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Universe Today • Mark Thompson

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

SpaceNews.com

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

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

SpaceNews.com

Northrop Grumman’s LR-450 targets GPS-denied navigation for mid-size satellites

2026-05-13T07:26:11.975612-07:00

NASA Spaceflight

SpaceX CRS-34 Cargo Dragon mission to ISS: Falcon 9 launch targeted for 6:50 p.m. ET from Cape Canaveral

2026-05-12T13:58:25.987638-07:00

News Timeline

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

Space.com

Blue Origin’s Blue Moon Mark 2 lunar lander mockup assembled at Johnson Space Center for Artemis astronaut training A Blue Moon Mark 2 lunar lander mockup has been assembled at NASA’s Johnson Space Center and is ready for Artemis astronauts to board as part of training. The step supports crew familiarity with Blue Moon’s configuration ahead of Artemis-related surface operations.

2026-05-13T11:07:38.724136-07:00

Blue Origin’s Blue Moon Mark 2 lunar lander mockup assembled at Johnson Space Center for Artemis astronaut training

SpaceNews.com

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Northrop Grumman’s LR-450 targets GPS-denied navigation for mid-size satellites Northrop Grumman is rolling out the LR-450, a compact inertial positioning and navigation system derived from James Webb Space Telescope guidance technologies. The LR-450 is designed to provide continuous, precise spacecraft tracking and orientation even when external satellite signals are unavailable, addressing weakened navigation coverage beyond Earth orbit.

2026-05-13T07:26:11.975612-07:00

Northrop Grumman’s LR-450 targets GPS-denied navigation for mid-size satellites

Payload

Exobiosphere and Voyager team up to fly an orbital high-throughput screening mini-lab on ISS Exobiosphere says its Orbital High-Throughput Screening Device (a compact, automated mini lab sized for standard mid-deck lockers) will be supported by Voyager for an International Space Station mission. The system is designed to enable automated sample testing aboard crewed and/or uncrewed space stations.

2026-05-13T03:58:00.752051-07:00

Exobiosphere and Voyager team up to fly an orbital high-throughput screening mini-lab on ISS

NASA Spaceflight

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SpaceX CRS-34 Cargo Dragon mission to ISS: Falcon 9 launch targeted for 6:50 p.m. ET from Cape Canaveral SpaceX is preparing the CRS-34 Commercial Resupply Services mission to the International Space Station, launching Falcon 9 with Cargo Dragon from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. Coverage focuses on the live countdown and a 24-hour schedule slip affecting the latest launch window, with weather pending.

2026-05-12T13:58:25.987638-07:00

SpaceX CRS-34 Cargo Dragon mission to ISS: Falcon 9 launch targeted for 6:50 p.m. ET from Cape Canaveral

Space.com

NASA’s Psyche spacecraft to use a Mars gravity assist with a close flyby May 15 NASA’s Psyche solar-electric asteroid probe, launched Oct. 13, 2023, will fly within 3,000 miles of Mars on May 15 to gain energy for its journey to the metallic asteroid Psyche. Mission planners will leverage Mars’ gravity alongside xenon-fueled propulsion to shape the interplanetary trajectory.

2026-05-12T08:11:48.565672-07:00

NASA’s Psyche spacecraft to use a Mars gravity assist with a close flyby May 15

SpaceNews.com

NASA plans to keep International Space Station crew rotations at ~six-month intervals NASA says it will continue exchanging International Space Station crews about every six months, after assessing whether longer stays would be workable. The approach preserves near-term rotation cadence while the agency evaluates staffing and operational risk for longer-duration missions.

2026-05-11T15:46:51.075045-07:00

NASA plans to keep International Space Station crew rotations at ~six-month intervals

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Human Spaceflight & Space Stations News

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

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

Northrop Grumman’s LR-450 targets GPS-denied navigation for mid-size satellites

SpaceX CRS-34 Cargo Dragon mission to ISS: Falcon 9 launch targeted for 6:50 p.m. ET from Cape Canaveral

News Timeline