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Space.com • Andrew Jones

China eyes Rimae Bode near‑side 'geological museum' for first crewed Moon landing

China is considering Rimae Bode, a near‑side area described as a "geological museum," as the landing site for its first crewed lunar mission. The region combines volcanic plains and ancient highlands in a single traversable area, enabling sampling from deep lunar interior volcanics to massive impact debris.

2026-03-09T09:14:23.131560-07:00

Universe Today

Chang'e‑6 regolith: jagged, clingy lunar dust could enable in‑situ construction

2026-03-09T09:58:05.181507-07:00

SpaceNews.com

SpaceX delays first Starship V3 flight as NASA pushes to speed lunar-lander work

2026-03-09T05:27:21.004193-07:00

Space.com

European 'HealTech' self‑healing material could let spacecraft repair cracks in orbit

2026-03-09T06:08:44.238328-07:00

News Timeline

Universe Today

Chang'e‑6 regolith: jagged, clingy lunar dust could enable in‑situ construction Researchers at Beihang University analyzed Chang'e‑6 samples returned from the lunar far side and found the regolith's jagged, clingy and electrostatically charged properties could be beneficial for in‑situ construction. The paper, published in Research, argues these mechanical traits may simplify building habitats and infrastructure using local material.

2026-03-09T09:58:05.181507-07:00

Chang'e‑6 regolith: jagged, clingy lunar dust could enable in‑situ construction

Space.com

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China eyes Rimae Bode near‑side 'geological museum' for first crewed Moon landing China is considering Rimae Bode, a near‑side area described as a "geological museum," as the landing site for its first crewed lunar mission. The region combines volcanic plains and ancient highlands in a single traversable area, enabling sampling from deep lunar interior volcanics to massive impact debris.

2026-03-09T09:14:23.131560-07:00

China eyes Rimae Bode near‑side 'geological museum' for first crewed Moon landing

Space.com

European 'HealTech' self‑healing material could let spacecraft repair cracks in orbit European researchers are testing 'HealTech', a heat‑activated self‑healing material that flows into and repairs cracks. The approach aims to provide passive, in‑situ damage repair to improve spacecraft resilience against micro‑cracks, impacts and long‑term degradation without external intervention.

2026-03-09T06:08:44.238328-07:00

European 'HealTech' self‑healing material could let spacecraft repair cracks in orbit

SpaceNews.com

Voyager invests in Max Space to speed development of lunar habitats Voyager Technologies has invested in Max Space to help accelerate a partnership between the two companies focused on developing lunar habitats. The funding will support joint development and maturation of habitat concepts, accelerate technical integration and advance commercialization of surface infrastructure for upcoming lunar missions.

2026-03-09T06:02:22.283141-07:00

Voyager invests in Max Space to speed development of lunar habitats

SpaceNews.com

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SpaceX delays first Starship V3 flight as NASA pushes to speed lunar-lander work SpaceX has postponed the inaugural flight of its next‑generation Starship V3 even as NASA is urging the company to accelerate development of a Starship‑based lunar lander. The slip creates an immediate scheduling tension between SpaceX's test campaign and NASA's Artemis lander timelines.

2026-03-09T05:27:21.004193-07:00

SpaceX delays first Starship V3 flight as NASA pushes to speed lunar-lander work

SpaceNews.com

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Chinese delegate urges prioritizing ambitious Neptune orbiter mission A senior Chinese space scientist and delegate to the national congress has called for prioritizing an unprecedented orbiter mission to Neptune, urging Beijing to accelerate planning for an ice‑giant exploration effort. The proposal could mark a shift toward higher‑profile, deep‑space science in China's program.

2026-03-09T04:41:03.259148-07:00

Chinese delegate urges prioritizing ambitious Neptune orbiter mission

SpaceWatch Global

Astrobotic to develop lunar wheel assembly for Italy’s Multi‑Purpose Habitation under Thales Alenia Space contract Astrobotic has been awarded a contract by Thales Alenia Space to develop a lunar wheel‑assembly solution for the Italian Space Agency’s Multi‑Purpose Habitation (MPH) module. The scope covers design and engineering of mobility hardware to support MPH surface operations and integration with European lunar habitat systems.

2026-03-09T03:58:00.501346-07:00

Astrobotic to develop lunar wheel assembly for Italy’s Multi‑Purpose Habitation under Thales Alenia Space contract

Universe Today

Astronauts Use Bacteria and Fungi to Harvest Metals in Space Astronauts are using bacteria and fungi to harvest metals in space, leveraging microbes that live on and in crew, surfaces and food. Understanding how these organisms respond to space conditions is critical for managing onboard microbiomes and could enable biological in‑situ resource utilization on long‑duration exploration missions.

2026-03-07T18:23:56.916229-08:00

Astronauts Use Bacteria and Fungi to Harvest Metals in Space

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Space Exploration & Science Missions News

China eyes Rimae Bode near‑side 'geological museum' for first crewed Moon landing

Chang'e‑6 regolith: jagged, clingy lunar dust could enable in‑situ construction

SpaceX delays first Starship V3 flight as NASA pushes to speed lunar-lander work

European 'HealTech' self‑healing material could let spacecraft repair cracks in orbit

News Timeline