Sections Local news About Axios Sign up Science - Space Space The big picture Billionaires are the new face of the final frontier Richard Branson, Jeff Bezos and their ilk are changing the rhetoric around space and the public's relationship to it. Jul 13, 2021 - Science NASA chief touts new Earth-observing satellites for climate "I became more of an environmentalist when I went into space," NASA's Bill Nelson said. May 25, 2021 - Energy & Environment Major satellite program launches to hunt for methane, carbon "super-emitters" The new consortium represents a potential leap forward in the effort to hold polluters accountable. Apr 15, 2021 - Energy & Environment The rise of military space powers Nations around the world are shoring up their military capabilities in space. Dec 1, 2020 - Science How NASA and the Space Force might fare under Biden NASA might get to stay the course, but would have to compete with other spending priorities. Oct 27, 2020 - Science The next environmental crisis could be in space Space junk could threaten humanity's future in the stars. Oct 20, 2020 - Science All Space stories Jacob Knutson 23 hours ago - Science NASA delays spacewalk on ISS after debris threat NASA astronaut Stephen K. Robinson anchored to the International Space Station's robotic arm during a spacewalk in August 2005. NASA delayed a spacewalk set for Tuesday to replace a faulty communications antenna on the International Space Station after the agency received a "debris notification" for the station. Why it matters: NASA did not disclose the origin of the debris, but the delay comes roughly two weeks after Russia intercepted a defunct satellite with a missile as part of a test that generated thousands of pieces of debris and forced the seven astronauts and cosmonauts aboard the ISS to take shelter. Go deeper (1 min. read)Arrow Miriam Kramer, author of Space Updated Nov 24, 2021 - Science NASA probe launches on mission to redirect an asteroid Photo: NASA A NASA spacecraft called DART has launched on a journey to change the orbit of an asteroid in deep space. Why it matters: The mission is designed to test technology that could one day be used to change the course of a dangerous asteroid if one is ever found on a collision course with Earth. Go deeper (1 min. read)Arrow Miriam Kramer, author of Space Nov 23, 2021 - Science Last blasts of a dying star The white dwarf KPD 0005+5106 seen in X-ray. Photo: NASA/CXC/ASIAA/Y.-H. Chu, et al. A white dwarf star 1,300 light-years from Earth is blasting out radiation and ripping apart a companion in its orbit. Why it matters: One day, scientists think the Sun will burn through its fuel and become a dense white dwarf. By learning more about this star, astronomers might be able to get a better sense of the future of our solar system. Go deeper (1 min. read)Arrow Miriam Kramer, author of Space Nov 23, 2021 - Science How space sticks in the minds of amateur astronauts Illustration: Megan Robinson/Axios Coming back to Earth from orbit has been marked by a loss of anonymity, packed days and little time for reflection for the all-civilian Inspiration4 crew. Why it matters: The astronauts' celebrity status is a sign amateur spacefaring hasn't arrived. The public still reveres those who take on the risks and rewards of space travel. Go deeper (2 min. read)Arrow Jacob Knutson Nov 23, 2021 - Science Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin to send Michael Strahan to space “Good Morning America” co-host Michael Strahan at the 90th Academy Awards in March 2018. Photo: Valerie Macon/AFP via Getty Images Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin announced Tuesday it will send former NFL player and “Good Morning America” co-host Michael Strahan to space along with another honorary guest and four paying customers during an upcoming flight. Why it matters: The mission, set for Dec. 9, will add the list of celebrities Blue Origin has flown into suborbital space in high-profile launches, coming just weeks after the company carried actor William Shatner and three other astronauts during its second human mission. Go deeper (1 min. read)Arrow Miriam Kramer, author of Space Nov 23, 2021 - Science NASA's 911 for asteroids Illustration: Trent Joaquin/Axios SpaceX is set to launch a NASA spacecraft on a mission to learn how to change the course of an asteroid in deep space. Why it matters: The mission — called the Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART) — will test the technology needed to redirect a dangerous asteroid if one is ever found on course with Earth. Go deeper (1 min. read)Arrow Dan Primack, author of Pro Rata Nov 19, 2021 - Science Sierra Space raises $1.4 billion at $4.5 billion valuation Illustration: Aïda Amer/Axios Sierra Space, a Louisville, Colo.-based commercial space transportation and infrastructure company, raised $1.4 billion in Series A funding at a $4.5 billion valuation. Why it matters: This is one of the largest VC raises ever for an aerospace company, and moves Sierra Space closer toward its ultimate goal of building a private space station in orbit. In the meantime, it's also working on low-orbit spaceplanes that can deliver cargo and, eventually, crew. Go deeper (<1 min. read)Arrow Miriam Kramer, author of Space Nov 18, 2021 - Science A new kind of propulsion could aid in space exploration A view of the flight model of the thruster. Photo: ThrustMe A new kind of fuel for small satellites was successfully tested in space for the first time. Why it matters: Iodine electric propulsion could enable new ways for tiny satellites to explore the solar system and allow spacecraft to avoid collisions in orbit, according to ThrustMe, the company behind the technology. Go deeper (1 min. read)Arrow Miriam Kramer, author of Space Nov 16, 2021 - Science A little space rock with strange origins The Moon seen from the International Space Station. Photo: NASA A relatively small piece of rock that sticks close to Earth in its orbit around the Sun may actually be a broken-off hunk of the Moon, according to a new study. Why it matters: Learning more about the possible origins of mysterious objects even in nearby space can help researchers piece together the evolution of our solar system from its earliest days to now. Go deeper (1 min. read)Arrow Miriam Kramer, Jacob Knutson Nov 16, 2021 - Science Russian anti-satellite test reveals dangers of space junk Illustration: Sarah Grillo/Axios A Russian anti-satellite weapon test this week demonstrated just how extreme the space junk threat is in orbit today. Why it matters: As space gets more crowded, events like a missile destroying a satellite, an explosion of a defunct spacecraft or a satellite-to-satellite attack could create debris that disrupts communications and endangers people in space. Go deeper (2 min. read)Arrow More Space stories Axios gets you smarter, faster with news & information that matters. Copyright Axios Media, 2021 About About Axios Advertise with us Careers Events Axios on HBO Axios HQ Privacy and terms Online tracking choices Contact us Subscribe Axios newsletters Axios app Axios podcasts Courses Earn Axios rewards