Spacecraft
Coverage of Spacecraft in the Nexus archive.
- Rescue mission launches to save NASA telescope in danger of crashing back to Earth
A three-armed spacecraft launched into orbit to rescue a NASA telescope at risk of crashing back to Earth.
- A spacecraft launches from a Pacific atoll on a mission to rescue an aging NASA telescope
A spacecraft launches from a Pacific atoll and Cape Canaveral, Florida, on a mission to rescue an aging NASA telescope.
- Student Researchers Return to JPL, Continuing a Pipeline That Has Outlasted Budget Cuts
Student researchers return to NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) for a summer internship program, working with engineers and scientists on spacecraft projects. Caltech announced the 2026 class of interns in collaboration with its Student-Faculty Programs office, highlighting the program's continuation despite budget cuts.
- NASA ends MAVEN mission after Mars orbiter falls silent
NASA has ended its MAVEN mission studying Mars' atmosphere after losing contact with the spacecraft for six months. MAVEN, which entered Martian orbit in 2014, was designed for a one- to two-year mission but operated for over a decade before falling silent in December 2025.
- Scientists propose new way to find aliens — and we may already have a spacecraft that can help
Scientists have proposed a new data-centered approach to search for life, which may make the process more efficient. This method could potentially be used with existing spacecraft. The goal is to find aliens and determine if we are alone in the universe.
- They really launched this tiny spacecraft (Well, sort of.) | Space photo of the day for May 11, 2026
A small robot and a miniature space capsule were launched, with a Lego figurine standing next to it in reddish dirt. The launch is part of a unique spacecraft project. The project's details are not fully specified.
- Moon lander preps for the lunar surface | Space photo of the day for May 6, 2026
A lunar lander is preparing to touch down on the moon's surface. The lander is a tall cylindrical spacecraft wrapped in gold foil. It is currently in a large metal chamber with a round door.
- Drone radar could help spacecraft pinpoint where to drill for water on Mars, scientists say
Scientists are testing drone-mounted ground-penetrating radar at Galena Creek Rock Glacier in Wyoming to develop techniques for identifying water sources on Mars. The technology could help spacecraft pinpoint drilling locations for subsurface water detection.
- Artemis 2 spies a crescent Earth above the moon's horizon | Space photo of the day for April 10, 2026
The Artemis 2 mission captured a space photo showing a crescent Earth above the moon's horizon, taken from a spacecraft on April 10, 2026. This image highlights the celestial view during the mission's journey, showcasing Earth and the moon's crescent phases in space.
- Space mission to image Earth's protective bubble
A space mission aimed at imaging Earth's protective bubble is set to launch, with scientists from the Mullard Space Science Laboratory in Dorking playing a key role. The spacecraft will capture detailed data about Earth's environment.