![Mashable Image](https://helios-i.mashable.com/imagery/authors/03ZRj6zUYMOK3okdNY1RhtH/image.fill.size_100x100.v1624381094.jpg)
Miriam Kramer
Miriam Kramer worked as a staff writer for Space.com for about 2.5 years before joining Mashable to cover all things outer space. She took a ride in weightlessness on a zero-gravity flight and watched rockets launch to space from places around the United States. Miriam received her Master's degree in science, health and environmental reporting from New York University in 2012, and she originally hails from Knoxville, Tennessee. Follow Miriam on Twitter at @mirikramer.
By Miriam Kramer
SpaceX ends historic year with its final launch of 2018
SpaceX capped off a year of successful launches on Sunday with its 21st of 2018.
![SpaceX ends historic year with its final launch of 2018](https://helios-i.mashable.com/imagery/articles/02mTj5hoT70bAsrJuzMkQx8/hero-image.fill.size_220x133.v1614271052.jpg)
![SpaceX ends historic year with its final launch of 2018](https://helios-i.mashable.com/imagery/articles/02mTj5hoT70bAsrJuzMkQx8/hero-image.fill.size_220x220.v1614271052.jpg)
It's really hard to walk when you come back to Earth from space
Heel-to-toe isn't easy.
![It's really hard to walk when you come back to Earth from space](https://helios-i.mashable.com/imagery/articles/067LZLQdJlbXFGsIIvfWR2S/hero-image.fill.size_220x133.v1623374646.jpg)
![It's really hard to walk when you come back to Earth from space](https://helios-i.mashable.com/imagery/articles/067LZLQdJlbXFGsIIvfWR2S/hero-image.fill.size_220x220.v1623374646.jpg)
Virgin Galactic's most recent test flight looks pretty dang impressive in a new video
Look at that spaceplane move.
![Virgin Galactic's most recent test flight looks pretty dang impressive in a new video](https://helios-i.mashable.com/imagery/videos/04Q7A39V7XS3SXRJeYlDKzV/hero-image.fill.size_220x133.v1614271039.jpg)
![Virgin Galactic's most recent test flight looks pretty dang impressive in a new video](https://helios-i.mashable.com/imagery/videos/04Q7A39V7XS3SXRJeYlDKzV/hero-image.fill.size_220x220.v1614271039.jpg)
Virgin Galactic flies to the edge of space for 1st time, setting the stage for commercial missions
And they did it before Christmas.
![Virgin Galactic flies to the edge of space for 1st time, setting the stage for commercial missions](https://helios-i.mashable.com/imagery/articles/01EzL9kAHBxMM7SzpYD3t35/hero-image.fill.size_220x133.v1623374503.jpg)
![Virgin Galactic flies to the edge of space for 1st time, setting the stage for commercial missions](https://helios-i.mashable.com/imagery/articles/01EzL9kAHBxMM7SzpYD3t35/hero-image.fill.size_220x220.v1623374503.jpg)
The Geminid meteor shower peaks this week, and it'll be a special one
Get ready for 120 meteors per hour!
![The Geminid meteor shower peaks this week, and it'll be a special one](https://helios-i.mashable.com/imagery/articles/06tixinq3RkhGpTxCmLo2pI/hero-image.fill.size_220x133.v1623374489.jpg)
![The Geminid meteor shower peaks this week, and it'll be a special one](https://helios-i.mashable.com/imagery/articles/06tixinq3RkhGpTxCmLo2pI/hero-image.fill.size_220x220.v1623374489.jpg)
SpaceX launches and lands the same Falcon 9 rocket for the third time
SpaceX seems pretty good at this rocket thing.
![SpaceX launches and lands the same Falcon 9 rocket for the third time](https://helios-i.mashable.com/imagery/articles/03eN39yI96OCyVtdIG5RdJK/hero-image.fill.size_220x133.v1623374314.png)
![SpaceX launches and lands the same Falcon 9 rocket for the third time](https://helios-i.mashable.com/imagery/articles/03eN39yI96OCyVtdIG5RdJK/hero-image.fill.size_220x220.v1623374314.png)
NASA wants these private companies to help it get to the moon
Partnerships are the future for NASA.
![NASA wants these private companies to help it get to the moon](https://helios-i.mashable.com/imagery/articles/01ltO77yQAeZbyFaeCPSPuw/hero-image.fill.size_220x133.v1623374264.png)
![NASA wants these private companies to help it get to the moon](https://helios-i.mashable.com/imagery/articles/01ltO77yQAeZbyFaeCPSPuw/hero-image.fill.size_220x220.v1623374264.png)
A tiny satellite says goodbye to Mars with gorgeous new photo
Bye, Mars! Thanks for the memories.
