Living dossier
Space Exploration
A living Archypedia dossier connecting source-backed reporting, context and new developments about Space Exploration.
Evidence timeline
Coverage as it developed
Newest first. Every entry retains its own source ledger and publication history.
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NASA Astronaut Chris Williams Returns to Earth After 241 Days on ISS
NASA astronaut Chris Williams and two Russian cosmonauts have safely landed in Kazakhstan after completing a 241-day science mission aboard the International Space Station.
Science · 581 words -
Adelaide University students reach global top five with space menstrual system
Adelaide engineering students have gained international recognition for a space-adapted menstrual system, highlighting a shift toward inclusive aerospace design.
Science · 606 words -
Skyroot Aerospace launches India's first private orbital rocket
Skyroot Aerospace successfully launched the Vikram-1 rocket, marking the first time a private Indian enterprise has deployed payloads into low-Earth orbit. The mission represents a major milestone in the country's expanding commercial space economy.
World · 610 words -
Barnard’s Star planets found to be uninhabitable and mineral-rich
Scientific analysis has ruled out habitability for the four exoplanets orbiting Barnard's Star due to extreme heat, volatile geology, and atmosphere loss.
Science · 567 words -
SpaceX crew completes first successful diagnostic X-rays in orbit
A commercial crew aboard the Fram2 mission has successfully captured the first diagnostic-quality X-rays in orbit using an ultraportable wireless system. This milestone demonstrates the potential for portable radiography to support both human health and equipment testing in microgravity.
Science · 556 words -
Astronauts successfully conduct first diagnostic X-ray imaging in orbit
A civilian crew successfully captured diagnostic-quality X-rays in microgravity during the SpaceXray project. This milestone demonstrates new capabilities for monitoring bone health and inspecting equipment during spaceflight.
Science · 536 words -
US and China face potential land grab competition over lunar south pole resources
The race for the lunar south pole involves U.S. and Chinese efforts to secure critical resources, potentially shaping the governance of cislunar space.
Science · 535 words -
Fram2 astronauts complete first medical X-rays during orbital spaceflight
The Fram2 mission successfully tested an ultraportable, wireless digital X-ray generator in microgravity, demonstrating that non-specialists can conduct medical imaging in space.
Technology · 639 words -
Auctions: Buzz Aldrin's Watches Are Coming To Auction
A significant collection of timepieces belonging to Apollo 11 astronaut Buzz Aldrin will be sold at Sotheby's 2026 Space Exploration auction.
Technology · 735 words -
The 25 Best James Webb Space Telescope Photos - PetaPixel
Marking four years of operations, the James Webb Space Telescope has used its infrared capabilities to transform our understanding of the universe.
Science · 504 words -
Enceladus ocean contains life-sparking energy and essential molecules
New research indicates Enceladus possesses a high-energy chemical environment and hydrothermal activity, suggesting its ocean could support biological life.
Science · 532 words -
NASA seeks volunteers for yearlong Moon and Mars mission simulation
NASA has launched a search for volunteers to inhabit simulated deep-space environments at the Johnson Space Center. This initiative aims to validate essential hardware and health protocols for future lunar and Martian expeditions.
Science · 526 words -
Artemis II astronauts reunite with their spacecraft at Kennedy Space Center
NASA and CSA astronauts returned to the Kennedy Space Center to inspect the Integrity capsule following their historic 252,756-mile lunar mission.
Science · 630 words -
JAXA Hayabusa2 probe captures image of snowman-shaped asteroid Torifune
The Hayabusa2 spacecraft successfully completed a high-speed flyby of asteroid Torifune, proving Japan's capability to precisely target near-Earth objects.
Science · 788 words -
Hayabusa2 completes close flyby of asteroid Torifune in defense test
JAXA successfully piloted the Hayabusa2 probe through a close-range encounter with asteroid Torifune to refine the precision needed for planetary defense.
Science · 500 words -
Rescue mission launches to save NASA telescope that’s falling back to Earth
Katalyst Space Technologies has deployed its Link spacecraft to perform a robotic rescue of the Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory. The mission seeks to prevent the telescope from burning up in Earth's atmosphere by boosting it to a higher, stable orbit.
Science · 572 words -
Vera C. Rubin Observatory begins decade-long cosmic survey of the sky
Equipped with the world's largest digital camera, the Vera C. Rubin Observatory in Chile has begun a decade-long project to create a time-lapse of the sky. The survey aims to capture vast amounts of data to help researchers study dark energy, dark matter, and other celestial phenomena.
Science · 661 words -
NASA TESS mission identifies first exoplanet using gravitational microlensing
NASA's TESS satellite has successfully utilized gravitational microlensing to discover a super-Jupiter 40,000 light-years away, marking an evolution in its capabilities.
Science · 611 words -
China to build space-ground monitoring network for asteroid defense
The China National Space Administration is building a comprehensive network of optical telescopes and space-based sensors to detect hazardous asteroids. This system aims to eliminate surveillance blind spots and protect Earth from potential space-borne threats.
Science · 622 words -
New Horizons data confirms solar wind slows in the outer heliosphere
New Horizons data reveals a measurable deceleration of the solar wind as it interacts with interstellar gas. This research helps clarify the heliosphere's protective boundary and its role in shielding the solar system.
Science · 620 words -
Hayabusa2 spacecraft to perform ultra-close flyby of asteroid on July 5
The Hayabusa2 spacecraft is scheduled for a high-speed, ultra-close flyby of asteroid Torifune on 5 July 2026. This mission extension serves as a test for rapid reconnaissance capabilities essential for future planetary defense.
Science · 540 words -
NASA to launch robotic mission to rescue Swift observatory from orbit decay
NASA has contracted Katalyst Space Technologies to perform a robotic rescue of the Swift telescope, which is experiencing rapid orbital decay. The mission aims to prevent the satellite's reentry and preserve its ability to study cosmic events.
Science · 595 words