The US wants to build offshore rocket launch sites | How should we staff the moon base? | SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launches for 36th time in record

The US wants to build offshore rocket launch sites | How should we staff the moon base? | SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launches for 36th time in record Created for ceo.studentlike.spuniv@blogger.com | Web Version   July 9, 2026 FOLLOW US FOLLOW US   Taking you out of this world, every day SIGN UP ⋅   WEBSITE   The Launchpad The US wants to build offshore rocket launch sites Happy Thursday, space fans. We have almost made it to the end of another space-filled week. And right off the bat, there's rocket launch drama. Right now, the U.S. government is trying to find a way to launch commercial rockets from the ocean, off of sea-based launch pads, but this has sparked serious concern from experts who see this is a quick track to polluting our ocean with all kinds of new, large, and dangerous materials. Critics have said "our coasts deserve better," do you agree?  Beyond this eco rocket controversy, NASA is starting to look at what future moon bases might actually look like. How many astronauts does it take to run a lunar base? We don't yet know. SpaceX has launched a Falcon 9 for the 36th time, a new record, and China is working on a new system that will give us early warnings about dangerous asteroids. And Europe's space agency has declared that its upcoming Rosalind Franklin rover will be looking for signs of ancient life on Mars in the minerals hiding in clay deposits leftover from the planet's long gone water.  Check out what's big in space below: Critics strongly disagree   Trending How should we staff the moon base? A simulation of future astronaut moon bases suggests that mission design, and not just psychology, needs to be considered for success. How big of a crew? Spaceflight SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launches for 36th time in record Liftoff occurred at 5:25 a.m. ET on Thursday (July 9). That's a first China plans warning system for dangerous asteroids The country's plans include spacecraft designed to detect asteroids coming from the direction of the sun, which has long been a space-rock blind spot. How will it work? Skywatching Venus takes center stage with 2 sky shows this July Venus pairs up with Regulus on July 9 before meeting a slender crescent moon on July 17. Easy to spot! Search for Life Could evidence of life on Mars be hiding in clay?  ESA's Rosalind Franklin rover will investigate possible signs of life in Martian clay. ESA plans to find out Today in Space Take a trip to the turquoise waters of the Bahamas  Can you hear the waves? (from space) Entertainment 'Silo' season 3 showrunner explains the time jumps 'We're harkening back to 'Three Days of The Condor,' 'The Parallax View,' and things like that of the '70s.' What do you think of it? Editor's Note Editor's Note That's it for our space update today! Coming up, we will continue to see more developments in the ongoing conflict between rocket companies and scientists and environmental activists trying to find a balance that allows for progress in space but not at the expense of our home planet. We can also expect some strange science conducted from orbit that could benefits humans back on Earth, and a peek into the unexpected effects of Earth politics on astronaut life.  We are also counting down to the last viewing of Manhattanhenge this upcoming weekend. For those in the NYC area, this happens when the sun perfectly aligns with Manhattan's grid, resulting in a one-of-a-kind sunset spectacular. Soon, we will also be celebrating the 50th anniversary of NASA's Viking 1 lander, the first successful Mars lander in history (if you don't count the Soviet lander that lasted only seconds on the Martian surface before losing contact). We are also looking forward to a total solar eclipse in August as well as the launch of NASA's next major flagship mission: the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope. Stay tuned and we'll take you with us! And to stay as in the loop as possible, you can now get Space.com right in the palm of your hand with our new app available now on iOS and Android. Ad astra, per aspera Chelsea Gohd Content Manager, Space.com   Stay up-to-date on all things space science, news, and entertainment by subscribing to our newsletters. Sign Up   Follow SPACE Contact Us: Feedback | Advertise Sign Up | Update Profile | Unsubscribe Privacy Policy | Cookies Policy | Terms and Conditions When you purchase through links in our content, we may earn an affiliate commission.   Future US LLC © Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, New York, NY, 10036