Work on Russia’s leaky space station module causes astronauts to take shelter
“We look forward to working with Roscosmos on a collaborative approach to address the leaks.”
Stephen Clark
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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: Blue Origin explosion still making headlines; Impulse raises money
NASA expects to begin stacking the SLS rocket this summer for next year’s Artemis III launch.
Stephen Clark
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Safety officials finally have a good idea of what a big rocket explosion can do
Overpressure from the Blue Origin blast shattered windows at a hangar about a mile away from the pad.
Stephen Clark
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67
After 11 years at Mars, NASA’s MAVEN spacecraft went out with a whisper
“I think the team has really experienced the loss of a loved one with the end of the mission.”
Stephen Clark
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In a surprise launch, China debuts another big rocket designed for reusability
There are sound engineering reasons to use the same approach SpaceX uses with the Falcon 9.
Stephen Clark
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Rocket Report: A dark day for Blue Origin; Pentagon eyes new launch site
A new crew launched to China’s Tiangong space station, and one of the astronauts will stay for a year.
Stephen Clark
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Amazon turns to Jeff Bezos’ other company to do some heavy lifting
Amazon is turning a corner with its launch providers, but ULA’s Vulcan remains grounded.
Stephen Clark
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US Space Force confirms SpaceX will build sensor-to-shooter targeting network
“We aren’t trading speed for scale; we are demanding both,” says the military’s program manager.
Stephen Clark
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Most Read
SpaceX’s Starship V3—still a work in progress—mostly successful on first flight
SpaceX has more to prove before flying Starship all the way to low-Earth orbit.
Stephen Clark
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Four Russian satellites are now within striking distance of an ICEYE radarsat
“This capability is not common for satellites conducting typical missions.”
Stephen Clark
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Ground system issue scrubs first launch of SpaceX’s Starship V3 rocket
Engineers could make another attempt to launch Starship as soon as Friday evening.
Stephen Clark
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NASA’s Psyche spacecraft returns unfamiliar views of a familiar world
“As a bonus, it captured Mars images from a rare perspective.”
Stephen Clark
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“I’ll buy 10 of those”—NASA science chief yearns for mass-produced satellites
“How in the hell do I get more science into space? That is my goal.”
Stephen Clark
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Three’s a party: US, China, and now Russia are on the prowl in GEO
Instead of running silent and deep, most satellites easily stand out against the blackness of space.
Stephen Clark
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Rocket Report: Cowboy up for data centers in LEO; Russia’s new ICBM actually works
SpaceX’s upgraded Starship is set to launch on its first test flight as soon as Tuesday, May 19.
Stephen Clark
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A new US military wargame series began by simulating a nuclear weapon in orbit
US officials have said a nuclear detonation would render portions of low-Earth orbit useless for up to a year.
Stephen Clark
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Once again, SpaceX has set a new record for the tallest rocket ever built
SpaceX cleared an important milestone Monday on the road to launching a new version of Starship.
Stephen Clark
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Engineers at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Lab make a breakthrough in rotor technology
Testing shows rotor blades won’t disintegrate when they spin at supersonic speed.
Stephen Clark
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152
SpaceX is starting to move on from the world’s most successful rocket
Vandenberg Space Force Base in California is set to become SpaceX’s busiest launch site—for now.
Stephen Clark
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Here’s what has to happen if NASA wants to land on the Moon every month
NASA is serious about taking more shots on goal, but some of them need to start landing.
Stephen Clark
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Rocket Report: Falcon Heavy is back; Russia’s Soyuz-5 finally debuts
Two launches this week delivered 61 more satellites to orbit for the Amazon Leo broadband network.
Stephen Clark
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Russia cloaks launch schedule after spaceport falls in Ukraine’s sights
“We had serious inbound attempts to the cosmodrome that day.”
Stephen Clark
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Put it in pencil: NASA’s Artemis III mission will launch no earlier than late 2027
SpaceX and Blue Origin tell NASA their lunar landers will be ready for Artemis III in late 2027.
Stephen Clark
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Artemis II broke Fred Haise’s distance record, but he is happy to pass it on
“It wasn’t a big deal. It just coincided with the fact that Moon was farther away from the Earth.”
Stephen Clark
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This is who’s developing Golden Dome’s orbital interceptors—if they’re ever built
“If boost-phase intercept from space is not affordable and scalable, we will not produce it.”
Stephen Clark
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US Space Command: Russia is now operationalizing co-orbital ASAT weapons
“They’re putting operational systems up within orbit reach of our high-value satellites.”
Stephen Clark
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Pentagon pulls the plug on one of the military’s most troubled space programs
Problems with the ground system would have “put current GPS military and civilian capabilities at risk.”
Stephen Clark
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Blue Origin’s rocket reuse achievement marred by upper stage failure
Blue Origin’s reused first stage hit its targets, but New Glenn’s upper stage did not.
Stephen Clark
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Rocket Report: Starship V3 test-fired; ESA’s tentative step toward crew launch
Blue Origin will soon launch the third flight of its New Glenn rocket, this time with a reused booster.
Stephen Clark
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After a saga of broken promises, a European rover finally has a ride to Mars
Europe’s first Mars rover mission is now on its fourth rocket: SpaceX’s Falcon Heavy
Stephen Clark
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The race to Shackleton Crater is on—will Jeff Bezos or China get there first?
US and Chinese landers could be operating in close proximity on the Moon later this year.
Stephen Clark
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113
Vulcan woes will “absolutely” be a factor in Pentagon’s next rocket competition
“If the spacecraft is ready to go, that’s going to give it a priority.”
Stephen Clark
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64
NASA chose the right crew to launch a new era of human space exploration
“It’s a special thing to be human, and it’s a special thing to be on planet Earth.”
Stephen Clark
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Four astronauts are back home after a daring ride around the Moon
“I can’t imagine a better crew that just completed a perfect mission right now.”
Stephen Clark
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Orion helium leak no threat to Artemis II reentry but will require redesign
After leaks on Artemis I and II, Orion’s next flight to the Moon will need new valves.
Stephen Clark
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The gravity of their experience hasn’t quite set in for the Artemis II astronauts
“I’m actually getting chills right now just thinking about it. My palms are sweating.”
Stephen Clark
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