Astronomy news

• NASA funds spherical 'Aerobots' that could explore the caves of Saturn's moon Titan

  16-08-2026 17:00 via space.com
  
  Spherical "Aerobots" may one day swarm the caves of Titan — a moon of Saturn that NASA says is one of the most Earthlike in our solar system.Titan is covered in rivers, lakes and seas of hydrocarbons, like methane and ethane, as well as a strange "karst" terrain including underground sinkholes and caves. No rover could easily traverse this surface, but flying vehicles may have more success.So a new grant, under the early-stage NASA Innovative Advanced Concepts (NIAC) program, aims to creat
  
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• Artemis II pilot thanks NASA for letting him fly Orion by hand: 'I'm still blown away by that trust'

  16-08-2026 15:00 via space.com
  
  MORRISON, Colorado - The Artemis II crew that circuited the moon earlier this year came full circle, dropping by a distinctive spot on Earth that's visually reminiscent of both the moon and Mars.On Aug. 3, the vast and stunning Red Rocks Amphitheatre served as both an inoculation of near-term nostalgia and heart-felt congratulations to the crew for the impressive journey of Artemis II. The 10-day mission began on April 1 of this year, flew around the moon and back, and splashed down in the Pacif
  
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• 'This goes beyond showcasing technological soft power': China's new moon map signals bold space ambitions (video)

  16-08-2026 12:00 via space.com
  
  Chinese researchers have presented a new map of the moon, updating a previous edition based on new scientific findings and recalibrating the moon's ancient geologic eras.The comprehensive map of the moon, with a scale of 1:5 million, was unveiled by the Institute of Geology, Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences (IGCAGS) on Aug. 6. The map is an update of a 2024 edition and puts forward new boundaries for the ancient Aitkenian, Nectarian and Imbrian lunar periods. (The researchers use the term
  
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• Stomp Rockets: The perfect start to model rocketry for kids?

  16-08-2026 11:00 via space.com
  
  When it comes to space exploration, rockets are probably one of the coolest things you'll learn about as a kid. Zooming off into space, traveling to new planets and searching for potential life are all things that feel like they should be impossible. For any age of space enthusiast, it's pretty darn cool. For kids, though, learning about rockets can mark an amazing introduction, sparking a lifelong love of space. But, while real rockets aren't really obtainable, kids can always start out with mo
  
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• New record! SpaceX launches 2 Falcon 9 rockets just 38 minutes apart (video)

  16-08-2026 04:54 via space.com
  
  SpaceX keeps setting spaceflight records.Elon Musk's company launches far more frequently than any other outfit, and it operates the largest satellite constellation ever assembled — the Starlink broadband network, which consists of nearly 11,000 satellites (and counting).On Saturday evening (Aug. 15), SpaceX set another mark, for the shortest time between orbital flights: It launched two Falcon 9 rockets just 38 minutes apart, besting its old mark — set on Aug. 31, 2024 with two Star
  
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• New record! SpaceX launches 2 Falcon 9 rockets just 38 minutes apart

  16-08-2026 04:54 via space.com
  
  SpaceX keeps setting spaceflight records.Elon Musk's company launches far more frequently than any other outfit, and it operates the largest satellite constellation ever assembled — the Starlink broadband network, which consists of nearly 11,000 satellites (and counting).On Saturday evening (Aug. 15), SpaceX set another mark, for the shortest time between orbital flights: It launched two Falcon 9 rockets just 38 minutes apart, besting its old mark — set on Aug. 31, 2024 with two Star
  
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