Monthly Space News Recap - May 2025
Top 5 of the month's most interesting space updates
James Webb finds coldest exoplanet ever
Last month, the James Webb telescope confirmed WD 1856+534 b as a planet about 80 light-years away, orbiting a dead star. Its surface is -87°C (Antarctica is about - 46°C).
NASA revives Voyager-1 thrusters after 20 years
NASA has revived Voyager-1’s backup thrusters after nearly 20 years. The main thrusters had been failing, risking its ability to stay pointed at Earth. Launched 48 years ago, the farthest spacecraft from Earth continues its mission despite power and equipment issues.
China launches its first asteroid sample return mission
This May, China launched its first asteroid sample return mission - Tianwen-2. The mission is headed to the asteroid ‘469219 Kamoʻoalewa’, which actually orbits the Sun, but appears to orbit the Earth, because it is very close to it. The mission aims to collect 100g of samples and return by November 2027.
SpaceX flight-9 fails
SpaceX’s 9th Starship test failed for the third time. After liftoff, the booster fell into the Gulf, and the ship spun out of control. A stuck door prevented satellite deployment, and it broke up in orbit. Still, it reused a booster and lasted longer than the last two flights.
Hubble constant solved?
The Hubble constant measures how fast the universe expands. Two methods have long disagreed—until now. New James Webb data gave a value for one method that finally matches the other. For now, the mystery may be solved.
