dual setup of E10 units can provide up to 66kW of power. The system's turbo output feature allows for a 10 kW boost per unit for up to 90 minutes, ensuring that essential appliances and medical devices remain operational during critical periods.

One of the standout features of the E10 system is its scalability. The 6kWh batteries are modular, enabling homeowners to combine multiple units to achieve their desired level of backup power. For instance, three E10 units can be combined to provide up to 90kWh of capacity, which Anker claims can sustain a family for up to 15 days during an extended power outage.

Anker's not a newcomer to the portable power station and home battery backup market. We've tested and recommended a fair number of its power ...

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Unraveling The Complex Structure Of Superionic Water

Featured in ScienceDaily:

In a groundbreaking discovery, researchers have shed new light on the mysterious properties of superionic water, a rare state of water that may hold the key to understanding the magnetic fields of giant planets. When subjected to extreme temperatures and pressures, water transforms into superionic water, characterized by a rigid oxygen framework and freely moving hydrogen ions.

This unusual phase of water exhibits exceptional electrical conductivity, making it a prime candidate for explaining the enigmatic magnetic fields surrounding ice giant planets like Uranus and Neptune. Recent studies have revealed that superionic water's structure is far more complex than previously thought. Instead of forming a single, orderly pattern, the oxygen atoms assemble into a mixed structure comprising face-centered cubic regions and hexagonal close-packed layers. This hybrid and irregular sequence can only be detected using advanced X-ray lasers. To uncover these details, researchers conducted two separate experiments at the Matter in Extreme Conditions (MEC) instrument at LCLS in the US and the HED-HIBEF instrument at European XFEL. These powerful facilities enabled scientists to subject water to pressures exceeding 1. 5 million atmospheres and heat it to several thousand degrees Celsius, capturing snapshots of its atomic structure within trillionths of a second.

The findings align closely with advanced computer simulations, demonstrating that superionic water can adopt multiple structural ← →

When water is exposed to temperatures of several thousand degrees Celsius and pressures reaching millions of atmospheres, it undergoes a dramatic ...

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UK Defence Expert Reveals Decades Of UFO Sightings And Encounters

A former senior official at the UK's Ministry of Defence has come forward with astonishing claims of firsthand experience with unidentified flying objects, sparking renewed debate about the existence of extraterrestrial _. Nick Pope, who led the informal "UFO Desk" at the MoD for three years, has revealed that he worked on some of the most high-profile cases, assessing potential threats to national security and aviation safety.

According to Pope, the number of UFO sightings reported to his team was significantly higher than most people realize, with an average of up to 300 per year, and peaking at 700 or 800. His team's work involved evaluating reports of mysterious shapes, alleged landed "craft," and "flying triangles" witnessed by hundreds of people.

One case that continues to haunt Pope is the infamous Rendlesham Forest incident in 1980, often referred to as Britain's Roswell. Pope's investigation found unusually high levels of radiation at the site, and he confessed that the file on this incident "still keeps me up at night." As the UK prepares for potential future encounters, Pope has offered advice to Prime Minister Keir Starmer on how to handle such situations.

Now, the former top Ministry of Defence (MoD) official has told The Sun what Keir Starmer needs to do to prepare for future alien contact ⁘ as well ...

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Space Forge Achieves Breakthrough In Orbit With First Plasma Production

In a groundbreaking achievement, Space Forge, a pioneering in-orbit manufacturing start-up, has successfully produced its first plasma in orbit aboard the ForgeStar-1 satellite. This remarkable feat marks a significant milestone toward the company's ambitious vision of manufacturing novel semiconductors in space, a development that could revolutionize future electronic technologies.

According to Joshua Western, CEO and co-founder of Space Forge, "Generating plasma on orbit represents a fundamental shift, it proves that the essential environment for advanced crystal growth can be achieved on a dedicated, commercial satellite ⁘ opening the door to a completely new manufacturing frontier." Space, a source for this article, reports that SpaceForge, founded in 2018, plans to utilize a similar furnace on a future satellite to manufacture a batch of novel semiconductors directly in the weightless environment of space.

Notably, such experiments have previously only been conducted aboard the International Space Station. The plasma demonstration confirms that the extreme conditions needed for gas-phase crystal growth ⁘ a core building block of semiconductor production ⁘ can now be created and controlled on an autonomous platform in low Earth orbit.

