Today
Storm tamer wants to put a dent in Australia’s cyclones
He’s a college dropout who has the ear of climate scientists and even the Australian government with his sci-fi-sounding plan to stop cyclones and hurricanes.
May
Mayhem, friction but Elon Musk couldn’t care less
The billionaire’s good times are over in Washington, but he departs a winner. His companies are likely to clinch lucrative deals and face less oversight.
SpaceX Starship rocket explodes in third straight setback
The stakes for the latest flight were particularly high after flights in January and March were cut short just minutes after takeoff.
From banking to rocket science: the family behind Australia’s space bid
After two decades at Citibank, Adam Gilmour, his brother James and his wife Michelle are just days away from launching Australia’s first locally made space rocket.
How Musk secretly struck gold in Washington
The Tesla founder’s lasting impact on Washington maybe to divert a big chunk of US taxpayer money to his empire.
Musk gets his wish: SpaceX launch site approved as city of ‘Starbase’
A vote to formally organise Starbase as a city was approved by a lopsided margin among the small group of voters who live there and are mostly employees at SpaceX.
April
Astronomers find strongest evidence yet of alien life
Scientists have discovered a distant planet covered with a warm ocean that may be teeming with microbial activity in what they called a “revolutionary” moment.
Morrison-backed space start-up lands NASA tie-up
A start-up chaired by former prime minister Scott Morrison has huge goals of building an Australian spaceport and developing horizontal rocket launch technology.
Bitcoin investor buys an entire SpaceX flight for the ultimate polar adventure
Chun Wang has already visited the polar regions in person and wants to view them from space. The trip is also about “pushing boundaries, sharing knowledge”.
March
German rocket’s test flight hailed as it crashes and burns
Fraying defence ties with Washington and a backlog at Elon Musk’s SpaceX have added to Europe’s sense of urgency to develop its own satellite launch capacity.
Musk to clinch lucrative new US deals in ‘horrifying power grab’
The billionaire’s company, SpaceX, is set to secure federal government contracts partly because his allies now hold government jobs. Supporters say he has the best tech.
‘What a ride’: Stuck astronauts splash down to Earth in SpaceX capsule
Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore ended a dramatic mission that began with a bungled Boeing test flight nine months ago.
NASA’s stranded astronauts one step closer to home
A SpaceX capsule arrived at the International Space Station in a crew-swap mission that will allow a pair of stuck astronauts to return home after nine months.
14 venture capitalists unpack the year ahead
More than a dozen of the country’s biggest tech investors say floats will return, there’s no AI bubble, and Donald Trump may be good news for local firms.
Musk’s SpaceX Starship explodes (again)
Wreckage from the latest explosion was seen streaming from the skies over Florida.
Start-up lands on the moon – its first mission is to take a selfie
Firefly Aerospace’s Blue Ghost lander is the first private company to put a spacecraft on the moon without crashing or falling over.
February
Good news! An asteroid doomsday is getting less likely
Don’t blame astronomers for the odds that an asteroid will strike Earth in 2032. The likelihood has gone from 3.1 per cent to less than 1 per cent.
Texas firm hitches ride with SpaceX to send drone to the moon
Intuitive Machines’ lander, named Athena, is taking a fast track to the moon while hoping to avoid the fate of its predecessor, which tipped over at touchdown.
December 2024
Inside the program putting people back on the moon
One-armed robots are being trained in lunar construction as earthlings prepare to return to our satellite for the first time in 50 years – and not for days this time, but months.
November 2024
What’s it like to be stuck in space? Horrible says this astronaut
Astronauts know missions can go awry but still, an extended stay is tough on your body and your relationships. It’s also kind of boring.