Astronomers say they are on the verge of finding planets like Earth orbiting other stars, a key step in determining if we are alone in the universe.

Nasa has delayed the launch of an unmanned spacecraft to the moon to scout for potential landing sites for astronauts.

A space capsule ferrying the first comet dust samples to Earth parachuted on to a remote stretch of desert before dawn today, drawing cheers from elated scientists.

The US space agency plans to send a nuclear-powered spacecraft to determine whether three of Jupiter’s icy, planet-sized moons have the potential to harbour life.