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• Jeff Foust
The agency’s safety advisers say NASA risks losing human access to low Earth orbit as Crew Dragon approaches retirement and concerns persist about commercial space stations. The warning puts continuity of crewed operations in orbit at issue, though the available report provides no timetable or details of the advisers’ recommendations.
NASA
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A new estimate puts the number of Starship launches needed to support a lunar landing at 22. The figure underscores the scale of the launch and refueling campaign, with repeated fuelings identified as a key requirement for the lander.
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The agency’s safety advisers say NASA risks losing human access to low Earth orbit as Crew Dragon approaches retirement and concerns persist about commercial space stations. The warning puts continuity of crewed operations in orbit at issue, though the available report provides no timetable or details of the advisers’ recommendations.
High activity
ESA is discussing increased Ariane 6 booster production with ArianeGroup and Avio, but will wait for firmer launch-demand estimates before deciding on action early next year. The agency says a turbopump issue delaying a 2026 launch is transitory and expects a failed Space Rider drop test not to delay development; separate updates cover a NASA communications payload demo and a lunar spacecraft design review.
A study has identified four locations on the moon for future crewed missions, extending consideration beyond the lunar south pole where NASA is focused on establishing a base. The recommendations add potential destinations to the discussion of where human exploration missions could go.
NASA plans to provide an update on Artemis III and its plans to land astronauts on the moon during a press conference on Friday, Oct. 23. The agency says the event will be available to watch live; the announcement provides no further mission details.
NASA is changing how it selects science missions, aiming to make the process faster and simpler. The changes affect how future missions are chosen, but the available report does not detail the specific revisions, schedule or programs involved.
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