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![illustration of two astronauts on the surface of the moon](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/ksbUMxe3ECEDqxYYZNgwAC-320-80.jpg)
NASA's Artemis 3 astronauts will put a moonquake detector on lunar surface
By Samantha Mathewson published
NASA is building a moonquake detector for its upcoming Artemis 3 mission, in hopes of learning more about lunar tremors and the internal structure of the moon.
![a cube shaped satellite moves toward a spacecraft hovering above some snowy mountains on earth.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/8jAiYEerzFne8VyvGrExzJ-320-80.jpg)
Private space-junk probe to conduct up-close inspection of spent rocket stage
By Andrew Jones published
The mission aims to assist the later removal of spunk junk, an issue that threatens the sustainable use of orbital space above the Earth.
![A depiction of the Space Solar Power Incremental and Demonstrations Research (SSPIDR) project, which aims to beam solar power from space to Earth. SSPIDR consists of several small-scale flight experiments that will mature technology needed to build a prototype solar power distribution system.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/hip8kUApxWbD2BT9h3pLh9-320-80.jpg)
Japanese satellite will beam solar power to Earth in 2025
By Tereza Pultarova published
Japan will test solar power transmission from space in 2025 with a miniature space-based photoelectric plant that will wirelessly transmit energy from low Earth orbit to Earth.
![An artist's depiction of a Mars sample-return mission.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/FYWTsJniSMxUdXqWXRfmNV-320-80.jpg)
'Astrobiodefense:' Thinktank calls for defending Earth from space bugs
By Leonard David published
"As fantastical as it may sound, astrobiodefense is neither hypothetical nor fictional."
![A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launches 23 Starlink satellites from Florida on April 18, 2024.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/5oJLoHqbUYDB92p4pCPJqR-320-80.jpg)
SpaceX launches Starlink satellites on company's 40th mission of 2024 (video)
By Mike Wall last updated
SpaceX launched its 40th mission of 2024 this evening (April 18), sending yet another batch of the company's Starlink internet satellites skyward.
![a rocket floats in a calm sea beneath cloudy skies](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/ohg4EXw2EezyZ8e5FR3wM3-320-80.jpg)
Rocket Lab gearing up to refly Electron booster for 1st time
By Meredith Garofalo published
Rocket Lab has put a recovered Electron first stage back into its production line, a big step toward the company's first-ever rocket reflight.
![a tall white rocket with a red square near the top and chinese writing on the side, stands outside a hanger building beneath a blue sky.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/L3GRbyAHmzkTCdztMS2kYQ-320-80.jpg)
China rolls out rocket for next astronaut mission to Tiangong space station (photos)
By Andrew Jones published
Trio of astronauts will be the seventh to visit Tiangong.
![a big blurry purple orb in space](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/yrYeWnnQf5TnLq6VB56qYe-320-80.jpg)
Sorry, little green men: Alien life might actually be purple
By Sharmila Kuthunur published
The search for alien life can now include purple bacteria, thanks to a new catalog of chemical makeup of the lavender-hued organisms.
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