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Space

Whether you call it "outer space" or simply "space" — space is all around us, because space is basically the universe and everything in it, including planet Earth.

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This image provided by Intuitive Machines shows its Odysseus lunar lander which captured this image approximately 35 seconds after pitching over during its approach

This image provided by Intuitive Machines shows its Odysseus lunar lander which captured this image approximately 35 seconds after pitching over during its approach

Moon mission Odysseus to be cut short after tumble

Scientists still hope to gather some data before the sun sets on the solar-powered probe.

SLIM on the surface of moon

SLIM on the surface of moon

Japan's moon lander wakes up after long, cold lunar night

Japan's space agency said that its SLIM moon lander miraculously revived after a change in sun's angle.

Handout illustration of Odysseus lunar probe

Handout illustration of Odysseus lunar probe

Odysseus moon lander tipped sideways but 'alive'

The Odysseus moon lander can carry out its payload functions despite being tipped over, its manufacturer said.

Odysseus lunar lander over the near side of the moon following lunar orbit

Odysseus lunar lander over the near side of the moon following lunar orbit

Moon landing: US private spacecraft makes touchdown

The Odysseus mission marks the first controlled descent to the moon's surface by a US spaceship since Apollo 17 in 1972.

Picture of the ERS-2 satellite

Picture of the ERS-2 satellite

European satellite falls back to Earth after 29 years

A satellite has broken apart and reentered the Earth's atmosphere after almost three decades in orbit.

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket lifts off from its launch pad at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket lifts off from its launch pad at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida

US company Intuitive Machines launches moon mission

Following a failed launch by Astrobotic Technology, another private US firm is now conducting its own lunar mission.

Videostill | Sendung Projekt Zukunft | Schwerkraft

Videostill | Sendung Projekt Zukunft | Schwerkraft

What would happen to Earth’s orbit if the sun disappeared?

This week's viewer question comes from Mike and Teresa C. in the USA.

Illustration of Japan's SLIM lander approaching the moon's surface with a light shining

Illustration of Japan's SLIM lander approaching the moon's surface with a light shining

Japan's SLIM 'Sniper' starts investigating the moon

The US and Russia landed on the moon. Decades later China and India did it. Japan now appears to have joined the group.

A handout image of SLIM.

A handout image of SLIM.

Japan's moon lander regains power over a week after landing

Japan's space agency JAXA has said its SLIM moon probe has resumed operations after days of power failure.

A close-up shot of Ingenuity on Mars

A close-up shot of Ingenuity on Mars

NASA: History-making Mars copter Ingenuity takes last flight

Ingenuity went on to spend nearly three years on the red planet covering 14 times as much ground as initially planned.

Image taken by a Lunar Excursion Vehicle 2 (LEV-2) of a robotic moon rover called Smart Lander for Investigating Moon (SLIM) on the moon.

Image taken by a Lunar Excursion Vehicle 2 (LEV-2) of a robotic moon rover called Smart Lander for Investigating Moon (SLIM) on the moon.

Japan releases images of 'pinpoint' moon landing

The successful touchdown makes Japan the fifth country to complete a soft lunar landing.

Fokus Europa Spanien – der Wasservermesser

Fokus Europa Spanien – der Wasservermesser

Spain: Surveying the sea

Water temperature measurements show the Mediterranean is getting warmer and warmer.

Smart Lander for Investigating Moon (SLIM)

Smart Lander for Investigating Moon (SLIM)

Japan says 'moon sniper' hit its pinpoint target

The SLIM moon probe was said to have landed on the lunar surface within 100 meters of its intended touchdown target.

SLIM / MBC observation

SLIM / MBC observation

Japan space agency spacecraft lands on the moon

Japan's space agency says its spacecraft touched down on the moon but is still analyzing the accuracy of the landing.

SpaceX Falcon 9 topped with Crew Dragon spacecraft blasts off for International Space Station

SpaceX Falcon 9 topped with Crew Dragon spacecraft blasts off for International Space Station

Turkey's first astronaut takes off for ISS on private flight

Alper Gezeravci becomes the first Turkish national to make it into outer space.

This is an artist's concept NASA's X-59 QueSST. The aircraft is 30 meters long and 10 meters wide.

This is an artist's concept NASA's X-59 QueSST. The aircraft is 30 meters long and 10 meters wide.

NASA's Quesst: Supersonic flight ready for take off

The US agency has unveiled its X-59 supersonic airplane, which produces quiet sonic "thumps" instead of sonic booms.

Screengrab from the live feed of India's Chandrayaan-3 lander touching down softly on the moon

Screengrab from the live feed of India's Chandrayaan-3 lander touching down softly on the moon

Why getting astronauts to the moon is tough in 2024

NASA's failed Artemis rocket launch is a good reminder that moon missions are as risky today as they were 60 years ago.

