Journey

SpaceX has launched its massive Starship rocket into orbit for the first time, a milestone for the company's most powerful spacecraft. The test flight is a major step in SpaceX's plans for deep-space missions, including journeys to the Moon and Mars. Observers are watching closely for details on how the vehicle performed during the flight and what the results mean for future launches.

Air France has released footage of the Pope's flight between Lourdes and Metz, accompanied by two Rafale fighter jets from the French Air Force. The unusual escort over French airspace accompanied the papal journey, and the clip has drawn wide attention and praise as an exceptional tribute.

A saildrone, an unmanned, hurricane-proof research vessel, has begun a roughly 22,000km circumnavigation of Antarctica, departing from Hobart. The voyage aims to gather climate science data from some of the world's most dangerous waters, where few crewed ships can operate. Observers are sharing the story, impressed that a small robotic craft is attempting a route that has tested even experienced sailors.

The European Space Agency's Juice spacecraft has released its main image of Earth captured by the onboard monitoring cameras following a successful gravity-assist flyby. The team says more images are still being processed and should be published in the coming days, along with a timelapse of the flyby. The mission is en route to Jupiter, using Earth flybys to build momentum for its long journey.

U2 is marking its 50th anniversary, celebrating five decades since the Irish rock band came together in Dublin. Fans and music outlets are revisiting the group's journey from post-punk beginnings to global stadium success, with Bono, The Edge, Adam Clayton and Larry Mullen Jr. widely praised for their enduring partnership.

The Lucas Museum of Narrative Art has opened in Los Angeles, marking the debut of George Lucas's long-planned institution dedicated to visual storytelling across painting, illustration, photography and film. The futuristic building in Exposition Park houses the filmmaker's personal collection alongside works spanning diverse narrative traditions. Coverage highlights the museum's unusual mission and its years-long journey to fruition, having previously considered sites in San Francisco and Chicago before settling in LA.

South African rugby player Catha Jacobs has spoken about being told as a girl that she was not allowed to play rugby, and her journey to representing the Springboks. Her story highlights how women in South Africa fought past institutional barriers to reach the national team, drawing attention to the growth of women's rugby internationally.

ESA's Juice spacecraft is scheduled to fly past Earth tomorrow as part of another gravity assist manoeuvre on its journey to Jupiter. The flyby has drawn attention among space enthusiasts, with one contributor involved in planning camera shots for the manoeuvre noting that new imaging techniques are being tried during the pass.

Pope Leo concluded his visit to the French shrine of Lourdes by taking part in a candlelit procession through the Marian site, calling himself a 'pilgrim among pilgrims'. He urged the faithful to persevere on their spiritual journey, drawing inspiration from the shrine's association with the Immaculate Conception, as crowds gathered for the closing ceremony of his pilgrimage.

A long-haul driver known as the Elektrotrucker has set off on an attempt to circumnavigate the globe in a Mercedes-Benz eActros 600, the electric long-distance truck from Daimler Truck. The journey aims to demonstrate that battery-electric heavy trucks can handle long-distance routes, and it is drawing attention from electric vehicle enthusiasts and the freight industry.

The USA national men's cricket team has begun preparations for the LA28 Olympic Games with a performance camp run by the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee in Colorado Springs. Cricket's return to the Olympics for the first time since 1900 makes the American squad's participation historic, and the collaboration with the USOPC signals a serious push to build a competitive program.

An overland pilgrimage was held to honor an immigrant family on the World Day of Migrants and Refugees, an annual observance marked by the Catholic Church. Organizers used the journey to highlight the experiences of migrant families and draw attention to the hardships faced by people crossing borders in search of safety and a better life.

Actor John Goodman is drawing attention after making a rare public outing with his wife Anna Beth Goodman at the premiere of 'Digger', showing off a dramatic transformation reportedly totalling around 90 kilograms. Outlets including Nine and Fox News covered the appearance, with commenters praising the 72-year-old's health journey and slimmed-down look.

Raspberry AI is helping lifestyle brands shorten the journey from design concept to finished product on store shelves, according to a Forbes report. The startup's generative AI tools let design teams produce and iterate on product visuals quickly, reducing reliance on lengthy sampling cycles. The piece highlights growing adoption of AI across fashion and consumer lifestyle companies.

A UC San educator reflects on how raising children has reshaped their approach to teaching, arguing that lessons learned as a parent inform a more student-centered classroom. Writing in UC San Diego Today, the author connects patience, listening and empathy from parenting to how they design learning and support students. The piece is a personal essay rather than research.

ESA's JUICE spacecraft carried out its second Earth flyby on Monday as part of its eight-year journey to Jupiter. New images from the spacecraft show Earth and the Moon captured during the pass. The milestone is being shared by astronomy commentators, who highlight the mission's successful navigation en route to the Jupiter system.

Volkswagen's electric ID. Buzz has completed a global journey covering 92 countries across six continents in 441 days. The long-distance trek serves as a showcase for the electric van's range and reliability, drawing attention to Volkswagen's electric push and renewing nostalgia for the classic Microbus design.

Brazilian poet Braulio Bessa is in the spotlight after a profile traced his journey from the sertao to national fame, exploring how his family shaped the poetry that has moved millions. The piece highlights his roots in the backlands of Ceara and Paraiba and the role his upbringing played in his success, sparking renewed interest in his work and personal story.

An artist has completed a 100-day project called Detox Doodles, replacing time spent scrolling on her phone with daily sketching, focusing on animals such as orangutans. She has published the resulting ink drawings on her website. The project is being shared as an example of swapping screen time for a creative habit.

Shepherds in a remote mountain region are climbing down steep slopes after their daily work to attend night school, a journey captured in a striking photo essay by NPR. The images highlight their determination to gain an education despite harsh terrain and long working days, drawing attention to barriers facing rural learners worldwide.

Tyler Cameron sent a supportive letter to his Dancing with the Stars partner Sharna Burgess ahead of a demanding routine, according to Yahoo coverage. The former Bachelorette contestant and his professional partner have drawn attention this season for their partnership, and the note highlighted the encouragement he offered before a challenging dance. Fans of the show and of Cameron have been following their progress closely as the competition continues in the United States and Canada.