A new European-led telescope could map the dusty, hidden half of the universe, all without using fossil fuels. By Jonathan O’Callaghan If you have ever seen the Milky Way in the night sky, you probably noticed that it looks cloudy. That is because towards the centre of our galaxy, and of most galaxies, there are … Read more
From recycling old satellites in space to turning rocket parts into fuel or beaming debris back to Earth, researchers are exploring new ways to tackle the growing problem of space junk. By Jonathan O’Callaghan For decades, we have been littering space with decommissioned satellites and rocket parts orbiting our planet. Now this space debris poses a … Read more
Researchers are developing satellite links that bring clear, real-time radio and data connections to flights over oceans, helping air traffic controllers keep routes safer and more efficient. By Michael Allen On 4 June 2025, air traffic controllers in Spain’s Canary Islands held a clear, uninterrupted conversation with a commercial pilot flying high above the Atlantic. … Read more
Hypothetical dark matter stars known as ‘boson stars’ could leave telltale ripples across the cosmos, offering researchers a new way to probe the invisible forces shaping the universe. By Jonathan O’Callaghan In 2019, a strange event was observed in the depths of space. Called GW190521, the event sent out gravitational waves – invisible ripples in … Read more
Deep under the Mediterranean, scientists have recorded the highest-energy neutrino ever detected. Now they are working out what this elusive particle could reveal about the universe we live in. By Jonathan O’Callaghan Below the waves of the Mediterranean, Europe’s KM3NeT neutrino telescope is on a cosmic hunt. Towering strings of sensors stretch a kilometre down … Read more
Smarter decisions about real-world problems start with better data – and Earth observation can provide just that, thanks to European efforts to open up access to massive amounts of satellite data collected every day. By Gareth Willmer Imagine using space technology not just to explore the stars, but to stop a disease outbreak before it starts, … Read more