
Andrew Jones
Andrew is a freelance space journalist with a focus on reporting on China's rapidly growing space sector. He began writing for Space.com in 2019 and writes for SpaceNews, IEEE Spectrum, National Geographic, Sky & Telescope, New Scientist and others. Andrew first caught the space bug when, as a youngster, he saw Voyager images of other worlds in our solar system for the first time. Away from space, Andrew enjoys trail running in the forests of Finland. You can follow him on Twitter @AJ_FI.
Latest articles by Andrew Jones

China's Shenzhou 20 astronauts take control of Tiangong space station (video)
By Andrew Jones published
China's outgoing Shenzhou 19 crew have handed over the reins of the Tiangong space station to a new set of astronauts.

NASA's Dragonfly nuclear-powered helicopter clears key hurdle ahead of 2028 launch toward huge Saturn moon Titan
By Andrew Jones published
NASA's pioneering Dragonfly mission has passed its critical design review, keeping it on track for a 2028 launch to the potentially life-hosting Saturn moon Titan.

China launches Shenzhou 20 astronauts to Tiangong space station (video)
By Andrew Jones last updated
China's latest human spaceflight mission is headed for orbit early Thursday morning (April 24), and you can watch the action live.

2 private satellites undock after pioneering life-extension mission
By Andrew Jones published
Two commercial satellites have completed an undocking maneuver high above Earth, signaling the successful end to a pioneering spacecraft life-extension mission.

China rolls out rocket for Shenzhou 20 astronaut launch to its Tiangong space station (video)
By Andrew Jones published
On April 16, China rolled out the rocket and crew capsule for Shenzhou 20, the nation's next astronaut mission to the Tiangong space station.

Glitch forces Japan's asteroid-sampling Hayabusa2 probe into protective 'safe mode' in deep space
By Andrew Jones published
An anomaly has forced the Japanese asteroid-sampling spacecraft Hayabusa2 into protective "safe mode" while journeying through deep space on its extended mission.

Germany's military wants its own Starlink-like satellite constellation
By Andrew Jones published
Germany's armed forces are planning to build their own constellation of satellites, to avoid becoming reliant on SpaceX's Starlink or other orbiting communications networks.

Private Astroscale probe will refuel Space Force satellites high above Earth on landmark 2026 mission
By Andrew Jones published
Astroscale and Orbit Fab are teaming up to refuel U.S. Space Force satellites in geostationary orbit high above Earth, demonstrating a capability that could reshape space operations.

China to 3D-print bricks on the moon using lunar dirt in 2028 to pave way for future base (video)
By Andrew Jones published
China is getting ready to 3D-print bricks on the moon using lunar soil, in what could be a huge step toward building a base on the lunar surface.

How Trump's tariffs could shake up the global space industry
By Andrew Jones published
Trump-era trade policies could reshape the global space economy, straining transatlantic ties and pushing Europe toward new partnerships and greater autonomy.

South Korea is converting an abandoned coal mine into a moon exploration testing ground
By Andrew Jones published
South Korea conducted a test inside the former Hamtae mine in late March, deploying prototype moon rovers equipped with tech that could be used in space mining.

Meet 'Nighthawk': Mars helicopter mission could be big leap for exploration
By Andrew Jones published
NASA's next Mars chopper concept could do far more than fly — it could help unlock the planet's watery past, reveal signs of life and scout landing zones for astronauts.

Secretive Russian military satellites release mystery object into orbit
By Andrew Jones published
A trio of secretive Russian satellites launched earlier this year has released a mysterious object into orbit, sparking interest among space trackers and analysts.

US Space Force picks Rocket Lab and Stoke Space to compete for national security launches
By Andrew Jones published
Private launch companies Rocket Lab and Stoke Space have been selected to compete for future U.S. national security space launches.

SpaceX's private Fram2 launch over Earth's poles will send astronauts where no one has gone before
By Andrew Jones published
SpaceX's Fram2 astronaut mission is set to launch toward a polar orbit on March 31, which will be a first for human spaceflight. Why has this never been done before?

European Space Agency launches competition to find its next commercial rocket by 2028
By Andrew Jones published
The European Space Agency has kicked off a competition to support the development of new launch vehicles and boost Europe's access to space.

The far side of the moon was once a vast magma ocean, Chinese lunar lander confirms
By Andrew Jones published
New findings from China's Chang'e 6 lunar farside samples offer insights into the moon's volcanic past and mantle evolution.

Feel the burn with this amazing video of a Varda space capsule's plunge through Earth's atmosphere
By Andrew Jones published
The final two minutes of the video show things really heating up.

Tiangong astronauts experiment with AI robot and more to kick off busy year for Chinese human spaceflight (video)
By Andrew Jones published
China is planning to send two new crews to its Tiangong space station in another busy year of human spaceflight.

Watch sparks fly as Blue Ghost lander drills into the moon (video)
By Andrew Jones published
Firefly Aerospace's Blue Ghost lander has beamed back video of its ongoing lunar science operations, including drilling into the surface of the moon.

Private mini rover aboard sideways Athena moon lander was ready to roll — but it couldn't get out
By Andrew Jones published
Data sent to Earth by its MAPP moon rover on Intuitive Machines' ill-fated IM-2 mission will help Colorado company Lunar Outpost prepare for future lunar voyages.

1st American robotic lunar rover set to land on the moon today
By Andrew Jones published
Colorado-based company Lunar Outpost's MAPP rover is poised to land today (March 6) near the lunar south pole aboard the private Athena moon lander.

Varda space capsule returns to Earth in 1st commercial landing in Australian Outback (photos)
By Andrew Jones published
Varda Space has successfully landed a reentry capsule in Australia, delivering critical data that could advance in-space manufacturing and hypersonic technologies.
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