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Spaceflight

a triple-core rocket blasts off under a sunny, partly cloudy blue sky. smoke expands below next to an obscured launch tower, near a long white hanger with SPACEX written on the side. To the left, a bird flies away.

Rocket launch today: Is there a rocket launch and what time?

By Josh Dinner, Tariq Malik last updated 9 January 26

Follow Space.com's rocket launch blog for the latest on when the next rocket launch will be and how to follow it live.

Launches & Spacecraft

Graphic illustration with 'space calendar' in large blue neon letters and 2023 below it in smaller white letters. Below the title are four neon images depicting a meteor or comet, a telescope, a rocket launch and an astronaut's helmet. There is a starry background to the entire image.

Space calendar 2026: Rocket launches, skywatching events, missions & more!

By Space.com last updated 9 January 26

Reference Keep up with all the rocket launches, astronomical events and mission milestones for 2026 with our space calendar.

Reference

The crew of NASA’s SpaceX Crew-11 on the International Space Station. Clockwise from top left are: NASA's Mike Fincke, Zena Cardman, Russia's Oleg Platonov and Japan's Kimiya Yui.

NASA will return 4 astronauts home early in 1st-ever medical evacuation from the International Space Station

By Mike Wall published 8 January 26

NASA has decided to bring the four astronauts of SpaceX's Crew-11 mission home from the International Space Station early due to a medical issue experienced by a crewmember in orbit.

International Space Station

An astronaut in a white space suit faces toward the bottom of the image amidst a series of space equipment floating above Earth.

How does NASA handle astronaut medical issues in space?

By Josh Dinner published 8 January 26

NASA just postponed a spacewalk because of a medical concern with an astronaut. Here's how the agency has handled such issues in the past.

Human Spaceflight

Two people wearing blue clean suits and masks bend over a laser table full of mirrors, lenses, and lasers

Former CEO of Google spearheads 4 next-gen telescopes — 3 on Earth and 1 in space

By Monisha Ravisetti published 8 January 26

"We're going to do it in three years, and we're going to do it for a ridiculously low price."

Space Exploration

Science & Astronomy

An illustration of a dark planet with a sliver of light on its outer right edge against a black background

On this day in space: Jan. 9, 1643: 'Ashen Light' discovered on Venus

By Hanneke Weitering last updated 9 January 26

On January 9, 1643, the Italian astronomer Giovanni Riccioli saw a weird glowing light on the night side of Venus.

Venus

What is the moon phase today? Lunar phases 2026

By Tariq Malik, Daisy Dobrijevic last updated 9 January 26

Reference See what moon phase it is tonight and find out when you can see the rest of the moon phases for 2026.

Reference

Mars and Venus buzz the Beehive | Space photo of the day for January 9, 2026

By Kenna Hughes-Castleberry Published 9 January 26

Entertainment

'I was done. I was burned out': Gerard Butler on the rigors of making disaster sequel 'Greenland 2: Migration' (interview)

By Jeff Spry published 9 January 26

"It's about the themes of love and sacrifice and family. And maybe asking ourselves, 'What am I going to do that adds quality to this world?'"

Space Movies & Shows

Predator movies ranked, worst to best

By Fran Ruiz last updated 8 January 26

Hunt down the ultimate sci-fi franchise with our guide to the Predator movies ranked, worst to best.

Space Movies & Shows

Search For Life

How did life begin on Earth? New experiments support 'RNA world' hypothesis

By Keith Cooper published 5 January 26

The new findings strengthen the "RNA world" hypothesis that describes how the first life on Earth could have used RNA instead of DNA.

Search for Life

An illustration shows an ultra short period planet with a traile of gas and dust following it

Can scientists detect life without knowing what it looks like? Research using machine learning offers a new way

By Amirali Aghazadeh published 3 January 26

If nonliving materials can produce rich, organized mixtures of organic molecules, then the traditional signs we use to recognize biology may no longer be enough.

Search for Life

A man looks at the camera sitting in the audience with other people wearing formal attire while a projector screen in the back is lit up with a grid-like image

We didn't find answers in 2025, but UFO researchers say the search continues

By Leonard David published 23 December 25

"Science doesn't always go as planned. In any case, there's a lot of work to be done."

Search for Life

Technology

DJI Mavic 3 Pro one of the best camera drones in flight.

Best camera drones 2026: Take your aerial photos and videos to the next level

By James Abbott last updated 9 January 26

Buying guide The best camera drones come in various designs, but they all share the best image-capture capabilities.

Buying guide

Hand reaches out for one of the best drones

Best Drones 2026: Take your pick of the very best

By James Abbott last updated 9 January 26

These are the best drones on the market, with camera and flight performance that will impress even the most demanding pilots.

Drones

A woman eating popcorn on a sofa watching her laptop

Why do I need a VPN?

By Alexander Cox published 2 January 26

A VPN, or virtual private network, is great for online safety and accessing content while travelling. It's worth getting, but why? Scroll down to find out.

Technology

Skywatching

Mars and Venus buzz the Beehive | Space photo of the day for January 9, 2026

Best lenses for astrophotography 2026: the best glass you can get from Sony, Canon and Sigma

When is the next solar eclipse?

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Spaceflight

Rocket launch today: Is there a rocket launch and what time?

Space calendar 2026: Rocket launches, skywatching events, missions & more!

NASA will return 4 astronauts home early in 1st-ever medical evacuation from the International Space Station

How does NASA handle astronaut medical issues in space?

Former CEO of Google spearheads 4 next-gen telescopes — 3 on Earth and 1 in space

SPONSORED_HEADLINE

Science & Astronomy

On this day in space: Jan. 9, 1643: 'Ashen Light' discovered on Venus

What is the moon phase today? Lunar phases 2026

SPONSORED_HEADLINE

Space Photo of the Day

Mars and Venus buzz the Beehive | Space photo of the day for January 9, 2026

Entertainment

'I was done. I was burned out': Gerard Butler on the rigors of making disaster sequel 'Greenland 2: Migration' (interview)

Predator movies ranked, worst to best

SPONSORED_HEADLINE

What's Up In Space Today

Northern lights - live updates

Rocket launch today

Night sky for tonight

Live 4K video from space!

On this day in space!

What is the moon phase today?

Space calendar 2025

Search For Life

How did life begin on Earth? New experiments support 'RNA world' hypothesis

Can scientists detect life without knowing what it looks like? Research using machine learning offers a new way

We didn't find answers in 2025, but UFO researchers say the search continues

SPONSORED_HEADLINE

Technology

Best camera drones 2026: Take your aerial photos and videos to the next level

Best Drones 2026: Take your pick of the very best

Why do I need a VPN?

SPONSORED_HEADLINE

Latest News

Space Photo of the Day

Mars and Venus buzz the Beehive | Space photo of the day for January 9, 2026

What's Up In Space Today

Northern lights - live updates

Rocket launch today

Night sky for tonight

Live 4K video from space!

On this day in space!

What is the moon phase today?

Space calendar 2025