This achievement establishes ForgeStar-1 as the first free-flying commercial semiconductor manufacturing tool ever operated in space, as reported by Space, a source for this article.

In-orbit manufacturing start-up Space Forge has produced its first plasma in orbit aboard the ForgeStar-1 satellite.

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SpaceX Set To Launch Starlink 6-96 Mission, Expanding Global Internet Satellite Network

As the celestial ballet of launch windows and trajectories unfolds, SpaceX prepares to orchestrate another intricate dance of rocketry and satellite deployment. The private aerospace company is poised to launch its second Space Coast mission of 2026, a Starlink endeavor that promises to further expand the ever-growing network of internet satellites.

Scheduled to take flight on a Falcon 9 rocket, the Starlink 6-96 mission will carry 29 additional satellites into orbit, joining the ranks of their predecessors in providing global connectivity. The launch window, set to open at 1:03 p. m. from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station's Space Launch Complex 40, marks the beginning of a four-hour opportunity for liftoff.

According to phys. org, this mission will be the 29th flight of the first-stage booster, which is slated for a recovery landing downrange on the droneship A Shortfall of Gravitas in the Atlantic. The weather forecast, courtesy of Space Launch Delta 45's weather squadron, indicates a 95% chance of favorable conditions for launch, dropping to 90% if the mission is delayed by a day.

This upcoming launch represents a significant milestone for SpaceX, which dominated the Space Coast's orbital launch landscape in 2025, accounting for all ← →

This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ...

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Astronauts To Make Early Return To Earth From International Space Station

The vast expanse of space, a realm where human existence is but a fragile, flickering flame. And yet, it is in this unforgiving environment that the resilience of the human spirit is tested, as astronauts push the boundaries of endurance and exploration. Recently, a medical concern has necessitated the early return of four astronauts from the International Space Station, a decision that underscores the unpredictable nature of space travel.

The Crew-11 astronauts, comprising commander Zena Cardman and pilot Mike Fincke of NASA, along with mission specialists Kimiya Yui of Japan and Oleg Platonov of Russia, are set to return to Earth on January 15. Their journey will begin a day earlier, as they undock from the ISS and board the SpaceX Dragon Endeavour capsule.

The precise location of their splashdown off the coast of Southern California ___ contingent upon weather conditions, with NASA and SpaceX poised to make a final decision on the landing zone. This development comes as a new commander prepares to take the reins, a transition that will ensure continuity and stability on the ISS. The early return of the Crew-11 astronauts is a testament to NASA's commitment to prioritizing the health and well-being of its crew members.

NASA will return four astronauts to Earth early from the International Space Station due to a medical concern with one of the Crew-11 astronauts.

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SpaceX Launches Twilight Rideshare Mission With Diverse Payload Of 40 Spacecraft

According to NASASpaceFlight.com:

On a winter morning in California, SpaceX launched its Twilight Rideshare Mission from Vandenberg Space Force Base, marking a new chapter in the company's rideshare endeavors. The mission, which took off on Sunday, January 11, at 5:44 AM PST, carried a diverse payload of 40 spacecraft into a dawn / dusk sun-synchronous orbit. This orbit follows the Earth's terminator, the line that separates day and night, and the payloads were deployed within an altitude range of approximately 500 to 600 km above Earth. The mission was a significant milestone for SpaceX, as it was the first of its kind, not part of the Transporter or Bandwagon series.

At the heart of this mission was NASA's Pandora exoplanet characterization mission. The Pandora spacecraft is equipped with a 45 cm diameter telescope, a visible light photometer, and a near-infrared spectrograph. These instruments will enable the spacecraft to observe 20 stars, a mix of sunlike G stars, orange K dwarfs, and red M-class stars, known to host exoplanets.

The Twilight Rideshare Mission was launched on a Falcon 9 rocket, with Booster 1097 conducting a return to launch site maneuver before touching down safely at Landing ← →

Fresh off a record-shattering launch cadence in 2025, SpaceX successfully launched its first rideshare mission of 2026 from Space Launch Complex-4E ...

