NASA closes the book on epic OSIRIS-REx asteroid-sampling mission: ‘I am immensely proud of what we did’
NASA closes the book on epic OSIRIS-REx asteroid-sampling mission: ‘I am immensely proud of what we did’

NASA’s OSIRIS-REx asteroid-sampling mission formally ended on Sept. 30, 2026, though scientists will continue to study the pieces of space rock it returned for decades.

Elephant Island is an icy sight from orbit | Space photo of the day for Oct. 19, 2026
Elephant Island is an icy sight from orbit | Space photo of the day for Oct. 19, 2026

The European Space Agency’s Copernicus Sentinel-3 satellite mission captured a close-up of West Antarctica from its perch high above Earth.

Did a giant object collide with Earth to form the moon?
Did a giant object collide with Earth to form the moon?

Known as the giant-impact hypothesis, this proposed event involves a collision between Earth and a hypothetical Mars-sized protoplanet astronomers call Theia.

Watch Japan launch a bold sample-return mission to Mars moon Phobos today
Watch Japan launch a bold sample-return mission to Mars moon Phobos today

Japan will launch its audacious MMX sample-return mission to Mars today (Oct. 19), and you can watch the historic action live.

It’s time to reassess the size of our solar system, scientists say
It’s time to reassess the size of our solar system, scientists say

Two leading space scientists say there is a need to redefine the edge of the solar system based on the Milky Way’s gravity, including its dark matter.

NASA’s SkyFall helicopters will ‘show us parts of Mars we’ve never seen before’, scientists say
NASA’s SkyFall helicopters will ‘show us parts of Mars we’ve never seen before’, scientists say

“Just like here on Earth, Mars helicopters can cover distance quickly and can go places that might be impossible to reach by ground.”

Earth’s poles shifted surprisingly fast during the age of dinosaurs, ancient sea levels reveal

The location of Earth’s geographic poles has changed several times over the past 320 million years in a process known as true polar wander.

The moon could turn astronauts into ‘walking, high voltage capacitors’ that accidentally zap spacecraft

NASA is asking for ideas to stop static electricity from zapping astronauts or critical hardware during moon missions.

Namibian salt flats look like an alien planet | Space photo of the day for Oct. 12, 2026
Namibian salt flats look like an alien planet | Space photo of the day for Oct. 12, 2026

The Etosha Pan in northern Namibia, the largest salt flat in the country, looks otherworldly in this satellite photo.