Space

The US Department of Defense has selected its two primary rocket companies for getting satellites into orbit in the years ahead: long-time military launch provider United Launch Alliance (ULA) and SpaceX. ULA will receive 60 percent of the department’s satellite launch contracts, while SpaceX will receive 40 percent.

Penguins might be good at hiding from humans, but they can’t hide their poop from the giant satellites circling our planet. 

Scientists have discovered what they believe may be the largest impact crater in the entire solar system, with scars covering a vast portion of Jupiter’s biggest moon, Ganymede.

Lurking just below the atmosphere of Venus is a wall of acid clouds that whip around the planet at speeds close to that of a commercial air jet on Earth.

Skywatchers beware: the moon will hinder attempts to observe the Perseids, typically one of the best meteor displays of the year.