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Universe Today • Andy Tomaswick

Flexible electrodynamic dust shields propose two designs to mitigate lunar dust for sustained Moon missions

Lunar dust—jagged, clingy and damaging to equipment and human health—remains a major barrier to long-duration surface operations. A new Acta Astronautica paper by Francesco Pacelli, Alvaro Romero-Calvo and coauthors describes two flexible electrodynamic dust shield (EDS) designs and Earth-based testing steps toward deployable lunar mitigation systems.

2026-02-19T05:26:29.901396-08:00

Universe Today

Study: Martian volcanoes could hide extensive mid‑latitude ice beneath ash — implications for ISRU and landing‑site planning

2026-02-18T06:33:12.127008-08:00

Space.com

NASA backs flying Artemis II with Orion's existing heat shield after Artemis I anomaly

2026-02-17T03:09:55.730969-08:00

Spaceflight Now

NASA targets Feb. 19 for second Artemis II wet dress rehearsal to fully fuel SLS/Orion

2026-02-16T16:36:23.392567-08:00

News Timeline

Universe Today

Flexible electrodynamic dust shields propose two designs to mitigate lunar dust for sustained Moon missions Lunar dust—jagged, clingy and damaging to equipment and human health—remains a major barrier to long-duration surface operations. A new Acta Astronautica paper by Francesco Pacelli, Alvaro Romero-Calvo and coauthors describes two flexible electrodynamic dust shield (EDS) designs and Earth-based testing steps toward deployable lunar mitigation systems.

2026-02-19T05:26:29.901396-08:00

Flexible electrodynamic dust shields propose two designs to mitigate lunar dust for sustained Moon missions

Universe Today

Study: Martian volcanoes could hide extensive mid‑latitude ice beneath ash — implications for ISRU and landing‑site planning A new Icarus paper by M.A. de Pablo et al. argues that Martian volcanoes and mid‑latitude glacier‑like deposits may conceal extensive ice reservoirs beneath thick ash, rock and dust. That ice, closer to the equator than polar caps, would reshape ISRU prospects and landing‑site priorities given polar contamination constraints.

2026-02-18T06:33:12.127008-08:00

Study: Martian volcanoes could hide extensive mid‑latitude ice beneath ash — implications for ISRU and landing‑site planning

SpaceNews.com

In Defense of Artemis: Responding to the Critics A rebuttal to critics of NASA's Artemis lunar program, arguing the initiative advances science, sustains the industrial base, and secures geopolitical leadership — while acknowledging cost and schedule debates. The piece reframes Artemis as essential infrastructure for long‑term lunar exploration and future Mars ambitions.

2026-02-17T06:07:21.148892-08:00

In Defense of Artemis: Responding to the Critics

Universe Today

Perchlorates Could Strengthen Martian Bricks for In‑Situ Habitat Construction Researchers at the Indian Institute of Science and the University of Florida report that Martian perchlorates — toxic salts comprising roughly 0.5–1% of the regolith — can improve the strength of bricks fabricated from local soil, suggesting in‑situ construction of habitats could be feasible and reduce mass launched from Earth.

2026-02-17T05:05:08.708697-08:00

Perchlorates Could Strengthen Martian Bricks for In‑Situ Habitat Construction

Space.com

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NASA backs flying Artemis II with Orion's existing heat shield after Artemis I anomaly After a heat-shield anomaly on Artemis I, NASA and partners say they will proceed with Artemis II using the current Orion heat shield. Agency officials and contractors expressed confidence the flaw has been understood and mitigated and are committed to a safe launch and crewed return.

2026-02-17T03:09:55.730969-08:00

NASA backs flying Artemis II with Orion's existing heat shield after Artemis I anomaly

Spaceflight Now

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NASA targets Feb. 19 for second Artemis II wet dress rehearsal to fully fuel SLS/Orion NASA is targeting Feb. 19 for a second wet dress rehearsal to fully fuel the Space Launch System and Orion in advance of the Artemis II test flight. Engineers at the Florida launch site will attempt another full countdown and propellant load — more than 700,000 gallons of liquid hydrogen and oxygen.

2026-02-16T16:36:23.392567-08:00

NASA targets Feb. 19 for second Artemis II wet dress rehearsal to fully fuel SLS/Orion

Washington Post

NASA must address physical and psychological limits to enable deep-space human exploration NASA's push beyond low Earth orbit requires more than engineering fixes; the agency must prioritise human physiology and psychology to make long‑duration lunar and Mars missions viable. Radiation protection, countermeasures for bone and muscle loss, neurocognitive changes, and sustained mental health support need programmatic funding and operational integration.

2026-02-16T03:15:19.678268-08:00

NASA must address physical and psychological limits to enable deep-space human exploration

Bloomberg

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Artemis II crew to test Orion on first crewed lunar flyby in over 50 years NASA will return astronauts to the lunar neighborhood for the first time in more than 50 years with Artemis II, a crewed lunar flyby that will validate the Orion spacecraft systems and operational procedures central to future Artemis lunar-return missions.

2026-02-15T19:59:39.920485-08:00

Artemis II crew to test Orion on first crewed lunar flyby in over 50 years

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Human Spaceflight & Space Stations News

Flexible electrodynamic dust shields propose two designs to mitigate lunar dust for sustained Moon missions

Study: Martian volcanoes could hide extensive mid‑latitude ice beneath ash — implications for ISRU and landing‑site planning

NASA backs flying Artemis II with Orion's existing heat shield after Artemis I anomaly

NASA targets Feb. 19 for second Artemis II wet dress rehearsal to fully fuel SLS/Orion

News Timeline