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Fastest-Spinning Large Asteroid Discovered, Defying Conventional Understanding

Staff inbox at Science News:

In the vast expanse of the southern sky, a newly discovered asteroid has been spotted, defying conventional understanding with its extraordinary rotation period of 112 seconds. This diminutive celestial ---, designated 2025 MN45, has earned the distinction of being the fastest-spinning asteroid wider than 500 meters, leaving scientists in awe.

The revelation was made during a January 7 news conference at a meeting of the American Astronomical Society, where astronomer Sarah Greenstreet proclaimed, "It's unlike anything we've been able to see before." The asteroid's remarkable rotation period is a far cry from the 30 minutes to an hour exhibited by previous record holders.

Greenstreet, affiliated with the University of Washington in Seattle, emphasized that this finding has significant implications for understanding the internal strengths, compositions, and collisional histories of asteroids. The Vera C. Rubin Observatory in Chile, which captured the asteroid's image, is revolutionizing the field with its unprecedented view of the southern sky, imaging the entire region every few nights for 10 years.

According to Greenstreet, the Rubin Observatory's "first look" images, taken over nine nights last spring and released in June, contained approximately 2,100 solar system objects, about 90 percent of which had never been seen before.

PHOENIX — A newly discovered asteroid spins about as fast as a Ferris wheel. With a rotation period of just 112 seconds, it's the new record holder ...

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Recent Scientific Discoveries Shed Light On The Universe And Human Evolution

Author comments from Live Science:

Recent scientific discoveries have significantly advanced our understanding of the universe and human evolution. The verification of a runaway supermassive black hole by the James Webb Space Telescope confirms decades of research and provides insight into galaxy dynamics. This phenomenon, moving at 2. 2 million miles per hour, leaves a trail of stars in its wake, offering a unique opportunity to study galaxy formation.

The discovery of a failed galaxy, Cloud-9, held together by dark matter, further supports long-standing astronomical theories. These findings, along with the unveiling of NASA's SPHEREx all-sky mosaic and the discovery of hot galaxies by Chile's ALMA telescope, demonstrate the vast progress being made in astronomical research.

The Vera C. Rubin Observatory's revelation of an enormous asteroid spinning at a record-breaking speed also contributes to our understanding of the universe. But then, the discovery of 773,000-year-old bones in a Moroccan cave has shifted the potential origins of modern humans from East to West Africa. The fossils, found in Casablanca's Grotte des Hominidés, are believed to come from the last common ancestor of modern humans, Neanderthals, and Denisovans, filling a significant gap in human evolutionary history.

This week's science news was all about discoveries made by the world's best telescopes, as the James Webb Space Telescope verified the existence of ...

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Mapping The Sun's Mysterious Outer Boundary

The sun's outer boundary, a previously enigmatic entity, has been mapped with unprecedented precision, yielding valuable insights into the prediction of solar storms. Heliophysicist Sam Badman describes the Alfvén critical surface, the shifting boundary between the sun and the solar system, as a "corrugated, spiky shape." As solar activity intensifies, this boundary expands and becomes increasingly spiky, according to research published in the Astrophysical Journal Letters. The Alfvén surface serves as an invisible demarcation, marking a point of no return for plasma and particles emanating from the sun, which ultimately form the solar wind.

This boundary roughly delineates the corona, visible during eclipses, from the solar wind. By charting the Alfvén surface, scientists may better forecast the impact of solar activity on satellites, human and animal health, and atmospheric phenomena such as auroras. Previously, estimates of the Alfvén surface's size and shape relied on observations from spacecraft positioned at a distance from the sun comparable to Earth's orbit. However, NASA's Parker Solar Probe has ventured into uncharted territory, crossing the Alfvén surface for the first time in 2021 and subsequently dipping into the corona 15 more times.

That's what scientists have gleaned from the first verified maps of the shifting boundary between the sun and the rest of the solar system.

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Record Number Of UFO Sightings Reported In 2025, Mostly Explained By Natural Phenomena

The German UFO Centre, CENAP, has logged a record number of sightings in 2025, with 1,348 reports from puzzled citizens in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and a few other countries. Director Hansjürgen Köhler attributes the surge in sightings to the public's fascination with the night sky, often misinterpreting celestial bodies and natural phenomena as unidentified flying objects.

