Michael F. Lembeck Latest articles by Michael F. Lembeck Why Space Exploration is Important to the United States By Michael F. Lembeck published 15 June 06 Space Exploration Get the Space.com NewsletterBreaking space news, the latest updates on rocket launches, skywatching events and more!Contact me with news and offers from other Future brandsReceive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsors MORE FROM SPACE...1NASA names geomagnetic storm for 1st time, honoring a space weather scientist who died suddenly in 20242Moon mining machine: Interlune unveils helium-3 harvester prototype (photo)3SpaceX gets updated Starship launch license but still awaits Flight 9 approval 4James Webb Space Telescope discovers an alien planetary system's icy edge5Our galaxy's swirling gases and magnetic lines create cosmic artwork in new simulation