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Aerospace Testing Intnl • Ben Sampson

NASA’s X-59 completes first wheels-up supersonic test flights over Mojave Desert

NASA’s X-59 quiet supersonic research aircraft has completed its first wheels-up supersonic test flight(s) above the Mojave Desert, demonstrating the program’s approach to reducing sonic booms. The milestone advances the agency’s low-boom flight test campaign as it works toward an expanded test series.

2026-04-16T03:09:45.117503-07:00

NASA

NASA selects Voyager Technologies for seventh Private Astronaut Mission (VOYG-1) to the ISS, launching no earlier than 2028

2026-04-15T13:55:58.332219-07:00

SpaceWatch Global

Ubotica and Open Cosmos team with NASA JPL for FAME flight demonstration of an autonomous intelligent satellite network

2026-04-16T00:15:33.256055-07:00

NASA Spaceflight

Expedition 74 milestone month on the ISS: March vehicle departures and a planned spacewalk

2026-04-15T15:15:06.769843-07:00

News Timeline

Aerospace Testing Intnl

NASA’s X-59 completes first wheels-up supersonic test flights over Mojave Desert NASA’s X-59 quiet supersonic research aircraft has completed its first wheels-up supersonic test flight(s) above the Mojave Desert, demonstrating the program’s approach to reducing sonic booms. The milestone advances the agency’s low-boom flight test campaign as it works toward an expanded test series.

2026-04-16T03:09:45.117503-07:00

NASA’s X-59 completes first wheels-up supersonic test flights over Mojave Desert

SpaceWatch Global

Ubotica and Open Cosmos team with NASA JPL for FAME flight demonstration of an autonomous intelligent satellite network Ubotica and Open Cosmos have partnered with NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) to collaborate on the Flight Demonstration of the FAME program. The effort targets demonstration work for an autonomous intelligent satellite network, building on each company’s satellite automation capabilities under JPL guidance.

2026-04-16T00:15:33.256055-07:00

Ubotica and Open Cosmos team with NASA JPL for FAME flight demonstration of an autonomous intelligent satellite network

NASA Spaceflight

Expedition 74 milestone month on the ISS: March vehicle departures and a planned spacewalk Expedition 74’s March operations focused on station activity tied to vehicle traffic and crew EVA planning. The crew cycle included vehicle departures from the International Space Station and a spacewalk executed during the month as part of ongoing station maintenance and upgrades.

2026-04-15T15:15:06.769843-07:00

Expedition 74 milestone month on the ISS: March vehicle departures and a planned spacewalk

NASA

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NASA selects Voyager Technologies for seventh Private Astronaut Mission (VOYG-1) to the ISS, launching no earlier than 2028 NASA awarded Voyager Technologies its seventh Private Astronaut Mission, VOYG-1, under the agency’s commercialization strategy for low-Earth orbit operations. The mission is slated to launch no earlier than 2028, and expands Voyager’s role from ISS-related commercial airlock capabilities to a new private crewed flight.

2026-04-15T13:55:58.332219-07:00

NASA selects Voyager Technologies for seventh Private Astronaut Mission (VOYG-1) to the ISS, launching no earlier than 2028

SpaceNews.com

NASA solicits proposals for commercial replacement of TDRSS communications network NASA has issued a request for proposals seeking industry input on replacing its Tracking and Data Relay Satellite System (TDRSS) with a commercial alternative. The effort targets approaches for sustaining communications and data-relay services for NASA missions while transitioning away from TDRSS.

2026-04-15T13:43:22.676521-07:00

NASA solicits proposals for commercial replacement of TDRSS communications network

Universe Today

Artemis II crew returns to Earth after 10-day lunar flyby; Integrity capsule splashes down off San Diego NASA’s Artemis II mission concluded with the Integrity capsule’s April 10, 2026 splashdown in the Pacific near San Diego, following a 10-day, record-setting free-return lunar flyby. The four-person crew—Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch and Jeremy Hansen—returned with three parachutes deployed.

2026-04-15T13:08:31.218671-07:00

Artemis II crew returns to Earth after 10-day lunar flyby; Integrity capsule splashes down off San Diego

SpaceNews.com

Senators seek restoration of funding for NASA’s robotic Mars exploration amid warnings of “irreversible harm” Several U.S. senators are asking appropriators to increase funding for NASA’s robotic Mars exploration programs, warning that current budget levels could cause “irreversible harm” if not restored. The push echoes broader congressional concerns about NASA’s funding priorities as Mars planning timelines come under pressure.

2026-04-15T11:24:39.959546-07:00

Senators seek restoration of funding for NASA’s robotic Mars exploration amid warnings of “irreversible harm”

Payload

CLD companies push back on NASA’s assessment; NASA urges “prove we got it wrong” Companies behind CLD efforts are disputing NASA’s position after Isaacman said he wasn’t surprised they “didn’t like what we had to say,” adding they should “prove we got it wrong.” NASA’s response is to challenge critics to demonstrate why the agency’s conclusions are incorrect, raising pressure ahead of the next program steps.

2026-04-14T11:55:33.194432-07:00

CLD companies push back on NASA’s assessment; NASA urges “prove we got it wrong”

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NASA News

NASA’s X-59 completes first wheels-up supersonic test flights over Mojave Desert

NASA selects Voyager Technologies for seventh Private Astronaut Mission (VOYG-1) to the ISS, launching no earlier than 2028

Ubotica and Open Cosmos team with NASA JPL for FAME flight demonstration of an autonomous intelligent satellite network

Expedition 74 milestone month on the ISS: March vehicle departures and a planned spacewalk

News Timeline