According to Köhler, most sightings can be explained by the presence of bright planets like Venus, Jupiter, and the star Sirius, which continue to confuse many sky watchers. Meteors also surprised early risers and casual observers as they burned up with a conspicuous glow. In addition, tech billionaire Elon Musk's Starlink satellite communication systems were reported over 120 times, including by pilots who were surprised during night flights.

CENAP, based in Lützelbach south of Frankfurt, serves as a point of contact for members of the public seeking a scientific explanation for their UFO sightings. Since 2019, reports have risen steadily every year, with 2025 marking a record high. Köhler emphasizes that despite the increasing number of sightings, there have been no credible reports of alien spaceships.

The UFO reporting centre CENAP located in western Germany this year recorded more sightings by puzzled citizens than ever before, its director said ...

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L3Harris Sells Majority Stake In Propulsion And Power Systems To AE Industrial Partners For

In a significant development, L3Harris Technologies has entered into an agreement to divest a majority stake in its Propulsion and Power Systems division to AE Industrial Partners for a substantial sum of $845 million. This strategic move, announced on January 5, 2026, enables L3Harris to realign its portfolio of businesses with the primary concerns of the United States. The transaction, which is expected to close in the second half of 2026, will see AE Industrial acquire a 60% stake in the new space technology business, while L3Harris will retain a 40% ownership stake.

Notably, the RS-25 rocket engine business will be excluded from the sale. The deal encompasses business units across five locations in the US, which have been instrumental in developing upper-stage rocket engines for national security, civil, and commercial missions for over six decades. These units also specialize in in-space propulsion, nuclear power, and avionics assets.

AE Industrial plans to revive the iconic "Rocketdyne" name for the acquired business, paying homage to its rich heritage and innovative contributions to space propulsion technology. According to the company's vision, modern manufacturing disciplines will be applied to the historic RL10 engine, ensuring its design is honored while revolutionizing the production line.

L3Harris Technologies has agreed to sell a majority stake in its Propulsion and Power Systems division to AE Industrial Partners for $845 million.

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NASA's Artemis Missions Threatened By China's Growing Space Tech Influence

NASA's Ambitious Artemis Missions Face a Formidable Foe: China's Growing Influence in Space Technology As NASA propels forward with its Artemis program, a cornerstone of the United States' efforts to reclaim its edge in the increasingly competitive space race, a pressing concern looms large: China's burgeoning capabilities in space technology.

The recent announcement of NASA's 2025 astronaut class, comprising individuals who will train for missions to the Moon and Mars, serves as a testament to America's renewed commitment to space leadership. However, this bold endeavor is not without its challenges. According to USA TODAY, NASA faces a significant threat from China's hacking activities, which have been a persistent concern for the agency.

This vulnerability is particularly alarming given NASA's decision to adopt RISC-V as its "go-to ecosystem" for future space missions, including the planned Mars mission. RISC-V, an open-source instruction set architecture, has gained significant traction in China, with the country investing heavily in its development.

China has filed over 2,500 patents on RISC-V and has partnered with tech giant Nvidia to promote its proliferation. Chinese state agencies and research centers have provided tens of millions of dollars in funding for RISC-V designs, with over $1 billion in total funding allocated for ← →

NASA's  announcement  of its 2025 astronaut class underscores America's renewed commitment to space leadership.

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SpaceX And Blue Origin Set To Compete For New West Coast Launch Site

The California coast is about to become a hotbed of intergalactic competition. The Space Force has set its sights on transforming a desolate stretch of land at Vandenberg Space Force Base, located about 150 miles north of Los Angeles, into a launch site for massive rockets. According to the Austin American-Statesman, officials at the base have solicited proposals from space firms to develop a launch complex for so-called heavy or super-heavy spacecraft. Two of the biggest players in the space industry, Elon Musk's SpaceX and Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin, are expected to throw their hats into the ring.

SpaceX, headquartered in Starbase, and Blue Origin, based in Kent, Washington, are likely to submit bids to develop the site for their respective giant rockets - Starship and New Glenn. This potential West Coast launch site would mark a significant expansion for both companies, which have been vying for dominance in the space industry.

This wouldn't be the first time these two billionaires and their space companies have competed for launch infrastructure. In 2013, Blue Origin protested SpaceX's plans for an exclusive lease for Launch Complex 39A at Kennedy Space Center, Florida.

