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Down To Earth
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- 1SpaceX Starship Reaches Orbit for the First Time Before Early Return●SpaceX’s Starship Makes It to Orbit for the First Time, but Returns to Earth Early
SpaceX's Starship achieved orbit for the first time in a test flight, a milestone for the company's next-generation rocket, before returning to Earth earlier than planned. The flight marks significant progress in the program's development, though the early end of the mission leaves questions about the vehicle's full performance during reentry and recovery.
- 2Google Earth's updated images reveal Gaza's devastation▼Google Earth exposes devastation in Gaza with new updated images
Google has released updated satellite imagery on Google Earth showing the scale of destruction in Gaza, with news outlets including The Independent highlighting how the new images expose devastated neighbourhoods. The refreshed views allow the public to see, street by street, the extent of damage from more than two years of conflict in the territory.
- 3Poor rains fuel famine risk in Sudan, network warns▼Parched earth and flash floods, poor rains are fuelling famine in Sudan – Ayin network
The Ayin network reports that erratic rainfall in Sudan is worsening an already severe food crisis, with parched farmland alternating with destructive flash floods. Poor harvests are pushing affected communities closer to famine, adding a climate-driven dimension to the country's humanitarian emergency and drawing renewed attention to the plight of civilians.
- 4Last residents of occupied Oleshky 'eat weeds to survive'▼‘Hell on earth’: last residents eat weeds to survive in Russian-occupied Oleshky
A Guardian report describes Oleshky, a Russian-occupied town in Ukraine's Kherson region, as 'hell on earth', saying the few remaining residents are reduced to eating weeds to survive. The account highlights severe food shortages, destroyed infrastructure and the dangers of life under occupation, drawing renewed attention to the humanitarian crisis in the occupied east bank of the Dnipro river.
- 5SpaceX Starship ends flight early after first orbit of Earth▼Elon Musk’s SpaceX Starship ends flight early after first-ever orbit of Earth
SpaceX's Starship, the rocket developed under Elon Musk, completed its first-ever orbit of Earth but ended its flight earlier than planned. The test flight marks a major milestone for the reusable spacecraft, though the early finish has drawn attention to questions about what caused the mission to cut short. Coverage is focused on what the results mean for future Starship launches.
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NASA has cancelled the Mars Sample Return mission, the long-planned effort to bring rocks collected by the Perseverance rover back to Earth. The programme had suffered years of cost overruns and schedule delays, with independent reviews estimating costs well above initial projections. The move leaves the future of returning Martian material to laboratories on Earth in serious doubt, and scientists are weighing what the cancellation means for Mars exploration.
- 7New satellite images reveal scale of Gaza destruction▼Shock over new Google Earth satellite images showing extensive Gaza destruction
Updated Google Earth satellite imagery showing widespread destruction across Gaza has drawn widespread shock. The images reveal the extent of damage to buildings and infrastructure following months of conflict, offering the public a rare broad view of conditions on the ground that has prompted strong reactions online.
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SpaceX's Starship has splashed back down to Earth after its latest test flight, according to NBC News. The splashdown marks another step in the company's efforts to develop the giant reusable rocket for future missions. Reactions focus on how the vehicle performed during its return, with observers weighing the result against the goals SpaceX set for the flight.
- 9SpaceX's Starship reaches orbit for first time, returns early▼SpaceX's Starship reaches orbit for the first time but returns early to Earth
SpaceX has launched its enormous Starship into orbit for the first time, successfully delivering the newest and most advanced Starlink satellites yet. However, flight controllers brought the spacecraft back to Earth early on Monday rather than completing six full laps around the planet as planned. The milestone flight is being closely watched as a major step for the rocket programme.
- 10SpaceX Starship reaches orbit, then explodes on return▼SpaceX's Starship reaches orbit for the first time, then returns early and blows up in a fiery explosion
SpaceX's Starship achieved orbit for the first time, a major milestone for the company's next-generation rocket. However, the spacecraft returned to Earth earlier than planned and was destroyed in a fiery explosion during reentry. The flight is still seen as significant progress for SpaceX's Starship programme, which aims to support future missions to the Moon and Mars. Observers are weighing the achievement of reaching orbit against the dramatic loss of the vehicle.
- 11SpaceX Starship reaches orbit for the first time▼‘Starship is in orbit’: cheers go up as huge SpaceX rocket circles Earth for first time
SpaceX's Starship, the largest rocket ever built, has successfully circled Earth in orbit for the first time, prompting cheers at the company as controllers confirmed the milestone. The achievement marks a major step forward for Elon Musk's Starship program, which aims to support future missions to the Moon and Mars.
