Space
Science & technology
Why China is building a Starlink system of its own
When it is finished, Qianfan could number 14,000 satellites, rivalling Elon Musk’s system
1843 magazine | The earthling’s guide to building a Moon base
One-armed robots are being trained in lunar construction
Science & technology
Can anyone realistically challenge SpaceX’s launch supremacy?
And if its boss now tries to kill NASA’s own heavy lifter, will that matter?
Science & technology
Dreams of asteroid mining, orbital manufacturing and much more
Ideas for making money in orbit that seemed mad in the 1960s now look sane
Science & technology in 2025
Space missions to watch in 2025
Humans may fly around the Moon, and robots will explore new frontiers
Science & technology
China plans to crash a spacecraft into a distant asteroid
It will be only the second country to conduct such a planetary defence experiment
Science & technology
Space may be worse for humans than thought
Why going into orbit sends cells haywire
Science & technology
SpaceX is NASA’s biggest lunar rival
The company’s successes are also showing up the agency’s failings
Leaders
Starship will change what is possible beyond Earth
The successful test-flight of SpaceX’s massive new space vehicle promises a host of new projects, including the colonisation of Mars
Science & technology
Elon Musk’s SpaceX has achieved something extraordinary
If SpaceX can land and reuse the most powerful rocket ever made what can’t it do?
The Economist explains
What does SpaceX want to do with its Starship?
A guide to the reusable spaceship’s trip—and where it might lead for space travel
Science & technology
Could life exist on one of Jupiter’s moons?
A spacecraft heading to Europa is designed to find out