Elon Musk's SpaceX and Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin may soon be sparring over a stretch of land along the California coast that the Space Force wants to ...

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Astronaut Mike Fincke Poised To Tie Record For Most Spacewalks By A NASA Astronaut

On a morning marked by anticipation, astronaut Mike Fincke was poised to etch his name in the annals of space exploration history. Scheduled for January 8, a historic spacewalk was to take place, one that would see Fincke tie a record for the most extravehicular activities (EVAs) conducted by a NASA astronaut. At 8:00 a. m. EST, Fincke and his counterpart, Zena Cardman, would venture outside the confines of the International Space Station (ISS), embarking on an EVA that would span approximately 6. 5 hours.

For Cardman, this would be her maiden spacewalk, while Fincke was set to undertake his tenth, thereby equating the record held by a select group of five American astronauts: Bob Behnken, Stephen Bowen, Chris Cassidy, Michael Lopez-Alegria, and Peggy Whitson. The record for the most spacewalks, however, belongs to cosmonaut Anatoly Solevyev, who has conducted 16 EVAs. Fincke's forthcoming spacewalk would see him align with an elite group, a testament to his extensive experience in space exploration.

The primary objective of this EVA was to facilitate preparations for the installation of a new International Space Station Roll ← →

Two NASA astronauts will conduct a historic spacewalk on Thursday morning (Jan. 8), and you can watch the action live.

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The Spark That Ignited A Space Revolution

First seen in Forbes:

In the desolate expanse of Los Angeles, a chance encounter would spark a revolution. Elon Musk, a man driven by an unyielding vision, walked into a warehouse, where Thomas Mueller, an engineer at TRW, was bolting an 80-pound engine into a rocket's lower thrust structure. The year was 2002, and Musk had come to sell Mueller and his fellow amateur rocket enthusiasts on his dream of colonizing Mars. Mueller, a man of unassuming demeanor, was taken aback by Musk's fervor. As Musk fired question after question, Mueller hesitantly revealed his experience working on a 650,000-pound engine for TRW. The spark of optimism and naivety that Mueller displayed would prove to be the catalyst for a partnership that would change the face of space exploration.

Fast-forward to the present, and the ripple effects of that encounter are being felt. SpaceX alumni, armed with the knowledge and expertise gained from working alongside Musk, have gone on to found 141 startups worth a staggering $10. 6 billion. These ventures, spanning space tech, AI, energy, mobility, and other verticals, have created over 7,000 new jobs and raised a significant amount of capital in the last ← →

In January 2002, Elon Musk strolled into a warehouse in Los Angeles, where he spotted Thomas Mueller hoisting an 80-pound engine over his shoulder ...

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Asteroid Mining May Be Viable Option For Future Space-Based Industries

Staff inbox at ScienceAlert:

A recent study led by researchers from the Institute of Space Sciences (ICE-CSIC) has shed new light on the feasibility of asteroid mining, a concept that had assembled significant attention in the past but was subsequently put on hold due to technological and infrastructural limitations. The team, led by Dr. Josep M. Trigo-Rodríguez, a theoretical physicist from the Institute of Space Sciences (ICE) and the Catalonian Institute of Space Studies (IEEC) in Barcelona, analyzed samples of C-type (carbon-rich) asteroids, which comprise 75% of known asteroids.

Their findings suggest that these asteroids could be a vital source of raw materials, presenting opportunities for future resource exploitation. Carbonaceous chondrites (C chondrites), a type of asteroid, frequently fall to Earth, but are rarely retrieved for study due to their fragile nature, which often causes them to fragment and be lost.

The majority of retrieved C chondrites have been found in desert regions, including the Sahara and Antarctica. The study's results demonstrate that C-type asteroids could provide a crucial source of resources, supporting the notion of asteroid mining as a viable option for future space-based industries. However, further research is needed to determine the chemical composition of small asteroids and to develop the necessary infrastructure ← →

A few years ago, asteroid mining was all the rage. With the commercial space sector rapidly growing, the dream of commercializing space seemed ...

