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Detailed reporting on launch vehicles, testing, and global space programs
Orion Spacecraft Races Toward Historic Lunar Flyby in Artemis II Mission
NASA’s Artemis II mission entered its mid‑flight phase as Orion completed the trans‑lunar injection burn and set a free‑return path toward a historic lunar flyby on April 6. The four‑person crew will skim 4,000‑6,500 miles above the Moon’s far side, capturing high‑resolution images and testing Orion’s life‑support, navigation and re‑entry systems. Splashdown is targeted for April 10‑11 in the Pacific, marking the first crewed deep‑space flight since Apollo 17. Administrator Jared Isaacman emphasized the mission’s role in accelerating Artemis cadence and preserving workforce expertise.
Vast and Axiom Awarded New Private Missions to ISS, Continue Work on Commercial Space Stations
NASA has awarded Private Astronaut Missions to Vast Space and Axiom Space for 2027, extending crewed flights to the International Space Station while both firms develop their own commercial stations. Vast will fly its first 14‑day ISS mission and launch...
Launch Previews: Worldwide Launch Manifest Quiet as 2026 Begins
The global launch calendar eases into 2026 with only four missions slated for the coming week. China will fire a Chang Zheng 4B carrying the cartography‑focused Tianhui 7 satellite and a Chang Zheng 7A with an undisclosed payload. SpaceX’s Falcon 9 will deliver...
