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Reuters • Joey Roulette

Artemis II heads home after lunar flyby, set to splash down off San Diego April 10

Following a successful lunar flyby that returned more than 175 GB of data, the four‑person Artemis II crew is on an Earth‑return trajectory and due to splash down off San Diego on April 10. NASA and recovery teams are finalizing Pacific retrieval operations as the crew conducts Earth observations.

2026-04-08T15:12:04.671164-07:00

Ars Technica

NASA nears Artemis III orbit decision as it readies third SLS core-stage rollout

2026-04-08T08:40:27.976695-07:00

The Atlantic

NASA’s Artemis Crew Sets a New Standard for Lunar Missions

2026-04-08T13:18:20.928551-07:00

Payload

White House proposes $18.8B NASA budget with deep science and STEM cuts; advocates and lawmakers prepare to fight

2026-04-07T10:31:20.933978-07:00

News Timeline

Reuters

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Artemis II heads home after lunar flyby, set to splash down off San Diego April 10 Following a successful lunar flyby that returned more than 175 GB of data, the four‑person Artemis II crew is on an Earth‑return trajectory and due to splash down off San Diego on April 10. NASA and recovery teams are finalizing Pacific retrieval operations as the crew conducts Earth observations.

2026-04-08T15:12:04.671164-07:00

Artemis II heads home after lunar flyby, set to splash down off San Diego April 10

The Atlantic

NASA’s Artemis Crew Sets a New Standard for Lunar Missions NASA’s Artemis crew delivered a mission defined by strength, courage, expertise and wonder, resetting expectations for human lunar operations. Their disciplined performance and mission execution provide a clear demonstration of SLS/Orion operational readiness and influence near-term planning for Artemis milestones and contractor roles.

2026-04-08T13:18:20.928551-07:00

NASA’s Artemis Crew Sets a New Standard for Lunar Missions

Ars Technica

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NASA nears Artemis III orbit decision as it readies third SLS core-stage rollout NASA is finalizing Artemis III mission decisions — notably the spacecraft’s initial lunar orbit and overall mission profile — even as Orion continues flight operations. The agency has opened public registration to watch the rollout of the third SLS core stage as hardware and timelines are finalized.

2026-04-08T08:40:27.976695-07:00

NASA nears Artemis III orbit decision as it readies third SLS core-stage rollout

SpaceNews.com

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Lunar base vs. lunar economy: rethinking industry and policy priorities As national programs and private firms scale lunar plans, leaders must decide whether to prioritize a government-built permanent surface base or to foster a market-driven lunar economy of services, logistics and resource development. The piece examines trade-offs for contractors, funding allocation, and policy levers that will shape industrial winners.

2026-04-08T06:06:46.191913-07:00

Lunar base vs. lunar economy: rethinking industry and policy priorities

Payload

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Czech HERA Radiation Chips on Artemis II Provide ISS‑Style Solar‑Flare Early Warning Czech-developed HERA radiation-detection chips flying on Artemis II will act as an onboard, ISS‑style early-warning system for solar flares, providing immediate alerts during the Sun's current maximum to help mission teams protect crew and systems from sudden solar particle events.

2026-04-08T05:40:30.269218-07:00

Czech HERA Radiation Chips on Artemis II Provide ISS‑Style Solar‑Flare Early Warning

SpaceNews.com

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NASA's stop‑start approach leaves commercial LEO station developers scrambling Commercial space companies are facing uncertainty and reworking plans as NASA alternates support and delays for private low‑Earth‑orbit station programs, complicating investment, timelines and payload manifests. Developers report rushed pivots, contract renegotiations and difficulty lining up customers and supply‑chain commitments.

2026-04-08T04:07:22.948498-07:00

NASA's stop‑start approach leaves commercial LEO station developers scrambling

SpaceNews.com

LRO delivers most detailed high‑resolution view of the Moon's far side NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter has produced the most detailed view yet of the Moon's far side, delivering high-resolution photos that reveal small-scale surface textures and features previously unresolved. The imagery creates a new observational baseline for scientific study and future mission planning.

2026-04-07T22:06:04.120457-07:00

LRO delivers most detailed high‑resolution view of the Moon's far side

Sky News

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Artemis II begins return to Earth after historic lunar flyby as Orion executes first return burn Following a historic lunar flyby on April 6, NASA's Artemis II entered its return phase on Flight Day 7 as the Orion spacecraft Integrity executed a 15‑second return correction burn at 8:03 p.m. EDT. The crew report high spirits and NASA says Orion is "performing spectacularly" despite a lingering waste‑tank evacuation issue.

2026-04-07T15:07:43.862320-07:00

Artemis II begins return to Earth after historic lunar flyby as Orion executes first return burn

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NASA News

Artemis II heads home after lunar flyby, set to splash down off San Diego April 10

NASA nears Artemis III orbit decision as it readies third SLS core-stage rollout

NASA’s Artemis Crew Sets a New Standard for Lunar Missions

White House proposes $18.8B NASA budget with deep science and STEM cuts; advocates and lawmakers prepare to fight

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