CBS News Space
Mainstream coverage of space exploration, missions, and aerospace technology
NASA Taps 2 Companies to Develop Buggies for Its Moon Base Program
NASA has selected Astrolab and Lunar Outpost to build the first lunar rovers for its Artemis moon‑base program, awarding each company roughly $220 million. The vehicles—named FLEX and Pegasus—are electric, four‑wheel‑drive buggies designed to transport two suited astronauts and supplies for up to a year near the lunar south pole. Development will span seven years and is tied to Blue Origin’s New Glenn launch system, which recently suffered a test‑flight explosion. The contracts are part of a broader $20 billion investment in a sustainable lunar outpost.
Musk's SpaceX Scrubs Latest Test Launch of Massive Starship Rocket
SpaceX postponed the scheduled launch of its full‑scale Starship prototype after a technical anomaly was detected moments before liftoff on Thursday. The massive, fully reusable vehicle is central to Elon Musk’s vision for lunar missions, Mars colonization, and commercial payload...
UFO Files Reveal Astronauts Saw Mysterious Objects and Lights in 1972
The Pentagon unveiled a new website on May 8, 2026, publishing over 100 declassified UAP files, including mission transcripts and photos from NASA’s Apollo program. Apollo 17 astronauts reported a triangular formation of three luminous dots and bright, firework‑like sparks in December 1972,...
Bill Nye Demonstrates Experiments that Break Down Artemis II Mission
Bill Nye, chief ambassador of The Planetary Society, appeared on CBS Mornings to break down NASA’s Artemis II mission with hands‑on experiments. Using a turntable Earth‑Moon model, he illustrated the launch, trans‑lunar injection, lunar flyby and re‑entry phases. The segment highlighted...
Artemis Astronauts Talk "Bird Bath" Showers, Space Exploration Dream and More
Artemis crew members fielded live questions from students, sharing candid details about daily life aboard the lunar gateway. They described the unconventional "bird bath" shower method that uses a no‑gravity rinse, and recounted a recent toilet malfunction that underscored waste‑management...
"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,...
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...