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Ars Technica • Eric Berger

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

Space.com

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

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

SpaceNews.com

Senate Commerce Committee advances Matt Anderson nomination for NASA deputy administrator

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

Wall Street Journal

Jared Isaacman reshapes Artemis to accelerate U.S. return to the Moon

2026-03-12T05:09:16.626021-07:00

News Timeline

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

Space.com

Northrop Grumman's Cygnus XL released from ISS by Canadarm2, heads for destructive reentry Northrop Grumman's Cygnus XL was released by Canadarm2 from the Earth‑facing port of the ISS Unity module at 12:06 CET (7:00 a.m. EDT), departing with thousands of pounds of disposable cargo bound for destructive reentry. The release completes the company's Cygnus resupply mission to Expedition 74.

2026-03-12T10:08:58.238840-07:00

Northrop Grumman's Cygnus XL released from ISS by Canadarm2, heads for destructive reentry

Wall Street Journal

Jared Isaacman reshapes Artemis to accelerate U.S. return to the Moon Billionaire Jared Isaacman is overhauling NASA’s Artemis programme, bringing private-sector methods and an expedited agenda to the agency’s lunar effort to bring American astronauts closer to a crewed Moon landing than at any time in decades. His stewardship signals a major inflection in Artemis strategy and execution.

2026-03-12T05:09:16.626021-07:00

Jared Isaacman reshapes Artemis to accelerate U.S. return to the Moon

Universe Today

Ionic liquids and deep eutectic solvents could redefine the habitable zone A preprint by MIT and Cardiff researchers including Dr. Sara Seager argues ionic liquids (ILs) and deep eutectic solvents (DES) could serve as alternative solvents for life, permitting biochemistry in environments previously considered too hot, cold or dry — potentially expanding the conventional habitable zone and reframing biosignature searches.

2026-03-12T05:08:36.641744-07:00

Ionic liquids and deep eutectic solvents could redefine the habitable zone

NASA Spaceflight

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New crew arrivals and science highlight February aboard the ISS After Crew‑11's mid‑January early departure for a medical evacuation, February aboard the International Space Station was marked by new crew arrivals and a renewed emphasis on long‑duration science operations. The replenished team resumed planned experiments and maintenance as managers worked to normalize expedition tempo.

2026-03-11T15:38:42.580929-07:00

New crew arrivals and science highlight February aboard the ISS

Space.com

Northrop Grumman’s first Cygnus XL freighter set to depart ISS March 12 Northrop Grumman’s first Cygnus XL cargo spacecraft is scheduled to depart the International Space Station Thursday, March 12 at 7:05 a.m. EDT (1105 GMT). NASA will stream the undocking live as the new Cygnus variant completes its resupply mission and prepares for post‑undock disposal operations.

2026-03-11T12:09:01.367071-07:00

Northrop Grumman’s first Cygnus XL freighter set to depart ISS March 12

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NASA News

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

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

Senate Commerce Committee advances Matt Anderson nomination for NASA deputy administrator

Jared Isaacman reshapes Artemis to accelerate U.S. return to the Moon

News Timeline