Latest Space exploration News

3 astronauts return to Earth after 6-month stay on China's space station

Oct. 30, 2023 23:56 PM EDT

TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) — Three Chinese astronauts returned to Earth on Tuesday morning after six months aboard China’s orbiting space station. Jing Haipeng, Zhu Yangzhu and Gui Haichao emerged in good health from the return capsule near the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center on the...

China sends its youngest-ever crew to space as it seeks to put astronauts on moon before 2030

Oct. 26, 2023 00:51 AM EDT

JIUQUAN SATELLITE LAUNCH CENTER, China (AP) — China launched its youngest-ever crew for its orbiting space station on Thursday as it seeks to put astronauts on the moon before 2030. The Shenzhou 17 spacecraft lifted off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center on the edge of the...

China announces plan for a new space telescope as it readies to launch its next space station crew

Oct. 25, 2023 05:40 AM EDT

TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) — China announced plans on Wednesday to send a new telescope to probe deep into the universe as it prepared to launch the country’s next, three-member crew for its orbiting space station. The telescope, dubbed Xuntian, will be installed by China's Tiangong...

NASA sends spacecraft on a six-year journey to explore a rare asteroid made of metal

Oct. 13, 2023 10:28 AM EDT
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) — NASA sends spacecraft on a six-year journey to explore a rare asteroid made of metal.

Russia reports coolant leak in backup line at space station and says crew not in danger

Oct. 09, 2023 21:49 PM EDT

MOSCOW (AP) — Coolant leaked from a backup line at the International Space Station, Russian officials said Monday, adding that there was no risk to the crew or the outpost. Russian space agency Roscosmos said that coolant leaked from an external backup radiator for Russia's new...

Three astronauts return to Earth after a year in space. NASA's Frank Rubio sets US space record

Sep. 27, 2023 12:45 PM EDT

A NASA astronaut and two Russian cosmonauts returned to Earth on Wednesday after being stuck in space for just over a year. American Frank Rubio set a record for the longest U.S. spaceflight — a result of the extended stay. The trio landed in a remote area of Kazakhstan, descending...

One American, two Russians ride Russian capsule to the International Space Station

Sep. 15, 2023 15:21 PM EDT

MOSCOW (AP) — One American and two Russians made a quick trip Friday to the International Space aboard a Russian capsule. NASA astronaut Loral O’Hara and Roscosmos cosmonauts Oleg Kononenko and Nikolai Chub blasted off from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan and docked at the...

One American, two Russians blast off in Russian spacecraft from Kazakhstan heading to the International Space Station

Sep. 15, 2023 11:58 AM EDT
MOSCOW (AP) — One American, two Russians blast off in Russian spacecraft from Kazakhstan heading to the International Space Station.

Movie Review: 'A Million Miles Away' charms and inspires with the tale of an unlikely astronaut

Sep. 13, 2023 15:39 PM EDT

If ever there was an inspirational story about reaching for the stars, it's “A Million Miles Away,” the real-life journey of a how a boy who grew up as a migrant farmworker became a NASA astronaut. It starts in the corn fields of Michoacan, Mexico, as José Hernández looks up...

NASA astronaut Frank Rubio breaks US record for longest spaceflight

Sep. 12, 2023 11:07 AM EDT

NASA astronaut Frank Rubio now holds the record for the longest U.S. spaceflight. Rubio surpassed the U.S. space endurance record of 355 days on Monday at the International Space Station. He arrived at the outpost last September with two Russians for a routine six months. But their...