Science & Technology — July 18, 2026

Astronomers detect atmosphere on habitable-zone rocky planet. Helium escaping from LHS 1140 b marks the first atmosphere found on a rocky, temperate world in its star's habitable zone, a milestone in the search for life.

Space.com · Read more →

India's first private orbital rocket succeeds. Skyroot Aerospace's Vikram-1 completed its debut launch Saturday, making India the third nation with private orbital launch capability.

Space.com · Read more →

SpaceX scrubs 13th Starship flight. Engines failed to start just before liftoff, aborting the 13th flight test and adding pressure to a company whose stock has fallen below its IPO price.

Scientific American · Read more →

San Francisco orders 'nudify' apps removed. The city attorney sent cease-and-desist letters to Apple and Google demanding removal of AI apps that generate nonconsensual nude imagery, saying both companies profited from them.

TechCrunch · Read more →