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Blue Origin space station

Can Blue Origin help replace the International Space Station?

28 October 2021

Blue Origin is one of a number of firms hoping to build a commercial space station, but it isn't clear any will be ready before the International Space Station reaches the end of its life


Chinese Space Station

China is about to start building a space station in orbit

27 April 2021

China is about to launch the first section of a new space station, beginning a massive orbital construction project that is expected to end in 2022 with an outpost about a quarter of the size of the International Space Station


Falcon 9 launch

Astronauts ride reused SpaceX capsule and rocket for the first time

23 April 2021

Astronauts from NASA, the ESA and Japanese space agency JAXA have blasted off to the International Space Station on a reused SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule and Falcon 9 rocket


Astronauts

NASA can't decide whether astronauts should wash their underwear

26 November 2020

NASA has partnered with consumer goods firm Procter & Gamble to develop a detergent that can wash clothes in space. Up until now, NASA has found it more cost-efficient to dispose of dirty garments


International Space Station image shows beauty of the world's oceans

International Space Station image shows beauty of the world's oceans

7 October 2020

This spectacular image from inside the International Space Station's observation dome peeks through clouds to reveal Earth's oceans from 400 kilometres away


Lighting fires in space is helping us make greener energy on Earth

Lighting fires in space is helping us make greener energy on Earth

16 September 2020

Flames reveal their secret workings when freed from the effects of gravity, so burning things in space may help us get more energy from less fuel back on Earth


NASA to film an Estée Lauder ad in space as the ISS opens for business

NASA to film an Estée Lauder ad in space as the ISS opens for business

16 September 2020

NASA is trying to turn the ageing International Space Station into a hub for commerce and has partnered with the likes of Estée Lauder and Adidas


Deinococcus radiodurans

Radiation-resistant bacteria could survive journey from Earth to Mars

26 August 2020

Bacteria strapped to the outside of the International Space Station were still alive three years later, suggesting that microbes could travel on asteroids between planets


Lettuce on the ISS

Lettuce grown on space station is just as good as on Earth

6 March 2020

Lettuce grown on the International Space Station has been served with tacos and cheeseburgers, and it turns out to be just as nutritious as the Earth-grown version


Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft is launching to space for the first time

Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft is launching to space for the first time

19 December 2019

Boeing’s Starliner will launch to the International Space Station on 20 December. This first flight will carry cargo but the next one is expected to take passengers


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