- 12SpaceX to attempt first orbital flight of Starship rocket▼SpaceX to attempt putting Starship rocket into Earth orbit for first time
SpaceX is preparing to send its Starship rocket into Earth orbit for the first time, a milestone test for the vehicle the company plans to use for missions to the Moon and Mars. The attempt, widely reported by international outlets including France 24, is being closely watched by space observers as Starship is the most powerful rocket ever developed, and a successful orbital flight would mark a major step forward for private spaceflight.
- 13SpaceX Starship launches from South Texas, lands hard▼SpaceX’s Starship launches from South Texas, returns to Earth with a thud
SpaceX launched its Starship rocket from its Starbase facility in South Texas, with the vehicle returning to Earth and landing with a hard impact. Reports from Texas and Houston public media outlets describe the mission as ending in a thud rather than a smooth touchdown. The flight is part of the company's ongoing test program for the vehicle it intends to use for deep-space missions.
- 14SpaceX Starship splashes down after successful orbital flight▼SpaceX starship rocket splashes down after successful launch and orbit around Earth
SpaceX's Starship rocket has splashed down after a successful launch and orbit around Earth, completing a full test flight. The mission marks another milestone for the company's next-generation spacecraft, designed for missions to the Moon and eventually Mars. Observers are watching closely as Starship's progress shapes the future of deep-space exploration and NASA's lunar plans.
- 15Starship to attempt first orbital flight▼Starship, world's most powerful spacecraft, to launch in attempt to orbit Earth for first time
SpaceX's Starship, the most powerful spacecraft ever built, is preparing for a launch that would attempt to reach Earth orbit for the first time. A successful flight would mark a major milestone for the rocket program, which is central to SpaceX's ambitions for deep space travel and NASA's plans to return astronauts to the Moon.
- 16SpaceX launches Starship rocket on first orbital mission●SpaceX launches giant Starship rocket on first mission to orbit Earth
SpaceX has launched its giant Starship rocket on its first mission intended to reach orbit around Earth. The test flight from Starbase in Texas marks a major milestone for the largest and most powerful rocket ever built, which Elon Musk's company hopes will eventually carry crews to the Moon and Mars.
- 17SpaceX Starship set for first orbit of Earth●Elon Musk’s SpaceX Starship set for first orbit of Earth
Elon Musk's SpaceX is preparing its Starship spacecraft for its first orbit around Earth, according to a report from NewsNation. The fully reusable rocket system, designed for missions to the Moon and Mars, has undergone earlier test flights, and reaching orbit would mark a major milestone in its development programme.
- 18Scientists seek new methods to fight mosquitoes as climate warms▼Scientists explore new ways to target mosquitoes as warming climate expands threat
Scientists are developing new ways to control mosquitoes, the animal that kills more people than any other on Earth. As the climate warms, mosquito seasons are growing longer, giving the insects more time to spread dangerous diseases such as malaria and dengue. Reports highlight how extended warm periods are expanding the threat to new regions and prompting research into novel control methods.
- 19Starship launches in first attempt to reach orbit●Starship, world's most powerful spacecraft, launches in attempt to orbit Earth for first time | WATCH LIVE
SpaceX's Starship, described as the world's most powerful spacecraft, launched in a first attempt to orbit Earth. Viewers followed the flight live as the giant rocket lifted off from Texas, with coverage focusing on whether the vehicle could complete its inaugural orbital test flight.
- 20New findings boost case for life on Saturn's moon Enceladus●Promising discoveries about the potential for life on one of Saturn’s icy moons
Researchers at the Free University of Berlin, working with data from NASA's Cassini mission, report promising discoveries about the potential for microbial life on Enceladus, one of Saturn's icy moons. The findings relate to molecules detected in plumes of water erupting from the moon's subsurface ocean, strengthening the case that Enceladus could host living microbes.
- 21New Satellite Engine Could Use Earth's Atmosphere as Propellant●New Satellite Engine Could Use Earth's Atmosphere to Stay in Orbit Indefinitely
Researchers have announced an air-breathing electric propulsion engine that scoops up molecules of Earth's upper atmosphere and uses them as propellant, potentially allowing satellites in very low orbit to maintain altitude indefinitely without carrying finite fuel. If proven operational, the technology could extend satellite lifetimes, cut costs, and enable Earth-observation missions that currently decay and burn up within months.
