Europe's LISA Pathfinder gravitational-wave-detection mission was successfully placed into orbit Dec. 3 after lifting off atop a Vega light launcher from the Guiana Space Center in Kourou, French Guiana.

Scientists believe they can take the “missing” out of the missing carbon mystery linked to a changing Martian environment that evolved from warmer, wetter conditions 3.8 billion years ago to the current cold, dry realm that persists today.

Catch up on this week’s big talking points in aerospace and defense, including Saab’s UAE Surveillance deal and MRJ’s first flight.

NASA human-spaceflight managers are evaluating whether it will be possible to switch to a more capable upper stage for the heavy-lift Space Launch System (SLS) in time for its first flight with a crew.

This week's aerospace and defense news you don't want to miss, including the Vulcan Bomber's last ever flight and Bombardier's $1bn investment boost for C Series.

The Cassini spacecraft is prepared to make its most detailed measurements yet of the curtain-like ice sprays from the south pole of the Saturn moon Enceladus.

NASA’s congressional overseers have questioned the relevance of both the asteroid capture and astronaut rendezvous to the agency’s ultimate objective of reaching the Martian environs with human explorers in the 2030s.

Our roundup of stories you may have missed this week, including an update on Finland's fighter jet replacement program.