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Report calls for changes in planetary protection policies
An independent report is calling on NASA to update decades’ old planetary protection policies to reflect changing knowledge of solar system habitability and to enable future exploration by both the space agency and commercial entities.
NASA astronauts complete repairs on historic spacewalk
Two NASA astronauts successfully replaced a faulty battery charger during the agency’s first all-female spacewalk Oct. 18, an event that at times appeared to go better in orbit than on the ground.
InSight instrument resumes movement into Martian surface
A probe on NASA’s InSight Mars lander that has been stuck for months is moving deeper into the surface again thanks to an assist from the lander’s robotic arm.
ESA to request $13.9 billion budget from member states
The European Space Agency will ask its 22 member states to commit to a budget of 12.5 billion euros ($13.9 billion) to fund the next three years of the agency's work.
Key House appropriator remains skeptical about Artemis
The chairman of the House appropriations subcommittee that funds NASA said he remains unconvinced of the need to accelerate NASA’s plans to return humans to the moon because of its uncertain cost.
NASA hires Loverro to lead human spaceflight
NASA announced Oct. 16 that it has hired Doug Loverro, a former Defense Department official responsible for space policy, to lead its human spaceflight programs.
NASA reshuffles spacewalk schedule after hardware failure
NASA will postpone the remainder of an ongoing series of spacewalks at the International Space Station to upgrade batteries for its power system after a related component malfunctioned and needs to be replaced.
Astronaut organization seeks role advising Artemis
An organization of current and former space travelers is offering its expertise to NASA as the agency works towards a “quite aggressive” goal of landing people on the moon in five years.
Op-ed | The space industry: A closer look at the new ecosystem
Since Sputnik first launched and man set foot on the moon, the changes, evolution and expansion of human activities in space has been rapid and momentous. It is important to understand the trajectory we are on as we tackle the challenges in front of us and create our future.
China begins preparations for crucial Long March 5 rocket launch
China is set to attempt a return-to-flight of its largest rocket at the end of the year, with success required for the country to proceed with its major space ambitions.
Stratolaunch gets mystery new owner
Stratolaunch, the venture founded by the late Paul Allen to develop an air-launch system, has “transitioned” ownership, but the company is not disclosing who the new owner is.
NASA and SpaceX agree commercial crew development is the “highest priority”
LAS CRUCES, N.M. — NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine and SpaceX Chief Executive Elon Musk eased two weeks of tension between them Oct. 10, saying they were on the same page regarding development of commercial crew systems.
Bridenstine to…
NASA considering purchase of additional Soyuz seats
LAS CRUCES, N.M. — NASA expects to buy at least one more Soyuz seat from Russia to provide assured access to the International Space Station should commercial crew vehicles suffer additional delays.
In a media briefing after a visit to Sp…
NASA official hints first SLS launch could slip to mid-2021
While NASA continues to wait to set a new official date for the first launch of its Space Launch System, an agency official said Oct. 10 that the launch could slip as late as the middle of 2021.
Pegasus launches ICON space science mission
A long-delayed NASA space science satellite finally reached orbit Oct. 10 on a Pegasus rocket, a launch vehicle with an uncertain future.
Manufacturers say wider range of satellites they build is stressing mission assurance
Manufacturers speaking Oct. 10 at the Satellite Innovation conference here said they are trying to evolve their approaches to mission assurance — making sure what they build doesn’t fail in orbit — so that they can respond to a wider swath of customers.
