Space.com
• Tariq Malik
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.
NASA
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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.
NASA has not confirmed plans to return SR-71 Blackbird #844 to the air, but the aircraft’s existing attributes could make it the strongest candidate for a revival. The effort could also deliver value beyond flight-test data by rebuilding expertise around the Blackbird’s specialized supply chain.
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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.
An SR-71 Blackbird that has not flown in nearly 27 years was quietly removed from outdoor display at NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center. Reports that former program members have been contacted have prompted speculation that NASA may be evaluating the iconic aircraft for a return as an experimental platform.
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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.
A NASA workshop with satellite manufacturers and operators found that commercial practices for passivating spacecraft batteries—intended to prevent explosions after mission end—often fall short of NASA recommendations. The findings raise concerns as commercial satellite buses become increasingly common across government and civil space programs.
NASA Deputy Administrator Matt Anderson and Peruvian Space Agency director Maj. Gen. Roberto Melgar Sheen will lead the Artemis Accords Principals’ Meeting in Turkey. The discussions will address lunar debris and emerging space assistance, highlighting practical coordination challenges as participating nations expand lunar activity.
Côte d’Ivoire has signed NASA’s Artemis Accords, becoming the ninth African country to join the framework for cooperation in lunar exploration and space activities. The accession expands African participation as NASA works to build broader continental support for the Artemis program.
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