Géraldine Naja Takes up Duty as Director of Space Transportation
Géraldine Naja assumed the role of Director of Space Transportation at the European Space Agency on 1 April 2026, while also serving as acting director of the newly named Commercialisation and Industry Partnership directorate. Her appointment follows the retirement of Toni Tolker‑Nielsen, who led the directorate since 2023 and oversaw the stabilisation of Ariane 6 and Vega‑C operations. The change is part of ESA’s broader organisational transformation approved by Member States in late 2025, with further senior‑management moves slated for June.
Mars Rover Finds High Nickel Rocks and Ruby‑Like Crystals, Sparking New Habitability Debate
NASA's Perseverance rover has identified sedimentary rocks in Neretva Vallis with nickel concentrations up to 1.1% by weight and, separately, tiny ruby‑like corundum crystals near the rim of Jezero Crater. Both findings suggest a more chemically diverse and potentially habitable...
Max Space Thunderbird Station: Can Inflatable Habitats Replace the ISS by 2030?
Max Space plans to launch its Thunderbird inflatable station in 2029, positioning it as a full‑scale commercial habitat to replace the ISS after its 2030 retirement. The design relies on a compact launch package that expands in orbit, delivering more...
Portal Space’s Mini‑Nova Payload Launches, Demonstrating Maneuverable Spacecraft Tech
Portal Space Systems successfully placed its Mini‑Nova payload into low‑Earth orbit as part of SpaceX’s Transporter‑16 rideshare. The tissue‑box‑sized instrument will spend six months attached to Momentus’ Vigoride‑7 to validate the “brains and critical power systems” for the company’s upcoming...
NASA Is Leading the Way to the Moon, but the Military Won't Be Far Behind
NASA’s Artemis II mission, the first crewed flight near the Moon since 1972, launched from Kennedy Space Center with two Navy test pilots at the helm. The U.S. Space Force provided range safety, abort monitoring, and will recover the Orion capsule...
How the Space Force Is Supporting NASA’s Artemis II Mission
The U.S. Space Force’s Space Launch Delta 45 is providing extensive range support for NASA’s Artemis II crewed lunar mission, scheduled for launch on April 1. Because the Space Launch System lacks an autonomous flight‑safety system, the range will staff roughly 28...
NASA Holidays Boost Launch Odds This Time
I think it will actually launch this time for the simple reason that NASA events and holidays (however small) just like to go together.
Only Five of the 24 Lunar Pioneers Remain Alive
Between 1968 and 1972, twenty-four humans entered lunar space, where the Moon's gravity dominates that of the Earth (within about 66000 km from the selenocenter). Only five of them are still alive.
NIST Unveils Hydroxide Catalysis Bonding for Photonic Chips to Survive Extreme Environments
NIST researchers led by physicist Nikolai Klimov introduced a hydroxide catalysis bonding (HCB) technique that creates glass‑like, inorganic bonds between optical fibers and photonic integrated circuits, allowing the chips to survive temperature swings, radiation and vacuum. The breakthrough could accelerate...
Few Transporter 16 Payloads Remain Unidentified, SM‑1.2 Owner Sought
Of over 100 payloads deployed on the Transporter 16 launch, only a few have had no info released about them. Does anyone know who owns the "SM-1.2" satellite?
Starship Won’t Offer Cheap Access to Third Parties
Sigh...whether or not Starship works, third parties won't have access to it at "cost" https://t.co/bcRTor02Id
China’s Lijian‑2 Rocket Completes Maiden Flight, Debuts Common Booster Core
China’s Lijian‑2 carrier rocket successfully launched on March 30, marking the first flight of a vehicle built around a 3.35 m common booster core (CBC) design. The 53‑metre, 625‑ton rocket can deliver up to 8 t to a 500 km sun‑synchronous orbit and...
Excited for Artemis Launch, Uneasy About April Fool's Timing
I am so unbelievably excited for this Artemis launch but I really REALLY wish they weren’t doing it on April fools day… the conspiracies have already started
Wishing NASA Success on Artemis Launch, Bon Voyage Christina
Wishing @NASAAdmin and the entire @NASA team the best for tomorrow's Artemis launch attempt - and a special 'bon voyage' to @centerforastro alum @Astro_Christina !
In Satellite Internet News
SpaceX has quietly filed a confidential IPO with the SEC, aiming for a June market debut and a potential valuation of $1.75 trillion, one of the largest ever for an aerospace firm. In parallel, Amazon struck a partnership with Delta Air...
US Military Outlines Emerging Moon Strategy
The US military is developing a strategy for the Moon. Here's where things stand. https://t.co/7DZaZ8Dmnn
Inside the Invite-Only Space Tech Dealmaking Summit Launching This Year
Up/Link: The SpaceTech Business Summit, an invitation‑only event, launches Oct. 20‑21 in New York City. Targeting 200 senior executives, founders, investors and government leaders from the $1 trillion space economy, the summit charges $1,750 for standard tickets and $2,250 for VIP passes...
