Gene Cernan, last astronaut to walk on the moon, dies at 82
By SETH BORENSTEIN and MICHAEL GRACZYK Astronaut Gene Cernan traced his only child’s initials in the dust of the lunar surface. Then he climbed into the lunar module for the…
Astronomy
China begins operating world’s largest radio telescope
By GILLIAN WONG The world’s largest radio telescope began searching for signals from stars and galaxies and, perhaps, extraterrestrial life Sunday in a project demonstrating China’s rising ambitions in space…
SpaceX delivers world’s 1st inflatable room for astronauts
By MARCIA DUNN SpaceX has made good on a high-priority delivery: the world’s first inflatable room for astronauts. A SpaceX Dragon cargo ship arrived at the International Space Station on…
Breakthrough: Scientists detect Einstein’s gravity ripples
By SETH BORENSTEIN In an announcement that electrified the world of astronomy, scientists said Thursday that they have finally detected gravitational waves, the ripples in the fabric of space-time that…
Antarctica: Mystery continent holds key to mankind’s future
By LUIS ANDRES HENAO and SETH BORENSTEIN Earth’s past, present and future come together here on the northern peninsula of Antarctica, the wildest, most desolate and mysterious of its continents.…
Dawn of Orion: NASA launch opens new era in space
By MARCIA DUNN NASA’s new Orion spacecraft streaked into orbit Friday on a high-stakes test flight meant to usher in a new era of human exploration leading ultimately to Mars.…
NASA scrubs Orion launch; will try again Friday
By MARCIA DUNN Wind gusts and sticky fuel valves conspired to keep NASA’s new Orion spacecraft on the launch pad Thursday, delaying a crucial test flight meant to revitalize human…
NASA hopes to launch ‘flying saucer’ after delay
By ALICIA CHANG FILE – In this undated file photo provided by NASA, a saucer-shaped test vehicle known as a Low Density Supersonic Decelerator holding equipment for landing large payloads…