Russian Satellite Makes a Menacing Approach to Another Craft in Orbit

19 October 2026 at 20:24

Although Kosmos 2612 is now backing away, the maneuver raised alarm bells for analysts who see it as part of a pattern of Russian aggression.

An artist’s concept of a satellite made by ICEYE, a multinational company that provides three-dimensional images of Earth’s surface.

How Did Life Arise? Three Turning Points in Early Evolution

NYT: Science

By: William J. Broad · Kenneth Chang and Carl Zimmer

19 October 2026 at 05:01

Where did it start? How did it grow complex? Why did it get big? Three moments in Earth’s early history when evolution suddenly, inexplicably turned up the dial.

A Japanese Spacecraft Aims to Bring Back a Bit of a Martian Moon

NYT: Science

By: Kenneth Chang

19 October 2026 at 16:41

The mission, which launched on Monday, is headed to Phobos, the larger of the two moons of Mars. It could carry back the first samples from the Martian system.

The Martian Moons Exploration spacecraft, built by the Japanese space agency, includes components from NASA and European partners.

NASA’s Perseverance Rover Sets a Mars Driving Record

NYT: Science

By: Kenneth Chang

13 October 2026 at 15:26

Advances in self-driving technology have made it easier to traverse distant worlds.

NASA’s Perseverance Rover Sets a Mars Driving Record

NYT: Technology

By: Kenneth Chang

13 October 2026 at 15:26

Advances in self-driving technology have made it easier to traverse distant worlds.

Before Computer Science Became a Boys’ Club, Margaret Hamilton Wrote the Code

NYT: Technology

By: Carolyn Y. Johnson and Kenneth Chang

8 October 2026 at 17:06

The woman who helped put astronauts on the moon was a software engineer when the field was not prestigious or lucrative.

Before Computer Science Became a Boys’ Club, Margaret Hamilton Wrote the Code

NYT: Science

By: Carolyn Y. Johnson and Kenneth Chang

8 October 2026 at 22:09

The woman who helped put astronauts on the moon was a software engineer when the field was not prestigious or lucrative.

OpenAI Releases Findings on 377 Math Problems, Further Roiling Field

NYT: Science

By: Kenneth Chang and Siobhan Roberts

6 October 2026 at 19:46

After a previous solution angered mathematicians, the company characterized the new release as being more responsive to concerns about A.I. disrupting research.

For 10 of the findings, OpenAI provided summaries of how the A.I. model came up with its solution. The average result took about three hours of computing, the company said.

Despite Setbacks, NASA Gives Boeing’s Starliner Spacecraft a Boost

NYT: Science

By: Kenneth Chang

28 September 2026 at 20:15

A previous mission left two astronauts stuck in space for months. Still, the space agency is investing $359 million to keep the craft flying.

Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft could make another trip to the International Space Station as soon as December, but this time carrying only cargo.

SpaceX’s Starship Makes It to Orbit for the First Time, but Returns to Earth Early

NYT: Science

By: Kenneth Chang

28 September 2026 at 17:29

The 14th test flight marks a crucial milestone toward the company’s ambitions of sending people to the moon and Mars, but it was not a complete success.

NASA Telescope Helps Scientists Find a New Type of X-ray Object

NYT: Science

By: Kenneth Chang

18 September 2026 at 05:04

The discovery of “hypersoft” X-ray beacons could help solve some mysteries about the universe.

The Mathematician Crushed Between OpenAI and Anthropic Over a Math Problem

NYT: Science

By: Kenneth Chang

11 September 2026 at 09:16

Tristan Buckmaster was on the path toward an important proof when one of the A.I. giants used its staggering resources to get there first.

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