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Reuters • Joey Roulette

Artemis II returns after lunar flyby; Orion set for Pacific splashdown off San Diego

Artemis II's four-person crew is returning to Earth after a historic lunar flyby, carrying more than 175 GB of mission data. Orion is targeting Pacific splashdown off San Diego on Friday, April 10, after astronauts tested spacesuits and manual piloting — a key step toward resuming crewed lunar landings.

2026-04-08T15:12:04.671164-07:00

Universe Today

Sticking to the Terminator: A Solar‑Powered Rover Concept for Exploring Mercury

2026-04-08T14:56:24.846089-07:00

The Atlantic

NASA’s Artemis Crew Sets a New Standard for Lunar Missions

2026-04-08T13:18:20.928551-07:00

Ars Technica

NASA nears Artemis III orbit decision as it readies third SLS core-stage rollout

2026-04-08T08:40:27.976695-07:00

News Timeline

SpaceWatch Global

Russia delays Luna-28/29/30 lunar missions to 2032–2036 as Artemis II returns Russia's Academy of Sciences has postponed its Luna-28, Luna-29 and Luna-30 lunar missions, moving planned launches into a 2032–2036 window. The schedule shift comes as NASA prepares the crewed Artemis II lunar flyby, reshaping the near‑term international lunar exploration timeline.

2026-04-09T04:39:45.791841-07:00

Russia delays Luna-28/29/30 lunar missions to 2032–2036 as Artemis II returns

Reuters

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Artemis II returns after lunar flyby; Orion set for Pacific splashdown off San Diego Artemis II's four-person crew is returning to Earth after a historic lunar flyby, carrying more than 175 GB of mission data. Orion is targeting Pacific splashdown off San Diego on Friday, April 10, after astronauts tested spacesuits and manual piloting — a key step toward resuming crewed lunar landings.

2026-04-08T15:12:04.671164-07:00

Artemis II returns after lunar flyby; Orion set for Pacific splashdown off San Diego

Universe Today

Sticking to the Terminator: A Solar‑Powered Rover Concept for Exploring Mercury A proposed solar-powered rover would operate in Mercury’s narrow terminator zone—where day meets night—to exploit temperate conditions that avoid the planet’s extreme surface heat. Operating there allows a solar-run rover to collect surface samples and geological data without large thermal-protection systems.

2026-04-08T14:56:24.846089-07:00

Sticking to the Terminator: A Solar‑Powered Rover Concept for Exploring Mercury

The Atlantic

NASA’s Artemis Crew Sets a New Standard for Lunar Missions NASA’s Artemis crew delivered a mission defined by strength, courage, expertise and wonder, resetting expectations for human lunar operations. Their disciplined performance and mission execution provide a clear demonstration of SLS/Orion operational readiness and influence near-term planning for Artemis milestones and contractor roles.

2026-04-08T13:18:20.928551-07:00

NASA’s Artemis Crew Sets a New Standard for Lunar Missions

Ars Technica

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NASA nears Artemis III orbit decision as it readies third SLS core-stage rollout NASA is finalizing Artemis III mission decisions — notably the spacecraft’s initial lunar orbit and overall mission profile — even as Orion continues flight operations. The agency has opened public registration to watch the rollout of the third SLS core stage as hardware and timelines are finalized.

2026-04-08T08:40:27.976695-07:00

NASA nears Artemis III orbit decision as it readies third SLS core-stage rollout

Universe Today

Orpheus: a VTOL hopper to hunt for extant life beneath Martian volcanoes Presented at the 57th LPSC by Connor Bunn and Pascal Lee of the SETI Institute, Orpheus is a proposed Mars vertical-takeoff/landing hopper designed to access subsurface volcanic terrains. It targets sheltered, lower-radiation environments beneath volcanoes—sites more likely to host extant life than Mars’ irradiated, perchlorate-rich surface.

2026-04-08T06:59:02.807616-07:00

Orpheus: a VTOL hopper to hunt for extant life beneath Martian volcanoes

SpaceNews.com

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Lunar base vs. lunar economy: rethinking industry and policy priorities As national programs and private firms scale lunar plans, leaders must decide whether to prioritize a government-built permanent surface base or to foster a market-driven lunar economy of services, logistics and resource development. The piece examines trade-offs for contractors, funding allocation, and policy levers that will shape industrial winners.

2026-04-08T06:06:46.191913-07:00

Lunar base vs. lunar economy: rethinking industry and policy priorities

Payload

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Czech HERA Radiation Chips on Artemis II Provide ISS‑Style Solar‑Flare Early Warning Czech-developed HERA radiation-detection chips flying on Artemis II will act as an onboard, ISS‑style early-warning system for solar flares, providing immediate alerts during the Sun's current maximum to help mission teams protect crew and systems from sudden solar particle events.

2026-04-08T05:40:30.269218-07:00

Czech HERA Radiation Chips on Artemis II Provide ISS‑Style Solar‑Flare Early Warning

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Space Exploration & Science Missions News

Artemis II returns after lunar flyby; Orion set for Pacific splashdown off San Diego

Sticking to the Terminator: A Solar‑Powered Rover Concept for Exploring Mercury

NASA’s Artemis Crew Sets a New Standard for Lunar Missions

NASA nears Artemis III orbit decision as it readies third SLS core-stage rollout

News Timeline