Space

Engineers review plans at the construction site of Niron Magnetics' rare-earth-free magnet plant in Minnesota, built by Wood.

Wood and Niron Magnetics Partner to Build World’s First Rare-Earth-Free Magnet Plant in Minnesota

Ritambhara K January 20, 2026

Wood and Niron Magnetics are building the world’s first large-scale plant for rare-earth-free permanent magnets in Minnesota. Slated for 2027, the facility will produce 1,500 tons of powerful Iron Nitride magnets annually from abundant materials, creating a secure U.S. supply for EVs and green tech and challenging China’s rare earth dominance.

Chinese Scientists Capture Elusive Quantum Effect, Unlocking New Path to Detect Dark Matter

Ritambhara K January 19, 2026

A team of Chinese scientists led by Professor Zheng Yangheng has made the first-ever direct observation of the Migdal effect, a quantum phenomenon theorized in 1939. This breakthrough, achieved with 5 sigma confidence, provides the experimental foundation needed to potentially detect elusive light dark matter particles.

UC Riverside Study: Mars May Be the Hidden Driver Behind Earth’s Ice Ages

Ritambhara K January 18, 2026

University of California, Riverside astrophysicist Stephen Kane has identified Mars as a key amplifier of Earth’s ice age cycles. His models show the Red Planet’s gravity drives a 2.4-million-year “Grand Cycle” that intensifies glacial periods, with potential links to human evolution.

Engineers at Sierra Space's Colorado facility work on satellite structures for the Space Development Agency's missile-tracking constellation.

Sierra Space Delivers First Nine SDA Missile-Tracking Satellites Three Months Early

Ritambhara K January 18, 2026

Sierra Space has delivered the first nine satellite buses for the Pentagon’s Space Development Agency (SDA) Tranche 2 Tracking Layer a full three months ahead of schedule. These satellites will carry advanced infrared sensors to track hypersonic and ballistic missile threats.

NASA’s Pandora Satellite Reaches Orbit to Unravel Secrets of Alien Atmospheres

Ritambhara K January 18, 2026

NASA’s Pandora space telescope is now in orbit, beginning a year-long mission to study 20 exoplanet atmospheres for signs of water and clouds while simultaneously monitoring their host stars to rule out false signals.

The Lihong-1 space capsule developed by CAS Space after its successful recovery at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center.

CAS Space Completes China’s First Commercial Suborbital Capsule Recovery with Lihong-1

Ritambhara K January 18, 2026

Chinese company CAS Space has achieved the country’s first commercial suborbital capsule recovery with its Lihong-1 vehicle. The mission, reaching 120 km altitude, conducted microgravity experiments including space-based 3D-printing before a successful parachute-assisted touchdown.

An artistic rendering of a dense network of satellites forming megaconstellations in orbit around Earth.

China Files to Launch 200,000 Satellites as Space Race with SpaceX Intensifies

Ritambhara K January 16, 2026

Chinese entities have filed plans with the UN to launch more than 200,000 satellites, a move that escalates the space race with Elon Musk’s SpaceX. The filings, including two proposals for 96,714 satellites each, come just as Beijing criticized Starlink for crowding orbits and increasing collision risks.

Chinese Scientists Unveil World’s First Lunar Timekeeping Software

Ritambhara K January 16, 2026

Scientists from China’s Purple Mountain Observatory have released the world’s first lunar timekeeping software. It solves the problem caused by the moon’s weaker gravity, which makes clocks run 56 microseconds faster per day, and is essential for coordinating future missions and a lunar “GPS.”

UK’s Space Forge Ignites First Commercial Semiconductor Factory in Orbit with Plasma Breakthrough

Ritambhara K January 15, 2026

UK startup Space Forge has fired up the first commercial semiconductor factory in space aboard its ForgeStar-1 satellite, generating 1,832°F plasma. This breakthrough paves the way for making materials in microgravity that could slash electronics’ energy use by up to 60%, according to CEO Joshua Western.

US Scientists at Washington University Reveal How Martian Dust Storms Electrify and Reshape the Red Planet

Ritambhara K January 14, 2026

US scientists at Washington University in St. Louis have discovered how electrically charged dust storms actively reshape Mars’ surface and atmosphere. Led by Dr. Alian Wang, the research links Martian electrostatic discharges to unusual isotope signatures measured by NASA and ESA missions, revealing dust as a powerful chemical engine on the Red Planet.

Modern Mechanics 24

Modern Mechanics 24

Modern Mechanics 24

Wood and Niron Magnetics Partner to Build World’s First Rare-Earth-Free Magnet Plant in Minnesota

Chinese Scientists Capture Elusive Quantum Effect, Unlocking New Path to Detect Dark Matter

UC Riverside Study: Mars May Be the Hidden Driver Behind Earth’s Ice Ages

Sierra Space Delivers First Nine SDA Missile-Tracking Satellites Three Months Early

NASA’s Pandora Satellite Reaches Orbit to Unravel Secrets of Alien Atmospheres

CAS Space Completes China’s First Commercial Suborbital Capsule Recovery with Lihong-1

China Files to Launch 200,000 Satellites as Space Race with SpaceX Intensifies

Chinese Scientists Unveil World’s First Lunar Timekeeping Software

UK’s Space Forge Ignites First Commercial Semiconductor Factory in Orbit with Plasma Breakthrough

US Scientists at Washington University Reveal How Martian Dust Storms Electrify and Reshape the Red Planet

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