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Artemis II returns to LC‑39B ahead of targeted April 1 crewed lunar flyby

NASA has rolled the Artemis II SLS‑Orion stack back to Launch Complex 39B and placed the four‑person crew in quarantine as teams target a crewed lunar flyby launch as soon as April 1. Agency engineers are monitoring solar activity and implementing radiation protections ahead of the attempt.

2026-03-21T06:38:10.992528-07:00

Space.com

Artemis II SLS and Orion roll to Pad 39B after VAB repairs ahead of planned April crewed lunar flyby

2026-03-19T03:09:44.789352-07:00

European Spaceflight

ESA to purchase dedicated SpaceX Crew Dragon mission to the ISS

2026-03-20T01:50:20.726515-07:00

Space.com

NASA delays ISS spacewalk after onboard medical evacuation; EVA now slated for ~8 a.m. EDT (1200 GMT)

2026-03-17T21:07:20.621685-07:00

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Study examines how Martian gravity could affect astronauts' skeletal muscle Marie Mortreux, an assistant professor at the University of Rhode Island’s College of Health Sciences, is part of an international research team studying how Mars’ reduced gravity would affect astronauts’ skeletal muscle. The study aims to characterize muscle adaptations under Martian gravity to inform human missions.

2026-03-21T14:44:20.097507-07:00

Study examines how Martian gravity could affect astronauts' skeletal muscle

Space.com

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Artemis II returns to LC‑39B ahead of targeted April 1 crewed lunar flyby NASA has rolled the Artemis II SLS‑Orion stack back to Launch Complex 39B and placed the four‑person crew in quarantine as teams target a crewed lunar flyby launch as soon as April 1. Agency engineers are monitoring solar activity and implementing radiation protections ahead of the attempt.

2026-03-21T06:38:10.992528-07:00

Artemis II returns to LC‑39B ahead of targeted April 1 crewed lunar flyby

European Spaceflight

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ESA to purchase dedicated SpaceX Crew Dragon mission to the ISS At its 345th Council in Interlaken, ESA approved buying a dedicated SpaceX Crew Dragon mission to the International Space Station, creating a medium‑duration flight opportunity for European astronauts. The move increases ESA’s crewed‑flight options and signals deeper use of commercial crew services for ISS access.

2026-03-20T01:50:20.726515-07:00

ESA to purchase dedicated SpaceX Crew Dragon mission to the ISS

Space.com

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Artemis II SLS and Orion roll to Pad 39B after VAB repairs ahead of planned April crewed lunar flyby NASA began rolling the 322‑foot Space Launch System and Orion, atop the 400‑foot Mobile Launcher, to Launch Complex‑39B on the night of March 19, resuming final launch preparations after repairs in the Vehicle Assembly Building. The four‑person Artemis II mission remains targeted for an April lunar flyby window.

2026-03-19T03:09:44.789352-07:00

Artemis II SLS and Orion roll to Pad 39B after VAB repairs ahead of planned April crewed lunar flyby

Space.com

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Meir and Williams complete 7‑hour EVA to install solar‑array modification kit, prepping ISS for roll‑out arrays NASA astronauts Jessica Meir and Chris Williams completed a 7‑hour, 2‑minute spacewalk to install a solar array modification kit on the ISS, marking Williams’ first EVA and Meir’s fourth. NASA called the operation highly productive as it prepares the station’s 2A power channel for new roll‑out arrays.

2026-03-18T13:35:29.516201-07:00

Meir and Williams complete 7‑hour EVA to install solar‑array modification kit, prepping ISS for roll‑out arrays

Space.com

Chinese astronaut conducts record-tying 6th spacewalk outside Tiangong space station A Chinese astronaut performed the second spacewalk of the Shenzhou 21 mission outside the Tiangong space station, recording China’s sixth extravehicular activity and tying the national record. The EVA adds to Taikonaut operational experience and on-orbit maintenance capability as Beijing expands sustained presence in LEO.

2026-03-18T11:07:21.158236-07:00

Chinese astronaut conducts record-tying 6th spacewalk outside Tiangong space station

Space.com

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NASA delays ISS spacewalk after onboard medical evacuation; EVA now slated for ~8 a.m. EDT (1200 GMT) NASA postponed a planned International Space Station extravehicular activity following an in-orbit medical evacuation and now expects the spacewalk to begin at about 8 a.m. EDT (1200 GMT). Mission managers will provide live coverage while they revise timelines and confirm crew readiness for external work.

2026-03-17T21:07:20.621685-07:00

NASA delays ISS spacewalk after onboard medical evacuation; EVA now slated for ~8 a.m. EDT (1200 GMT)

SpaceNews.com

Tissue chips flown to model astronaut organ responses on the ISS Micro-scale tissue chips are being flown to the International Space Station to act as surrogates for human organs, enabling controlled study of cellular and tissue responses to microgravity and space radiation. Data will inform crew medical care and countermeasures for long-duration missions.

2026-03-17T04:12:24.080116-07:00

Tissue chips flown to model astronaut organ responses on the ISS

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Human Spaceflight & Space Stations News

Artemis II returns to LC‑39B ahead of targeted April 1 crewed lunar flyby

Artemis II SLS and Orion roll to Pad 39B after VAB repairs ahead of planned April crewed lunar flyby

ESA to purchase dedicated SpaceX Crew Dragon mission to the ISS

NASA delays ISS spacewalk after onboard medical evacuation; EVA now slated for ~8 a.m. EDT (1200 GMT)

News Timeline