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
NASA's Mars sample return mission is in trouble. Could a single SLS megarocket be the answer?
By Andrew Jones published
A single launch of NASA’s Space Launch System megarocket could loft all the hardware needed to return Mars samples to Earth, according to a new Boeing proposal.
India makes breakthrough by test-firing new 3D-printed rocket engine (photo)
By Andrew Jones published
India recently performed a successful hot-fire test of a rocket engine that was built using 3D printing technology, a breakthrough that could boost the nation's spaceflight prospects.
China unveils video of its moon base plans, which weirdly includes a NASA space shuttle
By Andrew Jones published
A video outlining China's moon base plans depicts a wide number of concepts, including surface sample return operations, a lander and rover, and supporting orbital satellites.
China releases world's most detailed moon atlas (video)
By Andrew Jones published
The atlas, which is available in Chinese and English, depicts the surface of the moon with a scale of 1:2.5 million. It highlights many intriguing geological features, such as impact craters.
China launches 3 astronauts to Tiangong space station on Shenzhou 18 mission (video)
By Andrew Jones published
A Long March 2F rocket lifted off from China's Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center today (April 25), carrying the Shenzhou 18 spacecraft and its three-person crew into orbit.
China reveals Shenzhou 18 astronauts ahead of April 25 launch to Tiangong space station (video)
By Andrew Jones published
China has unveiled the three-person crew for its Shenzhou 18 mission, which is set to launch toward the Tiangong space station on Thursday (April 25).
China's new reusable rocket aces key engine tests
By Andrew Jones published
China has made progress on a powerful rocket engine to power its new reusable rockets that are expected to launch the nation's planned crewed moon missions.
Private space-junk probe to conduct up-close inspection of spent rocket stage
By Andrew Jones published
The mission aims to assist the later removal of spunk junk, an issue that threatens the sustainable use of orbital space above the Earth.
China's experimental moon satellites beam back lunar imagery (video, photo)
By Andrew Jones published
A pair of small experimental satellites have begun tests related to future lunar communication and navigation services for China's moon ambitions.
China rolls out rocket for next astronaut mission to Tiangong space station (photos)
By Andrew Jones published
Trio of astronauts will be the seventh to visit Tiangong.
China putting finishing touches on seaside spaceport for commercial launches (video)
By Andrew Jones published
China is making progress on two new pads for commercial space launches from the island of Hainan.
China plans to catch its reusable rockets with constricting wires (video)
By Andrew Jones published
China's state-owned space contractor plans to catch its new reusable rockets with constricting wires, as a new video dramatically shows.
Boeing files lawsuit against Virgin Galactic over development of new mothership aircraft
By Andrew Jones published
Boeing and Aurora Flight Sciences are suing Virgin Galactic for unpaid work and trade secrets related to a new mothership aircraft for Virgin Galactic’s next-generation space planes.
Watch India's prototype space plane ace a landing test (video)
By Andrew Jones published
The Indian Space Research Organisation successfully carried out a landing test with its prototype space plane last week.
Japan's 1st commercial rocket explodes shortly after liftoff (video)
By Andrew Jones published
A Japanese company's first orbital launch attempt ended in a dramatic failure just seconds after liftoff on Wednesday, March 13.
NASA cancels multibillion-dollar on-orbit satellite servicing mission
By Andrew Jones published
NASA has canceled the complex and costly OSAM-1 satellite-servicing demonstration mission.
Watch Chinese astronauts fix Tiangong space station solar wing in 8-hour spacewalk (video)
By Andrew Jones published
A pair of Chinese astronauts spent eight hours outside their Tiangong Space Station last weekend to carry out repairs on solar arrays.
This little rover will ride shotgun on Japan's ambitious Mars moon sample-return mission
By Andrew Jones published
The small device will be headed on a long journey to the Red Planet's neighborhood.
Will NASA be able to return Mars samples to Earth? New audit raises doubts
By Andrew Jones published
NASA's bold plan to get pristine samples of Mars to Earth for analysis is facing major challenges, according to a new report.
China to debut new Long March rockets in 2024
By Andrew Jones published
China will debut several new Long March rockets this year to boost its options for space launches.
China names the spacecraft that will put its astronauts on the moon (video)
By Andrew Jones published
China's human spaceflight agency has given names to spacecraft being developed to put astronauts on the moon: Mengzhou ("Dream Vessel") and Lanyue ("Embracing the Moon").
India unveils astronauts for 1st human spaceflight mission in 2025
By Andrew Jones published
India has revealed a shortlist of air force pilots who will fly on the country's first human spaceflight mission, which is targeted for 2025.
Radar images reveal damage on Europe's doomed ERS-2 satellite during final orbits
By Andrew Jones published
As Europe's ERS-2 satellite tumbled through the sky, radar images picked up some of the damage it experienced during its final moments.
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