Spotting Objects From Space Is Easy. This Challenge Is Harder
A battle royale called the Smart program has charged teams with a daunting first task: Identify construction sites on Earth using only data from orbiters.
How Lost Hikers Can Send an SOS to Space
The Sarsat satellite system is a kind of celestial lifeguard for explorers, boaters, and aviators who might be in need of search and rescue.
Astronaut Gear of the Future May Fight Bone and Muscle Loss
New space suits and muscle stimulators could keep spacefarers fit on long voyages.
NASA’s Lucy Mission Gets Ready to Fly by the Trojan Asteroids
The spacecraft will provide the first up-close look at these building blocks of the early solar system.
GPS III’s Long Journey Is Picking Up Speed
With the launch of a fifth new-generation satellite, the US finally has a constellation able to globally beam M-Code signals that are tough to spoof or jam.
NASA Lands the Perseverance Rover on Mars
The science mission will launch the first drone to fly on another planet, attempt making oxygen in space, and search for signs of ancient life.
The Feds Want These Teams to Hack a Satellite—From Home
Meet the hackers who, this weekend, will try to commandeer an actual orbiter as part of a Defcon contest hosted by the Air Force and the Defense Digital Service.
This Citizen Science Gig Pays People to Match Space Photos
Astronomers at the Hubble Image Similarity Project are employing their out-of-work neighbors to help them train a neural net to recognize celestial objects.
Satellite Data Reveals the Pandemic’s Effects From Above
Images taken from space are providing details to governments and relief efforts about how humanity is handling the Covid-19 crisis.