NASA engineers have tested a new laminar-flow wing concept at the Armstrong Flight Research Center by mounting a scaled CATNLF model beneath an F-15B aircraft. During high-speed taxi trials reaching about 144 mph, the design demonstrated potential to keep airflow smooth longer, reducing drag. NASA estimates the technology could cut fuel consumption by up to 10% on large airliners, offering major cost savings and lower emissions for future commercial aviation. Real-world flight tests are expected to begin soon, worldwide adoption.

NASA’s Artemis II mission will carry historic artefacts into lunar orbit in 2026, marking the first crewed Artemis flight and the 250th anniversary of U.S. independence. The flight kit includes pieces from the Wright Flyer, Apollo and Shuttle-era flags, early lunar imagery, and contributions from international partners and public outreach campaigns.

Astronomers using the Hubble Space Telescope have uncovered new clues to the mystery of blue straggler stars—unusually hot, bright stars found in ancient globular clusters. By studying ultraviolet light from 48 clusters, scientists discovered that blue stragglers are more common in sparse clusters, supporting the idea that they form through binary star interactions rather than stellar collisions.

The James Webb Space Telescope has captured a detailed infrared image of the Helix Nebula, also known as the “Eye of God.” The glowing ring of gas around a white dwarf star reveals filaments and knots formed as stellar winds collide with older material, offering insight into the fate of Sun-like stars.

Physicists at the University of Warwick have developed a new framework to detect tiny spacetime fluctuations known as “quantum foam,” a long-standing prediction of quantum gravity theories. The study maps different types of spacetime noise to measurable signals in interferometers such as LIGO and smaller laboratory setups. By translating abstract theory into experimental signatures, the work opens a realistic path toward testing quantum gravity in the lab for the first time.

Although Jupiter and Saturn are similar gas giants, their polar weather patterns are strikingly different. Saturn hosts a single, massive hexagonal storm at its north pole, while Jupiter features a central cyclone surrounded by smaller vortices. New simulations suggest the contrast may arise from differences deep inside the planets. A denser, “harder” interior could support Saturn’s dominant storm, whereas Jupiter’s softer interior may limit vortex growth, allowing multiple cyclones to coexist at its poles.

NASA has selected three new lunar science instruments to fly to the Moon under the Artemis program through its Commercial Lunar Payload Services initiative. Delivered by U.S. commercial landers by 2028, the payloads will map surface temperatures, probe subsurface heat flow, and measure radiation, supporting future astronaut safety, navigation, and long-term human exploration of the Moon.

Using NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope, astronomers have observed a young star in the Serpens Nebula forging crystalline silicates during powerful outbursts. The findings explain how heat-formed minerals can end up in cold cometary regions and planet-forming disks, shedding light on early stages of planet formation.

NASA astronaut Sunita “Suni” Williams will retire in December 2025 after nearly three decades of service. A veteran of three space missions, she logged 608 days in orbit, led the ISS twice, and set records that continue to shape human spaceflight and future Artemis missions.

A powerful X1.9 solar flare erupted on January 18, launching a fast coronal mass ejection toward Earth. Space weather agencies warn of strong geomagnetic storms that could disrupt satellites, GPS and radio communications, while also producing vivid auroras visible well beyond the polar regions.

Researchers have uncovered a hidden magnetic order in the pseudogap phase of a quantum material, a long-standing mystery in superconductivity research. Using an ultracold-atom simulator based on the Fermi-Hubbard model, the team detected antiferromagnetic correlations emerging above the superconducting transition. The discovery provides fresh insight into how superconductivity develops and could help scientists design materials that superconduct at higher temperatures, advancing future energy and technology applications.

Scientists at the Perimeter Institute have developed a new simulation code, KISS-SIDM, to study self-interacting dark matter. The tool shows how rare dark matter interactions can heat and collapse galaxy halos, potentially explaining dense galactic cores and the early formation of supermassive black holes.

