This week has been notable for strong solar activity, making it an excellent time to witness auroras. However, the same solar events are causing challenges for space missions.
Blue Origin's plan to launch two Mars-bound NASA spacecraft aboard the New Glenn rocket has been delayed for the second time this week. The initial postponement was due to poor weather conditions on Earth, but the latest delay is caused by adverse space weather linked to elevated solar activity.
"New Glenn is ready to launch. However, due to highly elevated solar activity and its potential effects on the ESCAPADE spacecraft, NASA is postponing launch until space weather conditions improve. We are currently assessing opportunities to establish our next launch…" — November 12, 2025
There is currently no confirmed date for a new launch window, but mission teams are monitoring conditions closely.
If local medical care is unavailable, future innovations might enable help from doctors across the Atlantic, offering hope for remote healthcare assistance.
The latest science headlines highlight aurora displays amid solar storms and the delay of a Mars mission due to space weather, underscoring the impact of solar activity on exploration.