Space Tech Specialist Type One Sees Growing Opportunities in Japan
US venture capital firm Type One Ventures, a specialist in space‑technology investments, announced the opening of a Tokyo office to deepen relationships with Japanese corporates. The move aligns with Japan’s national space agency JAXA committing roughly $6.7 billion to a ten‑year...
Yes, NASA's Launching Artemis 2 Astronauts to the Moon on April Fools' Day. It's Not a Joke.
NASA is set to launch Artemis 2, its first crewed lunar flyby, on April 1, 2024, from Kennedy Space Center’s Pad 39B. The four‑person crew—Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Canadian astronaut Jeremy Haines—will spend ten days orbiting the Moon aboard the...
Faced With Starlink Competition, Ground Segment Leaders Turn to Orchestration, Specialization
Ground‑segment providers are feeling the pressure of vertically integrated LEO megaconstellations such as Starlink and Amazon Leo, which manufacture their own user terminals and drive prices to rock‑bottom levels. Executives from Ovzon, SpaceBridge and Comtech warned that the traditional consumer‑grade GEO...
Air Force Awards BlackSky $99M to Large Aperture Optical Payload for Space-Based Imaging
The U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory awarded BlackSky Technology a $99 million contract to develop a low‑cost, large‑aperture optical payload for space‑based imaging and space‑domain awareness. An initial $2.1 million FY‑2026 R&D obligation will jump‑start design work, with the SBIR Phase III award...
News Outlets Share Coverage Plans for Historic Artemis II Launch
NASA is set to launch Artemis II on April 1, 2024, sending a four‑person crew—Commander Reid Wiseman, pilot Victor Glover, astronaut Christina Koch, and Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hansen—on a ten‑day lunar orbit test flight. The mission will ride the Space Launch System (SLS) and...
Top Space Lawmaker on Moon Base, Artemis Plans
Rep. Mike Haridopolos, chair of the House space subcommittee, voiced strong congressional backing for NASA’s expanded lunar agenda, which includes a permanent Moon base, monthly uncrewed landings beginning in 2027, and a crewed return in 2028. He highlighted Artemis II’s upcoming...
Doing Something Again For The First Time (Update)
A new analysis highlights that roughly 75 % of the global population has never seen humans walk on another world, making the upcoming Artemis Moon landings the first live experience for most people. NASA’s Artemis program now plans to send astronauts...
Interstellar Comet 3I/ATLAS May Be up to 12 Billion Years Old, Predating Its Original Star System
Astronomers have determined that interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS, discovered in 2025, is likely between 10 and 12 billion years old. JWST measurements of rare isotopic ratios suggest it formed in the early Milky Way, possibly before its parent star system existed. The...
Watch Live: Artemis II Launch
Artemis II, NASA’s first crewed mission to the Moon in over five decades, is slated for launch on 1 April 2026 at 18:24 local time. The European Service Module (ESM) will deploy solar arrays eight minutes after liftoff, provide power and propulsion, and...
Artemis 2 Countdown Continues – No Issues
NASA’s Artemis II mission is on track for a 6:24 p.m. EDT launch on April 1, 2026, with the countdown now entering the L‑15H30M window. All non‑essential personnel have cleared Launch Complex 39B and critical pre‑launch activities such as nitrogen inerting and ground launch...
Space Data Centers Miss Key Advantage: 5× Solar Power
The race to build orbital data centers is missing its biggest variable: power “Solar panel in space produces roughly 5Xs the amount of electricity that the same panel would produce on Earth. There is no atmosphere, no weather and no day-night cycle for most orbits. No interconnection queue and no permitting.” https://t.co/PfmW1te2ac
Sweden’s 2026 Spring Budget to Include €36.5 Million More for Space
Sweden's government proposes a SEK 400 million ($40 million) addition to its 2026 spring budget to develop sovereign launch capability at the Esrange Space Centre, with a focus on military space operations. SEK 14 million ($1.4 million) will strengthen the Swedish Space Agency’s licensing...
Duagon Computing Hardware Set for Deployment to the International Space Station
On March 31, 2026 duagon announced its high‑availability Conduction Cooled Assembly will launch to the International Space Station in April, integrating into the Columbus module. Developed with Space Applications Services, the system uses CompactPCI Serial modular cards—including a G028 CPU,...
GalaxySpace Launches IPO, Leveraging Veteran Aerospace Talent
Chinese Satellite Startup GalaxySpace Kicks Off IPO The company’s core engineering team includes veterans from major state-backed aerospace institutions, including units under China Aerospace Science and Technology Corp. and China Aerospace Science and Industry Corp. Its business spans satellite mobile...
NASA's “Fastest” Reentry Matches Apollo 10 Speeds
NASA claims the Art. 2 reentry will be the fastest crew entry ever at "about 25000 mph" (i.e. somewhere in the range 10.95 to 11.40 km/s). However the Horizons trajectory for Art2 appears to give 11.06 km/s (inertial) while Apollo...