SpaceX Falcon Rocket has launched 29 satellites into the Low Earth orbit, in turn, raising the number of its active satellites to 9,500. With this, the rocket marked its 24th safest flight.

Viruses and bacteria evolved differently aboard the ISS.Microgravity reshaped infection behavior and genetic mutations. Research may advance phage therapy and combat drug resistance.

A new astronomical discovery has revealed a gigantic iron-rich structure hidden inside the famous Ring Nebula. Detected using cutting-edge imaging technology, the structure’s massive size and mysterious origin are reshaping scientists’ understanding of planetary nebulae and proving that even familiar regions of space still hold astonishing surprises.

A sub-zero elastocaloric freezer by HKUST achieves -12℃ with zero emissions, offering sustainable, energy-efficient cooling for the global freezing market.

Researchers at Sweden’s Chalmers University of Technology suggest that frozen hydrogen cyanide may have helped trigger the chemistry that led to life on Earth. Their simulations show HCN forming cobweb-like ice crystals whose reactive surfaces enable unusual chemical reactions even in extreme cold. These processes could generate amino acids, nucleobases and other essential building blocks of life, pointing to possible prebiotic chemistry on icy worlds beyond Earth.

New observations from the Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument are challenging the standard Lambda-CDM model of cosmology. A recent, still-unpublished hypothesis suggests that space itself may behave like a slightly viscous or “sticky” fluid, subtly affecting how the universe expands. By introducing a ghostly resistance to cosmic growth, the model could reconcile DESI’s data showing galaxies receding faster than expected. Scientists caution that further evidence from DESI and future missions such as Euclid is needed before drawing firm conclusions.

NASA has confirmed that the three-member Expedition 74 crew will continue operations aboard the International Space Station following the early return of SpaceX Crew-11. U.S. astronaut Chris Williams and Russian cosmonauts Sergey Kud-Sverchkov and Sergei Mikaev are carrying out scientific experiments and routine maintenance while awaiting the arrival of four new crewmates. The Crew-12 mission, scheduled to launch in February 2026, will restore the station to full staffing and ensure continuity of research in orbit.

ESA suffered cyberattacks that exposed hundreds of gigabytes of sensitive data, including mission details, access credentials, and proprietary software. While no immediate threat is reported, cybersecurity experts warn that combined leaks could pose strategic risks. The agency is cooperating with authorities, highlighting the need for stronger cybersecurity in the space sector.

SETI scientists are using China’s FAST radio telescope to examine the final 100 unexplained signals from the historic SETI@home project. While experts expect most to be radio interference, the search marks the culmination of a massive global citizen science effort and sets new standards for future hunts for extraterrestrial intelligence.

NASA is preparing for a historic crewed lunar mission as the Artemis II rocket rolls to its launch pad this Saturday. The massive Space Launch System and Orion capsule will carry four astronauts on a Moon flyby, marking a critical step toward sustained lunar exploration and future missions to Mars.

Hypothetical dark stars could explain three early universe mysteries: the abundance of supermassive black holes, dense blue monster galaxies, and compact little red dots. Powered by dark matter rather than fusion, these stars may have formed before normal stars, collapsing to create black hole seeds and influencing early galaxy observations, according to research published in December 2025.

Mysterious “little red dots” spotted by the James Webb Space Telescope may not be tiny galaxies after all. A new study suggests they are supermassive black holes wrapped in dense gas and dust, perfectly disguised in the early universe and shining intensely in infrared light.

NASA has carried out the first medical evacuation of astronauts from the International Space Station after a crew member on SpaceX Crew-11 developed a critical medical condition. The mission was ended weeks early, with the Dragon capsule safely splashing down off California on January 15, 2026. The unprecedented return highlights NASA’s ability to manage in-orbit medical emergencies and ensure astronaut safety while maintaining continued operations aboard the ISS.

