space   Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation   Space Exploration & Science Missions   Human Spaceflight & Space Stations   Commercial Space   NASA  
NASA Spaceflight • Justin Davenport

NASA and Astrobotic pick lunar south pole site for VIPER and Griffin ahead of Artemis human landings

NASA and commercial partner Astrobotic have selected a site on the Moon’s south pole for the VIPER rover and Astrobotic’s Griffin lander, marking a coordinated robotic reconnaissance ahead of planned Artemis human missions. The designation focuses science on volatile‑rich terrain close to proposed Artemis 4 touchdown zones.

Also: Space.com
2026-04-03T16:12:35.997218-07:00
defense   Middle East   Accident   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact   Defense Policy  
Wall Street Journal

U.S. Combat Search and Rescue Team Spotted Over Iran

By Wall Street Journal: U.S. search and rescue aircraft, including an HC-130 airplane and two HH-60 helicopters, were filmed flying over Iran after a U.S. jet fighter was downed in the country in footage circulated by Iranian state media and verified by Storyful.

Also: Wall Street Journal, defence-blog.com, The Telegraph, al-monitor.com, intellinews.com, ibtimes.com, Sky News and aa.com.tr
2026-04-03T10:52:47.548539-07:00
aviation   ATC   Aviation Safety & Regulation   Airport Infrastructure & Air Traffic Management   Policy & Regulation  
news.bgov.com • Zach Williams

Trump Proposes $26.6B in Discretionary Funding for FAA — a 6.2% Increase

By news.bgov.com: President Donald Trump on Friday proposed increasing transportation funding next fiscal year with $26.6 billion in discretionary funds, a 6.2% increase under his budget plan.

Also: Aviation Week
2026-04-03T09:05:57.200285-07:00
space   North America   Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation   Space Exploration & Science Missions   Policy & Regulation   NASA  
Wall Street Journal

NASA’s Artemis II Heads to the Moon — Amid Political Shakeup as Trump Ousts AG Pam Bondi

By Wall Street Journal: President Trump removes AG Pam Bondi, shortly after ousting Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. Could this be the beginning of a larger cabinet shakeup? Plus, NASA sends astronauts toward the moon for the first time since the end of the Apollo program.

2026-04-03T16:25:40.314364-07:00
aviation   North America   Airports   Aircraft Demand: Airline Distress & Consolidation   Airline Industry & Market Trends   Airport Infrastructure & Air Traffic Management   Policy & Regulation   Airlines  
FlightGlobal • Jon Hemmerdinger

Trump proposes 50% cut to Essential Air Service subsidies; regional airlines and communities brace

By FlightGlobal: Some lobby groups are gearing up to fight against the subsidy cuts, which could prompt airlines to stop flying to some small communities. The Trump administration wants to slash funding for the Essential Air Service programme next fiscal year, describing it as a financially bloated programme that subsidises flights that few people actually want to….

Also: Airline Geeks and AeroTime
2026-04-03T14:10:40.501515-07:00
space   Satellite   Space Policy & International Cooperation   Space Debris & Traffic Management   Policy & Regulation   Sustainability & Climate Initiatives  
Space Intel Report • Peter B de Selding

The Risks of 200 National Satellite Constellations in the Next Decade

By Space Intel Report: WASHINGTON — “Autonomy” and “sovereignty” area among the most-used terms in space technology circles today. But….

Also: The Guardian
2026-04-03T13:38:49.272977-07:00