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Astronomers Stumble Upon Enormous Dark Matter Cloud, Dubbed Cloud-9

Information column from Popular Science:

In the vast expanse of the cosmos, a team of international astronomers, harnessing the unparalleled capabilities of the Hubble Space Telescope, has stumbled upon a phenomenon that has left the scientific community abuzz. A recent study, published in The Astrophysical Journal Letters, has unveiled the discovery of a novel class of celestial entity, christened Cloud-9, a Reionization-Limited H I Cloud, or RELHIC. This gargantuan, starless region, situated approximately 2,000 light-years from Earth, has been found to be teeming with the universe's most elusive substance: dark matter.

Cloud-9, a compact and symmetrical entity, defies the conventional characteristics of hydrogen clouds that neighbor the Milky Way galaxy. Initial calculations suggest that the pressure of Cloud-9's gas is in equilibrium with the dark matter cloud's gravity, implying a preponderance of the latter. Astronomers estimate that this enigmatic region harbors around 5 billion solar masses of dark matter.

Alejandro Benitez-Llambay, a program lead investigator and astronomer at Italy's Milano-Bicocca University, describes Cloud-9 as a "tale of a failed galaxy," adding that "in science, we usually learn more from the failures than from the successes.

An international team of astronomers has discovered a new class of cosmic entity while harnessing the Hubble Space Telescope .

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Google DeepMind And Boston Dynamics Unleash New Generation Of Humanoid Robots

In the scorching deserts of innovation, a revolution is unfolding, one that promises to redefine the boundaries of human ingenuity and machine capability. Google DeepMind, the vanguard of artificial intelligence, has joined forces with Boston Dynamics, the pioneers of advanced robotics, to breathe ___ into a new generation of humanoid robots.

The collaboration, unveiled at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, heralds a future where machines can navigate, manipulate, and adapt with unprecedented precision. At the heart of this technological marriage is Google's Gemini Robotics model, a cutting-edge AI system that will be deployed on Boston Dynamics' fleet of robots, including the humanoid Atlas and the robot dog Spot. The first testbed for this innovation will be the auto factories of Hyundai, Boston Dynamics' parent company, where Gemini-powered Atlas robots will be put through their paces in the coming months.

For years, Boston Dynamics has been at the forefront of robotics, pushing the limits of what machines can do. From the development of humanoids that can dance and perform acrobatics to four-legged systems that can traverse treacherous terrain, the company has consistently raised the bar. However, despite these advances, its robots have lacked the intelligence needed to truly interact with their environment, make ← →

Google DeepMind is teaming up with Boston Dynamics to give its humanoid robots the intelligence required to navigate unfamiliar environments and ...

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NASA's Goddard Space And Flight Center Research Library Faces Closure

The impending closure of the research library at NASA's Goddard Space and Flight Center has sparked a mixture of dismay and understanding. As the nation's premier spaceflight complex, Goddard is home to a vast array of scientists, engineers, and technologists dedicated to exploring the vast expanse of space and the intricacies of our universe.

According to Jacob Richmond, a NASA spokesman, the library's holdings will be reviewed over the next 60 days, with some materials slated for storage in a government warehouse, while the remainder will be discarded. This process, Mr. Richmond explained, is a standard procedure employed by federal agencies to ensure the proper disposal of federally owned property.

The library, a treasure trove of knowledge and resources, has long been a vital component of Goddard's operations. Its closure will undoubtedly be felt by the scientists and researchers who have relied on its vast collections to inform their work. As reported by the New York Times, the library's demise is a consequence of a broader effort to reassess and reallocate resources within the agency (source: www. nytimes. com / 2025 / 12 / 31 / climate / nasa-goddard-library-closing. html).

Jacob Richmond, a NASA spokesman, said the agency would review the library holdings over the next 60 days and some material would be stored in a ...

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SpaceX Launches Italian Earth-Observing Satellite On 2026's First Mission

In a spectacular display of technological prowess, SpaceX successfully launched an Italian Earth-observing satellite into orbit on the first mission of 2026. The Falcon 9 rocket, carrying the COSMO-SkyMed Second Generation satellite, lifted off from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California at 9:09 p. m. EST on January 2. The rocket's first stage executed a flawless landing back at Vandenberg approximately 8. 5 minutes after liftoff, marking its 21st flight.

