A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket successfully launched the CAS500-2 earth imaging satellite from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. The mission aims to enhance orbital observation capabilities, marking another successful deployment for the commercial space provider. The satellite is designed to provide high-resolution imagery for various applications.
The King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST) has entered a strategic partnership with Japanese lunar exploration company ispace. This collaboration aims to advance lunar technology development and facilitate the transport of Saudi Arabian scientific payloads to the Moon, marking a significant step in the Kingdom's space exploration ambitions.
Latvia has officially joined the Artemis Accords, a US-led international framework for space exploration. By signing the agreement at NASA headquarters, Latvia becomes the 62nd nation to commit to the principles of peaceful, transparent, and sustainable cooperation in lunar and deep space exploration.
The China National Space Administration and the European Space Agency are finalizing preparations for the 2026 launch of the SMILE satellite. This joint mission aims to study the interaction between solar wind and Earth's magnetosphere, marking a significant milestone in international space science cooperation.
Archbishop Ettore Balestrero, the Holy See's Permanent Observer to the United Nations in Geneva, has advocated for space exploration to be treated as a common good. Emphasizing international cooperation, the Vatican stresses that the benefits of space activities should be accessible to all nations, preventing the militarization of space and ensuring ethical development.
NASA officials have detailed the agency's roadmap for executing the National Space Policy, focusing on the Artemis program's objective to return humans to the Moon. The initiative emphasizes sustainable lunar exploration, international partnerships, and the integration of commercial capabilities to establish a long-term presence on the lunar surface and prepare for future missions to Mars.
A residential home in the Houston, Texas area sustained significant damage on Saturday after being struck by an object suspected to be a meteorite. Local authorities and experts are currently investigating the incident to confirm the origin of the object. No injuries were reported, but the impact caused structural damage to the roof and interior of the property.
The 98th Academy Awards took place at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, celebrating the most significant achievements in film from 2025. The ceremony recognized outstanding performances, directing, and technical crafts, highlighting the year's top cinematic contributions to the global film industry.
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is working to bolster the NavIC satellite constellation. While reports have highlighted challenges regarding the operational status of older satellites, India is actively launching next-generation satellites to ensure the continuity and enhanced accuracy of its regional navigation system.
A rare astronomical event occurred in Koblenz, Germany, when a meteorite fireball broke up in the atmosphere, resulting in a fragment striking a residential home. The impact caused structural damage to the roof, drawing attention from local authorities and space experts as they work to confirm the origin and composition of the space rock.
India experienced a total lunar eclipse on March 3, 2026, visible in its concluding stages across various regions. This 'Blood Moon' coincided with the Holi festival, adding a unique astronomical dimension to the cultural celebrations.
Scientists in Brazil have identified the country's first tektite field, named 'geraisites,' spanning over 900 kilometers. These natural glass fragments are evidence of a powerful asteroid impact approximately 6.3 million years ago, a discovery detailed in the journal Geology. The find adds Brazil to a select group of countries with major tektite fields.
French NewSpace company Infinite Orbits is expanding its European operational footprint by establishing a new office in Luxembourg. This move follows a recent €40 million funding round aimed at accelerating its in-orbit servicing capabilities, including satellite life extension and inspection.
The UAE's advanced Earth observation satellite, MBZ-Sat, has captured and released two high-resolution images of Kuwait, featuring Kuwait City and Jaber Al Ahmad International Stadium, to commemorate Kuwait's 65th National Day.
ESA astronaut Sophie Adenot, a French Air Force pilot and the first of her 2022 astronaut class, successfully launched to the International Space Station on February 13, 2026, aboard the SpaceX Crew-12 mission for a nine-month scientific expedition.
New Zealand has significantly increased its space launch limit from 100 to 1,000, effective February 12, 2026, to accelerate the growth of its burgeoning space and advanced aviation industries. This decision follows a comprehensive environmental review that deemed the risk from increased launches to be low, providing long-term certainty for industry investment and expansion.
NASA is holding a news conference at Kennedy Space Center today, February 3, 2026, to discuss the results of the Artemis II Wet Dress Rehearsal. The critical fueling test for the Space Launch System rocket and Orion spacecraft concluded, paving the way for the first crewed lunar mission since 1972.
The Artemis II crew, comprising NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and CSA astronaut Jeremy Hansen, recently completed specialized lunar-like geology training in Iceland. This crucial preparation, conducted in volcanic landscapes resembling the Moon's surface, focused on enhancing their rock identification, navigation, and expeditionary skills for their historic mission around the Moon.
India's space agency, ISRO, has initiated the 22.5-hour countdown for the PSLV-C62/EOS-N1 mission. The launch, scheduled for January 12, 2026, at 10:17 AM IST from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre, will deploy the EOS-N1 Earth observation satellite and 18 co-passenger payloads into orbit, marking ISRO's first mission of the year.
January 2026 begins with a celestial spectacle over Luxembourg, featuring a 'Super' Wolf Moon on January 3 and the Quadrantids meteor shower peaking on January 3-4. Despite bright moonlight, observers may still catch bright meteors.
