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Universe Today • Matthew Williams

XRISM Delivers Sharpest X‑ray View of Rapidly Spinning Supermassive Black Hole

First XRISM observations of the active galactic nucleus MCG‑6‑30‑15 reveal the most precise X‑ray signatures yet of a rapidly spinning supermassive black hole, mapping relativistic effects and ionized outflows that influence host‑galaxy structure. Results provide new constraints on extreme gravity and AGN‑driven feedback.

2026-01-04T17:18:31.695611-08:00

Space.com

Live long and loiter: NASA's ESCAPADE will wait a year in space before heading to Mars

2026-01-04T05:06:02.425622-08:00

New York Times

Trump administration closes NASA's largest research library amid staff and lab cuts

2026-01-04T04:11:46.273015-08:00

NBC News

NASA warns MAVEN may be lost after nearly a month without contact

2026-01-03T06:30:48.499938-08:00

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Universe Today

XRISM Delivers Sharpest X‑ray View of Rapidly Spinning Supermassive Black Hole First XRISM observations of the active galactic nucleus MCG‑6‑30‑15 reveal the most precise X‑ray signatures yet of a rapidly spinning supermassive black hole, mapping relativistic effects and ionized outflows that influence host‑galaxy structure. Results provide new constraints on extreme gravity and AGN‑driven feedback.

2026-01-04T17:18:31.695611-08:00

XRISM Delivers Sharpest X‑ray View of Rapidly Spinning Supermassive Black Hole

Space.com

Live long and loiter: NASA's ESCAPADE will wait a year in space before heading to Mars NASA's ESCAPADE mission will spend about a year loitering in space before starting its Mars transfer, delaying arrival to match orbital geometry rather than relying on an immediate Mars-bound launch. The approach highlights alternative timing strategies for lower-cost planetary probes.

2026-01-04T05:06:02.425622-08:00

Live long and loiter: NASA's ESCAPADE will wait a year in space before heading to Mars

New York Times

Trump administration closes NASA's largest research library amid staff and lab cuts The Trump administration on Friday closed NASA's largest research library, which houses tens of thousands of books, documents and journals—many not digitized or available elsewhere. The move comes amid broader agency reductions that have included staff layoffs and laboratory closures at NASA facilities.

2026-01-04T04:11:46.273015-08:00

Trump administration closes NASA's largest research library amid staff and lab cuts

NBC News

NASA warns MAVEN may be lost after nearly a month without contact NASA lost communication with its MAVEN Mars orbiter nearly a month ago; repeated attempts to re-establish contact have been unsuccessful. With recovery efforts proving futile, the agency now warns the probe may be lost, leaving its operational status unresolved.

2026-01-03T06:30:48.499938-08:00

NASA warns MAVEN may be lost after nearly a month without contact

NASA

NASA schedules two January 2026 ISS spacewalks to prepare roll‑out solar array installation NASA will carry out two spacewalks from the International Space Station in January 2026 to prepare for the installation of a roll‑out solar array and complete additional external maintenance tasks. Agency experts will preview the planned EVAs in a public briefing ahead of the operations.

2026-01-02T09:13:13.945482-08:00

NASA schedules two January 2026 ISS spacewalks to prepare roll‑out solar array installation

Space.com

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Return to the Moon in 2026: Artemis II and a crowded commercial lunar year NASA’s Artemis II will return humans to the Moon in 2026, kick‑starting a year crowded with national and commercial lunar activity — including accelerated Chinese launch plans and heightened SpaceX involvement — that will reshape procurement, launch cadence and industrial priorities across the space sector.

2026-01-02T09:07:54.883664-08:00

Return to the Moon in 2026: Artemis II and a crowded commercial lunar year

Ars Technica

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Leak in Russian ISS segment stops after five years; NASA and Roscosmos keep probing cracks A leak in a Russian segment of the International Space Station that was observed intermittently over five years has stopped, NASA and Roscosmos said. Both agencies will continue monitoring and investigating previously reported cracks in the module to verify long‑term structural integrity and crew safety.

2026-01-02T08:02:53.916700-08:00

Leak in Russian ISS segment stops after five years; NASA and Roscosmos keep probing cracks

collectSPACE

Full‑size Saturn V projected onto Washington Monument to mark America’s 250th A full‑size image of the Saturn V moon rocket was projected onto the Washington Monument as part of Freedom 250’s "Illumination of America" to mark the United States' 250th anniversary. The towering projection placed the Apollo‑era booster at scale on the monument’s face.

2026-01-01T15:02:47.837421-08:00

Full‑size Saturn V projected onto Washington Monument to mark America’s 250th

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XRISM Delivers Sharpest X‑ray View of Rapidly Spinning Supermassive Black Hole

Live long and loiter: NASA's ESCAPADE will wait a year in space before heading to Mars

Trump administration closes NASA's largest research library amid staff and lab cuts

NASA warns MAVEN may be lost after nearly a month without contact

News Timeline