Latest articles by Leonard David
Elon Musk wants to put a satellite catapult on the moon. It's not a new idea
Elon Musk isn't the first person to propose the use of mass drivers on the moon. He's following in the footsteps of space visionary Gerard O'Neill, who floated the idea back in 1974.
The Artemis 1 moon mission had a heat shield issue. Here’s why NASA doesn’t think it will happen again on Artemis 2
The Orion capsule's heat shield had issues during the uncrewed Artemis 1 moon mission in late 2022. Here are the steps NASA has taken to prevent them from recurring on Artemis 2.
Satellite megaconstellations continue to grow. Could their debris fall on us?
As more satellite megaconstellations continue to be launched, researchers are exploring the odds people could be struck by falling debris from reentering spacecraft.
Can a nonprofit help protect Earth from dangerous asteroids? How the B612 Foundation has taken on the challenge
For nearly a quarter-century, the nonprofit B612 Foundation has helped scientists track dangerous asteroids and educated the public about the threats space rocks pose to Earth.
What actually happens to a spacecraft during its fiery last moments? Here's why ESA wants to find out
What actually happens to a spacecraft during its fiery last moments? That's the key question for the European Space Agency's Draco mission, planned for 2027.
Chinese capsule damaged by space-junk strike returns to Earth (video)
The first emergency operation in the history of China's human spaceflight program ended on Jan. 19 when an uncrewed Shenzhou 20 capsule damaged by a space-junk strike came safely down to Earth.
Experts push back against cancellation of NASA's Mars sample return project
Exploration advocates are pushing back against the planned cancellation of NASA's Mars sample return project, saying it could potentially find evidence of Red Planet life.
Winning the Red Planet race: Returning Mars samples before China should be a top US priority, experts say
"The Chinese may well beat the U.S. with a grab sample."
China's next moonshot: Chang'e 7 could search the lunar south pole for water this year
China's ice-hunting Chang'e 7 mission is scheduled to launch to the moon later this year, helping set the stage for a lunar base that the country aims to build in the 2030s.
Live long and loiter: Why NASA's ESCAPADE probes will wait a year in space before heading to Mars
NASA's ESCAPADE Mars probes embarked on a 'loiter' trajectory after launch, and scientists say that extra time in space could have some consequences for the twin spacecraft.
Space debris led to an orbital emergency in 2025. Will anything change?
"Some will not change behavior until something bad happens."
How NASA changed in 2025 — possibly forever
"The damage is real, but it doesn't have to be permanent."
We didn't find answers in 2025, but UFO researchers say the search continues
"Science doesn't always go as planned. In any case, there's a lot of work to be done."
Blue Origin's next space tourism flight will break new ground for people with disabilities
Blue Origin's upcoming NS-37 space tourism launch has special significance: One of the passengers is Michi Benthaus, who will become the first wheelchair user in space.
Damaged launch pad: How long before Russia can send astronauts to the ISS again?
A mishap during the successful Nov. 27 launch of three astronauts damaged the only pad that currently supports Russian crewed orbital liftoffs. How long before things are back up and running again?
Space junk strike on China's astronaut capsule highlights need for a space rescue service, experts say
The space-debris strike on China's Shenzhou 20 spacecraft is a wake-up call, say advocates of a space rescue capability — and also a call for an organization to shape that capacity.
Space rescue services needed? 2 'stranded' astronaut incidents are a 'massive wake-up call,' experts say
China's decision to delay the return of its Shenzhou 20 astronauts due to a possible space debris impact has led to discussion of space rescue planning — or lack of it.
Can we find water ice on the moon? Only if we know where to look, scientists say
Space agencies around the world are planning moon missions that will depend on water ice for resources, but much remains unknown about its availability of water ice on the lunar surface.
Mysterious smoldering wreckage in Australian Outback is likely part of a Chinese rocket
A piece of smoldering wreckage found in Western Australia is likely part of a Chinese rocket that crashed to Earth on Saturday (Oct. 18), experts say.
Are we already witnessing space warfare in action? 'This is not just posturing'
"The Russians and the Chinese are demonstrating more sophisticated orbital maneuvering abilities. There's no denying that."
New space debris shield? Satellites and astronauts could suit up in novel 'Space Armor'
Humanity has a new tool in the fight against space junk — "Space Armor," a multi-functional composite that could protect both spacecraft and astronauts.
New DARPA 'field guide' looks for ways to jump-start a moon economy
A recent DARPA study laid out a step-by-step process that could enable an economic link between Earth and the moon. But how real is the promise of giving the moon an industrial makeover?
Mining the moon: Can you make money harvesting helium-3?
Mining the moon for helium-3: How real is the prospect, and is there a business case for such an undertaking?