NASA’s latest global temperature analysis shows Earth remained extremely warm in 2025, nearly matching 2023 levels. Although cooler than record-setting 2024, last year ranked as the third warmest since 1880. Independent climate agencies worldwide reported similar results, reinforcing evidence of a persistent and long-term global warming trend.

India experienced its first space launch failure of 2026 on January 12 when the PSLV-C62 mission malfunctioned during its third stage. A technical anomaly caused the rocket to deviate from its intended trajectory, preventing it from reaching orbital velocity. As a result, the EOS-N1 Earth observation satellite and 15 smaller companion satellites re-entered Earth’s atmosphere and burned up. ISRO has since constituted a failure analysis committee to investigate the third-stage glitch and identify corrective measures.

Astronomers using the James Webb Space Telescope and ALMA have uncovered how a massive black hole shut down star formation in Pablo’s Galaxy. Powerful winds expelled gas at hundreds of kilometres per second, leaving almost no cold fuel behind. The findings suggest many early galaxies did not die explosively, but were slowly starved by their central black holes in the young universe.

Scientists are studying 100 possible alien radio signals identified from Arecibo Observatory data, bringing the 21-year SETI@Home project to a close. Supported by millions of volunteers, the effort found no confirmed alien messages but set new sensitivity standards. Researchers say the findings will guide future searches using more powerful radio telescopes.

Astronomers have discovered a striking shockwave around the white dwarf RXJ0528+2838, a finding that contradicts existing theories. Observed using the Very Large Telescope, the structure suggests a long-lasting outflow from a system thought to be inactive. The mystery points to an unknown energy source shaping how dead stars interact with space.

Astronomers have observed a completely dark mysterious object, which is approximately a million times more massive than the mass of the Sun. It is found about 11 billion light-years distant and was identified in 2025 through its gravitational impact on the light of a background galaxy. This renders it the farthest object ever to have been observed by pure gravity. Scientists believe that it might be a new form of universe structure altogether.

SpaceX successfully launched 29 Starlink satellites on January 12, 2026, aboard a reused Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral. The mission marked SpaceX’s fifth launch of the year and demonstrated booster reuse, with the first stage landing on the drone ship A Shortfall of Gravitas. After a long coast phase, the upper stage deployed the satellites into low Earth orbit, further expanding SpaceX’s rapidly growing global broadband internet constellation.

India’s trusted PSLV rocket suffered another setback on January 12 when an anomaly during the third-stage burn caused mission failure. The launch was carrying EOS-N1 (Anvesha), a military hyperspectral satellite, along with 15 other payloads. ISRO confirmed a deviation in the flight path shortly after ignition, and all satellites are now feared lost. This marks the PSLV’s second consecutive third-stage failure since May 2025, raising concerns for India’s space launch reliability.

NASA has announced the first medical evacuation in the International Space Station’s 25-year history. SpaceX’s Crew-11 mission will undock early on January 14, returning four astronauts to Earth after one crew member reported a medical issue. Officials stress the astronaut is stable and receiving continuous care. The precautionary return will leave a temporary three-person “skeleton crew” aboard the ISS until the arrival of Crew-12 in mid-February, ensuring uninterrupted station operations.

Space Forge’s ForgeStar-1 mission has proven that semiconductor manufacturing is possible in orbit. By generating plasma inside a mini furnace in microgravity, the UK startup showed that space conditions can enable far purer crystal growth than on Earth, potentially revolutionizing future electronics and energy-efficient chips.

A breakthrough has been made in the area of astrophysics as NASA’s James Webb Telescope has spotted two rare kinds of dust in the Early-Universe Analog.

NASA scientists are closely tracking iceberg A-23A as vivid blue meltwater pools spread across its surface, signalling rapid decay. Once covering nearly 4,000 square kilometres, the Antarctic megaberg has shrunk to about 1,180 square kilometres and is fragmenting in warmer South Atlantic waters, offering valuable insight into how rising temperatures accelerate iceberg breakup and polar ice loss.

