Launches and spaceflight updates: Week of August 1, 2022

Launches updates for the week of August 1, 2022: South Korea launches its first moon mission, Elon Musk hints at a date for Starship, and more.

Enceladus’ ocean not too salty for life

A new study shows that the subsurface ocean on Enceladus is less salty than oceans on Earth. This bolsters the chances of Enceladus' ocean supporting life.

Moon caves and pits are a comfy 63 degrees

Scientists announced that moon caves, shaded pits and lava tubes have locations where temperatures hover around a comfy 63 degrees Fahrenheit (17 degrees C).

See Mars’ Grand Canyon in stunning new photos

ESA's Mars Express orbiter has taken some stunning new images of Mars' Grand Canyon, Valles Marineris. It is the largest canyon system in the solar system.

Webb reveals more record-breaking galaxies

Scientists are finding record-breaking galaxies in Webb images that may have existed when the universe was less than 200 million years old.

Why aren’t Jupiter’s rings glorious, like Saturn’s?

Jupiter's rings are not nearly as dramatic as Saturn's. Why? A new study says that the planet's 4 largest moons are to blame.

Brilliant fireball over Texas on July 24

A brilliant fireball lit up the skies over Texas on the evening of July 24, 2022. If you witnessed it, click here for a reporting link.

Launches and spaceflight updates: Week of July 25, 2022

China launched an unknown payload on Friday (July 29, 2022). An uncontrolled re-entry was planned, for the 2nd time this month.

Webb could see biosignatures on distant planets

Astronomers hope to use the James Webb Space Telescope to detect biosignatures - signs of life - in the atmospheres of distant planets.

Oldest galaxy yet seen by Webb Telescope

The James Webb Space Telescope imaged a galaxy that existed when the universe was just 300 million years old. It is the oldest galaxy we've ever seen.