- 22US and China cut tariffs on basic goods amid rare earth uncertainty●US, China slash tariffs on basic goods but rare earth talks left off the record
The United States and China have agreed to slash tariffs on a range of basic goods, a step that eases trade tensions between the world's two largest economies. However, discussions over rare earth exports were reportedly kept off the record, leaving a key sticking point unresolved. Rare earths remain critical to supply chains for electronics and defense, and their exclusion from the public agreement has drawn attention as a sign that the hardest issues in the trade relationship remain unsettled.
- 23Vatican declares environmental destruction an 'ecological sin'▼Down to Earth - A Green pope? Vatican describes environmental destruction as an 'ecological sin'
The Vatican has formally described the destruction of the environment as an 'ecological sin', a move championed by Pope Francis as part of his push to make climate protection a moral and religious duty. The framing, promoted through France 24's 'Down to Earth' programme, has drawn attention to how the Catholic Church is seeking to mobilise its global followers around environmental responsibility and the ethics of caring for the planet.
- 24Last residents of Russian-occupied Oleshky eating weeds to survive●📰 ‘Hell on earth’: last residents eat weeds to survive in Russian-occupied Oleshky 🔗 https://www. theguardian.com/world/
The Guardian reports that a small number of remaining residents in Oleshky, a Ukrainian city in Kherson region under Russian occupation, are living in what locals describe as 'hell on earth', eating weeds to survive amid severe food shortages. Conditions in the occupied city, already badly damaged by the 2023 Kakhovka dam flood, continue to deteriorate with little aid reaching those left behind.
- 25SpaceX Starship reaches Earth orbit for the first time●SpaceX: Riesenrakete Starship schafft es erstmals in Erdumlaufbahn In zehn Stunden mehrmals um die Erde? Das hatte sich
SpaceX's giant Starship rocket has reached Earth orbit for the first time. The company originally planned several orbits of Earth within ten hours for the test flight, but adjusted its plans before launch. The milestone marks a significant step for the rocket system, which SpaceX intends to use for missions to the Moon and Mars.
- 26Environmental groups petition FCC to halt space sunlight project●"Four environmental organizations filed a petition Thursday asking the Federal Communications Commission to reverse appr
Four environmental organizations filed a petition Thursday asking the Federal Communications Commission to reverse its approval of a startup's plan to beam on-demand sunlight from space to Earth. The groups argue the agency ignored the project's potential impacts on wildlife and astronomy when it cleared the plan, and are calling on the regulator to reconsider.
- 27SpaceX readies Starship for first orbital flight attempt▼SpaceX prepares to launch Starship on first planned flight into Earth orbit
SpaceX is preparing to launch its Starship rocket on its first planned flight into Earth orbit, a milestone test for the vehicle designed for missions to the Moon and Mars. The uncrewed flight would be the first time Starship flies as a full stack, with the Super Heavy booster and upper stage together. Success would mark a major step for Elon Musk's company and for NASA's lunar plans, which rely on a Starship variant.
- 28US and China cut tariffs on basic goods, skip rare earths▼US, China slash tariffs on basic goods – but leave rare earths off the record
The United States and China have agreed to reduce tariffs on a range of basic consumer and industrial goods, in a further sign of easing trade tensions between the two economies. However, rare earth materials remain outside the deal, leaving Beijing's export controls on the critical minerals untouched. Analysts see the move as cautious de-escalation, with the most strategically sensitive sector kept off the negotiating table.
- 29SpaceX's Starship reaches orbit for the first time●SpaceX впервые вывела Starship на орбиту Земли Запуск был произведен с космодрома Starbase в Техасе в 07:49 утра по мест
SpaceX has launched its Starship spacecraft into Earth orbit for the first time. The rocket lifted off from the Starbase spaceport in Texas at 07:49 local time (15:49 Kyiv time). Unlike the previous 14 launches, which followed only a suborbital trajectory, this flight is expected to last about ten hours in orbit, according to BBC reporting.
- 30SpaceX to launch Starship into Earth orbit for first time●SpaceX to launch Starship into orbit around Earth for first time - watch live
SpaceX is preparing to send its Starship spacecraft into orbit around Earth for the first time, with the launch available to watch live. The mission marks a major milestone for the company's next-generation heavy-lift rocket, which is central to its plans for deep-space travel. Coverage and live viewing are drawing widespread attention from space enthusiasts and media worldwide.
