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Space.com • Keith Cooper

Did a titanic moon crash create Saturn’s iconic rings?

New research suggests Saturn’s rings formed when a titanic moon collided and was shredded, with debris potentially creating the irregular moon Hyperion and altering Saturn’s axial tilt. Models indicate the impact’s mass and timing could explain the rings’ composition and the planet’s current orientation.

2026-02-17T14:05:24.132376-08:00

Bloomberg

Blue Origin vows to beat SpaceX to the Moon, CEO says

2026-02-17T13:06:04.710761-08:00

Universe Today

Musk pivots: lunar city before Mars — an expert reality check

2026-02-17T10:30:24.401814-08:00

Universe Today

Chang'e-6 Far-Side Samples Challenge Late Heavy Bombardment Hypothesis

2026-02-17T06:53:03.209781-08:00

News Timeline

Space.com

Did a titanic moon crash create Saturn’s iconic rings? New research suggests Saturn’s rings formed when a titanic moon collided and was shredded, with debris potentially creating the irregular moon Hyperion and altering Saturn’s axial tilt. Models indicate the impact’s mass and timing could explain the rings’ composition and the planet’s current orientation.

2026-02-17T14:05:24.132376-08:00

Did a titanic moon crash create Saturn’s iconic rings?

Bloomberg

Blue Origin vows to beat SpaceX to the Moon, CEO says Blue Origin CEO Dave Limp vowed the company "will move heaven and Earth" to reach the Moon before SpaceX, explicitly casting Blue Origin into a head‑to‑head lunar race. The comment underscores a public push to accelerate lunar capabilities and compete for upcoming missions and contracts.

2026-02-17T13:06:04.710761-08:00

Blue Origin vows to beat SpaceX to the Moon, CEO says

Universe Today

Musk pivots: lunar city before Mars — an expert reality check Elon Musk now says he wants to build a city on the Moon before pursuing Mars; two recent pieces — a column and an expert interview — offer a reality check, evaluating whether a lunar or Martian city is technologically and logistically feasible and what timelines either would demand.

2026-02-17T10:30:24.401814-08:00

Musk pivots: lunar city before Mars — an expert reality check

Universe Today

Chang'e-6 Far-Side Samples Challenge Late Heavy Bombardment Hypothesis Analyses of lunar material returned by China's Chang'e-6 offer the first close-up view of far-side geology, and a Science Advances paper from the Chinese Academy of Sciences reports findings that question the timing and intensity of the Moon's Late Heavy Bombardment, with implications for solar-system impact history.

2026-02-17T06:53:03.209781-08:00

Chang'e-6 Far-Side Samples Challenge Late Heavy Bombardment Hypothesis

SpaceNews.com

In Defense of Artemis: Responding to the Critics A rebuttal to critics of NASA's Artemis lunar program, arguing the initiative advances science, sustains the industrial base, and secures geopolitical leadership — while acknowledging cost and schedule debates. The piece reframes Artemis as essential infrastructure for long‑term lunar exploration and future Mars ambitions.

2026-02-17T06:07:21.148892-08:00

In Defense of Artemis: Responding to the Critics

Universe Today

Perchlorates Could Strengthen Martian Bricks for In‑Situ Habitat Construction Researchers at the Indian Institute of Science and the University of Florida report that Martian perchlorates — toxic salts comprising roughly 0.5–1% of the regolith — can improve the strength of bricks fabricated from local soil, suggesting in‑situ construction of habitats could be feasible and reduce mass launched from Earth.

2026-02-17T05:05:08.708697-08:00

Perchlorates Could Strengthen Martian Bricks for In‑Situ Habitat Construction

SpaceWatch Global

Voyager and ATMOS partner to streamline mission management and broaden access to space for science Voyager has entered a partnership with ATMOS to expand access to space for scientific discovery and technology advancement. The tie‑up will combine Voyager and ATMOS capabilities to streamline mission management, operations and deployment of research and technology demonstration payloads, aiming to simplify end‑to‑end mission execution.

2026-02-17T03:35:15.446447-08:00

Voyager and ATMOS partner to streamline mission management and broaden access to space for science

Space.com

❗️

NASA backs flying Artemis II with Orion's existing heat shield after Artemis I anomaly After a heat-shield anomaly on Artemis I, NASA and partners say they will proceed with Artemis II using the current Orion heat shield. Agency officials and contractors expressed confidence the flaw has been understood and mitigated and are committed to a safe launch and crewed return.

2026-02-17T03:09:55.730969-08:00

NASA backs flying Artemis II with Orion's existing heat shield after Artemis I anomaly

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Space Exploration & Science Missions News

Did a titanic moon crash create Saturn’s iconic rings?

Blue Origin vows to beat SpaceX to the Moon, CEO says

Musk pivots: lunar city before Mars — an expert reality check

Chang'e-6 Far-Side Samples Challenge Late Heavy Bombardment Hypothesis

News Timeline