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SpaceNews.com • Jeff Foust

Isaacman: NASA expects China to fly a crewed lunar-orbit mission in 2027, escalating competition for cislunar presence

NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman said he expects China’s taikonauts to fly around the Moon in 2027, framing it as an imminent step in Beijing’s crewed lunar ambitions. The forecast heightens perceptions of an accelerated U.S.-China “space race” as Artemis operations progress.

2026-05-20T02:40:49.949952-07:00

Space.com

Study proposes laser beacons in lunar south-polar permanently shadowed craters for a “lunar GPS” to support Artemis navigation

2026-05-19T14:05:40.632294-07:00

European Spaceflight

As ESA Chief Pushes for European Autonomous Human Spaceflight, Agency Prepares Reusable Orbital Spaceplane Proposal

2026-05-19T07:54:42.246339-07:00

Space.com

NASA LOXSAT “orbital gas station” demo to validate in-space cryogenic oxygen transfer for Artemis

2026-05-19T09:05:31.165123-07:00

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SpaceNews.com

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Isaacman: NASA expects China to fly a crewed lunar-orbit mission in 2027, escalating competition for cislunar presence NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman said he expects China’s taikonauts to fly around the Moon in 2027, framing it as an imminent step in Beijing’s crewed lunar ambitions. The forecast heightens perceptions of an accelerated U.S.-China “space race” as Artemis operations progress.

2026-05-20T02:40:49.949952-07:00

Isaacman: NASA expects China to fly a crewed lunar-orbit mission in 2027, escalating competition for cislunar presence

Space.com

Study proposes laser beacons in lunar south-polar permanently shadowed craters for a “lunar GPS” to support Artemis navigation Researchers propose placing laser emitters in the Moon’s permanently shadowed craters to create a local navigation system that can guide future Artemis missions. The concept is framed as a GPS-like capability for surface operations in regions where conventional navigation signals are limited.

2026-05-19T14:05:40.632294-07:00

Study proposes laser beacons in lunar south-polar permanently shadowed craters for a “lunar GPS” to support Artemis navigation

Space.com

NASA LOXSAT “orbital gas station” demo to validate in-space cryogenic oxygen transfer for Artemis NASA is preparing LOXSAT (Liquid OXygen Flight demonstration), a satellite mission intended to test technologies for in-space transfer and storage of cryogenic propellants. The in-orbit “gas station” capability is positioned as a key enabling step for Artemis missions targeting crewed return to the Moon.

2026-05-19T09:05:31.165123-07:00

NASA LOXSAT “orbital gas station” demo to validate in-space cryogenic oxygen transfer for Artemis

European Spaceflight

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As ESA Chief Pushes for European Autonomous Human Spaceflight, Agency Prepares Reusable Orbital Spaceplane Proposal ESA Director General Josef Aschbacher says Europe must build an autonomous human spaceflight capability, framing it as a strategic requirement rather than a “luxury.” In parallel, ESA is set to propose a reusable orbital spaceplane to close gaps in Europe’s independent post-ISS transportation capabilities.

2026-05-19T07:54:42.246339-07:00

As ESA Chief Pushes for European Autonomous Human Spaceflight, Agency Prepares Reusable Orbital Spaceplane Proposal

Wall Street Journal

Contractor death at SpaceX Starbase ahead of next Starship launch push A contractor died at SpaceX’s Starbase facility in Texas, where the incident comes days before the company’s planned launch of a new version of Starship. The fatal workplace accident adds risk to the lead-up schedule as SpaceX prepares to resume rapid test operations.

2026-05-18T14:54:56.974199-07:00

Contractor death at SpaceX Starbase ahead of next Starship launch push

European Spaceflight

ESA delivers EuroSuit prototype to ISS for in-orbit testing by astronaut Sophie Adenot The French space agency’s EuroSuit prototype has been delivered to the International Space Station, where it will be tested by ESA astronaut Sophie Adenot. The in-orbit evaluation is intended to validate performance of the next-generation spacesuit hardware ahead of broader human spaceflight use.

2026-05-18T08:12:34.150739-07:00

ESA delivers EuroSuit prototype to ISS for in-orbit testing by astronaut Sophie Adenot

Universe Today

Artemis III: NASA’s next crewed Moon mission must prove mission architecture and systems readiness after Artemis II Artemis III is positioned as the pivotal step that must succeed before NASA can return humans to the lunar surface. The cluster looks back at Artemis II’s crewed, around-the-Moon mission as the latest global benchmark for deep-space human operations—and a proof point for what Artemis III has to de-risk next.

2026-05-15T00:10:25.542881-07:00

Artemis III: NASA’s next crewed Moon mission must prove mission architecture and systems readiness after Artemis II

SpaceNews.com

Intuitive Machines to acquire UK deep-space communications operator Goonhilly Earth Station Intuitive Machines has entered a definitive agreement to purchase Goonhilly Earth Station Ltd, the UK provider of lunar and deep-space communications, with the deal subject to regulatory approval. The acquisition is positioned to expand Intuitive’s integrated space-to-Earth network, boosting deep-space capacity for communications and PNT services.

2026-05-14T13:23:28.353289-07:00

Intuitive Machines to acquire UK deep-space communications operator Goonhilly Earth Station

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Human Spaceflight & Space Stations News

Isaacman: NASA expects China to fly a crewed lunar-orbit mission in 2027, escalating competition for cislunar presence

Study proposes laser beacons in lunar south-polar permanently shadowed craters for a “lunar GPS” to support Artemis navigation

As ESA Chief Pushes for European Autonomous Human Spaceflight, Agency Prepares Reusable Orbital Spaceplane Proposal

NASA LOXSAT “orbital gas station” demo to validate in-space cryogenic oxygen transfer for Artemis

News Timeline