- 31SpaceX launches Starship on 10-hour test flight aiming to orbit Earth six times▼SpaceX launches Starship on 10-hour test flight, aiming to orbit Earth 6 times
SpaceX has launched its Starship rocket on a roughly 10-hour test flight, with the spacecraft set to circle the Earth six times before the mission concludes. The long-duration flight is intended to test the vehicle's endurance and reentry capabilities as SpaceX develops the system for future deep-space missions. Coverage is focused on how the extended flight plan marks a step up from earlier, shorter Starship tests.
- 32SpaceX Starship reaches Earth orbit for first time●SpaceX Starship enters Earth orbit for first time in major milestone
SpaceX's Starship has entered Earth orbit for the first time, a major milestone for the company's next-generation launch system. The achievement marks significant progress in the rocket's development, which is central to NASA's plans for lunar missions and Elon Musk's ambitions for deep-space travel. Observers are closely watching what the flight means for future Starship missions.
- 33Last residents of Russian-occupied Oleshky 'eat weeds to survive'●‘Hell on earth’: last residents eat weeds to survive in Russian-occupied Oleshky https://www. theguardian.com/world/2026
The Guardian reports on desperate conditions in Oleshky, a Ukrainian city in Kherson region occupied by Russia since 2022. Remaining residents, cut off from aid and basic supplies, are reportedly foraging for weeds to feed themselves. The city's mayor in exile describes the situation as 'hell on earth', saying almost everyone who could flee has fled as conditions deteriorate under occupation.
- 34Scientists warn Earth's planetary boundaries have been breached●'Planetary boundaries' necessary for flourishing of life have been breached
Scientists warn that several of the 'planetary boundaries' that keep Earth's systems stable enough to support human life have been crossed, with the Guardian reporting that climate crisis thresholds are among those breached. The assessment suggests humanity is now operating outside the safe environmental limits needed for flourishing ecosystems, prompting renewed debate about political inaction and the urgency of emissions cuts.
- 35Earth crosses seven of nine planetary boundaries, scientists warn●and the models behind climate plans may be too optimistic Land carbon uptake has stalled Changing energy and food comes
Earth has now crossed seven of the nine planetary boundaries that define a safe operating space for humanity, researchers say. New reporting points to stalled land carbon uptake, meaning forests and soils may be absorbing less CO2 than assumed, and warns that the models underpinning many national climate plans may be too optimistic. Commenters stress that changing energy and food systems must come first.
- 36Starship splashes down north of Hawaii after three-hour test flight▼Starship returns to Earth; rocket splashes down north of Hawaii after three-hour flight
SpaceX's Starship completed a full-duration test flight of roughly three hours, returning through the atmosphere and splashing down in the Pacific Ocean north of Hawaii. The flight marks another step in the rocket's development campaign, with observers tracking how the vehicle handled reentry and recovery. SpaceX has not detailed the outcome of every test objective, but the splashdown confirms the ship survived to its planned end point.
- 37SpaceX Starship reaches orbit and survives water landing▼SpaceX Starship reaches orbit, returns to Earth in water landing
SpaceX's Starship, the largest rocket ever built, completed a full flight to orbit and returned to Earth with a water landing, a milestone for the company's reusable spacecraft program. The successful test marks significant progress toward deep-space missions, and observers are following what it means for future lunar and Mars plans.
- 38US Mars Sample Return mission killed in funding deal●Mars Sample Return mission is dead in the latest funding agreement. Which means China will likely beat the US to returni
NASA's Mars Sample Return mission has been cut in the latest US funding agreement, leaving the Perseverance rover's collected samples stranded on Mars indefinitely. Observers say China's Tianwen-3 mission is now likely to return the first Martian samples to Earth, marking a major setback for American leadership in space exploration.
- 39SpaceX Starship test reaches orbit, deploys Starlink satellites▼SpaceX Starship test reaches Earth orbit, 26 Starlink satellites deployed
SpaceX's Starship completed a test flight reaching Earth orbit and deploying 26 Starlink satellites, a milestone for the company's reusable super-heavy rocket programme. The deployment would mark Starship's first operational satellite payloads, demonstrating its potential as a heavy-lift launcher for the Starlink constellation and future deep-space missions.
- 40SpaceX Starship lifts off on first orbit of Earth▼WATCH: Elon Musk’s SpaceX Starship lifts off in first orbit of Earth
Elon Musk's SpaceX launched its Starship rocket on a flight reaching orbit around Earth, a milestone for the company's next-generation spacecraft. The launch drew wide attention online, with clips of the liftoff circulating globally and space enthusiasts discussing what the flight means for future missions to the Moon and Mars.