CBS News Space
Mainstream coverage of space exploration, missions, and aerospace technology
"God of Chaos" Asteroid Will Pass Close to Earth in 3 Years, NASA Says
NASA confirmed that near‑Earth asteroid Apophis, about 1,115 feet across, will swing within 20,000 miles of Earth on 13 April 2029. The flyby, closer than most low‑Earth‑orbit satellites, offers an unprecedented chance to study a three‑football‑field‑size rock with modern instruments. After decades of tracking, scientists are confident there is no impact risk for at least the next century. The encounter will also let researchers observe how Earth’s gravity deforms the asteroid’s surface.
Recapping the Historic Artemis II Mission Around the Moon
NASA’s Artemis II mission completed a historic crewed flyby of the Moon, covering nearly 700,000 miles before splashing down in Houston. The ten‑day flight launched on a Space Launch System (SLS) rocket carrying the Orion capsule and a four‑person crew. Over the...
Artemis II Crew Passes Halfway Point to Moon, Shares New Photos of Earth
NASA’s Artemis II crewed Orion spacecraft passed the halfway mark on its lunar flyby, roughly 192,000 km from Earth, on Friday. The four astronauts streamed new high‑resolution photographs of Earth’s cloud‑covered surface, underscoring the mission’s scientific and public‑relations goals. Launched Wednesday, Artemis II...
Artemis II Back on Launch Pad for Moon Flyby Mission
NASA’s Artemis II mission returned to the launch pad at Kennedy Space Center after undergoing extensive repairs inside the Vehicle Assembly Building. The crewed Orion spacecraft, carrying four astronauts, is slated for a second launch attempt in early May, aiming to...
Mike Fincke Reveals He Was the Astronaut Who Had Medical Issue on the ISS
NASA astronaut Mike Fincke disclosed that he suffered a medical event aboard the International Space Station on Jan. 7, prompting an early return for Crew‑11. He praised his crewmates and NASA flight surgeons for stabilizing his condition and arranging a coordinated...
NASA's Artemis II Mission Will Redefine What American Astronauts Look Like
NASA has postponed the Artemis II launch after a cold snap threatened the launch pad’s systems. The mission, scheduled to lift off from Kennedy Space Center’s Pad 39B, will be the first crewed flight of the Orion capsule and will circle the...
Behind-the-Scenes Look at Artemis II Astronauts' Training for Flight Around the Moon
NASA is gearing up for Artemis II, its first crewed lunar flyby in over half a century. The four‑person crew—three Americans and a Canadian—will spend about ten days orbiting the Moon aboard the Orion capsule. Astronauts are undergoing intensive training that...
NASA's Artemis II Mission Clears Big Hurdle, Rolling Out to Launchpad
NASA’s Artemis II mission cleared a critical milestone on Tuesday as the Orion‑bound Space Launch System (SLS) completed its four‑mile rollout from the Vehicle Assembly Building to Launch Pad 39‑B at Kennedy Space Center. The move positions the rocket for final integration...
NASA Begins Artemis II Rollout to Launchpad
NASA has started rolling out its Space Launch System (SLS) rocket and Orion spacecraft to the launch pad at Kennedy Space Center, marking the final integration phase for Artemis II. The massive SLS core stage and Orion crew module are now...
NASA Moon Rocket Ready for Trip to Launch Pad
NASA is rolling out the Space Launch System rocket for the Artemis 2 mission on Saturday, aiming for an early‑February launch around the moon. At the same time, the agency is preparing to launch Crew 12 to the International Space Station, potentially...
Behind-the-Scenes Look at Preparations for Artemis II Launch
NASA is finalizing preparations for Artemis II, the first crewed lunar flyby in over 50 years. The Space Launch System and Orion capsule are undergoing last‑minute checks at Kennedy Space Center. The rocket is slated to roll out to Launch Pad 39B...
Astronauts Return From ISS After Medical Issue Cuts Mission Short
NASA’s Crew‑6 mission returned to Earth Thursday, splashing down off California a full two weeks ahead of schedule after a crew member developed a medical issue aboard the International Space Station. The early termination marked the first unplanned return of...
Why NASA Is Cutting the Current International Space Station Mission Short
NASA announced that the current International Space Station expedition will end more than a month early, bringing home four crew members ahead of schedule. The decision follows health concerns for one astronaut, who remains stable but would face increased risk...
Companies Compete to Develop Next Generation Lunar Rover for NASA
NASA is launching a competitive procurement for a next‑generation lunar rover slated for the Artemis 5 mission, targeted for 2030. Three aerospace firms have been shortlisted to design a vehicle capable of extended crew excursions, scientific payloads, and cargo transport on...
Artemis 2 Astronauts Rehearse Countdown for Upcoming Moon Launch
NASA’s Artemis 2 crew—Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch and Jeremy Hansen—completed a full countdown rehearsal inside the Vehicle Assembly Building, strapping into Orion atop the SLS rocket. The test simulated launch‑day procedures and stopped just before zero, confirming crew‑in‑capsule integration....
