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
Europe's new Ariane 6 rocket will undergo crucial engine test fire in November
By Andrew Jones published
The European Space Agency has announced a timeline for key testing milestones for its upcoming next-generation Ariane 6 rocket.
South Korea set to finalize cancellation of launch contracts with Russia
By Andrew Jones published
International sanctions imposed against Russia following the country's invasion of Ukraine mean that a pair of satellites due to fly on Russian rockets in 2022 will need to find a new route to space.
India's Aditya-L1 solar observatory on course for its sunny parking spot 1 million miles from Earth
By Andrew Jones published
India's first solar observatory has made a trajectory correction maneuver to ensure it is on course for a special point in space where it will observe the sun.
Iran is seeking Russian assistance for a new spy satellite: reports
By Andrew Jones published
Iran plans to hold talks with Russia over assistance to build a new Khayyam remote-sensing satellite.
Watch China launch more classified Yaogan spy satellites (video)
By Andrew Jones published
China added a secretive trio of new satellites to its clusters of Yaogan orbital reconnaissance spacecraft on Oct. 6.
Spain's new cubesats will fly in space like a flock of geese
By Andrew Jones published
The mission is dubbed ANSER, which is also the Latin word for wild goose.
China adds yet another Yaogan spy satellite to its orbital fleet (launch video)
By Andrew Jones published
On Wednesday (Sept. 27), China launched a fourth satellite in the Yaogan 33 group, which are believed to be radar reconnaissance craft.
Watch Chinese astronauts light a match on Tiangong space station (video)
By Andrew Jones published
China's Shenzhou 16 astronauts conducted an eye-raising experiment in space involving open flames aboard the Tiangong space station.
Japan and India plan 2025 moon mission to hunt for water near the lunar south pole
By Andrew Jones published
The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) Is making progress on its rover for a joint mission with India to the south pole of the moon.
Japan's 'moon sniper' probe snaps photo of Earth from orbit
By Andrew Jones published
Japan's SLIM lunar lander has sent back an eerie image of Earth as a test of the camera it will use to help it land accurately on the moon a few months from now.
After NASA's epic OSIRIS-REx capsule landing success, spacecraft heads to asteroid Apophis on new mission
By Andrew Jones published
NASA's OSIRIS-REx probe, which delivered samples of the space rock Bennu to Earth, is now on an extended voyage to study the infamous near-Earth asteroid Apophis.
Close call! 2 huge pieces of space debris had a near-miss in Earth orbit
By Andrew Jones published
Two big pieces of space junk almost slammed into each other in low Earth orbit, highlighting the need to clear up space close to home.
Next stop, Europa? Nano subs to get test beneath Antarctic ice in 2026
By Andrew Jones published
A European collaboration aims to break through some of the technological barriers to the exploration of icy moons like Jupiter's Europa, using Antarctica as a proving ground.
China's astronauts have been tending a 'space garden' in orbit (video)
By Andrew Jones published
The astronauts of the Shenzhou 16 mission have been cultivating vegetables as part of their science experiment workload aboard the Tiangong space station.
Japan's SLIM moon lander completes 1st critical phase in Earth orbit
By Andrew Jones published
Japan's SLIM moon lander has passed a first critical operation period in Earth orbit, meaning its solar panels, communications, propulsion and other systems are working well.
China's new wide-field survey telescope scopes out Andromeda galaxy
By Andrew Jones published
A new high-resolution, wide-field telescope situated in China offers its first stunning view.
Venezuela may put an astronaut on a Chinese moon mission
By Andrew Jones published
The first Venezuelan man or woman could land on the moon on a Chinese spacecraft, Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro said last week.
Germany signs on to NASA's Artemis Accords for moon exploration
By Andrew Jones published
Germany signed the Artemis Accords on Thursday (Sept. 14), becoming the 29th country to join NASA's framework for peaceful moon exploration.
Humanity's current space behavior 'unsustainable,' European Space Agency report warns
By Andrew Jones published
Greater efforts are needed to make valuable orbits sustainable, according to a new report from the European Space Agency.
Watch China's Shenzhou 16 astronauts clean the Tiangong space station (video)
By Andrew Jones published
China's Shenzhou 16 astronauts have been working hard to keep the Tiangong space station neat and clean, as a newly released video shows.
Luna-25 failure won't be end of Russia's moon program, Putin says
By Andrew Jones published
Russia will continue its lunar exploration efforts despite the recent loss of its Luna-25 moon lander, according to Russian leader Vladimir Putin.
Vladimir Putin meets North Korea's Kim Jong-un at Russia's Vostochny Cosmodrome spaceport for 5-hour summit
By Andrew Jones published
Vladimir Putin met with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un at a Russian spaceport on Wednesday (Sept. 13), likely discussing a range of possibilities for space-related cooperation.
China sends record-setting Tianzhou 5 cargo spacecraft to fiery death (video)
By Andrew Jones published
Tianzhou 5, which docked with China's Tiangong space station just two hours after launching last November, has completed its orbital tasks and met its fiery fate.
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