The second stage then deployed the payload into low Earth orbit about 4. 5 minutes later. Developed for the Italian Space Agency and the Italian Ministry of Defence, the COSMO-SkyMed Second Generation satellite is equipped with synthetic aperture radar. This advanced technology enables the spacecraft to gather data around the clock, regardless of weather conditions, from an altitude of 385 miles.

The satellite is part of a small network designed to monitor Earth for emergency prevention, strategy, scientific, and commercial purposes. Its capabilities include risk management, cartography, forest and environment protection, natural resources exploration, land management, defense and security, maritime surveillance, and food and agriculture management.

A Falcon 9 rocket lifted off from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California tonight at 9:09 p.m. EST (6:09 p.m.

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2026 Stargazing Begins With A Bang: Asteroid, Supermoon

Information column from Popular Science:

As 2026 dawns, the stargazing calendar is set to unfold with a fascinating array of celestial events. The month of January promises to be a treat for astronomers, with a trifecta of spectacular sights: a supermoon, an asteroid, and a planetary alignment. The first opportunity for stargazers is to catch a glimpse of Asteroid 40 Harmonia, a massive space rock situated in the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter. Measuring nearly 70 miles in diameter, Harmonia ranks among the largest asteroids ever observed, placing it in the top 1 percent of its kind.

On the evening of January 2, the asteroid will reach full opposition to the sun, making it an ideal time for viewing with a decent telescope. Observers are advised to look for Harmonia at its peak elevation above the southern horizon, just before midnight. The following day, January 3, marks the arrival of the Wolf Moon, a supermoon that will be the fourth consecutive one.

According to the Farmer's Almanac, the moon will reach full illumination at 5:03 a. m. EST. As a supermoon, it will be fully illuminated by the sun, providing a stunning sight.

The stargazing calendar for 2026 gets off to a bit of a contrary start. January is all about opposition, which is the astronomical term for a ...

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The New Frontiers Of Space Exploration

Information column from Forbes:

As 2026 dawns, the cosmos seems to be shrinking, with space endeavors increasingly permeating everyday discourse. The regularity of reusable rocket launches, once deemed implausible, has become a norm. Low Earth orbit satellite constellations have reached full operational capacity, while direct-to-device connectivity has begun to trickle into consumer use.

The once-exclusive realm of human spaceflight, now supports commercially funded crews flying alongside traditional government programs. The public sector, too, is exhibiting growing ambition, with proposals for large space-based architectures spanning communications, science, and national security. The question on everyone's mind is not whether space activity is accelerating, but where the next wave of breakthroughs is taking shape.

Which areas of research and experimentation are laying the groundwork for future advances? A closer examination of public information-seeking behavior reveals a telling pattern. When a space topic gains traction, people seek out more context, often through platforms like Wikipedia. This imperfect metric offers a useful signal of which space developments resonate with a wider audience.

SpaceX, a flagship player in the space industry, provides a useful starting point for analysis. A review of its flagship programs - Starship, Starlink, Falcon 9, and Dragon - reveals that the single largest spike in public engagement over the past ← →

As 2026 gets underway, space feels unusually present in everyday conversation. Reusable rockets are launching with a regularity that would have ...

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Humanoid Robots Take Their First Steps, And Sometimes Falls

As published in Popular Science:

In 2025, the quest for humanoid robots reached a milestone, albeit an unsteady one. Tech companies have invested heavily in bringing these general-purpose robots to ---, but the outcome has been a mix of staged performances, underwhelming demos, and a considerable number of falls. The year may be remembered as the moment humanoid robots attempted to learn how to crawl, but instead, they took a tumble.

Videos of early robots being subjected to various forms of torment have long been a source of amusement online. However, the newer, shinier models are now making their way out of labs and into the real world, surrounded by actual people. The resulting accidents are captivating for a public that is both skeptical of and somewhat terrified by the future these robots seem to foretell.

Engineers, however, remain optimistic, viewing these incidents as an essential part of collecting valuable, real-world data. A recent example of this phenomenon occurred in November, when a humanoid robot from the Russian tech firm AIDOL made its debut on a runway stage in Moscow. The robot, also called AIDOL, staggered across the stage, its face contorting in distress as it became clear that something was amiss.

Tech companies are collectively spending billions to turn the age old sci-fi trope of humanoid , general-purpose robots into reality.

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