James Webb Space Telescope Explained: Where It Is and What It Sees
A plain-English guide to the James Webb Space Telescope: why it orbits a point beyond the Moon, why it sees in infrared, and how its pictures go from raw data to official releases.
Category: Space
Rocket launches, NASA and international missions, the space station, telescopes in orbit and the companies building rockets and satellites.
How Do Astronauts Go to the Bathroom in Space? ISS and Orion Toilets
A fan, a funnel and a sealed can do the job that gravity does on Earth. Here is how the space station and Orion toilets work, and what happens on a spacewalk.
How SpaceX Reuses Falcon 9 Boosters, From Landing to Next Flight
Reusable boosters changed how often rockets fly. Here is how a Falcon 9 first stage gets back to Earth, what happens before its next launch and how Starship aims to go further.
How to See the ISS From Your Backyard With NASA Spot the Station
The space station is one of the easiest things in orbit to see with your own eyes. All you need is the time of the next pass, a clear sky and a few minutes outside.
How to Watch NASA Missions Live and Track Spacecraft in Real Time
NASA's live coverage is free and spread across a few official channels. Here is where to find the stream, the schedule, the mission timeline and a live view of where a spacecraft is.
Why Rocket Landings Cause Sonic Booms and Who Hears Them
Booster landings near Cape Canaveral and Vandenberg can rattle windows miles away. Here is what makes the noise, how far it carries and how to know when one is coming.
What Happens When the ISS Retires: Deorbit Plan and Replacements
The space station has an end date and a plan for its last trip. NASA also has a competition under way to buy space on privately built stations that would follow it.
How Long Do Astronauts Stay on the ISS? Rotations and Records
Six months used to be the standard tour on the International Space Station. Budgets, spacecraft and the occasional emergency have changed that. Here is how it works now.
How NASA Selects Astronauts: Requirements, Odds and Timeline
NASA picks a new astronaut class every few years from thousands of applicants. Here are the official requirements, how selection works, and how private astronaut missions differ.
Why Rocket Launches Get Scrubbed and When They Try Again
A scrub is a normal part of spaceflight. Here is what stops a countdown, what a launch window is, and how teams decide when to try again.