The Paperboy Archive

How We Got Here

Trace how a story evolved through years of news headlines

Space Exploration

From Curiosity to Artemis, the new space race takes shape

1,523headlines

2007 – 2026

5 chapters

Based on 1,523 headlines from 2007–2026, curated from public RSS feeds and organised into 5 chapters through computational analysis. Suggest a topic for us to consider adding.

MARS DREAMS AND TEST FAILURES

Jun–Jul 2015

NASA navigated a mix of experimental setbacks with Mars landing technology and long-term isolation simulations.

35 headlines

2 Jun 15

NASA is about to test a ‘flying saucer’ in preparation for a trip to MarsWashington Post

3 Jun 15

Exclusive Nasa and Verizon plan to monitor US drone network from phone towersThe Guardian

8 Jun 15

Nasa Parachute fails to inflate in test flight to land larger vehicles on MarsThe Guardian

8 Jun 15

NASA orbiter spots glass on Mars, a firstWashington Post

9 Jun 15

VIDEO: Failure for Nasa 'flying saucer' testBBC World

14 Jun 15

Nasa Scientists leave isolation dome after eight months simulating life on MarsThe Guardian

SPACEX ROCKET EXPLOSION ROCKS INDUSTRY

Sep 2016

A catastrophic launchpad explosion destroyed a SpaceX rocket and jeopardized high-profile satellite projects.

37 headlines

1 Sept 16

SpaceX Test ends in explosion days before planned launchThe Guardian

1 Sept 16

SpaceX explosion blew up one of Facebook’s most ambitious projectsWashington Post

1 Sept 16

SpaceX explosion rocks launchpad at Cape CanaveralWashington Post

1 Sept 16

SpaceX Rocket Explodes at Launchpad in Cape CanaveralNew York Times

2 Sept 16

SpaceX rocket explodes on launch site at Cape CanaveralABC World

2 Sept 16

SpaceX Rocket explodes on the launch pad at Cape CanaveralThe Guardian

OPPORTUNITY ENDS ITS HISTORIC JOURNEY

Feb–Apr 2019

NASA mourned the loss of the iconic Opportunity rover while facing increased competition for government launch contracts.

47 headlines

4 Feb 19

Norman Kuring, NASA/GSFC/Suomi NPPNew York Times

5 Feb 19

Nasa Mystery mud on new volcanic island baffles scientistsThe Guardian

13 Feb 19

Mission complete Nasa confirms Mars rover Opportunity is deadThe Guardian

13 Feb 19

R.I.P., Opportunity: NASA rover that found signs of water on Mars is declared deadWashington Post

13 Feb 19

SpaceX protests a $150 million launch contract NASA awarded to its chief rival, a Boeing-Lockheed Martin ventureWashington Post

13 Feb 19

Watch Opportunity, NASA’s record-setting Mars rover, and its biggest achievementsWashington Post

COMMERCIALIZING SPACE AND POLITICAL TURMOIL

Jun–Jul 2019

NASA moved to open the International Space Station to private tourism amid confusing political messaging regarding lunar and Martian goals.

33 headlines

7 Jun 19

NASA invites tourists to space station, while a Trump tweet casts doubt on his own administration’s moon planWashington Post

7 Jun 19

NASA to allow private citizens to fly to the International Space StationWashington Post

7 Jun 19

Space Nasa to allow commercial access to the International Space StationThe Guardian

7 Jun 19

Trump on space President attacks Nasa and claims the moon is 'a part' of MarsThe Guardian

8 Jun 19

Nasa to open International Space Station to touristsBBC World

12 Jun 19

Hidden Figures Way Nasa renames street to honor black female mathematiciansThe Guardian

A NEW ERA OF PARTNERSHIPS

May–Aug 2020

NASA and SpaceX prepared for a historic crewed mission while simultaneously selecting commercial partners for future lunar landers.

67 headlines

1 May 20

Nasa names companies to develop Moon landers for human missionsBBC World

5 May 20

China Rocket launched into space as Beijing steps up moon landing plansThe Guardian

16 May 20

As it prepares to fly humans, Elon Musk’s SpaceX faces the biggest challenge in its historyWashington Post

20 May 20

NASA names newest space telescope for pioneering female astronomerWashington Post

20 May 20

Nasa: Doug Loverro steps down days before crewed launchBBC World

22 May 20

NASA and SpaceX are go for historic launchWashington Post