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News without the noise

ZOTPAPER

Space

Space exploration and astronomy

50 articles

AllClimate & EnvironmentSpace
Space

SpaceX Stacks Starship Version 3, Setting New Height Record and Eyes Moon Landings

SpaceX has assembled its latest and largest Starship rocket at its South Texas launch facility, marking the third time in three years the company has broken its own record for the tallest rocket ever built. The new Starship Version 3 introduces a range of upgrades designed to move the program from demonstration flights toward operational missions, including eventual lunar landings under NASA's Artemis program.

13 May·2 min
Space

Starlink Shuts Down Hidden GPS Alternative, But Researchers Push Forward

SpaceX has quietly disabled a little-known positioning, navigation, and timing (PNT) capability built into its Starlink satellite network, ending access for a small group of users who had been exploiting the feature for years. The move comes as researchers accelerate efforts to harness Starlink's constellation as an independent GPS alternative — a pursuit that experts say is more urgent than ever given the growing threat of GPS jamming and spoofing.

12 May·3 min
Space

Blue Origin Achieves Rocket Reuse Milestone, But Satellite Payload Stranded in Wrong Orbit

Blue Origin marked a significant milestone on April 19, 2026, successfully reusing its New Glenn rocket for the first time, with the first-stage booster completing its second landing. However, the mission was marred by a second-stage malfunction that left AST SpaceMobile's BlueBird 7 satellite stranded in a lower orbit than intended, leaving the spacecraft effectively inoperable.

20 Apr·3 min·8 sources
Space

Artemis II Crew Returns Home as NASA Reflects on Lessons from First Crewed Moon Mission in Decades

The four astronauts who flew aboard NASA's Artemis II mission have returned to Houston following a nine-day journey beyond the Moon, completing the first crewed lunar flyby in more than 50 years. While the mission is being hailed as a broad success, engineers are already reviewing a series of minor technical issues — including hydrogen leaks on the launch pad, helium leaks in space, and a malfunctioning toilet — as the agency prepares for subsequent Artemis missions.

15 Apr·3 min