A new kind of spirit

The University of Melbourne and the Italian Space Agency have announced the successful launch of SpIRIT, a landmark nanosatellite mission supported by the Australian Space Agency.

From Earth to the Moon

In the distant wake of America’s moon landings over 50 years ago, India, Japan and other nations are now investing in missions to the Moon, but imagining travel to the Moon has been part of many cultures.

Space junk

The tragedy of the commons observes that common access to a resource can quickly degrade it, and we are now littering low earth orbit in space just as we have polluted the Earth and its oceans.

Heaven on Earth

Meteorites could show us the perfect chemical models we need to end the natural resource crisis — but we don’t have to leave Earth to mine them.

There’s gold in them thar asteroids

Private companies and governments are reaching for the stars in an effort to ease Earth-bound shortages and begin mining resources in space.

Shaping the future of space law

While there are many paths forward to achieve the equitable use of outer space, most will agree that cooperation and collaboration is the key to long-lasting cooperation and peace.

India on the Moon

India’s Moon rover Chandrayaan-3 recently completed its 14-day mission at the the lunar south pole. Dr Laura McKemmish, an astrochemist from UNSW Sydney, explains the significance of the mission and what the future holds for lunar exploration.

India reaches the moon

History was made this week when India made the first-ever landing on the moon’s south pole. It will be a long journey, but Chandrayaan-3 has made a bold step towards a golden age in space exploration for humanity.

Looking north into space

A new report outlines Australia’s bright potential in the space industry, but it will take commitment from all stakeholders to turn aspirations into reality.

The great game of asteroids

Thousands of asteroids orbit our solar system, and our planet continues to have frequent but low-impact collisions with small asteroids, and rare but high-impact collisions with larger ones.

Keeping Australia safe in space

Australia must be prepared to challenge traditional mindsets on the use of space and be willing to shift away from traditional approaches to the provision of space capabilities in a much more contested domain.

Man on the Moon

When Neil Armstrong stepped onto on the moon 54 years ago, he and his fellow astronauts were taking humanity’s first giant leap towards becoming a spacefaring civilisation.