Somehow… Alien is good again — Watch this Space — August 2025

Somehow… Alien is good again | 'Alien: Earth' creators Noah Hawley and David W. Zucker want to 'mimic the feeling of discovery' you felt when watching the original (exclusive) | 'Alien: Earth' cast talks 'Peter Pan' references, AI warnings, and navigating complex roles (exclusive) Created for znamenski.spacecom@blogger.com | Web Version August 15, 2025 FOLLOW US FOLLOW US "I've seen things you people wouldn't believe" SIGN UP ⋅   SHARE The newsletter mostly comes out on Fridays… mostly.   I think Alien might be good again… I mean, let's not jinx it, but between Alien: Romulus and Alien: Earth… yeah, I'm thinking we're back. And to celebrate this momentous occasion, we've got a ton of amazing Alien coverage on the site — so much that we've had to give Alien its own section in the newsletter this month.   Our Alien: Earth review heaped on the praise, with our writer calling it "an intelligent and thought-provoking bloodbath". You're speaking my language there. We were also lucky enough to chat with series creators Noah Hawley and David Zucker about creating a show that both treads new ground and stays true to the original. On top of that, we spoke to Timothy Olyphant and his brilliant co-stars about bringing their complex characters to life.   But wait, there's more! We also sat down with a zoologist to see how realistic the Xenomorph's alien biology is in the real world. It's a great — and only mildly terrifying — read. Even our skywatching section serendipitously got in on the Alien action when our Reference Editor Daisy spotted a nebula that looked an awful lot like the Alien to us.   It's not all Alien talk this month, though — ignore those weird eggs in the corner, nothing to be concerned about. Strange New Worlds season 3 is in full swing, and we've been loving it. We chatted to Trek legend Jonathan Frakes about the holodeck episode he directed, and admired the terrifying new alien race the show introduced… huh, I guess it really is all aliens this month.   Elsewhere on the site, we looked at the best flight sim games of all time — yes, we know we missed your favorite off the list, we did that on purpose — and slipped into our comfy nostalgia chair to look back on the infamous Waterworld, which turned 30, and the utterly bizarre sci-fi show Lexx. This isn't the last you'll hear from us this month, as we're planning a special bonus newsletter to round up all the sci-fi and space games news coming out of GamesCom, so stay tuned for that. Have a great weekend... This is Ian Stokes, last survivor of the newsletter, signing off. P.S. Go watch Alien: Earth. It's very good. P.P.S. Got any feedback for us? Drop us an email at community@space.com. Be nice, or we'll sic a facehugger on you! The perfect organism — Watch This Space 'Alien: Earth' creators Noah Hawley and David W. Zucker want to 'mimic the feeling of discovery' you felt when watching the original (exclusive) Ahead of Alien: Earth's two-episode premiere, we talked to series creator Noah Hawley and executive producer David W. Zucker. Read More 'Alien: Earth' cast talks 'Peter Pan' references, AI warnings, and navigating complex roles (exclusive) Before the Xenomorph crash-lands on streaming, we talked to five Alien: Earth cast members about the difficulties and fun of navigating the giant sci-fi show. Read More How realistic is the xenomorph in 'Alien: Earth'? We asked a zoologist how its biology and lifecycle compare to real animals To celebrate Alien: Earth landing on Hulu, we asked a zoologist if any of the Xenomorph's infamous characteristics occur in the natural world Read More I tried to image the Veil Nebula but accidentally got an 'Alien' Xenomorph (photo) As 'Alien: Earth' hits screens, the night sky delivers a cameo from the franchise's iconic villain. 'Alien: Earth' is an intelligent and thought-provoking bloodbath, and everything we ever wanted from an 'Alien' show (review) Noah Hawley's daring exploration of the Alien universe makes for a great sci-fi TV show that asks big questions without neglecting the fun factor. Keep this handy... for close encounters — Watch this Space 'It was kind of a blast!': Director Jonathan Frakes breaks down 'Star Trek: Strange New Worlds' wiggy holodeck episode, 'A Space Adventure Hour' (exclusive) The dashing 'Trek' veteran talks Anson's wild wig, colorful kisses, and meditating on set while directing 'the latest Star Trek: Strange New Worlds' episode. Read More Has 'Strange New Worlds' just unleashed 'Star Trek's scariest aliens since the Borg? They don't yet have a name, but "Star Trek: Strange New Worlds"'s latest foes have surely beamed in from a horror movie. Read More Why Kirk's main character energy is bad news for 'Star Trek: Strange New Worlds' The future captain of the Enterprise eclipses his co-stars every time he appears in "Strange New Worlds." Read More 'Star Wars: A New Hope' will return to theaters to celebrate its 50th anniversary, but Disney didn't say which version No, it's probably not the de-specialized edition, but Disney could surprise the 'Star Wars' faithful when the rerelease drops in theaters in 2027. 'Predator: Badlands' director teases return of Arnold Schwarzenegger and drops a 15-minute preview at Comic Con The hottest Hall H panel of the past weekend gave Predator fans a look at the first 15 minutes of Badlands, a new Killer of Killers ending, and more. Game over, Man! — Play this Space Best space flight simulation games, ranked Explore the space between the stars from the safety of a virtual cockpit with the best space flight simulation games. Read More 'Predator: Badlands' looks like it's taking inspiration from an unlikely ancestor — a divisive 20-year-old video game A brutal alien planet isn't quite the same as future Earth, but Predator: Concrete Jungle has more than a few things in common with Predator: Badlands. 'Destroy All Humans!' declared war on humanity 20 years ago, and we're still waiting for another good sequel The only Crypto we care about is the mischievous extraterrestrial seeking world domination. No One Can Hear You Scream — Remember This Space 'Lexx' appeal: A deeply underrated sci-fi classic that was equal parts Farscape, Star Wars, and Red Dwarf A band of misfits aboard a stolen planet-killing starship, the wild, weird Lexx is the best 90s sci-fi show you've never seen. Read More Waterworld we live in: 30 years on from 'Waterworld', Kevin Costner's watery 'Mad Max' is better than you remember Unfairly dismissed as a flop on release, 'Waterworld' is a spectacular example of the '90s action genre. If only they didn't give him gills… Read More Follow Space.com Contact Us: Feedback | Advertise Sign Up | Update Profile | Unsubscribe Privacy Policy | Cookies Policy | Terms and Conditions Future US LLC © Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, New York, NY, 10036

