SpaceWatch Global
• Joshua Faleti
NASA’s revised Artemis plan moves the Artemis III crewed mission to an Earth-orbit docking test in summer 2027, involving Orion and the SpaceX Starship and Blue Origin Blue Moon landers. A crewed lunar landing is now targeted for Artemis IV in 2028, as Administrator Jared Isaacman acknowledges significant challenges.
NASA
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NASA is changing how it selects and develops science missions, aiming to reduce costs, simplify competition and speed missions’ path to space. The overhaul is intended to increase mission cadence, though the available report does not specify the revised process, schedule or programs affected.
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NASA’s revised Artemis plan moves the Artemis III crewed mission to an Earth-orbit docking test in summer 2027, involving Orion and the SpaceX Starship and Blue Origin Blue Moon landers. A crewed lunar landing is now targeted for Artemis IV in 2028, as Administrator Jared Isaacman acknowledges significant challenges.
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NASA has ended science operations for the Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory, which has descended to less than 171 miles (275 kilometers) above Earth. Atmospheric drag at that altitude prevents its telescopes from steadily observing targets, following a failed commercial-spacecraft attempt to raise the observatory’s orbit.
On Oct. 23, 2007, NASA’s space shuttle Discovery carried the Harmony module to the International Space Station on mission STS-120. The launch marked the start of Harmony’s journey to the station, where the module became part of its expanding orbital infrastructure.
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NASA’s October Artemis update outlines two architectures for delivering astronauts to the lunar surface in 2028, while detailing near-term SLS work, a lighter sortie spacesuit and plans for an Artemis III lander test flight in Earth orbit next year. The agency has not announced a firm launch date for that test.
Ahead of an agency update on its Artemis lunar exploration plans, NASA’s safety advisers raised concerns about the maturity of the lunar landing plans. The available report does not specify which elements advisers questioned or how their concerns could affect the program’s schedule.
NASA has awarded U.S. physical artificial intelligence company AstraQua a $1.275 million Phase II contract to develop AstraSense for electric and hybrid-electric aircraft, including advanced air mobility applications. The award supports development of technology intended to let autonomous aircraft “feel pain.”
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