Bloomberg
• Loren Grush
SpaceX is managing an unusually concentrated launch period, with Falcon Heavy preparing to carry the classified NROL-97 payload to a high-energy orbit while Falcon 9 supports Transporter 18 from California and Crew-13 carries four astronauts to the International Space Station from Florida.
Human Spaceflight & Space Stations
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A SpaceX Crew Dragon carrying four astronauts from the United States, Canada and Russia docked with the International Space Station less than eight hours after launching from Florida. The rapid transit marked the fastest journey to the ISS by a U.S. spacecraft, according to the reports.
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NASA is planning three lunar investigations to assess environmental hazards, locate underground lava tubes and search for water ice needed for a future outpost. Separately, Honda and Redwire are developing robotic systems to automate laboratory work and perform dangerous tasks alongside crews on commercial stations and deep-space missions.
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SpaceX is managing an unusually concentrated launch period, with Falcon Heavy preparing to carry the classified NROL-97 payload to a high-energy orbit while Falcon 9 supports Transporter 18 from California and Crew-13 carries four astronauts to the International Space Station from Florida.
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NASA and Boeing plan to fly an additional uncrewed Starliner test in 2026 before a potential astronaut mission in 2028, following problems during the spacecraft’s 2024 flight. The schedule also depends on spacecraft upgrades and certification of United Launch Alliance’s Vulcan rocket.
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Russia says it is continuing work on a reusable, crewed transport spacecraft, despite the program’s lengthy delays. The announcement offers little detail on the vehicle’s development status or timetable, leaving its path to operational service unclear.
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NASA and SpaceX have cleared Crew-13 for a planned Oct. 1 launch to the International Space Station aboard a SpaceX Dragon, targeting 11:10 a.m. ET, weather permitting. The six-month mission includes one veteran astronaut and three first-time flyers; Jessica Watkins is set for her second Dragon flight.
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NASA is confronting a difficult choice involving SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft, with the available options appearing to carry significant drawbacks. The situation highlights the agency’s dependence on a commercial crew and cargo system whose strategic importance can make even seemingly narrow decisions consequential.
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The European Space Agency has selected consortia led by Airbus Defence and Space and OHB to conduct parallel studies of a future European-led space station in low Earth orbit. The effort marks an early step toward defining Europe’s potential post-ISS human-spaceflight architecture and industrial roles.
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