Nasa’s effort to resume flying American astronauts on American spacecraft — something that hasn’t happened since the Space Shuttle programme ended in 2011 — faces a major test this weekend.

It’ll be beamed back to us much more efficiently than it can be transmitted via underground cables, writes Niall Smith.

Billionaire investor Elon Musk has always done things his own way, from designing space rockets to manufacturing electric cars.

A new business aims to integrate computer technology into our brains. But is this mix of humanity with technology desirable or ethical, ask Agata Sagan and Peter Singer.

Here's your lunchtime bulletin.

Sony CEO Kazuo Hirai has said he believes technology will move beyond smartphones in the future and that the tech giant is open to working in robotics.

SpaceX is doing some amazing things, but sometimes those amazing things explode.

Spacewalking astronauts have installed a new door for visitors at the International Space Station, the crucial first step in welcoming commercial crew capsules as soon as next year.

Limerick-based life sciences technology company Teckro has raised $6m (€5.42m) in Series A funding led by Founders Fund — an early backer of firms such as Facebook and Airbnb.

Private space travel company Blue Origin expects to launch its first human test flights in 2017, company founder Jeff Bezos has said.

Professor Stephen Hawking has backed a call to prevent artificial intelligence (AI) technology being used in a “global arms race”.

An unmanned SpaceX rocket carrying supplies and the first-of-its-kind docking port to the International Space Station broke apart yesterday shortly after liftoff.

Here’s the best photo of the planet - sorry, dwarf planet Pluto ever taken by mankind.

Ever wondered what it’s like to float in space? Well, while Hollywood blockbusters like Gravity and Interstellar might do their best to show you, it’s got nothing on this.

Let’s imagine for a moment that we’re on the cusp of the next great space race.

Gardaí have named a man who was stabbed to death at a Limerick house party last night, six officers have been charged in connection with the death of Freddie Gray, the future father-in-law of a Cork man whose stag has caused a storm of controversy has defended him as a “decent guy” and singer Ben E King has died at the age of 76. 

A Russian supply ship that went into an uncontrollable spin after launch has been declared a total loss, the crew of the International Space Station said.

After a day of delays due to stormy weather, SpaceX’s Dragon capsule

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Update 15/4: Astronomy Ireland now estimates the two bright 'stars' will be visible on both Wednesday and Thursday night, as the docking procedure is not due until Friday midday.

NASA astronauts have successfully completed their third spacewalk in just over a week to complete an extensive cable job at the International Space Station.

SAUDI ARABIA:

A daring second attempt to land a reusable rocket on a floating barge by a private space company has failed.

A revolutionary attempt by the SpaceX company to land a leftover rocket booster on an ocean barge has failed.

A daring second attempt to land a reusable rocket on a floating barge will be made today by a private space company.

An attempt by a private aerospace company to land a rocket on a platform in the ocean was postponed today as the mission to the International Space Station was postponed.

USA: A US police chief reported accidentally shooting his wife early on New Year’s Day.

BRITAIN: A mother had to be rescued by fire crews after being locked in a cupboard by her one-year-old toddler.

Millions of people around the world are to be offered the chance of immortality on the moon.

If anyone was in the slightest doubt how much technology touches all our lives, they only have to look to the success of the annual Web Summit in Dublin.

Hours after a US cargo mission ended in flames, a Russian supply ship arrived at the International Space Station with a load of fresh supplies.

Last night the US commercial supply rocket Antares exploded just six seconds after lift-off at Wallops Island, Virginia.

An unmanned commercial supply rocket bound for the International Space Station exploded moments after liftoff last night, with debris falling in flames over the launch site in eastern Virginia.

A US commercial supply ship bound for the International Space Station has exploded moments after liftoff.

With a host of big-name speakers already announced, organisers of the Web Summit hinted a few last minute surprises are on the cards.

The International Space Station accepted another SpaceX shipment – containing the first 3-D printer ever launched into orbit.

A US company that has flown unmanned capsules to the Space Station unveiled a spacecraft designed to ferry up to seven astronauts to low-Earth orbit.