A medical emergency aboard the International Space Station has highlighted how NASA protects astronaut health in orbit. With no doctors on the ISS, crews rely on extensive medical training, onboard equipment, and real-time telemedicine with flight surgeons on Earth. If needed, spacecraft such as Crew Dragon or Soyuz can quickly return astronauts home, ensuring rapid access to full medical care.

Astronomers using the Vera C. Rubin Observatory have discovered asteroid 2025 MN45, the fastest-spinning large asteroid ever recorded. About 710 metres wide, the object completes one full rotation every 1.88 minutes—far quicker than any asteroid of similar size. The finding emerged from an early survey that detected nearly 2,000 new asteroids, including several rare “superfast rotators.” Such an extreme spin implies MN45 is unusually strong, likely composed of solid rock rather than a loose rubble pile. The result offers new insights into asteroid formation and internal structure.

Dark matter makes up most of the universe’s mass, yet it has never been directly detected. Scientists are now deploying ultracold quantum sensors, underground detectors and space telescopes to catch its faint signals. At Texas A&M, new silicon detectors aim to register extremely rare particle interactions, while global experiments push sensitivity limits. Together, laboratory searches and astronomical observations could finally uncover the particles shaping galaxies, cosmic structure and the evolution of the universe.

ISRO is set to launch PSLV-C62 on January 12, 2026, carrying the advanced EOS-N1 hyperspectral satellite. The mission marks a crucial return to flight after a 2025 anomaly and will strengthen India’s Earth-observation, defence surveillance and environmental monitoring capabilities.

Astronomers have identified an exceptionally hot galaxy cluster forming just 1.4 billion years after the Big Bang. Observations reveal gas temperatures far exceeding theoretical limits, suggesting an unexpectedly violent early formation. The discovery challenges standard models of galaxy cluster evolution and points to intense activity from starbursts and supermassive black holes.

Hubble has discovered Cloud 9, a starless dark-matter cloud near galaxy M94, offering scientists a rare chance to study early galaxy formation. This failed galaxy, part of a class known as RELHICs, shows hydrogen gas but no star formation, highlighting the role of dark matter in shaping the cosmos and revealing potential hidden structures in our local universe.

NASA’s Curiosity rover has shared a new panorama from high on Mount Sharp, created from images taken across two Martian days. The colour-tinted view highlights changing light conditions and ancient boxwork formations shaped by groundwater, offering fresh insight into Mars’ past and the rover’s ongoing exploration inside Gale Crater.

Hubble Telescope observations have revealed a dense gas wake in Betelgeuse’s atmosphere, confirming the presence of a hidden companion star named Siwarha. The discovery explains the red supergiant’s unusual brightness changes and offers new insight into how massive stars evolve and shed material before becoming supernovae.

NASA’s Artemis 2 mission could launch astronauts around the moon in February, marking the first human flight to lunar space since Apollo 17. The crew will test Orion’s systems on a free-return trajectory and prepare for future lunar landings, paving the way for Artemis 3 and NASA’s goal of establishing a long-term human presence on the moon.

New research suggests the universe may be asymmetric, challenging the long-accepted Lambda-CDM model and standard cosmology principles.

New research suggests dark matter may interact with neutrinos, explaining why cosmic structures today are less clumpy than expected. This subtle interaction challenges the standard Lambda Cold Dark Matter model and could guide particle physics experiments. If confirmed, it would be a fundamental breakthrough, reshaping our understanding of the universe and the evolution of matter across cosmic time.

NASA’s IXPE has made a breakthrough by measuring a white dwarf star. The findings have revealed fresh details about X-Ray emissions, formations of matter, and more within the Binary system.

Astronomers have confirmed a rare rogue planet, drifting without a star nearly 10,000 light-years away. Using gravitational microlensing, their distance and mass were measured, suggesting that free-floating planets may be abundant across the Milky Way. Upcoming telescopes, including NASA’s Roman Space Telescope and China’s Earth 2.0 mission, are expected to uncover more of these starless worlds.