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Space.com • Keith Cooper

Study recommends delaying Artemis II lunar launch to late 2026 over solar superflare risk

A new study warns elevated solar activity increases the chance of a solar "superflare" during Artemis II’s current launch window and recommends postponing the crewed lunar flyby until late 2026, saying forecasts indicate a later date would substantially lower radiation and operational risks.

2026-02-27T03:01:23.001193-08:00

SpaceNews.com

China schedules first one‑year Taikonaut mission to Tiangong; international visits and 2026 crew/cargo manifest announced

2026-02-27T02:16:53.153226-08:00

Aviation Week

GRETA completes hot-fire campaign as ESA backs ArianeGroup's hydrogen‑peroxide/ethanol engine

2026-02-26T01:56:00.902775-08:00

Spaceflight Now

SpaceX to launch 29 Starlink satellites from Cape Canaveral in pre-dawn Falcon 9 liftoff

2026-02-26T17:25:58.278736-08:00

News Timeline

Space.com

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Study recommends delaying Artemis II lunar launch to late 2026 over solar superflare risk A new study warns elevated solar activity increases the chance of a solar "superflare" during Artemis II’s current launch window and recommends postponing the crewed lunar flyby until late 2026, saying forecasts indicate a later date would substantially lower radiation and operational risks.

2026-02-27T03:01:23.001193-08:00

Study recommends delaying Artemis II lunar launch to late 2026 over solar superflare risk

SpaceNews.com

China schedules first one‑year Taikonaut mission to Tiangong; international visits and 2026 crew/cargo manifest announced China will launch its first one‑year human spaceflight to the Tiangong space station this year, and host short‑duration international visitors including a Pakistani astronaut and an expected Hong Kong/Macao taikonaut. The China Manned Space Agency also announced two crewed missions and one cargo flight planned for 2026.

2026-02-27T02:16:53.153226-08:00

China schedules first one‑year Taikonaut mission to Tiangong; international visits and 2026 crew/cargo manifest announced

Spaceflight Now

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SpaceX to launch 29 Starlink satellites from Cape Canaveral in pre-dawn Falcon 9 liftoff SpaceX plans a pre-dawn Falcon 9 launch from Cape Canaveral's Space Launch Complex 40 to deploy 29 Starlink internet satellites, with liftoff scheduled for 5:20:50 a.m. EST (1020:50 UTC). Spaceflight Now will provide live coverage beginning about one hour before launch.

2026-02-26T17:25:58.278736-08:00

SpaceX to launch 29 Starlink satellites from Cape Canaveral in pre-dawn Falcon 9 liftoff

SpaceNews.com

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Phantom Space reclaims Vector Launch assets Phantom Space has acquired former Vector Launch hardware and intellectual property that was sold off in 2020 when the small-launch developer entered bankruptcy, returning remnants of Vector’s technology to one of the company’s original architects and reuniting design expertise with the physical assets.

2026-02-26T05:22:33.053050-08:00

Phantom Space reclaims Vector Launch assets

SpaceNews.com

China confirms Tianwen-2 healthy en route to near‑Earth asteroid ahead of sample‑return mission China's Tianwen-2 spacecraft is operating normally as it closes on a near‑Earth asteroid ahead of planned sample collection and return later this year, per a rare official update; the announcement highlights Beijing's advancing robotic deep‑space and mission operations.

2026-02-26T03:34:10.750805-08:00

China confirms Tianwen-2 healthy en route to near‑Earth asteroid ahead of sample‑return mission

Aviation Week

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GRETA completes hot-fire campaign as ESA backs ArianeGroup's hydrogen‑peroxide/ethanol engine ArianeGroup's GRETA small rocket engine finished a hot‑fire test campaign at Trauen, demonstrating stable operation, controlled shutdowns and multiple restarts in the 5 kN thrust class. ESA has awarded a contract to continue development of the hydrogen‑peroxide/ethanol propulsion system for landers and upper‑stage roles.

2026-02-26T01:56:00.902775-08:00

GRETA completes hot-fire campaign as ESA backs ArianeGroup's hydrogen‑peroxide/ethanol engine

European Spaceflight

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UKAEA to support Pulsar Fusion on shielding and radiation modelling for Sunbird fusion space tug The UK Atomic Energy Authority will provide shielding design and radiation-modelling support to Pulsar Fusion for its Sunbird fusion-powered space tug, backing development of the vehicle's nuclear propulsion system and safety cases required for testing, regulatory approval and orbital missions.

2026-02-26T01:40:57.978563-08:00

UKAEA to support Pulsar Fusion on shielding and radiation modelling for Sunbird fusion space tug

SpaceNews.com

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Space Force suspends ULA Vulcan NSSL launches after solid-rocket anomaly The U.S. Space Force has paused National Security Space Launch missions on United Launch Alliance's Vulcan Centaur after a Feb. 12 USSF-87 flight showed an anomaly in one of four solid rocket boosters. The pause will remain until investigations resolve the booster/solid motor and resurfacing issues.

2026-02-25T23:33:08.162171-08:00

Space Force suspends ULA Vulcan NSSL launches after solid-rocket anomaly

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Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation News

Study recommends delaying Artemis II lunar launch to late 2026 over solar superflare risk

China schedules first one‑year Taikonaut mission to Tiangong; international visits and 2026 crew/cargo manifest announced

GRETA completes hot-fire campaign as ESA backs ArianeGroup's hydrogen‑peroxide/ethanol engine

SpaceX to launch 29 Starlink satellites from Cape Canaveral in pre-dawn Falcon 9 liftoff

News Timeline