New UK system to protect satellites against attack shows how global conflict has spilled into outer space

Space is becoming “increasingly contested”, according to military experts.

Jessie Hamill-Stewart, PhD Researcher, University of Bath • conversation
April 14, 2025 • ~7 min

Nasa and Esa want to bring Martian rocks to Earth. Here’s what will happen to the samples once they get here

Scientists will have to check whether the samples contain living microbes before they can be safely studied.

John Bridges, Professor of Planetary Science, University of Leicester • conversation
April 7, 2025 • ~8 min

Asteroid has a very small chance of hitting Earth in 2032, but a collision could devastate a city

The chances of asteroid 2024 YR4 hitting Earth are small but fluctuating.

Maggie Lieu, Research Fellow, School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Nottingham • conversation
Feb. 24, 2025 • ~8 min

As the US and China race to the Moon, these loopholes in space law could cause conflict

Nations will need to tread carefully on the Moon in order to avoid conflict.

Gbenga Oduntan, Professor of Law, University of Bradford • conversation
Jan. 3, 2025 • ~8 min

Donald Trump’s approach to US space policy could throw up some surprises, especially with Elon Musk on board

We already have some clues to what the Trump administration will change on space policy.

P.J. Blount, Assistant Professor in the Durham Law School, Durham University • conversation
Nov. 13, 2024 • ~9 min

Carl Sagan’s scientific legacy extends far beyond ‘Cosmos’

On what would’ve been the astronomer’s 90th trip around the Sun, here’s a look at his legacy as a scientist, advocate and communicator.

Jean-Luc Margot, Professor of Earth, Planetary, and Space Sciences, University of California, Los Angeles • conversation
Nov. 5, 2024 • ~8 min

Nasa’s Europa Clipper spacecraft will investigate whether an icy moon of Jupiter can support alien life

The mission will investigate the potential for life at the icy moon of Jupiter.

James O'Donoghue, Research Associate Professor in Planetary Astronomy, Meteorology, University of Reading • conversation
Oct. 4, 2024 • ~7 min

Boeing can recover from its Starliner troubles, but it can’t afford any other misfires

The company can recover from its problems, but will need to deliver on promises to get its house in order.

Loizos Heracleous, Professor of Strategy, Warwick Business School, University of Warwick • conversation
Oct. 1, 2024 • ~8 min

Astronomers are getting better at detecting asteroids before they hit Earth – and it could save us from catastrophe

This month, they spotted just the ninth asteroid to be detected before impact with Earth.

Daniel Brown, Lecturer in Astronomy, Nottingham Trent University • conversation
Sept. 16, 2024 • ~7 min

Polaris Dawn: the first spacewalk by commercial astronauts will be historic, but the mission carries risks

The SpaceX-backed mission has no professional astronauts aboard.

Simonetta Di Pippo, Director of the Space Economy Evolution Lab, Bocconi University • conversation
Aug. 27, 2024 • ~7 min

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