International Space Station Archives

In a Surprise Move, Russia Says it Will Support International Space Station Operations Through 2028

Micah Hanks·April 28, 2023

Russia says it has agreed to continue to support the International Space Station (ISS) until 2028 despite mounting tensions between Moscow and Western nations, according to a recent statement from NASA.

Pentagon Space Mission Aims to Test Laser Power Beaming in Space

Micah Hanks·March 16, 2023

This week, we look at the NRL's efforts to use laser power beaming with its Space Wireless Energy Laser Link (SWELL).

Russia’s Withdrawal from the ISS May Quicken the Arrival of Future Private Space Stations

Kenna Hughes-Castleberry·August 5, 2022

Russia's withdrawal from the ISS could cause a lot of future problems, and hints at trends toward private space stations.

Free-Flying Robots and Sample Returns Are the Focus For Expedition 67 Crew Aboard the ISS

Micah Hanks·August 4, 2022

The Expedition 67 crew is currently working with free-flying robots aboard the ISS in its efforts to improve future science missions in orbit.

Death by Space Junk? Concerning Report Warns That the Risk is Higher Than You Think

Christopher Plain·July 13, 2022

A new report says that there is a six to 10 percent chance space junk will seriously injure or kill someone on Earth in the next decade.

Boeing’s Starliner Touches Down After Successful Mission to the ISS

Micah Hanks·May 26, 2022

Following the successful touchdown of NASA and Boeing’s new CST-100 Starliner spacecraft, we’ll be looking at what vehicles like Starliner may be able to provide to future orbital operations even beyond the ISS.

Transgenic Lettuce Will Help Astronauts Combat Bone Loss

Christopher Plain·April 5, 2022

Researchers have designed customized "transgenic" lettuce that can help astronauts combat micro-gravity-induced bone loss.

European Space Agency Issues Statement on Russia

Christopher Plain·March 4, 2022

Following a meeting of its member countries, the European Space Agency (ESA) has issued a formal statement regarding cooperation with Russia.

Politics in Orbit: Russia and the Future of the International Space Station

Micah Hanks·March 2, 2022

Welcome to this week’s edition of The Intelligence Brief… with the battle ensuing on the ground in Ukraine, international...

NASA’s Updated Transition Plan for the International Space Station Includes Crashing it Into the Pacific

Micah Hanks·February 4, 2022

NASA has updated its transition plan for the international space station, as it nears the end of its operational lifespan.

Why Do Vision Problems Plague Astronauts in Zero Gravity?

Christopher Plain·January 6, 2022

Researchers hoping to understand how living in space negatively affects human vision have zeroed in on blood flow...

Why Did SpaceX Just Launch Muscle Cells into Space?

Christopher Plain·December 22, 2021

SpaceX just launched a fresh set of supplies to the International Space Station (ISS), including a batch of...

NASA Video Animates Space Laser Communication System

Christopher Plain·December 6, 2021

A November, 2021 video animation from NASA shows how their soon to be launched demonstrator spacecraft will test...

NASA’s Retirement Plans for the International Space Station

Micah Hanks·December 1, 2021

This week, we look at the retirement plans NASA has outlined for the International Space Station, and future space stations it will build with commercial partners.

Recent Pattern of Behavior Shows Russia Is The ‘Mad Dog’ of Outer Space

This isn't the first time Russia has played fast and loose with its space assets.

Raquel Santos and MJ Banias·November 18, 2021

A pattern of reckless behavior indicates Russia may no longer be a "white hat" in the global space community.

International Space Station Moves to Avoid Collision with Exploded Satellite

Christopher Plain·November 15, 2021

The crew of the International Space Station (ISS) fired maneuvering rockets last week to avoid being struck by...

The Future of NASA: Innovation, Exploration, and the Unknown

Micah Hanks·September 21, 2021

This week, NASA makes some big announcements outlining its mission in the decades ahead, and talks about part of its core mission: seeking the unknown.

Smoke on the International Space Station: It’s Time for an Upgrade

Micah Hanks·September 10, 2021

Another concerning incident earlier this week on the International Space Station points to deeper problems for future operations in orbit.

China Plans To Build a Massive Several Mile-Wide Spacecraft

Micah Hanks·August 27, 2021

It has been learned in recent days that China’s National Natural Science Foundation (NNSF) is moving forward with...

China’s Quest to Build a Mile-Wide Spacecraft

Micah Hanks·August 25, 2021

This week, we examine China's ambitions to build a mile-wide spacecraft, and what leaked emails are telling us about friction within the commercial space industry.

Incident on the ISS: The “Anomaly” that Led to a Spacecraft Emergency

Micah Hanks·August 4, 2021

An incident aboard the ISS in recent days involving Russia’s Nauka module led to an unexpected spacecraft emergency.

Space Junk Causes Minor Damage to the ISS’s Robotic Canadarm2

Micah Hanks·June 2, 2021

An object identified as orbital debris or "space junk" recently struck the Canadian-operated robotic arm on the International Space Station, according to officials with the Canadian Space Agency.

China’s Zhurong Rover Makes History with Successful Landing on Mars

Micah Hanks·May 19, 2021

The arrival of China's Zhurong rover on Mars moves the country forward as an increasingly formidable player in the future of space exploration.

Axiom and NASA Team Up for the First Private Astronaut Mission to the ISS

Micah Hanks·May 14, 2021

Texas-based Axiom Space Inc has partnered with NASA in an effort to achieve the first private astronaut mission to the International Space Station in 2022.

Interview With NASA Astronaut Donald Pettit

Tim McMillan·April 29, 2021

Selected as an astronaut candidate in 1996, Donald Pettit has spent the last 25 years training, preparing, and...

Is That a UFO? No, it’s Space Junk, and it Poses a Real Threat to Space Missions

Micah Hanks·April 27, 2021

A growing concern for astronauts, and for future space operations in general, is the threat posed by space junk in Earth's orbit.

Richard Garriott Becomes First Astronaut and Polar Explorer to Visit Mariana Trench

Micah Hanks·March 23, 2021

Richard Garriott has become first person to have visited the Mariana Trench, both poles of the Earth, and also fly aboard the International Space Station.

Bacteria Strains Recovered From ISS Are New to Science, Study Says

Micah Hanks·March 18, 2021

Scientists have found that bacteria recovered from the International Space Station were previously unrecognized by science.

The ISS is Going to Have a Space Hotel

Headed by a Former NASA Manager, Axiom is eyeing a 2024 Launch

Christopher Plain·January 11, 2021

Space hotels are a science fiction staple, but have remained out of reach until now. Axiom is building one and NASA is funding it.

SpaceX and NASA Celebrate Historic Launch with Crew-1 Success

It marks the launch of the first NASA-certified commercial human spacecraft system.

Steve McDaniel and Admin·November 16, 2020

SpaceX and NASA's latest success marks the launch of the first NASA-certified commercial human spacecraft system into space.

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