Rocket Lab protests NASA’s decision to award Blue Origin $700 million Mars orbiter contract

Rocket Lab has filed a protest against NASA’s decision to award Blue Origin a $700 million Mars orbiter contract, saying it’s inconsistent with the eligibility rules laid out by Congress.

Rocket Lab launches mystery satellite to orbit for secret customer (photo)

Rocket Lab launched an Earth-observation satellite to orbit for a confidential customer on Thursday night (Sept. 10), without providing a livestream or many details about the mission.

On this day in space! Sept. 11, 1985: The International Cometary Explorer makes 1st comet flyby in history for NASA and Europe
On this day in space! Sept. 11, 1985: The International Cometary Explorer makes 1st comet flyby in history for NASA and Europe

On Sept. 11, 1985, the International Cometary Explorer, or “ICE,” became the first spacecraft to fly by a comet. Here’s why it mattered.

2 private spacecraft zoom within 650 feet of each other to showcase ‘advanced capabilities’ in orbit (photos)
2 private spacecraft zoom within 650 feet of each other to showcase ‘advanced capabilities’ in orbit (photos)

Two spacecraft operated by the company Impulse Space pulled off an impressive orbital feat recently, coming within less than 650 feet of each other.

25 years ago, a NASA astronaut witnessed the tragic 9/11 attacks from space. Here’s what he saw.
25 years ago, a NASA astronaut witnessed the tragic 9/11 attacks from space. Here’s what he saw.

NASA astronaut Frank Culbertson saw the immediate aftermath of the 9/11 attacks from the International Space Station in 2001. His view and his reaction were captured on video.

On this day in space! Sept. 10, 2011: NASA launches GRAIL probes to the moon to map lumpy lunar gravity
On this day in space! Sept. 10, 2011: NASA launches GRAIL probes to the moon to map lumpy lunar gravity

On Sept. 10, 2011, NASA’s GRAIL spacecraft launched on a mission to the moon! Here’s why the moon gravity mapping mission mattered.

LINK spacecraft gets close to NASA’s Swift Observatory, but not close enough to save it

Operations aboard the Katalyst Space LINK satellite continue, despite the spacecraft’s inability to complete its mission of boosting the orbit of NASA’s Swift Observatory.

What comes after the moon? Artemis II commander and pilot shift to ’emeritus’ status at NASA
What comes after the moon? Artemis II commander and pilot shift to ’emeritus’ status at NASA

Artemis II astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover and Jeremy Hansen are planning new journeys after their April 2026 moon mission.

SpaceX launches classified mission for the US Space Force from California (video)
SpaceX launches classified mission for the US Space Force from California (video)

SpaceX launched the secret USSF-153 mission for the U.S. Space Force today (Sept. 10) from California’s central coast.

International Space Station astronaut gives out of this world tribute to honor Star Trek’s 60th anniversary
International Space Station astronaut gives out of this world tribute to honor Star Trek’s 60th anniversary

European Space Agency astronaut Sophie Adenot paid tribute to Star Trek’s real-world contributions to science and exploration by wearing Captain Pike’s Starfleet badge aboard the International Space Station on the show’s 60th anniversary.