NASA's Jet Propulsion Lab ending telework policy for over 1,000 employees

Remember the buzz about K2-18b, that distant "hycean" planet that might have oceans and signs of life? Well, hold off on the alien welcome party—three new studies are throwing cold water on the excitement. Researchers now think earlier hints of life-supporting conditions might just be methane or data noise, not the biosignatures we hoped for. It’s a classic case of cosmic "maybe, but probably not."

Editor’s Note: This isn’t just about one planet’s bad PR—it’s a reality check for how hard it is to spot life light-years away. The hype around K2-18b had scientists and space fans dreaming, but these studies show how easy it is to misinterpret faint signals from unimaginable distances. It’s a setback, but also a reminder that the search for extraterrestrial life is messy, slow, and full of dead ends before we hit the jackpot.

NASA has sounded the alarm over powerful solar storms—triggered by eruptions from sunspot AR4087—that could disrupt power grids and leave some regions without electricity. A recent FEMA-led drill simulating a "solar superstorm" revealed worrying gaps in emergency preparedness, prompting calls for better monitoring, coordination between agencies, and public awareness to mitigate potential blackouts.

Editor’s Note: Solar storms aren’t just dazzling auroras—they’re a real threat to modern infrastructure. If a major one hits, it could knock out satellites, GPS, and even power for days (or longer). This story matters because it highlights how vulnerable we still are to cosmic events, and why governments and utilities need to take space weather as seriously as hurricanes or earthquakes.

Elon Musk’s new "company town," Starbase in Texas, is officially a city—and it’s drawing a mix of Mars-obsessed dreamers and frustrated locals. The area, dominated by SpaceX’s rocket launches and Tesla’s futuristic vibe, feels like a sci-fi frontier outpost. But while some see it as the next big thing, longtime residents aren’t thrilled about the rapid changes and Musk’s growing influence.

Editor’s Note: This isn’t just another corporate campus—it’s a real-life experiment in how tech billionaires reshape communities. Starbase highlights the tension between bold visions (space colonization! innovation!) and the real-world impact on people who already live there. Whether it’s a utopia or a corporate takeover depends on who you ask—and that debate is only getting louder.

NASA and SpaceX have pushed back the Dragon capsule's departure from the International Space Station (ISS) to May 23 because of bad weather. This cargo mission, dubbed CRS-32, is packed with scientific experiments and supplies—about 6,700 pounds’ worth—that it’ll bring back to Earth. While NASA plans to livestream the undocking, they won’t be showing the splashdown.

Editor’s Note: Delays like this are pretty routine in space missions—weather and technical checks often shuffle timelines. But it’s a reminder of how much coordination goes into even "routine" cargo runs to the ISS. The science coming back could lead to breakthroughs, and the mission itself keeps the orbital lab stocked and running. Plus, it’s another example of NASA and SpaceX’s tight partnership in keeping space operations humming.

Prince William has revealed that legendary nature broadcaster David Attenborough was the inspiration behind his upcoming series about wildlife rangers. The prince explained that the show aims to carry forward Attenborough’s legacy by highlighting the vital work of those protecting nature.

Editor’s Note: It’s not every day you hear a royal crediting a TV icon for shaping their work—especially when it’s about something as urgent as conservation. William’s nod to Attenborough adds weight to the series, signaling that it’s more than just another celebrity project. Given the prince’s growing role in environmental advocacy, this could help spotlight rangers’ often-overlooked efforts in a way that resonates with a broad audience.