NASA News

Space.com

NASA’s yearlong Mars simulation ends as crew exits habitat; underwater analog tests probe spacewalk safety

Four volunteers who spent more than a year living and working in a simulated Mars mission are due to leave their habitat on Saturday, Oct. Separately, analog astronaut Michaela Musilova led low-visibility underwater “spacewalks” to test astronaut safety and communications protocols—using terrestrial simulations to examine challenges crews may face during space missions.

Space.com

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NASA’s first Saturn I test flight succeeds, beginning the rocket program that would lead to Saturn V

NASA launched the first test flight of its Saturn I rocket on Oct. 27, 1961. The successful flight marked an early milestone in the development of the launch vehicles that would ultimately enable the United States’ crewed lunar program, including the Saturn V.

Universe Today

Hubble to support Roman Space Telescope’s dark-matter microlensing survey

NASA’s Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope will use gravitational microlensing to study dark matter, but its wide-field survey design cannot perform every observation needed for the work. The Hubble Space Telescope will assist, using its complementary capabilities to help extend Roman’s scientific reach.

SpaceWatch Global

EraDrive cleared to test autonomous maneuvering software on NASA’s Starling satellites

EraDrive has received clearance to test autonomous maneuvering software aboard NASA’s Starling satellites. The trial advances onboard navigation and control capabilities, putting spacecraft maneuver decisions closer to the vehicle rather than relying solely on ground-based direction.

FlightGlobal

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NASA and two commercial lander providers revise plans to accelerate 2028 lunar landing

NASA said the designs and flight plans for its two commercial crewed Moon landers have changed as the agency works toward a 2028 landing. The agency will decide which provider lands astronauts first, according to a report, making the revised plans relevant to both providers’ development schedules.

Universe Today

Parker Solar Probe spots twisted magnetic braids growing in the solar wind

New observations from Parker Solar Probe reveal twisted magnetic braids within the solar wind, part of the Sun’s complex magnetic environment. Together with data from Solar Orbiter, the findings are helping researchers map the structure of magnetic fields and charged-particle flows around the Sun.

Space.com

NASA overhauls science-mission selection to pursue more missions, more often

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.

SpaceWatch Global

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NASA shifts Artemis III docking test to 2027 as it targets crewed Moon landing in 2028

NASA’s revised Artemis plan moves the Orion docking test with SpaceX’s Starship and Blue Origin’s Blue Moon landers to Artemis III in summer 2027, with a crewed lunar landing now planned for Artemis IV in 2028. The agency also outlined challenges and added testing milestones for both lander providers.