NASA's sun-studying mission 'PUNCH' settles into orbit

Happy Friday space fans! | Trump signs executive order to boost commercial space | What if we've been thinking about dark matter wrong Created for znamenski.spacecom@blogger.com | Web Version August 15, 2025 FOLLOW US FOLLOW US Something amazing every day SIGN UP ⋅   WEBSITE The Launchpad Happy Friday space fans! It's Friday and we have lots of stories for your daily read, starting with a new executive order signed by President Trump aimed at accelerating U.S. commercial space activity by slashing what are described as regulatory delays and expanding the nation's launch infrastructure. The order, "Enabling Competition in the Commercial Space Industry," directs multiple federal agencies to streamline launch licensing, fast-track spaceport construction and better support emerging in-space industries. Other headlines for today include a new way of looking at dark matter, NASA's PUNCH mission reaching its orbital location and James Webb Space Telescope seeing 300 mysteriously bright objects. We have all that and more for your daily read.  It's also Friday so as we head into the weekend we have your weekly staff recommendations of "what we're reading/playing/watching." You'll find those suggestions from our team at the bottom of your newsletter.  Thanks for exploring with us.  Keep looking up,  Kenna  Content Manager, Space.com  Trump signs executive order to boost commercial space "This reckless order puts people and wildlife at risk from private companies launching giant rockets that often explode and wreak devastation on surrounding areas," Read More What if we've been thinking about dark matter wrong "I think it's natural to take a break and wonder whether we are fundamentally thinking about this in the wrong way." Read More Space quiz! What is a solar wind made of? Click here for the answer Powerful dust clouds swirling around the sun A magical force used in Dungeons and Dragons A stream of charged particles coming from the sun The sun's gravitational effects on the orbits of planets Spaceflight Blue Origin pitches 'Mars Telecommunications Orbiter' Blue Origin hopes the spacecraft will lift off in 2028. Read More Space lawyer explains NASA's moon nuclear reactor The new race is to build on the moon, and doing so hinges on power. Read More Science & Astronomy JWST uncovers 300 mysteriously luminous objects The discovery could challenge current ideas about how galaxies formed in the early universe. Read More NASA's sun-studying mission 'PUNCH' settles into orbit "The planet gets in the way from the point of view of any one spacecraft, so we had to spread them around the planet to look everywhere all at once." Read More Technology Space Force's deep space radar tracks satellites DARC is designed to track multiple small moving objects in geosynchronous orbit -- all around the globe, 24 hours a day. Read More Search for Life TRAPPIST-1d isn't Earth-like planet scientists wanted "At this point, we can rule out TRAPPIST-1d from a list of potential Earth twins or cousins." Read More Today in Space On this day: Aug. 15, 1977: 'Wow!' mystery signal To this day this is one of the strongest pieces of evidence that we are not alone in the universe. Read More Image of day: Milky Way & zodiacal light glow in Chile The unique zodiacal light phenomenon made an x-shape in the night sky for stargazers. Read More Editor's Note What we're reading/playing/watching It's Friday, which means it's time to kick back, recharge and dive into something stellar. Whether you're looking to unwind with a mind-bending sci-fi series or lose yourself in a video game, we've got you covered. Here's what the Space.com team is enjoying this weekend: our latest recs to inspire, entertain, and fuel your curiosity about the universe.      Monisha Ravisetti, Astronomy Channel Editor: "The Alters is a game that I haven't sunk my teeth too deeply into yet, but the setting, concept and visuals are really stunning. It's like a time management/story game but also an exploration sci-fi adventure!" Anthony Wood, Skywatching Writer: "I'm watching Alien: Earth (obviously) and reading Shogun by James Clavell. I've also started Yakuza 0 on Switch 2, so a healthy mix of Xenomorphs, samurai and organized crime."  Vanessa Jewell, Social Media Manager: "I just finished 'The Maidens' by the same author who wrote the 'Silent Patient' and really like it!"      Follow SPACE Contact Us: Feedback | Advertise Sign Up | Update Profile | Unsubscribe Privacy Policy | Cookies Policy | Terms and Conditions Future US LLC © Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, New York, NY, 10036