Latest Space launches News

The far side of the moon once had erupting volcanoes too

Nov. 15, 2024 05:06 AM EST

NEW YORK (AP) — Volcanoes were erupting on the mysterious far side of the moon billions of years ago just like on the side that we can see, new research confirms. Researchers analyzed lunar soil brought back by China's Chang'e-6, the first spacecraft to return with a haul of rocks...

Monkeys that escaped a lab are a species used for human research since the 1800s

Nov. 08, 2024 22:04 PM EST

The 43 rhesus macaque monkeys that escaped a South Carolina medical lab this week are among the most studied animals on the planet. And for more than a century, they have held a mirror to humanity, revealing our strengths and weaknesses through their own clever behaviors, organ systems and genetic...

Russian rocket launches Iranian satellites into orbit as Moscow and Tehran expand ties

Nov. 05, 2024 02:23 AM EST

MOSCOW (AP) — A Russian rocket on Tuesday blasted off successfully to carry a pair of Iranian satellites into orbit, a launch that reflected growing cooperation between Moscow and Tehran. The Soyuz rocket lifted off as scheduled from Vostochny launchpad in far eastern Russia and...

Japan successfully launches a defense satellite carried by a new flagship H3 rocket

Nov. 04, 2024 08:38 AM EST

TOKYO (AP) — Japan launched a defense satellite Monday aimed at speedier military operations and communication on a new flagship H3 rocket and successfully placed it into orbit, as the country seeks to build up its military capability amid growing tension in the region. The East...

China's new crew has arrived at space station in sign of growing influence in space field

Oct. 30, 2024 01:30 AM EDT

JIUQUAN, China (AP) — A Chinese space ship carrying a three-person crew docked with its orbiting space station Tuesday as the country seeks to expand its exploration of outer space in competition with the United States, even as it looks for cooperation from other nations. The team...

Satellite photos show Israeli strike likely hit important Iran Revolutionary Guard missile base

Oct. 29, 2024 23:07 PM EDT

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Israel’s attack on Iran likely damaged a base run by the paramilitary Revolutionary Guard that builds ballistic missiles and launches rockets as part of its own space program, satellite images analyzed by The Associated Press on Tuesday showed. ...

China launches a new crew to its orbiting space station as it seeks a major role in space exploration

Oct. 29, 2024 17:01 PM EDT
JIUQUAN, China (AP) — China launches a new crew to its orbiting space station as it seeks a major role in space exploration.

China says it's ready to launch the next crew to its orbiting space station early Wednesday

Oct. 29, 2024 02:45 AM EDT

JIUQUAN, China (AP) — China said all systems are ready to launch the next crew to its orbiting space station early Wednesday, the latest mission to make the country a major space power. The two men and one woman will replace the astronauts who've lived on the Tiangong space station...

AP Week in Pictures: Global

Oct. 18, 2024 01:19 AM EDT

Oct. 11-17, 2024 Effigies of the mythical demon king Ravana went up in flames to mark the end of Dussehra festivities in India, SpaceX’s mega rocket booster returned to the launch pad where it was captured during a test flight in Texas and victims of a tanker explosion received...

NASA spacecraft rockets toward Jupiter's moon Europa in search of the right conditions for life

Oct. 14, 2024 18:03 PM EDT

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) — A NASA spacecraft rocketed away Monday on a quest to explore Jupiter’s tantalizing moon Europa and reveal whether its vast hidden ocean might hold the keys to life. It will take Europa Clipper 5 1/2 years to reach Jupiter, where it will slip into orbit...