Where does your weather forecast come from?
Whether you get your forecast from an app on your phone, a website or a meteorologist on TV, most of the underlying information comes from the federal government.
satellites
South Korea says it boosts surveillance after North claims spy satellite launch
The South Korean announcement — which will likely infuriate North Korea — came hours after the North claimed to have placed a military reconnaissance satellite into orbit.
The Chinese balloon saga could be part of a new space race closer to Earth
China has put new focus on airships hovering in a part of the sky just before outer space. Although Beijing says they're scientific, analysts say the data helps the country develop advanced weapons.
The first satellites launched by Uganda and Zimbabwe aim to improve life on the ground
The nanosatellites will observe the health of the land to help people make the best use of their countries' natural resources. A growing number of African countries are venturing into space.
Where No Plywood Has Gone Before: A Space Agency Will Launch A Tiny, Wooden Satellite
In Europe, engineers are planning to send a plywood-sheathed satellite into orbit to test how well the venerable construction material holds up in space.
Catalonia Is Set To Launch Its Own Space Agency. Will It Fly?
Leaders in Spain's northeastern region have pushed for independence from the country. Now they want to go their own way in space, launching a first nanosatellite this month from Kazakhstan.
A Spy Agency's Challenge: How To Sort A Million Photos A Day
The Earth's entire land mass is being photographed by satellites every single day. Trying to make sense of all these images falls to a U.S. spy agency many have never heard of.
Itty-Bitty Satellites Take On Big-Time Science Missions
CubeSats are only about twice the size of a Rubik's Cube. Once dismissed as tools for students learning the principles of aerospace engineering, they're now being used for more sophisticated missions.
Iran Is Preparing A Launch. But Is It For A Space Rocket Or A Missile?
Iran says its intentions are peaceful, but the U.S. worries the planned launches are really about developing weapons — specifically, intercontinental ballistic missiles.
SpaceX Completes Successful Launch, Narrowly Misses Catching $6 Million Nose Cone
As part of his "rocket reusability" ethos, Elon Musk had hoped to use a giant net on a boat to catch the rocket's protective covering. It turns out it's hard to catch stuff falling from space.