Astrobotic's Peregrine lunar lander being launched at Cape Canaveral, Florida

Astrobotic's Peregrine lunar lander being launched at Cape Canaveral, Florida

US lunar lander: 'No chance' of soft landing

The commercial spacecraft has developed a fuel leak that will keep it from touching down on the moon.

The 'Vulcan' rocket launches from Cape Canaveral on a mission to the moon

The 'Vulcan' rocket launches from Cape Canaveral on a mission to the moon

Critical fuel loss derails US first moon landing in 50 years

Technical troubles with the "Peregrine" lander were reported a few hours after the private-led moon mission blasted off.

In this image made from NASA video, United Launch Alliance’s Vulcan rocket with Astrobotic Technology's lander onboard is launched from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida.

In this image made from NASA video, United Launch Alliance’s Vulcan rocket with Astrobotic Technology's lander onboard is launched from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida.

First US lunar lander in decades heads for moon

If the Peregrine lander touches down successfully, it will mark the first lunar landing by a private company.

View of the moon's surface

View of the moon's surface

What space exploration missions await us in 2024?

2024 is set to be an exciting year for space exploration, including missions to bring us closer to landing on the moon.

A rocket flight above clouds towards space

A rocket flight above clouds towards space

Space exploration in 2024: 5 things to know

2024 is set to be an exciting year for space exploration. What's in store?

Russian cosmonauts conducting a spacewalk outside the ISS in October

Russian cosmonauts conducting a spacewalk outside the ISS in October

Russia, US extend joint ISS flights to 2025: Roscosmos

In a rare act of teamwork amid Russia's Ukraine invasion, Russia and the US will keep jointly sending crews to the ISS.

MondSterne, Projekt Zukunft

MondSterne, Projekt Zukunft

Can you see the stars from the surface of the moon?

This week's question comes from Daniel Fernando S. in Colombia.

Illustration of the European Space Station satellite facing two planets in the distance

Illustration of the European Space Station satellite facing two planets in the distance

Cheops finds key to billion year old exoplanet system

The European satellite has revealed the secrets of a rare planetary system that's puzzled scientists for years.

Aerial shot of the International Space Station with Earth below

Aerial shot of the International Space Station with Earth below

International Space Station: 25 years of a safe space

A quarter century on and the ISS is still a place of peaceful collaboration for science. Here's what you need to know.

An animated view of the Euclid space telescope

An animated view of the Euclid space telescope

ESA plans future of European space exploration (Nov. 2023)

DW looks at some of the challenges the European Space Agency will be facing in the coming years.

The Shenzhou-17 manned spaceship blasts off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China.

The Shenzhou-17 manned spaceship blasts off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China.

China: Lonely in space despite lofty ambitions

China issued an invite to foreign astronauts for its new space station. The US and Europe are in no hurry to accept.

Lunar sample 72255, collected by the crew of Apollo 17 in 1972, sitting on a metal plate

Lunar sample 72255, collected by the crew of Apollo 17 in 1972, sitting on a metal plate

The moon is 40 million years older — explained

Scientists say lunar dust collected in 1972 shows the moon is older than they thought. Here's what you need to know.

Ilustrated version of a floating rocket launcher platform at sea.

Ilustrated version of a floating rocket launcher platform at sea.

Taking on SpaceX: Why Germany is building its own spaceport

To face off with SpaceX and the like, Germany is planning a North Sea launch pad. First take-offs are due to start 2024.

People wave flags as the Chandrayaan-3 spacecraft takes off.

People wave flags as the Chandrayaan-3 spacecraft takes off.

India announces plans for space station, moon mission

Indian PM Narendra Modi announced plans to set up a space station by 2035, and send a man to the moon by 2040.

Angolan Scientists, Marco Paulo, Marco Romero

Angolan Scientists, Marco Paulo, Marco Romero

Angolan brothers transform science research

Brothers Marco Romero and Marco Paulo are creating projects that are changing the lives of Angolans.

Gaia’s all-sky view of our Milky Way Galaxy and neighbouring galaxies, based on measurements of nearly 1.7 billion stars

Gaia’s all-sky view of our Milky Way Galaxy and neighbouring galaxies, based on measurements of nearly 1.7 billion stars

Gaia space observatory finds half a million new stars

Recent data helps us understand a phenomenon called gravitational lensing and reveals star-packed parts of the sky.

An animation showing a hole over the ozone layer

An animation showing a hole over the ozone layer

Large ozone hole detected over Antarctica

The ozone hole over Antarctica is one of the biggest on record. Should we be concerned?

