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![An illustration shows cosmic rays streaming at Earth](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/d3KZKeEPNAF6XfYa3PJE4H-320-80.png)
Earth got hammered by cosmic rays 41,000 years ago due to a weak magnetic field
By Robert Lea published
Earth's magnetic shield weakened around 41,000 years ago, resulting in increased bombardment of our atmosphere by energetic charged particles called cosmic rays.
![full-disc view of earth against the blackness of space](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/A2zZsEd4niP9KVPJFpMyfH-320-80.jpg)
Mirrors in space could boost solar power production on Earth. Here's how.
By Tereza Pultarova published
Reflect Orbital plans to launch a constellation of orbiting mirrors to beam sunlight to solar power plants on Earth after dark.
![Meade StarNavigator NG 114](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/8bT7ZCQw6TciQxoVCokQcN-320-80.jpg)
Meade telescopes and binocular deals 2024
By Gemma Lavender last updated
Deals We're keeping our eyes peeled for Meade telescopes and binoculars deals.
![a black-and-white spacex falcon 9 rocket launches into a blue sky.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/6pgQXZzFGHBSCAjfVFbGXN-320-80.jpg)
SpaceX launches 23 Starlink satellites, aces 300th rocket landing (photos, video)
By Mike Wall last updated
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket sent 23 more of the company's Starlink internet satellites skyward today (April 23).
![a white, black and red rocket lab electron rocket launches into a blue sky.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/9rpf6pzjTJbZ4nnLqumMxY-320-80.jpg)
Rocket Lab launches new NASA solar sail tech to orbit (video, photos)
By Mike Wall last updated
Rocket Lab launched a South Korean Earth-observation satellite and new NASA solar-sailing tech this evening (April 23).
![illustration of a spacecraft in orbit around earth](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/L5rUXa8BXVSKWsAxGywS9A-320-80.jpg)
NASA ends CloudSat Earth-observing mission after 18 years
By Mike Wall published
NASA's pioneering CloudSat weather and climate mission has come to an end after nearly 18 productive years in Earth orbit.
![two side by side images. at left, a closeup of a lunar crater. at right, a view of the moon against the blackness of space.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Zzpem8eX4JZ3xv87GqpSq4-320-80.png)
Earth's weird 'quasi-moon' Kamo'oalewa is a fragment blasted out of big moon crater
By Robert Lea published
Scientists turned into cosmic crime scene investigators to reconstruct the impact that sent Earth's "quasi-moon" Kamo'oalewa rocketing from the lunar surface millions of years ago.
![A video game astronaut stands on the surface of the Moon](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/4VcpVfqvQmYeSEqPhJnkLX-320-80.jpg)
Fortnite launches to the moon in new 'Lunar Horizons' simulation game
By Jeff Spry published
A preview of Fortnite's new free-to-play "Lunar Horizons" mission experience on the moon.
![two astronauts in spacesuits smiling and standing in front of a wall. the wall has a nasa logo on it surrounded by mission patches](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/sgNkHjCZ9hjMyFFZRg2ZcE-320-80.jpg)
NASA astronauts enter quarantine for 1st crewed Boeing Starliner launch on May 6
By Elizabeth Howell published
Veteran NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams are in quarantine at agency facilities before the 1st Boeing Starliner launch. They are expected to fly on May 6.
![a white rocket launches into a blue sky](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/emzwKqQP6CTkXdFrGYm4fD-320-80.jpg)
Building rockets and looking for life on Venus: Q&A with Rocket Lab's Peter Beck
By Leonard David published
Space.com caught up with Rocket Lab founder and CEO Peter Beck recently to talk about the company's ambitious plans for the future, which include a private life-hunting mission to Venus.
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