New Frontier Magazine

Daron Krikorian

Correspondent, Space Exploration

Daron Krikorian is the Space Exploration Correspondent for New Frontier Magazine, where he covers the commercial space industry, planetary science, and the history of spaceflight. His writing specializes in translating complex aerospace engineering and astrophysics concepts into accessible, clear explainers for readers. By focusing on both technical innovations and the human ambition driving modern missions, his stories bring the high-stakes world of space exploration to life. Through this approach, he helps readers understand the breakthroughs shaping our future in the cosmos.

Expertise

Aerospace EngineeringAstrophysicsCommercial Space IndustryPlanetary ScienceHistory of Spaceflight

Coverage Areas

Space Exploration
Explainers

Latest Articles

A futuristic fusion power plant with MGE and Realta Fusion logos, representing a new era of clean energy in Wisconsin.
Future of Energy

MGE and Realta Fusion Partner on 200MW Wisconsin Fusion Plant

A Madison utility is directly investing in a nuclear fusion startup that recently powered a lightbulb with direct energy conversion, aiming to build a 200-megawatt plant capable of powering 150,000 ho

Sep 2, 2026 · 3 min read

The Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope positioned in orbit against a backdrop of a vibrant, star-filled galaxy, symbolizing its mission to discover exoplanets and study dark energy.
Space Exploration

NASA Roman Telescope to Spot Exoplanets, Probe Dark Energy

NASA's Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope is projected to discover as many as 200,000 potential planets beyond the Solar System, a number that would multiply humanity's known exoplanet count by over 30

Aug 26, 2026 · 4 min read

Two towering, interconnected modular cryogenic systems, representing IBM's advancement in quantum computing infrastructure, are shown in a state-of-the-art research facility.
Quantum Computing

IBM Connects First Modular Cryogenic Systems for Quantum Computing

Standing over eight feet tall and wide, IBM's first two operational modular cryogenic systems were successfully joined and cooled to 4 Kelvin in under five days, marking a significant engineering feat

Aug 21, 2026 · 2 min read

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket upper stage impacting the Moon's far side, creating two distinct craters in the lunar regolith.
Space Exploration

SpaceX rocket impact creates new double crater on moon

On March 4, 2022, a discarded SpaceX Falcon 9 upper stage, initially thought to be a single piece of space junk, slammed into the Moon's far side, unexpectedly carving not one, but two distinct crater

Aug 19, 2026 · 5 min read

Abstract visualization of quantum superposition and entanglement, showing overlapping glowing spheres and interconnected lines against a starry, cosmic background.
Quantum Computing

Quantum Superposition & Entanglement in Quantum Computing

In a groundbreaking experiment, clusters containing over 7,000 atoms were observed to exist in multiple locations at once, their center-of-mass position delocalized by more than ten times their own di

Aug 14, 2026 · 5 min read

A NASA astronaut in a spacesuit stands on a desolate plain, gazing up at a Soyuz spacecraft descending through a colorful sunset sky, symbolizing a career's end.
Space Exploration

NASA astronaut Mike Fincke retires following medical evacuation

Just weeks after piloting a mission that returned in January, NASA astronaut Mike Fincke was medically evacuated from the International Space Station on January 7, 2025.

Aug 13, 2026 · 3 min read

A futuristic data center showcasing the integration of Oracle Cloud infrastructure with Quantinuum's Helios quantum computer, symbolizing advanced AI and quantum capabilities.
Quantum Computing

Oracle Cloud Integrates Quantinuum's Helios Quantum Computer

In a monumental leap bringing the future of computing into today's enterprise, Oracle will physically install Quantinuum's 98-physical-qubit Helios quantum computer directly inside a US Oracle Cloud I

Aug 12, 2026 · 5 min read

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket stage impacting the Moon's surface, creating a bright flash and a new crater.
Space Exploration

SpaceX rocket stage impacted the Moon

An 8,800-pound piece of a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, launched years ago, slammed into the Moon on August 5, creating a new crater near the Einstein and Bell craters.

Aug 5, 2026 · 7 min read

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket stage on an unavoidable collision course with the Moon's surface, set against the backdrop of stars.
Space Exploration

SpaceX rocket stage nears predictable moon collision

On August 5, 2026, a discarded SpaceX Falcon 9 upper stage, hurtling at 5,400 mph, will smash into the Moon near Einstein Crater.

