Incredible Technology

At the center of space exploration beats a heart of incredible technological marvels and innovation that inspires scientists and engineers to reach for the stars. See some of the wildest space tech concepts here, as well as technologies needed to ensure humanity's expansion across the solar system.

Related Topics: 3D Printing, Curiosity Mars Rover Mission, SpaceX, International Space Station 

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a gold-foil-wrapped octagonal lunar probe is landed on a grey surface. A white robotic arm is attached to the probe's flat top, next to an antenna.

DARPA-funded 'Inchworm' robots could help us build moon bases. Here's how

By Josh Dinner published

A maneuverable robot from Japan-based startup GITAI has made the list of technologies chosen for a lunar infrastructure development study from DARPA.

a large white twin-fuselage plane flies against a blue sky.

Stratolaunch's huge Roc plane flies with fueled-up hypersonic vehicle for 1st time (photos)

By Mike Wall published

Stratolaunch's giant Roc airplane conducted its first-ever captive-carry flight with a fueled Talon-A hypersonic test vehicle on Sunday (Dec. 3).

a cube-shaped satellite wrapped in gold foil floats above Earth

Lockheed Martin's 'Tantrum' tech could help get satellites up and running without the wait

By Andrew Jones published

Lockheed Martin and Firefly Aerospace are combining to launch a demonstrator that aims to slash the time it takes spacecraft payloads to become operational.

An Ariane 6 rocket test vehicle is seen on the pad at Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana during a launch rehearsal on Sept. 5, 2023.

Watch Europe's new Ariane 6 rocket fire its engines in new timelapse video

By Josh Dinner published

A newly released video from the European Space Agency highlights a recent wet dress rehearsal for the space agency's new heavy-lift launch vehicle, and its 7-minute hot fire engine test.

a large galaxy shown shining pink, with two nearby galaxies to the upper left. dots of far distant galaxies are littered about

Data science helps cross-check space discoveries 'across time and telescopes'

By Elizabeth Fernandez published

It’s not always easy to match objects from various telescopic surveys. A new method can change this, allowing objects to be matched in up to 100 different surveys.

A still from the video of the Europa lander undergoing testing.

Watch this Jupiter moon lander handle harsh terrain it may face on Europa (video)

By Elizabeth Fernandez published

Landing on Europa is a highly anticipated, possible NASA mission. Engineers recently tested how to successfully land a spacecraft on the icy moon.

illustration of spacecraft with two solar panels with stars and black space in behind

NASA's Psyche spacecraft just fired a laser 10 million miles away in deep space

By Rahul Rao published

The Psyche spacecraft just fired a laser on its way to a metal asteroiod, in a test that could help speed up science transmissions across the solar system.

A small black camera on a faded wooden table. The left half of the camera is a simple digital screen. On the right side of the camera is the round lens and beneath that is the 'ACTION 4' branding.

DJI Osmo Action 4 review

By James Abbott published

The DJI Osmo Action 4 is an impressive performer in all areas making it an excellent choice for professional and enthusiast FPV drone video capture.

a small drone hovers in the air

HoverAir X1 review

By James Abbott published

Review The HoverAir X1 breaks the mold by delivering excellent subject tracking capabilities in a palm-sized autonomous drone that’s easy to use for capturing yourself in photos and videos.

a red, white and blue aircraft with an elongated, sharp nose flies high above a populated area below

NASA's X-59 'quiet' supersonic jet heads for a new red, white and blue paint job

By Robert Lea published

The X-59 Quesst may be "quiet" when it breaks the sound barrier, but it now supports a loud color scheme.

Los Alamos National Laboratory's concept of a space nuclear reactor system to produce high-power electricity.

US military gives Lockheed Martin $33.7 million to develop nuclear spacecraft

By Andrew Jones published

The U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory just awarded $33.7 million to Lockheed Martin to help 'mature high-power nuclear electric power and propulsion technologies and spacecraft design.'

Engineers in white suits assemble and test NASA's first robotic Moon rover in a clean room at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston.

Watch NASA build its VIPER moon rover with these free online watch parties

By Samantha Mathewson published

NASA's first robotic moon rover is ready for final assembly and testing, and you can watch engineers bring the lunar explorer to life.

astronauts in spacesuits walk across the surface of the moon alongside lunar rovers

Artemis moon astronauts will need oxygen. NASA wants to extract it from lunar dust

By Rahul Rao published

NASA wants to figure out how future moon-dwellers can produce, capture and store breathable oxygen from lunar soil.

The miniature robotic arm inside China's Tiangong space station helps astronauts with science experiments and other activities.

Surprise! China's space station has a 3rd, mini robotic arm. Watch it in action (video)

By Andrew Jones published

Inside the Tiangong space station's Mengtian experiment module, there's a small, dextrous arm that can assist astronauts' everyday activities, Chinese broadcaster CCTV revealed.

a man wears a blindfold in a chair that is tilting him to the side

These high-tech buzzers may help astronauts avoid getting lost in space (video)

By Sharmila Kuthunur published

Researchers at Brandeis University in Massachusetts are developing wearable devices which vibrate to help astronauts fight against getting lost in space.

The Space Station’s 3-D printer during flight certification and acceptance testing at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center.

Future moon astronauts may 3D-print their supplies using lunar minerals

By Sharmila Kuthunur published

Microgravity 3D printing using a precious mineral abundant on the moon could help astronauts build on-demand supplies, shield themselves from UV radiation and even refine water, new study shows.

Diagram of message-sending from Vienna to Beijing through space-ground integrated quantum network using China's Micius satellite, which launched in 2016.

China plans to take 'hack-proof' quantum satellite technology to new heights

By Andrew Jones published

China launched the first-ever dedicated quantum communications satellite to low Earth orbit in 2016. The nation is now working to send a quantum craft to a higher altitude.

illustration of a supernova, showing a huge explosion of white light with the blackness of space in the background.

'Deep learning' could shed new light on supernova explosions — and our cosmic origins

By Robert Lea published

Scientists have turned to deep learning to speed up the simulation of supernovas, which could shed light on galaxy formation and evolution.

an illustration of an insect-looking drone on a yellowish sandy planet

NASA wants to fly this nuclear Dragonfly drone on Saturn's moon Titan. Watch its wind tunnel test (video)

By John Loeffler published

Testing for NASA's Dragonfly mission is underway as engineers get the aerial rotorcraft ready for its anticipated 2027 departure to explore Saturn's moon, Titan.

a plume of fire blasts out of a silver cone-shaped rocket nozzle

Watch NASA test a 3D-printed rocket nozzle designed for deep space (video)

By Brett Tingley published

NASA recently conducted a hot-fire test of a new experimental rocket nozzle in order to test 3D printing techniques and new materials for hardware designed to reach deep space.