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Universe Today • Mark Thompson

JPL optical system suppresses stellar glare, bringing direct imaging of Earth-like exoplanets within reach

NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory has developed an optical starlight‑suppression system that tackles the central obstacle to imaging Earth‑like worlds — stellar glare that outshines planets by roughly 10 billion times. Engineers say the prototype is approaching the contrast performance needed to detect Sun‑analog exoplanets.

2026-03-28T16:59:52.546514-07:00

Universe Today

Deep internal cracks explain Bennu’s rugged surface

2026-03-28T16:40:16.737795-07:00

Associated Press

Mike Fincke suffers sudden 20‑minute loss of speech aboard ISS; cause unknown after medevac

2026-03-27T10:40:17.440596-07:00

Payload

NASA Administrator Isaacman at 100 days presses aggressive Moon agenda

2026-03-27T05:11:07.839195-07:00

News Timeline

Universe Today

JPL optical system suppresses stellar glare, bringing direct imaging of Earth-like exoplanets within reach NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory has developed an optical starlight‑suppression system that tackles the central obstacle to imaging Earth‑like worlds — stellar glare that outshines planets by roughly 10 billion times. Engineers say the prototype is approaching the contrast performance needed to detect Sun‑analog exoplanets.

2026-03-28T16:59:52.546514-07:00

JPL optical system suppresses stellar glare, bringing direct imaging of Earth-like exoplanets within reach

Universe Today

Deep internal cracks explain Bennu’s rugged surface NASA's OSIRIS-REx spacecraft found that Bennu's unexpectedly rugged, boulder-strewn surface is the result of deep internal fractures within the asteroid, explaining why in situ observations from 2018 diverged from 2007 Earth-based predictions. Bennu remains a preserved time capsule of the early solar system.

2026-03-28T16:40:16.737795-07:00

Deep internal cracks explain Bennu’s rugged surface

Associated Press

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Mike Fincke suffers sudden 20‑minute loss of speech aboard ISS; cause unknown after medevac NASA astronaut Mike Fincke experienced a sudden loss of speech during dinner aboard the International Space Station that lasted about 20 minutes; he reported feeling fine afterward. The unexplained neurological episode prompted NASA’s first in‑flight medical evacuation and remains under investigation.

2026-03-27T10:40:17.440596-07:00

Mike Fincke suffers sudden 20‑minute loss of speech aboard ISS; cause unknown after medevac

Universe Today

NASA sending neutron detector to sniff lunar south pole ice up to 3 ft deep NASA is deploying an instrument that uses neutrons — the behaviour of subatomic particles — to locate usable water ice near the Moon’s south pole without drilling. The detector can sense buried ice deposits up to three feet underground, a capability tied to plans for a lasting lunar presence.

2026-03-27T09:35:00.897235-07:00

NASA sending neutron detector to sniff lunar south pole ice up to 3 ft deep

Space.com

NASA may cut three Venus missions to one as planetary science budget pressures mount NASA may be forced to cut its planned 'Decade of Venus' from three missions to one as budget pressures force trade‑offs across the planetary science portfolio. The move would delay science objectives, reduce instrument opportunities and reallocate resources to higher‑priority programs.

2026-03-27T06:10:42.709267-07:00

NASA may cut three Venus missions to one as planetary science budget pressures mount

SpaceNews.com

Industry warns NASA changes to commercial LEO station support sow confusion and risk NASA's draft adjustments to its support for commercial low‑Earth‑orbit stations have prompted alarm among developers, who say the proposals introduce uncertainty over contract terms, funding timelines and transition plans from the ISS. Companies warn the changes could delay or jeopardize commercial replacements and mission continuity.

2026-03-27T05:42:24.421294-07:00

Industry warns NASA changes to commercial LEO station support sow confusion and risk

Payload

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NASA Administrator Isaacman at 100 days presses aggressive Moon agenda At his 100‑day milestone, NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman delivered a blunt directive: "Get in, we're going to the Moon." He framed an aggressive, accelerated lunar agenda intended to inject urgency into NASA's Artemis-era plans and rally agency staff and external partners around a faster Moon return.

2026-03-27T05:11:07.839195-07:00

NASA Administrator Isaacman at 100 days presses aggressive Moon agenda

Space.com

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Artemis 2 launch window opens April 1–6 NASA's Artemis 2 launch window opens April 1 and remains available through April 6, establishing the agency's moon-launch opportunity for the period. Specific liftoff time within that window will be set after final validation and launch-day decisions.

2026-03-27T05:07:20.893717-07:00

Artemis 2 launch window opens April 1–6

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NASA News

JPL optical system suppresses stellar glare, bringing direct imaging of Earth-like exoplanets within reach

Deep internal cracks explain Bennu’s rugged surface

Mike Fincke suffers sudden 20‑minute loss of speech aboard ISS; cause unknown after medevac

NASA Administrator Isaacman at 100 days presses aggressive Moon agenda

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