NASA Watch
Independent blog tracking NASA programs and space sector news, often with insider commentary and analysis.
GAO Report On Space Station Replacement
The Government Accountability Office released a report examining NASA’s plan to replace the International Space Station with a commercial platform. The GAO highlights that NASA has not yet quantified the likelihood or length of a potential low‑Earth‑orbit gap, and it questions the feasibility of funding more than one commercial station. The report also notes a new request for information (RFI) driven by industry complaints and warns that extending ISS operations beyond 2030 would have significant budget implications. These findings come as NASA considers adding a government‑owned module to its commercial strategy.
MEPAG Memo On NASA Mars Exploration Program Budget
NASA’s Mars Exploration Program (MEP) has been tasked with absorbing the Skyfall payload for the Space Reactor‑1 demonstration, diverting funds from the Mars Future Missions line. The FY27 budget request keeps the total MEP allocation at $300 million, meaning a large...
Artemis III Crew Announced
NASA announced the four‑person crew for Artemis III, targeting a 2027 lunar landing. The team comprises NASA astronauts Andre Douglas and Randy Bresnik, ESA astronaut Luca Parmitano, and NASA veteran Frank Rubio. Over a two‑week mission, the crew will test both SpaceX’s Starship‑derived lander...
ISS Leak Forces Temporary Safe Haven Procedures
A pressure leak was detected in the Zvezda service module’s PrK transfer tunnel on the ISS, prompting Roscosmos to pause ongoing structural repairs for further data collection. NASA responded by ending the Dragon crew’s temporary safe‑haven procedures, allowing astronauts to...
NASA Rethinks Commercial LEO Plans
NASA has abandoned its plan to launch a government‑owned core module that would serve as the anchor for future commercial space stations, a concept announced at the March "Ignition" event. Instead, the agency will revert to the original commercial low‑Earth‑orbit...
Blue Origin Pad Explosion Update
Blue Origin experienced a pad explosion during a pre‑flight test of its New Glenn heavy‑lift rocket on May 28, 2026, causing significant damage to the launch complex but no injuries. The cause remains under investigation, and the incident halts the vehicle’s certification...
Starship V 3.0 First Flight
SpaceX launched the Starship V 3.0 prototype on May 22, 2026, featuring the new Raptor 3 engines and a complete vehicle redesign. The first stage climbed successfully but suffered engine problems on descent, culminating in a planned splash‑down in the Gulf of Mexico. Ship 39...
House Committee Claims Possible NASA/China Interactions
The House Select Committee on China released a report titled “Research Security for America’s Future in Space: NASA’s Enforcement of the Wolf Amendment.” It alleges that hundreds of NASA‑funded papers involve Chinese co‑authors or institutions, potentially breaching the 2011 Wolf...
Does CASIS Need To Exist After 2030?
The blog questions whether the Center for the Advancement of Science in Space (CASIS) should continue after the International Space Station (ISS) is retired, likely around 2030. CASIS was created by Congress to run the U.S. segment of the ISS...
Senate Confirms Matthew Anderson as NASA Deputy Administrator
The U.S. Senate voted to confirm retired Air Force Colonel Matthew Anderson as NASA’s 16th Deputy Administrator, a nomination made by former President Donald Trump. Anderson will serve alongside Administrator Jared Isaacman, overseeing the agency’s day‑to‑day operations and long‑term strategy. His...
Astrobiology.com On CGTN: Life In The Universe
Keith Cowing appeared on CGTN representing Astrobiology.com alongside Dr. Amitabha Ghosh to discuss the recent UAP image release and the broader scientific quest for extraterrestrial life. The interview focused on the methodologies used to detect both microbial and intelligent life...
NASAWatch Needs Your Help
NASAWatch, the independent news site run by former NASA biologist Keith Cowing, is seeking fresh donations after a year of operating without a salary. The appeal comes as the White House proposes FY 2027 budget cuts that could cripple major NASA...
Contractor Conversion: Two Things Can Be True At NASA
NASA’s Launch Equipment Test Facility (LETF) faced a contentious contractor‑to‑civil‑service conversion. Initial reporting suggested flaws and potential layoffs, prompting a rebuttal from the agency’s official account. A current LETF employee later clarified that most staff were retained, with no mass...
Preparing For a Congressional Flip At NASA
NASA’s management style shifted dramatically after Jared Isaacman became administrator, moving from largely verbal, undocumented directives that often clashed with congressional intent to a more transparent, documented approach. While the FY 2027 budget mirrors the FY 2026 request, Congress remains uneasy about...
Contractor Conversion Flaws Arise At NASA (Update)
NASA is accelerating a shift that converts contractor positions at Kennedy Space Center into civil‑servant roles, while waiving the traditional college‑degree requirement. The policy aims to retain experienced staff, but older engineers without formal degrees are being laid off, even...