Aug 3, 2026 · 3 min read

Interior view of a futuristic fusion energy reactor with glowing blue plasma, showcasing advanced technology and scientific control.
Future of Energy

How Do Fusion Energy Reactor Designs Work for Future Power?

In February 2022, researchers at the Joint European Torus (JET) facility in England achieved 59 megajoules of heat energy from fusion over a five-second period, setting a new world record for sustaine

Jul 21, 2026 · 3 min read

Astronauts working near the Artemis lunar lander on the Moon's surface, with Earth in the background, symbolizing the challenges of a sustainable lunar presence.
Space Exploration

Top 3 NASA Artemis Challenges for Sustainable Moon Presence in 2026

Former NASA Administrator Mike Griffin has publicly called for the Artemis III mission and all subsequent missions to be canceled and restarted, citing deep-seated program issues.

Jul 19, 2026 · 5 min read

Scientists working in a futuristic quantum computing lab with glowing processors and holographic displays, symbolizing advanced research and discovery.
Quantum Computing

Top 9 Quantum Computing Research Institutions for 2026

By 2026, a single quantum computing breakthrough from one of the top institutions could render current cryptographic standards obsolete, fundamentally reshaping global data security.

Jul 17, 2026 · 5 min read

A detailed illustration of a quantum heat engine operating at the nanoscale, showing particle interactions and energy flow, representing a scientific breakthrough.
Quantum Computing

How Do Quantum Heat Engines Work? Reaching 0.7 Carnot Efficiency

Experimental quantum dot heat engines have already achieved an astonishing 70% of the theoretical maximum efficiency, a benchmark that challenges traditional thermodynamic limits.

Jul 14, 2026 · 4 min read

A glowing diamond with internal quantum structures, symbolizing diamond NV-centers in a futuristic quantum computing laboratory.
Quantum Computing

What Are Diamond NV-Centers in Quantum Computing?

A refrigerator-sized quantum computer prototype, operating at room temperature, is already being tested by the DLR QCI project.

Jul 11, 2026 · 5 min read

Futuristic space traffic control center with holographic displays showing satellites and debris, highlighting automated collision avoidance.
Space Exploration

Automating Space Collision Avoidance in 2026

In 2026, with thousands of active satellites and countless pieces of debris hurtling through space, the European Space Agency's Collision Risk Estimation and Automated Mitigation (CREAM) project, laun

Jul 9, 2026 · 4 min read

A futuristic antimatter rocket traveling at near light speed through deep space towards a distant star system, showcasing advanced propulsion technology.
Space Exploration

How Do Antimatter Rockets Work for Interstellar Travel?

An antimatter rocket can achieve a specific impulse of about 0.

Jul 6, 2026 · 4 min read

A highly advanced, glowing quantum computer processor with holographic data streams, symbolizing the future of computation and technological progress.
Quantum Computing

Top 3 Quantum Computing Developments and Challenges

Quantinuum's new H2-1 quantum computer recently shattered performance expectations, achieving a Quantum Volume record of 65,536.

Jul 3, 2026 · 4 min read

The Euclid telescope's detailed visible-light image of the Milky Way's galactic center, showing millions of stars and nebulae.
Space Exploration

Euclid Telescope Reveals Most Detailed Visible-Light Image of Milky Way's Center

A new mosaic image of the Milky Way's galactic bulge, released by the European Space Agency (ESA) on June 24, 2026, contains more than 60 million individual stars, according to EarthSky , revealing a

Jun 29, 2026 · 2 min read

A private rocket launching towards Mars, symbolizing NASA's new reliance on commercial partners for space exploration.
Space Exploration

NASA's Mars Missions Now Rely on Private Rocket Builders

In 2028, the Aeolus mission will launch to provide the first integrated, daily global view of Martian winds, with NASA providing the science instrument and Relativity Space supplying the spacecraft an

Jun 29, 2026 · 4 min read

A futuristic cityscape visualizing quantum data streams and holographic qubits alongside classical bits, representing the contrast between quantum and classical computing.
Quantum Computing

Quantum Computing vs. Classical: Understanding Qubits vs. Bits

In 2019, Google announced it had achieved 'quantum supremacy,' performing a calculation in just 200 seconds that would have taken even the most powerful classical supercomputer an estimated 10,000 yea

Jun 24, 2026 · 4 min read