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a rocket lifts off at night above a bright plume of fire

New record! 19 people are orbiting Earth right now

By Mike Wall published

Three people launched toward the ISS today (Sept. 11) aboard a Russian Soyuz capsule, bringing the total number of people in Earth orbit to 19 — a new record.

Human Spaceflight
a rocket launches at night, leaving a streak of fire behind it

Soyuz rocket launches new US-Russian crew of 3 to ISS (video)

By Elizabeth Howell last updated

A Russian Soyuz rocket launched three astronauts toward the International Space Station today (Sept. 11), setting a new record for humans in orbit.

Launches & Spacecraft
A closeup of a white-shelled astronaut helmet from the left, extending to the middle of the image. A copper-shaded visor stretches across the dimmed interior face. A black-tipped white glove tests on the visor.

How SpaceX built a new spacesuit for Polaris Dawn's private spacewalk (video)

By Andrew Jones published

SpaceX has given us a detailed look at their stylish and innovative new extravehicular activity suit ahead of it being worn during the Polaris Dawn mission's first-ever private spacewalk.

Tech
four smiling people in black-and-white spacesuits sit in a space capsule

Meet the NASA science flying on SpaceX's Polaris Dawn private astronaut mission

By Mike Wall published

SpaceX's historic Polaris Dawn private astronaut mission carried a variety of NASA experiments to orbit. Here's a quick look at the research and its goals.

Private Spaceflight
Cosmonaut Oleg Novitsky shared this photo of the International Space Station on Twitter on Sept. 29, 2021. He and two colleagues were relocating a Russian Soyuz spacecraft from one port to another at the time.

International Space Station: Live updates

By Elizabeth Howell last updated

Find out what's going on at the International Space Station.

International Space Station
The top of a white space capsule pokes up from the bottom, and open dark circle at its center, with handrails arcing upward. In the background, a large curve of the earth against black space.

Polaris Dawn crew flies higher than 1966 Gemini 11 orbital record

By Robert Z. Pearlman published

The private SpaceX Polaris Dawn crew has now flown farther from Earth than any astronauts have traveled since the last Apollo mission left for the moon.

Human Spaceflight
astronaut don pettit wearing a spacesuit and an open helmet

Space MacGyver: NASA astronaut and inventor Don Pettit eager to return to ISS on Sept. 11

By Elizabeth Howell published

NASA's oldest active astronaut, Don Pettit, is set to return to space on Sept. 11. In his spare ISS time, he is known for stunning photography and tinkering with engineering.

Human Spaceflight
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 2024: Rocket launches, skywatching events, missions & more!

By Space.com last updated

Reference Keep up with all the rocket launches, astronomical events and mission milestones for 2024 with our space calendar.

Reference
a large storm spirals above the gulf of mexico as seen from space

Satellites watch Tropical Storm Francine threaten Gulf Coast (video)

By Meredith Garofalo published

Satellites operated by the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration watched Tropical Storm Francine strengthen as it approaches the Gulf Coast.

Satellites
closeup selfie taken by a mars rover, with red dirt and the horizon in the background

China moves Mars sample-return launch up 2 years, to 2028

By Sharmila Kuthunur published

China has moved the launch of its Tianwen 3 Mars sample return mission up two years, to 2028. The new timeline suggests China could get Mars samples to Earth as soon as 2031.

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