![A tiny satellite says goodbye to Mars with gorgeous new photo](https://helios-i.mashable.com/imagery/articles/000lBP9FzQjSGPsVFV7V6Im/hero-image.fill.size_220x133.v1623374207.jpg)
![A tiny satellite says goodbye to Mars with gorgeous new photo](https://helios-i.mashable.com/imagery/articles/000lBP9FzQjSGPsVFV7V6Im/hero-image.fill.size_220x220.v1623374207.jpg)
InSight beams home its first photo from the surface of Mars
It's dusty and marvelous.
![InSight beams home its first photo from the surface of Mars](https://helios-i.mashable.com/imagery/articles/078snNK8Nrs3g5Crw01v5T0/hero-image.fill.size_220x133.v1623374192.png)
![InSight beams home its first photo from the surface of Mars](https://helios-i.mashable.com/imagery/articles/078snNK8Nrs3g5Crw01v5T0/hero-image.fill.size_220x220.v1623374192.png)
Space nerds, rejoice! NASA's InSight spacecraft just landed on Mars
The lander will check out Mars' interior.
![Space nerds, rejoice! NASA's InSight spacecraft just landed on Mars](https://helios-i.mashable.com/imagery/articles/05Q5b4VErpl2gWwejXoJe8g/hero-image.fill.size_220x133.v1623374182.jpg)
![Space nerds, rejoice! NASA's InSight spacecraft just landed on Mars](https://helios-i.mashable.com/imagery/articles/05Q5b4VErpl2gWwejXoJe8g/hero-image.fill.size_220x220.v1623374182.jpg)
Unique gifts for your friend that's obsessed with skywatching
Forget about binoculars and telescopes. Here's what they really want.
![Unique gifts for your friend that's obsessed with skywatching](https://helios-i.mashable.com/imagery/articles/07ux5PHF1Qhu8NJmsThDVng/hero-image.fill.size_220x133.v1623374111.jpg)
![Unique gifts for your friend that's obsessed with skywatching](https://helios-i.mashable.com/imagery/articles/07ux5PHF1Qhu8NJmsThDVng/hero-image.fill.size_220x220.v1623374111.jpg)
The Leonid meteor shower peaks this weekend. Here's how to see it.
Remember to let your eyes adjust for 30 minutes.
![The Leonid meteor shower peaks this weekend. Here's how to see it.](https://helios-i.mashable.com/imagery/articles/02u8d7gaDTJahNeDC7NK7m6/hero-image.fill.size_220x133.v1623374020.jpg)
![The Leonid meteor shower peaks this weekend. Here's how to see it.](https://helios-i.mashable.com/imagery/articles/02u8d7gaDTJahNeDC7NK7m6/hero-image.fill.size_220x220.v1623374020.jpg)
What you need to know about the two spacecraft launching to Mercury Friday
Ad astra, BepiColombo.
By Mark Kaufman and Miriam Kramer
![What you need to know about the two spacecraft launching to Mercury Friday](https://helios-i.mashable.com/imagery/articles/04GVtGooEFM98La6gB48wKp/hero-image.fill.size_220x133.v1623373495.jpg)
![What you need to know about the two spacecraft launching to Mercury Friday](https://helios-i.mashable.com/imagery/articles/04GVtGooEFM98La6gB48wKp/hero-image.fill.size_220x220.v1623373495.jpg)
This is what it's like to survive a rocket failure
"It was a bittersweet, fleeting moment that I got that close."
![This is what it's like to survive a rocket failure](https://helios-i.mashable.com/imagery/articles/04qfKH77hjd24AiyBXHvjai/hero-image.fill.size_220x133.v1623373449.jpg)
![This is what it's like to survive a rocket failure](https://helios-i.mashable.com/imagery/articles/04qfKH77hjd24AiyBXHvjai/hero-image.fill.size_220x220.v1623373449.jpg)
Sunday's Fat Bear Week face off pits two fat favorites against each other
A battle of the big bear beauties.
![Sunday's Fat Bear Week face off pits two fat favorites against each other](https://helios-i.mashable.com/imagery/articles/00ChoCQipTWiisMijcLcRXA/hero-image.fill.size_220x133.v1623373262.jpg)
![Sunday's Fat Bear Week face off pits two fat favorites against each other](https://helios-i.mashable.com/imagery/articles/00ChoCQipTWiisMijcLcRXA/hero-image.fill.size_220x220.v1623373262.jpg)