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Space.com • Chelsea Gohd

Blue Origin completes NASA vacuum test of Endurance MK1 lunar lander ahead of uncrewed South Pole mission

Blue Origin says its Endurance MK1 (MK1) lunar lander passed a critical vacuum-simulation test at NASA’s Johnson Space Center. The milestone supports an uncrewed mission to the Moon’s South Pole later this year as NASA continues work to enable astronaut lunar returns under Artemis.

2026-05-05T11:30:10.726198-07:00

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Budget proposal clouds Artemis II afterglow as NASA “relaunches” Artemis plans toward Artemis 3

2026-05-05T09:16:30.454487-07:00

Space.com

NASA posts record high-power plasma ion engine tests using lithium-metal vapor propellant for Mars-bound missions

2026-05-05T06:55:51.334053-07:00

SpaceNews.com

Ireland joins NASA’s Artemis Accords as 66th signatory, signaling commitment to peaceful lunar exploration

2026-05-05T04:26:49.100609-07:00

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Blue Origin completes NASA vacuum test of Endurance MK1 lunar lander ahead of uncrewed South Pole mission Blue Origin says its Endurance MK1 (MK1) lunar lander passed a critical vacuum-simulation test at NASA’s Johnson Space Center. The milestone supports an uncrewed mission to the Moon’s South Pole later this year as NASA continues work to enable astronaut lunar returns under Artemis.

2026-05-05T11:30:10.726198-07:00

Blue Origin completes NASA vacuum test of Endurance MK1 lunar lander ahead of uncrewed South Pole mission

SpaceNews.com

Budget proposal clouds Artemis II afterglow as NASA “relaunches” Artemis plans toward Artemis 3 Despite Artemis 2’s successful nine-day circumlunar demonstration of Orion’s crew viability and only minor, non-blocking technical issues, a new budget proposal is now dominating the narrative around NASA’s next steps. Separate “ignition relaunch” reporting points to officials resetting Artemis plans for Artemis 3 next year amid policy and funding uncertainty.

2026-05-05T09:16:30.454487-07:00

Budget proposal clouds Artemis II afterglow as NASA “relaunches” Artemis plans toward Artemis 3

Space.com

NASA posts record high-power plasma ion engine tests using lithium-metal vapor propellant for Mars-bound missions NASA has completed a new round of tests on a high-power plasma engine fueled by liquid lithium, reporting record performance. A prototype ion engine using lithium metal vapor as a propellant has achieved 25x more power than the ion engine configuration used on the Psyche mission.

2026-05-05T06:55:51.334053-07:00

NASA posts record high-power plasma ion engine tests using lithium-metal vapor propellant for Mars-bound missions

SpaceNews.com

Ireland joins NASA’s Artemis Accords as 66th signatory, signaling commitment to peaceful lunar exploration Ireland signed NASA’s Artemis Accords during a NASA-hosted ceremony in the U.S., becoming the latest nation to pledge responsible exploration “for all humanity.” U.S. Department of State officials said Ireland is the 66th country to sign to date, committing to peaceful space activities.

2026-05-05T04:26:49.100609-07:00

Ireland joins NASA’s Artemis Accords as 66th signatory, signaling commitment to peaceful lunar exploration

SpaceNews.com

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Interlune wins $6.9M NASA SBIR Phase III contract for lunar regolith payload to extract helium-3 and hydrogen Seattle-based Interlune received a $6.9 million NASA SBIR Phase III contract to develop and test a payload suite designed to extract and measure helium-3 and hydrogen in lunar regolith. The 18-month Earth testing window feeds a 2028 mission on a commercial robotic lander.

2026-05-04T08:03:40.645846-07:00

Interlune wins $6.9M NASA SBIR Phase III contract for lunar regolith payload to extract helium-3 and hydrogen

SpaceNews.com

Artemis 3 mission details still missing as schedule slips More than two months after NASA announced revised plans for Artemis 3, the agency has provided limited specifics on the mission itself. The lack of updated publicly described objectives and configuration follows prior Artemis roadmap changes and continued decision-making as the lunar program’s timeline moves.

2026-05-02T18:33:09.478390-07:00

Artemis 3 mission details still missing as schedule slips

SpaceNews.com

NASA weighs 62% CLPS ordering-authority increase to $4.2B for expanded lunar lander cadence NASA is considering adding $1.6 billion to the ordering authority for its Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) program, lifting the ceiling from $2.6 billion to $4.2 billion. The move supports an expanded delivery network already awarding 11 lunar missions to five contractors.

2026-05-01T16:16:37.286477-07:00

NASA weighs 62% CLPS ordering-authority increase to $4.2B for expanded lunar lander cadence

Payload

Space nuclear companies back FY27 budget bill as funding for multiple missions looms Executives in the space nuclear sector say a proposed FY27 budget bill could be a step-change for the industry, effectively underwriting “multiple missions” and potentially accelerating development paths they view as their biggest opportunities. The push underscores how near-term appropriations could determine pacing for space nuclear applications.

2026-05-01T06:06:33.389966-07:00

Space nuclear companies back FY27 budget bill as funding for multiple missions looms

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NASA News

Blue Origin completes NASA vacuum test of Endurance MK1 lunar lander ahead of uncrewed South Pole mission

Budget proposal clouds Artemis II afterglow as NASA “relaunches” Artemis plans toward Artemis 3

NASA posts record high-power plasma ion engine tests using lithium-metal vapor propellant for Mars-bound missions

Ireland joins NASA’s Artemis Accords as 66th signatory, signaling commitment to peaceful lunar exploration

News Timeline