The space race hots up

The theoretical possibility of generating power in space and beaming it back to Earth is fast becoming a reality, opening up new economic opportunities and channels of super power competition.

Tracking emissions from space

CO2-tracking satellites can observe and measure changes in CO2 emissions from a large power plant, allowing us to trace greenhouse gas emissions right back to the source, according to new research from Canada.

Back to the Moon

After two launch scrubs due to fuel leaks and a hurricane, NASA has taken a giant leap back to the moon after almost 50 years’ absence with the successful launch of the Artemis I mission.

Space invaders

The discovery of a “planet killer” asteroid named 2022 AP7 on the other side of the sun highlights the need to track and potentially disrupt near Earth objects which could pose a threat in the future.

By their works we shall know them

Intelligent alien life in our galaxy could reveal itself in many ways, including polluted planet atmospheres, electro-magnetic signals or vast solar spanning megastructures.

The star caught in a spider’s web

A bizarre image of the distant star known as WR140 surrounded by concentric geometric ripples, captured by the James Webb Space Telescope in July, is – unfortunately – not an alien megastructure.

Playing asteroids with asteroids

NASA aims to complete the world’s first full-scale planetary defense mission on September 26 to test the concept of deflecting asteroids on collision course with Earth.

In search of super-earths

Super-sized Earth-like planets are much easier to spot in other solar systems than planets our own size, and may prove more common and more habitable than Earth itself.

Law in a vacuum

While international space law has served us well since the 1960s, there are gaps and uncertainties which have been filled by non-binding principles. It is time to consider more detailed and nuanced rules for the responsible governance of outer space.

Mining the Moon

The Artemis Accords support the use of space resources on a first come, first served basis and could herald the start of space mining on asteroids and the Moon.

Drake’s space odyssey

The equation coined by American astronomer Frank Drake, who died recently, continues to inform our calculations for the possibility of intelligent life elsewhere in our galaxy.

Space needs a vacuum

While space wreckage hits the headlines when it lands on Earth, we should be more concerned about the debris that remains in orbit.