GomSpace Secures 8.8 MSEK Authorization to Proceed From Unseenlabs for Next Constellation Tranche
GomSpace received an Authorization to Proceed from French RF‑maritime intelligence firm Unseenlabs, valued at €815,000 (about $890,000) or 8.8 MSEK (≈ $828,000). The ATP lets GomSpace start buying long‑lead components for Unseenlabs’ next microsatellite batch, keeping the 2026‑27 launch cadence on...
Artemis II Crew Set to Launch Around Moon Tomorrow
The countdown is on! In under a day hopefully the Artemis II crew of 4 will be on their way around the moon. 👨🚀👨🚀👩🚀👨🚀 https://t.co/kwANSZYAmO
Delta's 2028 Wi‑Fi Upgrade Leaves United Ahead Now
Delta Air Lines is bringing faster, satellite-powered Wi-Fi to its planes via Amazon’s Leo network — but with the rollout not starting until 2028, United Airlines remains the better bet for high-speed connectivity right now. https://t.co/zAi3emQRin
Space Start-Ups Gain Siemens Nous
Siemens has joined the European Space Agency’s EPIC programme, offering its Xcelerator software suite and digital‑twin capabilities to start‑ups nurtured by ESA Business Incubation Centres. The partnership gives fledgling space firms access to virtual design, simulation and engineering tools that...
Artemis II Moon Mission Remains On Track for April 1
Everything Still on Track for Artemis II Launch to the Moon on April 1 https://t.co/78OHpYtZiS
NASA Readies Moon Return After 50 Years, Billions Invested
Great feature by @lorengrush: Billions of Dollars and More Than 50 Years Later, NASA Prepares to Return to the Moon https://t.co/mnCAxEiLNO
Oops! NASA Once Lost a $125 Million Spacecraft Because Engineers Forgot to Convert to Metric
The Mars Climate Orbiter, a $125 million NASA mission launched in 1998, was lost in September 1999 when it descended far too low over Mars. The failure was traced to a simple unit‑conversion mistake: Lockheed Martin’s navigation software used Imperial units instead of...
US, Europe Lay Foundations for Future LEO Satnav Networks
US, Europe put down markers for future LEO satnav constellations: @XonaSpace Series C brings total financing to $320M; @esa launch of 2 sats registers L-, S-band spectrum w/ @ITU. @infoGMV @aerospacelab_ @OHB_SE @Thales_Alenia_S @GermanOrbital @RocketLab.https://t.co/pKb7ilALbh https://t.co/2lLg6ALUdc
Outsiders Drive Radical Innovation in Aerospace and Auto
Indeed, it was *because* I was not from the aerospace industry that SpaceX made such radical breakthroughs. Same for Tesla. Those in the industry would have if they could have.
Delta Skips Starlink, Signs with Amazon Leo for Satellite In-Flight Wi-Fi Starting in 2028
Delta Air Lines announced a partnership with Amazon’s Leo satellite network to provide in‑flight Wi‑Fi beginning in 2028. The rollout will initially equip 500 domestic aircraft with Leo Ultra antennas delivering up to 1 Gbps download and 400 Mbps upload speeds, offered...
Finally Thrilled: Orion's Third Flight Exceeds Expectations
I had mixed feelings about the first two flights of Orion. But not this one. https://t.co/9YROBrhJ7M
Grain Management May Open 800 MHz for Satellite D2D
Grain Management could make its 800 MHz available for satellite direct-to-device (D2D) operations. More: https://t.co/Nz0c3qdLvB
Artemis 2 Likely Launches Wednesday, 80% Chance
Artemis 2 weather forecast is 80% go for Wednesday. If launch slips: 70% go Thursday, 75% Friday, 70% Saturday.
NASA Embraces Commercial Moon Future After 54 Years
NASA stopped being about moonshots 54 years ago. In the most positive step since then, they finally acknowledged the future. Commercialization of the moon. Now that's a moonshot
Space Megaconstellations Threaten Near-Earth Environment, Urge Resilience
The new Big Think print issue just dropped: on the Roots of Resilience. Here's how we can avoid a space megaconstellation mega-disaster. The current situation, where companies do nothing, is a recipe for destroying our one & only near-Earth environment. https://t.co/FycTO9j4QD
OneWeb's Rare Failure: Satellite SL0179 Begins Deorbit
There have been very few failures in the OneWeb constellation; on Mar 16 OneWeb SL0179, launched in 2021, began rapid orbit lowering, presumably being retired as a result of some malfunction. https://t.co/catxyEcmju
Artemis II Orion Deemed Unsafe for Flight
Artemis II Orion spacecraft (built by Lockheed Martin, Boeing and Airbus) is not safe to fly via @idlewords https://t.co/PzojTp2Xt9 https://t.co/sNN96eyWwc
Artemis II Crew Set to Launch Around Moon Tomorrow
One more day until crew will fly around the Moon for Artemis II! Cameras are set and hands off at the pad 🤞 https://t.co/WwfKVz6YEr