What to know about the annual World Economic Forum meeting in DavosDAVOS, Switzerland (AP) — Nearly 3,000 high-level participants from business, government and beyond plus untold numbers of activists, journalists and outside observers are converging in the Swiss town ...
Computer models let scientists peer into the mystery beneath Jupiter's cloudsChicago IL (SPX) Jan 19, 2026 Spectacular clouds swirl across the surface of Jupiter. These clouds contain water, just like Earth's, but are much denser on the gas giant--so thick that no spacecraft has been able to measure exactly what lies beneath. But a new study led by University of Chicago and Jet Propulsion Lab scientists has given us a deeper look at the planet by creating the most complete model to date of Jupi
Keck backed team advances first graviton detector conceptLos Angeles CA (SPX) Jan 19, 2026 Modern physics faces a deep inconsistency between quantum theory, which explains nature using discrete particles and interactions, and general relativity, which describes gravity as a smooth curvature of space and time. For gravity to fit into a unified quantum framework, it must be mediated by particles called gravitons, but detecting even a single graviton was long considered fundamentally imp
China lofts AlSat 3A imaging craft for AlgeriaTokyo, Japan (SPX) Jan 19, 2026 China has launched a Long March 2C rocket carrying a remote sensing satellite for Algeria, extending long running space cooperation between the two countries. The two stage launcher lifted off at 12:01 pm local time from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in the Inner Mongolia autonomous region and placed the AlSat 3A spacecraft into its planned orbit. Project contractor China Great
Revolutionising astronaut fitness for deep space missionsAs we prepare for missions beyond Earth orbit, one crucial challenge remains: keeping astronauts healthy in microgravity. Without daily exercise, their muscles, bones and cardiovascular systems weaken, which could impact mission success and astronaut safety, especially in destinations such as the Moon or Mars, where crew will have to operate autonomously immediately after landing.
Spire adds hyperspectral sounder and Myriota payloads on SpaceX Twilight launchLos Angeles CA (SPX) Jan 13, 2026 Spire Global Inc has successfully launched nine satellites on SpaceXs Twilight mission from Vandenberg Space Force Base, further expanding its space based sensing and Internet of Things service portfolio. The mission carried Spires Hyperspectral Microwave Sounder, or HyMS, a compact satellite based demonstrator designed to advance global weather forecasting from orbit. HyMS is engineered t
NASA reports record heat but omits reference to climate changeWashington, United States (AFP) Jan 14, 2026 Don't say the c-word. Global temperatures soared in 2025, but a NASA statement published Wednesday alongside its latest benchmark annual report makes no reference to climate change, in line with President Donald Trump's push to deny the reality of planetary heating as a result of human activities. That marks a sharp break from last year's communications, issued under the administration o
JWST red dots reveal rapidly growing early black holesBerlin, Germany (SPX) Jan 15, 2026 Since the James Webb Space Telescope began science operations in December 2021 some 1.5 million kilometres from Earth, astronomers have been puzzled by compact, intensely red sources scattered through its deep images of the early universe. These so called little red dots appear when the universe is only several hundred million years old, then seem to vanish about a billion years later, prompting
JAXA taps ispace for lunar debris mitigation and disposal studyTokyo, Japan (SPX) Jan 15, 2026 ispace inc has been selected by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency to conduct an analysis on how to limit harmful space debris in lunar orbit and manage spacecraft end of life on the Moon as activity around the lunar environment increases. The contracted study is titled "Analysis for Space Debris Mitigation in Lunar Orbit and Disposal Management on the Lunar Surface" and reflects growing con
NASA pessimistic about odds of recovering MAVENNASA says it is “very unlikely” the agency will be able to recover a Mars spacecraft that has been out of contact for more than a month. The post NASA pessimistic about odds of recovering MAVEN appeared first on SpaceNews.
Space operations will become more dynamic this yearFrom civil science and exploration missions to national security, there are many space activities to look forward to in 2026. There will be at least three missions heading to the moon, Vast’s Haven-1 is scheduled to launch as the first prospective commercial low Earth orbit (LEO) destination. But perhaps more importantly, there will be a […] The post Space operations will become more dynamic this year appeared first on SpaceNews.
