NASA researchers discovered 26 never-before-seen bacteria species inside the sterile cleanrooms that built the Phoenix Mars lander. These extreme superbugs survived intense sterilization, suggesting they may have already invaded Mars, challenging planetary protection protocols.
Elon Musk’s SpaceX launched a record 165 orbital missions in 2025, accounting for 85% of U.S. launches and nearly double China’s total. Dominated by Starlink deployments, this pace was enabled by the Falcon 9’s reusable design, which saw its 500th successful landing this year.
NASA is weeks away from launching Artemis II, its first crewed Moon mission since 1972. Astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Jeremy Hansen will test the Orion spacecraft on a 10-day voyage, paving the way for a lunar south pole landing later this decade.
New imagery from Shanghai’s Hudong-Zhonghua shipyard suggests China may be developing a mobile, truck-mounted electromagnetic catapult. The system, aligning with concepts from Tiantao Technology, could launch 2.2-ton stealth drones from remote locations, offering the PLA a novel way to generate airpower without traditional runways.
The Expedition 74 crew, led by NASA commander Mike Fincke, sent Christmas wishes from the International Space Station, orbiting 250 miles high. Alongside JAXA’s Kimiya Yui and NASA astronauts Zena Cardman and Chris Williams, they celebrate with their “space family” and global Mission Control, maintaining traditions in microgravity while missing terrestrial loved ones.
Russia’s Energia rocket corporation has patented a rotating space station designed to generate artificial gravity. The system aims to create a 0.5g environment by spinning modules at 5 RPM, combating the severe health effects of long-term weightlessness for future deep-space missions.
The United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket has delivered its fourth success for Amazon Leo, deploying another 27 advanced broadband
The United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket has delivered its fourth success for Amazon Leo, deploying another 27 advanced broadband
Chinese state developers failed to recover the Long March 12A reusable rocket, the second such failure in December. The setbacks underscore China’s challenge in catching up to U.S. reusable rocket technology, pioneered by SpaceX a decade ago, crucial for its satellite megaconstellation ambitions.
NASA has launched its DiskSat technology demonstrator: four flat, circular spacecraft the size of a coffee table. The mission with The Aerospace Corporation could revolutionize small satellite design, enabling new capabilities in Very Low Earth Orbit and beyond.
Join our Premium Membership and unlock all content for unlimited access.
We uphold the highest standards of journalistic integrity and ethical reporting, ensuring that truth and transparency prevail in all our content.
contact@modernmechanics24.com
