
Andrew Jones
Andrew is a freelance space journalist with a focus on reporting on China's rapidly growing space sector. He began writing for Space.com in 2019 and writes for SpaceNews, IEEE Spectrum, National Geographic, Sky & Telescope, New Scientist and others. Andrew first caught the space bug when, as a youngster, he saw Voyager images of other worlds in our solar system for the first time. Away from space, Andrew enjoys trail running in the forests of Finland. You can follow him on Twitter @AJ_FI.
Latest articles by Andrew Jones

China launches Tianwen 2 mission to snag samples of a near-Earth asteroid (video)
By Andrew Jones last updated
China's Tianwen 2 will attempt to collect asteroid samples, return them to Earth, and then head out to explore a strange, dusty comet.

Japan tests its Mars moon sample-return probe ahead of 2026 launch (photo)
By Andrew Jones published
Japan is putting its Martian Moons eXploration (MMX) spacecraft through a series of tests ahead of its launch to Mars next year.

New species of space-adapted bacteria discovered on China's Tiangong space station
By Andrew Jones published
A newly discovered bacterial species aboard China's Tiangong space station may offer insights into how life can survive and potentially thrive in space.

Europe's Proba-3 satellites ace landmark formation-flying test (video)
By Andrew Jones published
Europe's Proba-3 satellites have demonstrated ultra-precise formation flying in orbit for the first time, a milestone with big implications for both science and future space missions.

Europe's space agency weighs fallout from proposed NASA budget cuts that could threaten joint missions
By Andrew Jones published
The European Space Agency is assessing how proposed cuts to NASA's budget could impact it as major cooperative missions face the threat of cancellation.

Lunar laser: China makes 1st daytime laser-ranging measurement from Earth to the moon
By Andrew Jones published
China has achieved a milestone feat, making the first-ever laser ranging measurement from Earth to the moon during the daytime.

China's Shenzhou 20 astronauts take control of Tiangong space station (video)
By Andrew Jones published
China's outgoing Shenzhou 19 crew have handed over the reins of the Tiangong space station to a new set of astronauts.

NASA's Dragonfly nuclear-powered helicopter clears key hurdle ahead of 2028 launch toward huge Saturn moon Titan
By Andrew Jones published
NASA's pioneering Dragonfly mission has passed its critical design review, keeping it on track for a 2028 launch to the potentially life-hosting Saturn moon Titan.

China launches Shenzhou 20 astronauts to Tiangong space station (video)
By Andrew Jones last updated
China's latest human spaceflight mission is headed for orbit early Thursday morning (April 24), and you can watch the action live.

2 private satellites undock after pioneering life-extension mission
By Andrew Jones published
Two commercial satellites have completed an undocking maneuver high above Earth, signaling the successful end to a pioneering spacecraft life-extension mission.

China rolls out rocket for Shenzhou 20 astronaut launch to its Tiangong space station (video)
By Andrew Jones published
On April 16, China rolled out the rocket and crew capsule for Shenzhou 20, the nation's next astronaut mission to the Tiangong space station.

Glitch forces Japan's asteroid-sampling Hayabusa2 probe into protective 'safe mode' in deep space
By Andrew Jones published
An anomaly has forced the Japanese asteroid-sampling spacecraft Hayabusa2 into protective "safe mode" while journeying through deep space on its extended mission.

Germany's military wants its own Starlink-like satellite constellation
By Andrew Jones published
Germany's armed forces are planning to build their own constellation of satellites, to avoid becoming reliant on SpaceX's Starlink or other orbiting communications networks.

Private Astroscale probe will refuel Space Force satellites high above Earth on landmark 2026 mission
By Andrew Jones published
Astroscale and Orbit Fab are teaming up to refuel U.S. Space Force satellites in geostationary orbit high above Earth, demonstrating a capability that could reshape space operations.

China to 3D-print bricks on the moon using lunar dirt in 2028 to pave way for future base (video)
By Andrew Jones published
China is getting ready to 3D-print bricks on the moon using lunar soil, in what could be a huge step toward building a base on the lunar surface.

How Trump's tariffs could shake up the global space industry
By Andrew Jones published
Trump-era trade policies could reshape the global space economy, straining transatlantic ties and pushing Europe toward new partnerships and greater autonomy.

South Korea is converting an abandoned coal mine into a moon exploration testing ground
By Andrew Jones published
South Korea conducted a test inside the former Hamtae mine in late March, deploying prototype moon rovers equipped with tech that could be used in space mining.

Meet 'Nighthawk': Mars helicopter mission could be big leap for exploration
By Andrew Jones published
NASA's next Mars chopper concept could do far more than fly — it could help unlock the planet's watery past, reveal signs of life and scout landing zones for astronauts.

Secretive Russian military satellites release mystery object into orbit
By Andrew Jones published
A trio of secretive Russian satellites launched earlier this year has released a mysterious object into orbit, sparking interest among space trackers and analysts.

US Space Force picks Rocket Lab and Stoke Space to compete for national security launches
By Andrew Jones published
Private launch companies Rocket Lab and Stoke Space have been selected to compete for future U.S. national security space launches.

SpaceX's private Fram2 launch over Earth's poles will send astronauts where no one has gone before
By Andrew Jones published
SpaceX's Fram2 astronaut mission is set to launch toward a polar orbit on March 31, which will be a first for human spaceflight. Why has this never been done before?

European Space Agency launches competition to find its next commercial rocket by 2028
By Andrew Jones published
The European Space Agency has kicked off a competition to support the development of new launch vehicles and boost Europe's access to space.

The far side of the moon was once a vast magma ocean, Chinese lunar lander confirms
By Andrew Jones published
New findings from China's Chang'e 6 lunar farside samples offer insights into the moon's volcanic past and mantle evolution.
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