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NASA human spaceflight directorate completes reorganization
The NASA directorate responsible for human spaceflight efforts has completed a long-anticipated internal reorganization intended to better align activities ranging from the International Space Station to Artemis.
China is quietly preparing for November launch of the Chang’e-5 lunar sample return mission
China has quietly initiated preparations to launch Chang’e-5, a mission seeking to collect and return the first lunar samples since the 1970s.
NASA and Energy Department step up cooperation
The Department of Energy and NASA are meeting regularly to investigate how they can cooperate on technologies that go beyond their longstanding work on nuclear power systems.
Dynetics to use in-space refueling for NASA lunar lander
The lunar lander under development by Dynetics for NASA’s Artemis program will make use of in-space refueling of cryogenic propellants and require three launches in quick succession, company officials revealed.
Potential biosignature discovery could boost prospects of Venus missions
The discovery of a molecule in the atmosphere of Venus associated with life could boost the prospects for both government and private missions to the planet.
Bridenstine hints Artemis 3 could land near Apollo site
NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine suggested Sept. 14 that NASA would be open to sending the first Artemis human landing mission to a location other than the south pole of the moon.
Brandywine Photonics conducts design study of constellation of hundreds of small weather satellites
Brandywine Photonics is conducting a design study for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration of a constellation of hundreds of small weather satellites.
Congress set to pass space weather bill
The House is slated to pass a space weather bill this week, culminating a five-year effort to turn a put elements of a space weather strategy and action plan into law.
NASA offers to buy lunar samples to set space resources precedent
NASA is offering to buy lunar samples collected by companies for a token sum primarily to set a precedent for space resource rights on the moon.
NASA’s Juno spacecraft seeking extended mission at Jupiter
NASA’s Juno mission orbiting Jupiter is seeking a long-term extension that would allow the spacecraft to carry out new studies of the planet and some of its largest moons.
NOAA’s former satellite now providing weather data to the U.S. military
GOES-13 has been repurposed as the Electro-Optical Infrared Weather System - Geostationary.
Gerstenmaier warns against ending space station program prematurely
The former head of NASA’s human spaceflight program, now working as a consultant to SpaceX, said he welcomes greater commercial activity in low Earth orbit but cautioned against ending the International Space Station prematurely.
Study raises new concerns about lack of governing norms in space
New CSIS report looks at three key governance issues: orbital debris mitigation, rendezvous and proximity operations, and insurance requirements
Report sees ways Artemis supports sustainable human Mars exploration
NASA’s Artemis program of human lunar exploration can help pave the way for human Mars missions, according to a new report, although some tweaks to those plans may be required.
