Trump directs NASA to send astronauts to the moon and then Mars
The US space programme has a new focus on an old destination. President Trump has directed NASA to focus its efforts on crewed missions to the moon before Mars
Five firms aim to power moon-orbiting way station to deep space
Deep Space Gateway is NASA’s planned outpost at the moon for launches to other worlds. The agency has awarded 5 contracts to start working out how to power it
Elon Musk’s new plans for a moon base and a Mars mission by 2022
SpaceX aims to launch spaceships to Mars within five years with a new rocket design that could also be used on Earth to make rapid around-the-globe trips
OSIRIS-REx spacecraft zooms by Earth on its way to an asteroid
On its way to collect dust samples from the asteroid Bennu, NASA’S OSIRIS-REx spaceship will slingshot around Earth, passing 17,000 kilometres above Antarctica
Tears for Cassini: why it’s OK to well up over a lump of metal
Expect more of the modern phenomenon of mass mourning for a machine when the space probe Cassini makes its death dive into Saturn, says Joelle Renstrom
Cassini’s 10 best pictures from its 13-year voyage around Saturn
On 15 September, NASA’s Cassini spacecraft will crash into Saturn, ending its mission with a bang. New Scientist looks back at 10 of its best images
Nuclear reactors on rockets may fuel future crewed trips to Mars
NASA’s push to develop a rocket engine powered by a nuclear reactor could create a faster, lighter spaceship and cut the trip to Mars down to four months
Smallest satellite ever paves way for planned interstellar fleet
Breakthrough Starshot, the $100 million project to send tiny spacecraft to Alpha Centauri, successfully operated a mini-satellite in orbit for the first time