Once again, NASA is asking for ideas to rescue Hubble from certain death
The space agency solicited ideas for reboosting Hubble four years ago, but they didn’t go anywhere.
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Stephen Clark
Space Reporter
Exposed on public author pages
Stephen Clark is a space reporter at Ars Technica, covering private space companies and the world’s space agencies. With more than a decade of experience covering spaceflight and space science, Stephen writes about the nexus of technology, science, policy, and business on and off the planet. He worked full-time for Spaceflight Now, a leading space industry news publication, for 14 years, including five years as editor, covering the end of the space shuttle program and the rise of commercial spaceflight. Stephen is based in Texas, and studied business and journalism at the University of Texas at Austin.
Recent stories by
Stephen Clark
Rocket Report: Winter is coming for Themis; Cowboy Space adds iron to the fire
It’s been a good week for ULA, with big NASA contract, Vulcan nearing return-to-flight.
Stephen Clark
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ULA’s Vulcan rocket is set to return to flight on Friday the 13th
This Vulcan launch will be first to use a full complement of 6 solid rocket boosters.
Stephen Clark
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China’s top-secret spaceplane can’t hide in low-Earth orbit
The DIA’s threat assessment suggests China may soon place directed energy weapons in space.
Stephen Clark
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Inside the Pentagon, the pressure is on to find a home for a new spaceport
Space Force considering options: public-private, federal installation, state land.
Stephen Clark
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US official: Russia’s stalker satellite sure looks like an orbital weapon
The Russian official who called commercial satellites “legitimate targets” now says concerns are “unfounded.”
Stephen Clark
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Japan launches mission to bring home a piece of the Martian moon Phobos
The climax for MMX will come in 2029, when the spacecraft will attempt up to two landings on Phobos.
Stephen Clark
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Russian spacecraft maneuvers in “extreme proximity” to satellite used by Ukraine
“Kosmos 2612 closed from hundreds of kilometers away to extreme proximity to ICEYE-X36.”
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Most Read
A Chinese rocket deorbited over Minnesota and left this in a farmer’s cornfield
All the evidence points to the debris being part of a Chinese Zhuque-2E rocket.
Stephen Clark
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Rocket Report: FAA eyes more Starbase traffic; India’s Skyroot snares US customer
The pioneering reusable upper stage for Stoke Space’s Nova rocket ships out for testing.
Stephen Clark
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Neutron’s first launch slips again amid trouble with carbon composites
Rocket Lab announced the Neutron rocket in 2021, aiming for a first flight in 2024.
Stephen Clark
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Things are finally looking up for NASA’s first missions to Venus in a generation
“This is great news for us. We’re staffing up. We’re accelerating.”
Stephen Clark
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SpaceX calls for better coordination in orbit after near-misses with Starlink
“These led to conjunctions of tens of meters to hundreds of meters. Way too close to comfort.”
Stephen Clark
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If you’re looking, here’s a “good deal” for NASA and the European Space Agency
“We are in the era of people interested in having good deals, and LISA is a very good deal for the US.”
Stephen Clark
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Rocket Report: SpaceX completes launch triple-header; Rocket Lab nets big contract
Blue Origin seeks FAA approval for up to 50 New Glenn launches and 50 booster landings per year.
Stephen Clark
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SpaceX describes surgical intervention before launch of latest crew mission
With Crew-13, Jessica Watkins became the first Black woman to lead a mission into space.
Stephen Clark
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NASA squeezed Treasury, vibe coded, and broke the mold in bid to save Swift
“We did some really, really cool stuff. I’m absolutely gutted we weren’t able to get further.”
Stephen Clark
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SpaceX’s Starship goes orbital, deploying first next-gen Starlinks
Starship had already flown 99 percent of the way to low-Earth orbit. Monday’s flight added the last bit.
Stephen Clark
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With PRIMA, NASA will try to build a billion-dollar space telescope in record time
NASA’s PRIMA mission will use spare parts from Webb to do major science at a lower cost.
Stephen Clark
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NASA chief: I’m only interested in “good deals” from international partners
“There was absolutely a time where we were trying to make everyone happy.”
Stephen Clark
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The Roman telescope has enough gas for 22 years, double NASA’s expectations
The Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope is the first NASA observatory designed for in-space refueling.
Stephen Clark
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For the first time, the US military confirms it has deployed weapons in orbit
“The United States now has on-orbit space control weapons capable of defending the joint force.”
Stephen Clark
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Some satellite companies still have an appetite for boutique launch services
“Dedicated launch is pretty essential for us for most of our missions.”
Stephen Clark
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Could United Launch Alliance’s money problems finally force its owners to sell?
ULA is preparing to resume launching the Vulcan rocket in the coming weeks.
Stephen Clark
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Europe will go it alone on Venus mission after NASA yanks radar instrument
Europe is looking inward, and perhaps to China, as the White House tries to cancel some NASA partnerships.
Stephen Clark
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German company becomes first in Europe to launch fully commercial orbital rocket
“We achieved within a few years what had taken the European space industry decades before.”
Stephen Clark
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After 8 years, Europe’s BepiColombo mission is on final approach to Mercury
“Fundamentally, we want to learn about the origins of this planet and how it came to be like it is.”
Stephen Clark
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Rocket Report: Engines installed for Artemis III; Long March 6C breakup in LEO
Two of Europe’s leading launch startups announced new fundraising this week.
Stephen Clark
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Is Russia’s rival to Starlink failing? Here’s what we know.
At least three of the first 32 Rassvet satellites likely suffered outright failures, and more may be in trouble.
Stephen Clark
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Without new landers or rovers, it’s helicopters or bust for NASA’s Mars program
NASA’s cost estimate for SR-1 Freedom is $2.1 billion, but that doesn’t include the helicopters.
Stephen Clark
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NASA’s next “great observatory” begins mission to widen our view of the Universe
“We would need over half a million 4K TVs to fully display the single Roman image from our largest survey.”
Stephen Clark
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The world’s busiest spaceport is about to get a lot quieter, at least for now
SpaceX aims to launch Starship from Florida by the end of the year. 2027 seems more likely.
Stephen Clark
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Trump’s space transportation policy calls for new spaceport on federal land
“We probably need another site that’s capable of heavy and super heavy launch capability.”
Stephen Clark
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Rocket Report: SpaceX makes its mark on the Moon; ULA names new boss
Taiwan’s effort to develop its own satellite launcher hit a setback this week.
Stephen Clark
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NASA calls off mission to rescue Swift gamma-ray observatory
Without a rescue, NASA’s Swift Observatory is expected to reenter the atmosphere later this year.
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The floodgates are open after another Chinese company lands a reusable rocket
“We will put the booster back into service for another flight as soon as possible.”
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