Menschen hoffen auf eine erfolgreiche Mondlandung durch Indien

Menschen hoffen auf eine erfolgreiche Mondlandung durch Indien

Is India winning the new space race?

What does Chandrayaan-3 tell us about India’s space ambitions?

OSIRIS-REx Sample Return Training: a recovery expert handles a replica sample return capsule that looks like a spinning top (without the pin)

OSIRIS-REx Sample Return Training: a recovery expert handles a replica sample return capsule that looks like a spinning top (without the pin)

OSIRIS-REx and Bennu: Sample return missions explained

After a seven-year round trip the spacecraft brought asteroid samples to Earth September 24.

Artists impression of NASA's Origins Explorer spacecraft OSIRIS-REx

Artists impression of NASA's Origins Explorer spacecraft OSIRIS-REx

NASA capsule carrying asteroid samples lands in US

The NASA space capsule has collected pebbles and dust from the asteroid Bennu.

An illustration shows the OSIRIS-REx space probe near the surface of the asteroid Bennu.

An illustration shows the OSIRIS-REx space probe near the surface of the asteroid Bennu.

OSIRIS REx spacecraft releases asteroid sample capsule

Scientists are eagerly awaiting the sample capsule, which is carrying rocks and dust from the asteroid Bennu.

A question mark-shaped object visible from the James Webb telescope, possibly showing the interaction of two galaxies, according to experts

A question mark-shaped object visible from the James Webb telescope, possibly showing the interaction of two galaxies, according to experts

NASA releases UAP report, says no signs of aliens identified

NASA is seeking to shift current perceptions around unidentified anomalous phenomena in order to improve their study.

Japan is trying again to launch its first mission to the moon after three delays in the last week.

Japan is trying again to launch its first mission to the moon after three delays in the last week.

Japan's SLIM joins the lunar space race

Japan is trying again to launch its first mission to the moon after three delays in the last week.

Japan's lunar mission takes of from a space center in Southern Japan.

Japan's lunar mission takes of from a space center in Southern Japan.

Japan launches 'moon sniper' lunar mission

Japan's lunar mission comes two weeks after India successfully landed its craft on the moon's south pole.

A rocket carrying a lunar lander is seen at Tanegashima Space Centre on Tanegashima Island in the southwestern prefecture of Kagoshima, Japan.

A rocket carrying a lunar lander is seen at Tanegashima Space Centre on Tanegashima Island in the southwestern prefecture of Kagoshima, Japan.

What's behind the reawakened interest in the moon?

Japan will be the third country to launch a lunar mission in the summer of 2023 alone.

A light blue moon in a dark blue sky, partially eclipsed by a tree

A light blue moon in a dark blue sky, partially eclipsed by a tree

Blue supermoon lights up sky

Wherever you are, the celestial show is likely to be brighter and fuller than usual.

Indian PM Narendra Modi at an ISRO event

Indian PM Narendra Modi at an ISRO event

India's 'rocket women' integral to moon mission

Indian scientists hope the success of the Chandrayaan-3 moon mission will inspire more young women to study STEM fields.

A model of the lander in HAKUTO-R lunar exploration program by "ispace" is pictured at a venue to monitor its landing on the Moon, in Tokyo, Japan, April 26, 2023.

A model of the lander in HAKUTO-R lunar exploration program by "ispace" is pictured at a venue to monitor its landing on the Moon, in Tokyo, Japan, April 26, 2023.

Japan postpones 'Moon Sniper' lunar mission again

This time it was the wind that scuppered launch attempts after two previous postponements.

The four crew members having their photo taken before the launch

The four crew members having their photo taken before the launch

SpaceX and NASA send international crew to ISS

The quartet are led by NASA's Jasmin Moghbeli and will stay on board the International Space Station for six months.

ISRO chairman S. Somanath

ISRO chairman S. Somanath

India space chief: Moon mission only the beginning

In a DW interview, ISRO head S. Somanath said India plans more space exploration after the moon mission success.

Chandrayaan-3 Lander Module about to land on moon

Chandrayaan-3 Lander Module about to land on moon

Indian rover begins to explore moon

The solar-powered Pragyan rover is exploring the largely unmapped lunar south pole in the Chandrayaan-3 mission.

Journalists film the live telecast of spacecraft Chandrayaan-3 landing on the moon

Journalists film the live telecast of spacecraft Chandrayaan-3 landing on the moon

Relief and excitement in India at moon landing

An Indian family watches as its nation's space ambitions make history.

A screen showing Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi sitting in front of Indian flags

A screen showing Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi sitting in front of Indian flags

Modi expresses joy over India's successful moon landing

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi celebrated the landing of the Chandrayaan-3 moon lander.