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Small BodiesStories, updates, insights, and original analysis from The Planetary Society.
A patriotic return to space
When Space Shuttle Discovery launched on its 1988 return-to-flight mission, it was a big moment for NASA and America.
Russian rocket crashes in spectacular explosion
A Russian Proton-M rocket veered off course and crashed in a nearby field shortly after liftoff from Baikonur, Kazahkstan.
Deflecting the flames of a monster rocket
Work continues to prepare Kennedy Space Center's launch pad 39B for the Space Launch System, as a flame trench deflector originally built for the Space Shuttle is removed.
IRIS safely in orbit, ready to eye sun's atmosphere
IRIS, the Interface Region Imaging Spectrograph spacecraft, was launched from Orbital Science Corporation's Stargazer carrier aircraft over the Pacific Ocean at 7:27 p.m PDT.
What would Earth's skies look like with Saturn's rings?
Illustrator and author Ron Miller visualizes what we would see in our skies if Saturn’s majestic rings circled the Earth.
Russians start workweek with stroll outside ISS
Cosmonauts Fyodor Yurchikhin and Alexander Misurkin performed a six-and-a-half hour spacewalk outside the International Space Station on Monday.
Astrophotographer captures 'Heavenly Palace' transiting the Sun
Astrophotographer Thierry Legault captured a striking image set of Chinese spacecraft Tiangong 1 and Shenzhou 10 transiting the Sun.
Goodnight, Herschel Space Observatory
The European Space Agency’s Herschel Space Observatory received its final commands yesterday, having depleted the liquid helium required to make its infrared observations.
China launches three-person crew to visit Tiangong 1 space station
China's Shenzhou 10 spacecraft is bound for space station Tiangong 1 following a successful liftoff from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in Inner Mongolia.
Morpheus lander gets back off its feet
NASA's Project Morpheus lander completed a 74-second flight yesterday, marking the second tethered test of the new vehicle.
ESA launches fourth cargo spacecraft to ISS
An Ariane 5 rocket carrying the Automated Transfer Vehicle Albert Einstein lifted off from French Guiana Wednesday.
Express Soyuz sends new crew to station
Fyodor Yurchikhin, Karen Nyberg and Luca Parmitano lifted off in their Soyuz TMA-09M at 4:31 p.m. EDT and arrived at the International Space Station six hours later.
Soyuz capsule carrying Hadfield and company lands safely in Kazakhstan
A Soyuz capsule carrying Roman Romanenko, Chris Hadfield and Tom Marshburn landed safely in Kazhakstan after 146 days in space.
Station suffers ammonia leak; Saturday spacewalk likely (rolling updates)
Following an ammonia leak reported Thursday morning, NASA is planning a spacewalk to investigate a radiator on the P6 truss.
Antares sails test payload into orbit
Orbital Sciences Corporation completed a major milestone for NASA's COTS program as their Antares rocket sent a test payload into orbit.
Antares ready for inaugural flight
Orbital Sciences Corporation is ready to send their Antares rocket system on its inaugural flight.
Dragon overcomes issues, arrives at Station
SpaceX's Dragon capsule has arrived at the International Space Station following a wild Friday in which the capsule's thrusters experienced an issue.
Dragon reaches orbit, but experiences propellant valve issue
SpaceX's CRS-2 mission began successfully, but hit a snag when a thruster propellant valve failed to work properly.
Human spaceflight update: the modules edition
NASA made Wednesday a big day for human spaceflight following the official announcements of two new partnerships with Bigelow Aerospace and the European Space Agency.
The raw data behind an Earth-like exoplanet
Taking a closer look at KOI 172.02, a super-Earth exoplanet sitting in its solar system's habitable zone.