Science News
Latest science news and updates
Total: 24
Spectacular Auroras Over China as a Major Geomagnetic Storm Rocks Earth
A major geomagnetic storm caused auroras to appear across large swathes of China, delighting onlookers but also raising concerns about impacts to satellites, communications and power systems. The event highlights ongoing solar activity and the need for robust space-weather monitoring and infrastructure resilience.
NASA’s Artemis 2 Rocket Rolls to the Pad as Countdown to First Crewed Orion Flight Begins
NASA has moved its SLS rocket and Orion spacecraft to Pad 39B in Florida, marking a key step ahead of Artemis 2—the first crewed Orion flight. The mission, a roughly ten-day free-return circumlunar test carrying three NASA astronauts and one Canadian, will validate life-support and integrated operations ahead of later, landing-focused missions.
China’s Shenzhou-20 Return Capsule Touches Down at Dongfeng, Underscoring Rising Operational Maturity
China reported the successful landing of the Shenzhou-20 return capsule at the Dongfeng recovery site, marking the end of a mission phase and demonstrating the operational maturity of its crewed-space infrastructure. The touchdown underscores Beijing’s move toward routine human spaceflight operations and strengthens both the technical and political foundations of its programme.
Shenzhou‑20 Return Capsule Lands at Dongfeng, Highlighting Beijing’s Growing Crewed‑Flight Maturity
China reported the successful landing of the Shenzhou‑20 return capsule at the Dongfeng site, a routine but significant demonstration of its crewed‑flight reliability. The recovery underpins Beijing’s plans for sustained crew rotations, expanded operations on the Tiangong station and broader strategic signalling in space.
China’s Shenzhou-20 Return Capsule Touches Down, Underscoring Maturity of Its Human Spaceflight Program
China reported the successful landing of the Shenzhou-20 return capsule at the Dongfeng recovery site on January 19, 2026. The recovery underscores Beijing’s growing operational maturity in human spaceflight and has implications for scientific, commercial and strategic ambitions in low Earth orbit.
Chinese Satellite Images Show Antarctica’s Giant Iceberg A23a Entering Final Breakup
China's Fengyun‑3D satellite captured images showing the Antarctic iceberg A23a has shrunk to roughly 506 sq km and is now fragmenting in its final stage. Calved in 1986 at about 4,170 sq km, the iceberg’s ongoing breakup underscores the value of high‑resolution satellite monitoring and has implications for Southern Ocean circulation, ecosystems and maritime safety.
China Loses a Pioneer of Accelerator Physics: Wei Baowen Dies at 91
Wei Baowen, an eminent Chinese nuclear and accelerator physicist and academician, died in Lanzhou on 17 January 2026 at age 91. As chief engineer of China’s first heavy‑ion accelerator project and former director of the Lanzhou Heavy Ion Accelerator National Laboratory and the Institute of Modern Physics, Wei played a central role in building China’s accelerator science infrastructure and institutions.
Chinese Academy of Sciences Charts New Path for ‘Smart’ Liquid‑Metal Nanoparticles in Tumour Targeting and Drug Delivery
Scientists at the Chinese Academy of Sciences have revealed how deformable liquid‑metal nanoparticles self‑assemble in tumours, fuse inside cells and evade lysosomal degradation—mechanisms that could enable more effective, controllable nanomedicines. The work offers both a blueprint for intelligent nanoparticle design and a reminder of translational challenges around safety, reproducibility and scale‑up.
Scientists Map a 'Molecular Brake' That Tunes Cell Growth — New Target for Cancer and Neurological Disease
Monash University researchers used cryo‑EM to determine the near‑atomic structure of the KICSTOR–GATOR1 complex, revealing how it suppresses cell growth in low‑nutrient conditions. The finding clarifies a major node in the mTOR nutrient‑sensing pathway and suggests new, potentially more selective therapeutic avenues for cancers and certain neurological disorders linked to growth‑control failure.
NASA’s Artemis II Moves to Launch Pad, Signalling a Critical Push Toward Returning Humans to the Moon
NASA has moved the Artemis II SLS rocket and Orion crew capsule to Kennedy Space Center’s launch pad, entering the final and most intensive phase of pre‑launch work for the United States’ first crewed lunar mission in over 50 years. The mission — the first crewed flight for both SLS and Orion and carrying four astronauts — is scheduled no earlier than February 6 and faces significant technical and schedule risks during upcoming integrated tests.
NASA Moves Artemis II Stack to Launch Pad, Signalling Final Preparations for First Crewed Lunar Flyby in Decades
NASA has transferred the SLS rocket and Orion spacecraft for Artemis II to the Kennedy Space Center launch pad, entering a critical phase of integrated testing before a crewed lunar flyby not earlier than 6 February. The mission—carrying four astronauts—will be the first crewed flight for both SLS and Orion and is a pivotal step toward future lunar landings and sustained operations.
NASA’s Artemis II Rolls to the Pad, Signalling a New Phase in Crewed Lunar Return
NASA moved the Artemis II rocket and crewed Orion spacecraft to Kennedy Space Center’s launch pad on 17 January, marking a key preparation phase ahead of the first crewed lunar flyby in the Artemis programme. The pad transfer signals hardware readiness but ushers in a period of final integrated testing and schedule risk ahead of launch.