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Universe Today • Mark Thompson

JWST reveals widespread carbon dioxide on Europa, pointing to ocean–surface exchange

James Webb Space Telescope spectra show carbon dioxide is far more widespread on Europa's surface than previously recognized, appearing in lens-like patches across multiple geologic terrains. The distribution implies active exchange processes between the moon's subsurface ocean and the ice shell, reshaping habitability assessments and mission targets.

2026-03-15T17:34:32.555007-07:00

SpaceNews.com

OSTP steps in to coordinate U.S. national space policy as National Space Council remains inactive

2026-03-15T09:37:31.753429-07:00

Universe Today

GRB 250702B: Seven‑hour repeating gamma‑ray burst points to star torn apart by intermediate‑mass black hole

2026-03-14T22:53:40.617644-07:00

Universe Today

DART Alters Didymos System’s Solar Orbit, Validates Kinetic-Impactor Planetary Defense

2026-03-14T14:53:34.901800-07:00

News Timeline

Universe Today

JWST reveals widespread carbon dioxide on Europa, pointing to ocean–surface exchange James Webb Space Telescope spectra show carbon dioxide is far more widespread on Europa's surface than previously recognized, appearing in lens-like patches across multiple geologic terrains. The distribution implies active exchange processes between the moon's subsurface ocean and the ice shell, reshaping habitability assessments and mission targets.

2026-03-15T17:34:32.555007-07:00

JWST reveals widespread carbon dioxide on Europa, pointing to ocean–surface exchange

SpaceNews.com

OSTP steps in to coordinate U.S. national space policy as National Space Council remains inactive With the National Space Council inactive, the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy has assumed lead responsibility for coordinating U.S. national space policy. The move centralizes interagency policy coordination within OSTP across civil, commercial and national-security space domains.

2026-03-15T09:37:31.753429-07:00

OSTP steps in to coordinate U.S. national space policy as National Space Council remains inactive

Universe Today

GRB 250702B: Seven‑hour repeating gamma‑ray burst points to star torn apart by intermediate‑mass black hole On 2 July 2025 NASA's Fermi telescope recorded GRB 250702B, a repeating gamma‑ray burst that persisted for over seven hours and produced multiple distinct flares across a day — nearly double previous records. A new MNRAS paper argues the source is a star tidally disrupted by an intermediate‑mass black hole.

2026-03-14T22:53:40.617644-07:00

GRB 250702B: Seven‑hour repeating gamma‑ray burst points to star torn apart by intermediate‑mass black hole

Universe Today

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DART Alters Didymos System’s Solar Orbit, Validates Kinetic-Impactor Planetary Defense NASA's DART mission deliberately altered the Didymos binary system's orbit around the Sun, demonstrating that a kinetic impactor can measurably change an asteroid's trajectory and serve as an effective planetary-defense tool for deflecting near-Earth objects. The result validates kinetic-impact techniques used in deflection planning.

2026-03-14T14:53:34.901800-07:00

DART Alters Didymos System’s Solar Orbit, Validates Kinetic-Impactor Planetary Defense

NASA Spaceflight

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Blue Origin unveils NEO Hunter — hybrid planetary‑defense concept to track and mitigate near‑Earth objects Blue Origin unveiled NEO Hunter, a mission concept combining space‑based surveillance and active mitigation to detect, track and neutralize potentially hazardous near‑Earth objects. The company frames the system as a commercial bridge between spacecraft operations, sensor constellations and deflection capabilities.

2026-03-14T14:18:18.106713-07:00

Blue Origin unveils NEO Hunter — hybrid planetary‑defense concept to track and mitigate near‑Earth objects

Ars Technica

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Payload shortfalls and commercial competition cloud future of NASA’s SLS NASA has told employees it is struggling to find payloads that justify use of the Space Launch System, as program costs climb and commercial heavy‑lift alternatives mature. That manifest shortfall intensifies pressure on SLS's budget, schedule and its future role in Artemis and science missions.

2026-03-13T15:12:24.898341-07:00

Payload shortfalls and commercial competition cloud future of NASA’s SLS

Space.com

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NASA begins construction of nuclear‑powered Dragonfly rotorcraft for 2028 Titan mission NASA has begun construction of the nuclear‑powered Dragonfly rotorcraft for its Titan mission, a milestone the agency says "essentially marks the birth of our flight system." The work advances preparations for a 2028 launch to deliver a first‑of‑its‑kind rotorcraft to Saturn's moon Titan.

2026-03-13T06:13:58.828186-07:00

NASA begins construction of nuclear‑powered Dragonfly rotorcraft for 2028 Titan mission

SpaceNews.com

Senate Commerce Committee advances Matt Anderson nomination for NASA deputy administrator On March 12 the Senate Commerce Committee voted to advance Matt Anderson's nomination for NASA deputy administrator, sending it to the full Senate for consideration. The committee action clears the next procedural hurdle and sets up a full-Senate confirmation vote on his appointment.

2026-03-13T03:22:22.973188-07:00

Senate Commerce Committee advances Matt Anderson nomination for NASA deputy administrator

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NASA News

JWST reveals widespread carbon dioxide on Europa, pointing to ocean–surface exchange

OSTP steps in to coordinate U.S. national space policy as National Space Council remains inactive

GRB 250702B: Seven‑hour repeating gamma‑ray burst points to star torn apart by intermediate‑mass black hole

DART Alters Didymos System’s Solar Orbit, Validates Kinetic-Impactor Planetary Defense

News Timeline