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SpaceNews.com • Jeff Foust

NASA solicits proposals for commercial replacement of TDRSS communications network

NASA has issued a request for proposals seeking industry input on replacing its Tracking and Data Relay Satellite System (TDRSS) with a commercial alternative. The effort targets approaches for sustaining communications and data-relay services for NASA missions while transitioning away from TDRSS.

2026-04-15T13:43:22.676521-07:00

Universe Today

Artemis II crew returns home after record 10-day Moon flyby

2026-04-15T13:08:31.218671-07:00

SpaceNews.com

Senators seek restoration of funding for NASA’s robotic Mars exploration amid warnings of “irreversible harm”

2026-04-15T11:24:39.959546-07:00

SpaceNews.com

White House orders NASA, Pentagon and DOE to develop space nuclear power systems for first launches as soon as 2028

2026-04-14T11:28:19.787759-07:00

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NASA solicits proposals for commercial replacement of TDRSS communications network NASA has issued a request for proposals seeking industry input on replacing its Tracking and Data Relay Satellite System (TDRSS) with a commercial alternative. The effort targets approaches for sustaining communications and data-relay services for NASA missions while transitioning away from TDRSS.

2026-04-15T13:43:22.676521-07:00

NASA solicits proposals for commercial replacement of TDRSS communications network

Universe Today

Artemis II crew returns home after record 10-day Moon flyby NASA’s Artemis II crew returned home on April 10, 2026 after completing a record-breaking 10-day flight around the Moon. The mission concluded a first crewed return beyond low Earth orbit, following a free-return lunar trajectory that took the crew more than 400,000 km from Earth.

2026-04-15T13:08:31.218671-07:00

Artemis II crew returns home after record 10-day Moon flyby

SpaceNews.com

Senators seek restoration of funding for NASA’s robotic Mars exploration amid warnings of “irreversible harm” Several U.S. senators are asking appropriators to increase funding for NASA’s robotic Mars exploration programs, warning that current budget levels could cause “irreversible harm” if not restored. The push echoes broader congressional concerns about NASA’s funding priorities as Mars planning timelines come under pressure.

2026-04-15T11:24:39.959546-07:00

Senators seek restoration of funding for NASA’s robotic Mars exploration amid warnings of “irreversible harm”

Payload

CLD companies push back on NASA’s assessment; NASA urges “prove we got it wrong” Companies behind CLD efforts are disputing NASA’s position after Isaacman said he wasn’t surprised they “didn’t like what we had to say,” adding they should “prove we got it wrong.” NASA’s response is to challenge critics to demonstrate why the agency’s conclusions are incorrect, raising pressure ahead of the next program steps.

2026-04-14T11:55:33.194432-07:00

CLD companies push back on NASA’s assessment; NASA urges “prove we got it wrong”

SpaceNews.com

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White House orders NASA, Pentagon and DOE to develop space nuclear power systems for first launches as soon as 2028 A White House policy released April 14 directs NASA, the Pentagon and the Department of Energy to develop space nuclear power systems with an earliest launch target of 2028. NASA’s goal is to field a nuclear-reactor-powered interplanetary spacecraft capable of a Mars-bound mission by the end of 2028—widely viewed as highly ambitious.

2026-04-14T11:28:19.787759-07:00

White House orders NASA, Pentagon and DOE to develop space nuclear power systems for first launches as soon as 2028

Space.com

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Artemis 2 executes farthest-ever crew call with ISS at record Earth–Moon separation Artemis 2 astronauts conducted a farthest-ever crew call with the International Space Station during the mission’s record-breaking Earth–moon distance profile. The link underscores that voice/data relay and human communications remain viable at extreme lunar-range conditions as NASA progresses Orion and Artemis operations toward future deep-space missions.

2026-04-14T05:08:26.772918-07:00

Artemis 2 executes farthest-ever crew call with ISS at record Earth–Moon separation

SpaceNews.com

Axiom Space targets 2027 in-space test flight for Artemis lunar spacesuit Axiom Space says it expects to test its developing Artemis lunar spacesuit in space in 2027, either on the International Space Station or during Artemis 3. The milestone is aimed at de-risking suit readiness ahead of human lunar surface operations.

2026-04-14T04:28:17.101152-07:00

Axiom Space targets 2027 in-space test flight for Artemis lunar spacesuit

Payload

ICON launches ICON Prime to pursue Pentagon and NASA contracts ICON says it has formed ICON Prime, a dedicated business unit intended to pursue work with the US Department of Defense and NASA. The move signals ICON’s push to translate its construction robotics approach into government programs spanning defense and space-focused needs.

2026-04-14T04:09:08.975325-07:00

ICON launches ICON Prime to pursue Pentagon and NASA contracts

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NASA News

NASA solicits proposals for commercial replacement of TDRSS communications network

Artemis II crew returns home after record 10-day Moon flyby

Senators seek restoration of funding for NASA’s robotic Mars exploration amid warnings of “irreversible harm”

White House orders NASA, Pentagon and DOE to develop space nuclear power systems for first launches as soon as 2028

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