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SpaceWatch Global • Torsten Kriening

Oman signs Artemis Accords, pledges 200% space investment surge and a Gulf launch port under Vision 2040

Oman's government has signed the Artemis Accords and announced plans to increase space investment by 200%, including development of a Gulf launch port as part of Vision 2040. Dr. Ali Al Shidhani framed the moves as a push to accelerate national capabilities, commercial activity and regional launch capacity.

2026-04-03T10:00:00.462238-07:00

Space.com

Atlas V LA-05 to lift program's heaviest-ever payload at 1:45 a.m. ET on April 4

2026-04-03T09:10:45.297317-07:00

Via Satellite

SpaceWERX awards STRATFI to Gravitics to accelerate Orbital Carrier development

2026-04-03T08:55:33.661332-07:00

Space.com

Artemis II crew run in‑flight CPR drills as transit tempo eases on Flight Day 3

2026-04-03T04:18:42.562483-07:00

News Timeline

Reuters

SpaceX pushes next Starship test flight from April to May, Musk says SpaceX CEO Elon Musk said the company's next Starship test flight has slipped from April to May, delaying the orbital test campaign by roughly one month. SpaceX did not provide a detailed reason for the postponement or a firm launch date.

2026-04-03T11:10:36.264127-07:00

SpaceX pushes next Starship test flight from April to May, Musk says

SpaceWatch Global

Oman signs Artemis Accords, pledges 200% space investment surge and a Gulf launch port under Vision 2040 Oman's government has signed the Artemis Accords and announced plans to increase space investment by 200%, including development of a Gulf launch port as part of Vision 2040. Dr. Ali Al Shidhani framed the moves as a push to accelerate national capabilities, commercial activity and regional launch capacity.

2026-04-03T10:00:00.462238-07:00

Oman signs Artemis Accords, pledges 200% space investment surge and a Gulf launch port under Vision 2040

Space.com

Atlas V LA-05 to lift program's heaviest-ever payload at 1:45 a.m. ET on April 4 Liftoff of United Launch Alliance's Atlas V LA‑05 is scheduled for 1:45 a.m. ET on Saturday, April 4. The flight will carry the heaviest payload ever launched on an Atlas V, demonstrating the vehicle's performance near its upper mission capability and adding to a busy launch week.

2026-04-03T09:10:45.297317-07:00

Atlas V LA-05 to lift program's heaviest-ever payload at 1:45 a.m. ET on April 4

Via Satellite

SpaceWERX awards STRATFI to Gravitics to accelerate Orbital Carrier development Gravitics has been awarded a Strategic Funding Increase (STRATFI) contract by SpaceWERX, the U.S. Space Force's innovation arm, to accelerate development and demonstration of its Orbital Carrier architecture. The financing aims to speed maturation of Gravitics' in-space logistics and hosting capabilities for military and commercial payloads.

2026-04-03T08:55:33.661332-07:00

SpaceWERX awards STRATFI to Gravitics to accelerate Orbital Carrier development

Space.com

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Artemis II crew run in‑flight CPR drills as transit tempo eases on Flight Day 3 On Flight Day 3 of Artemis II's lunar transit—after two action‑packed days—the four astronauts carried out CPR and medical drills as the mission pace relaxed. The exercises serve as in‑flight medical preparedness and operational checks aboard Orion during the crewed lunar flyby.

2026-04-03T04:18:42.562483-07:00

Artemis II crew run in‑flight CPR drills as transit tempo eases on Flight Day 3

SpaceNews.com

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Space Pioneer’s 71‑m Tianlong‑3 reusable rocket fails during maiden ascent from Jiuquan Beijing‑based Space Pioneer said its 71‑meter Tianlong‑3 reusable launcher suffered an anomaly during ascent on its maiden flight Friday from Jiuquan, preventing orbital insertion. The failure underscores technical challenges for Chinese commercial developers pursuing reusable orbital launch capability.

2026-04-03T03:17:09.038900-07:00

Space Pioneer’s 71‑m Tianlong‑3 reusable rocket fails during maiden ascent from Jiuquan

Payload

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CLPS firms eye major opportunity as NASA plans monthly uncrewed lunar landings NASA outlined a Moon-base strategy relying on monthly uncrewed landings to build and resupply a phased surface base, with launches starting as soon as next year. Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) vendors see a sustained market for landers, logistics and payload deliveries if cadence is realized.

2026-04-02T15:20:06.504426-07:00

CLPS firms eye major opportunity as NASA plans monthly uncrewed lunar landings

Space.com

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Passengers, photographers and a viral fan capture NASA's Artemis II launch NASA's Artemis II launch produced dramatic public moments — airline passengers aboard a Spirit Airlines flight filmed the SLS/Orion ascent, photographers worldwide paired the Pink Moon with the mission, and a young space fan went viral, underscoring intense public visibility for the agency's crewed lunar flyby.

2026-04-02T15:06:28.993455-07:00

Passengers, photographers and a viral fan capture NASA's Artemis II launch

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Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation News

Oman signs Artemis Accords, pledges 200% space investment surge and a Gulf launch port under Vision 2040

Atlas V LA-05 to lift program's heaviest-ever payload at 1:45 a.m. ET on April 4

SpaceWERX awards STRATFI to Gravitics to accelerate Orbital Carrier development

Artemis II crew run in‑flight CPR drills as transit tempo eases on Flight Day 3

News Timeline