How IVRT Testing Ensures Consistent Product QualityLos Angeles CA (SPX) Jan 13, 2026 Stringent quality control is essential in the pharmaceutical industry, as both cosmetics and pharmaceutical products must maintain a high standard of quality. Any deviation from these standards poses a significant threat to their market survival. Customers believe that every product will work with every use. In vitro release testing (IVRT) is a crucial process that enables manufacturers to meet
Firefly prepares Alpha Block II upgrade for Flight 8Los Angeles CA (SPX) Jan 14, 2026 Firefly Aerospace has announced a Block II configuration upgrade for its Alpha small launch vehicle, with qualification testing for the new second stage hardware now underway at the companys Rocket Ranch test facility in Briggs, Texas. The Block II program is intended to boost reliability, streamline manufacturing, and improve launch operations to better support commercial, civil, and national s
Aerospacelab expands Pulsar navigation constellation work with new Xona satellite orderBerlin, Germany (SPX) Jan 14, 2026 Aerospacelab, a satellite manufacturing and design company, has been selected by Xona Space Systems to produce eight additional satellites for Pulsar, a low Earth orbit navigation constellation designed to deliver high performance positioning, navigation and timing services. The new order is intended to bridge early commercial demand, with launches scheduled to begin in late 2026 as Xona develop
Europe approves EPS Sterna polar microsatellite networkBerlin, Germany (SPX) Jan 12, 2026 The EUMETSAT Council has formally endorsed the EUMETSAT Polar System Sterna (EPS Sterna), clearing the way for a new constellation of polar orbiting microsatellites that will deliver frequent microwave measurements of atmospheric temperature, humidity and cloud properties. The decision confirms EPS Sterna as a mandatory programme for EUMETSAT and authorises full scale activities targeting the la
Indian rocket hits snag during launchNew Delhi (AFP) Jan 12, 2026 An Indian rocket hit a snag during its launch Monday, forcing a deviation in flight path as it carried an Earth observation satellite and commercial payloads, the country's space agency said. The PSLV-C62, a four-stage launch vehicle, "encountered an anomaly" towards the end of the third stage, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) posted on X, without saying exactly what went wrong.
Quantum camera startup plans satellite and telescope constellationsLos Angeles CA (SPX) Jan 14, 2026 Diffraqtion, a space startup spun out of MIT and the University of Maryland, has closed a pre-seed funding round to advance satellite constellations and telescope systems powered by a novel quantum camera. The round is led by QDNL Participations, with participation from milemark+ capital, Aether VC, ADIN, Offline Ventures, and a non-dilutive DARPA SBIR Direct-to-Phase 2 contract that supports sp
NASA’s Pandora Small Satellite LaunchedIn this photo from early January 2026, teams prepare to encapsulate NASA’s Pandora small satellite, NASA-sponsored Star-Planet Activity Research CubeSat (SPARCS), and the Black Hole Coded Aperture Telescope (BlackCAT) CubeSat, inside a SpaceX Falcon 9 payload fairing. A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket carrying NASA’s Pandora small satellite lifted off at 5:44 a.m. PST Sunday, Jan. […]
ESA and ClearSpace announce PRELUDE in-orbit servicing and debris removal missionMILAN — The European Space Agency and Luxembourg’s ClearSpace announced Jan. 12 a new collaboration on an in-orbit servicing and active debris removal mission called PRELUDE, one that will involve two small spacecraft designed to test close-proximity operations and could eventually enable satellite life extension, repair and removal in orbit. Officials are targeting a 2027 […] The post ESA and ClearSpace announce PRELUDE in-orbit servicing and debris removal mission appeared first on SpaceNews.
There’s no end in sight for a space ‘nuclear renaissance’A widespread demand for nuclear power has led some to call this period a “nuclear renaissance,” one that will continue to build momentum in 2026. This growing need is being driven by two primary use cases: small modular nuclear reactors for cloud infrastructure and terrestrial data center needs, and nuclear electric reactors for lunar surface […] The post There’s no end in sight for a space ‘nuclear renaissance’ appeared first on SpaceNews.




















