Lightning from above | Space photo of the day for May 23, 2025

SpaceX just fired another batch of Starlink internet satellites into orbit from California’s Vandenberg Space Force Base—and, in classic SpaceX fashion, nailed the landing of the Falcon 9 booster on a drone ship at sea. The nighttime launch (captured in a slick video) adds 26 more satellites to the company’s ever-expanding orbital network.

Editor’s Note: This isn’t just another routine launch—it’s a reminder of how SpaceX has turned rocket landings into a well-oiled routine while rapidly building out Starlink’s global internet coverage. For space nerds, it’s cool tech in action; for everyone else, it’s another step toward faster, wider satellite internet access (and maybe fewer dead zones during road trips). Plus, landing boosters at sea instead of tossing them into the ocean? That’s the kind of reusability that keeps costs down and the space industry moving forward.

SpaceX is gearing up for another big moment with its Starship megarocket—Flight 8 is set to blast off on Thursday, March 6. If you're eager to catch the action, the article has the details on how to watch it live.

Editor’s Note: Another Starship launch means another step forward in SpaceX's ambitious plans for space travel, whether it's for future Mars missions or just pushing the boundaries of rocket tech. For space fans, it’s a chance to see if this test brings them closer to ironing out the kinks—or if there’s another fiery spectacle. Either way, it’s progress.

Scientists have developed a game-changing amplifier that could supercharge fiber-optic internet speeds—potentially making them 10 times faster than what we have today. Beyond just speeding up your Netflix binge, this tech might also revolutionize medical diagnostics and treatments by enabling ultra-precise laser tools.

Editor’s Note: Faster internet isn’t just about convenience—it’s the backbone of everything from telemedicine to global finance. If this amplifier scales up, it could unlock breakthroughs we haven’t even imagined yet, like real-time remote surgeries or next-gen AI systems. Plus, who’d say no to buffering-free 8K streaming?

Astronomers just spotted a tiny new world way out in the frigid outskirts of our solar system—a dwarf planet called 2017 OF201 that takes a whopping 25,000 years to loop around the Sun. It’s hanging out way beyond Neptune, adding to the growing list of mysterious objects in our cosmic backyard.

Editor’s Note: This isn’t just another space rock—it’s a clue. Every new dwarf planet we find helps scientists piece together how our solar system formed and what’s lurking in those dark, distant reaches. Plus, it’s a reminder that even in our own cosmic neighborhood, there’s still plenty left to discover.

The Biden administration is pushing to speed up the development of new nuclear power plants in the U.S., aiming to cut red tape and boost clean energy production. The move is part of a broader effort to modernize the country’s energy infrastructure while reducing reliance on fossil fuels.