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Wall Street Journal • Micah Maidenberg; Brian McGill

NASA to Test Orion Heat Shield Ahead of Artemis II Four‑Crew Lunar Flyby

NASA will subject the Orion crew capsule's heat shield to a critical test this month as teams prepare for Artemis II, the four‑astronaut lunar flyby targeted for early next year; engineers aim to validate thermal protection and reentry performance to ensure crew survival through extreme heating.

2025-12-30T12:22:19.492757-08:00

Space.com

2025 Shakeup at NASA: Damage, Reforms and Industry Implications

2025-12-30T05:10:05.848694-08:00

Universe Today

Europa Clipper observes interstellar object 3I/ATLAS near perihelion

2025-12-30T05:48:48.141030-08:00

New York Times

Artemis II crew completes launch‑day dress rehearsal as Space Coast braces for busy 2026

2025-12-29T23:48:45.192416-08:00

News Timeline

Wall Street Journal

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NASA to Test Orion Heat Shield Ahead of Artemis II Four‑Crew Lunar Flyby NASA will subject the Orion crew capsule's heat shield to a critical test this month as teams prepare for Artemis II, the four‑astronaut lunar flyby targeted for early next year; engineers aim to validate thermal protection and reentry performance to ensure crew survival through extreme heating.

2025-12-30T12:22:19.492757-08:00

NASA to Test Orion Heat Shield Ahead of Artemis II Four‑Crew Lunar Flyby

Universe Today

Europa Clipper observes interstellar object 3I/ATLAS near perihelion While interstellar object 3I/ATLAS moved out of Earth's view near perihelion, NASA's Europa Clipper used its unique interplanetary vantage during its six‑year return toward the inner solar system to observe the visitor. The data supplement ground and orbital measurements collected during the object's Mars flyby.

2025-12-30T05:48:48.141030-08:00

Europa Clipper observes interstellar object 3I/ATLAS near perihelion

Space.com

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2025 Shakeup at NASA: Damage, Reforms and Industry Implications NASA's 2025 shakeup has exposed real institutional damage—leadership turnover, program stress and policy uncertainty—but agency officials say the harm can be addressed through reforms. The changes create near-term disruption for programs and contractors while reshaping funding priorities, oversight and industry partnerships.

2025-12-30T05:10:05.848694-08:00

2025 Shakeup at NASA: Damage, Reforms and Industry Implications

SpaceWatch Global

Montenegro launches Luča, the country's first satellite, into low Earth orbit Montenegro Space Research (MSR) has successfully placed Luča, Montenegro's first satellite, into low Earth orbit, marking the country's inaugural on‑orbit asset. The launch establishes Montenegro on the global space map and opens a national programme for space‑based activity.

2025-12-30T00:10:15.392975-08:00

Montenegro launches Luča, the country's first satellite, into low Earth orbit

New York Times

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Artemis II crew completes launch‑day dress rehearsal as Space Coast braces for busy 2026 NASA's Artemis II crew completed a full launch‑day dress rehearsal in Florida, advancing the agency's first crewed lunar mission in more than 50 years toward liftoff. The test underscores a crowded 2026 Space Coast manifest that could also include Blue Origin's lunar lander and the arrival of SpaceX's Starship.

2025-12-29T23:48:45.192416-08:00

Artemis II crew completes launch‑day dress rehearsal as Space Coast braces for busy 2026

Universe Today

C‑type asteroid sample analysis strengthens case for asteroid mining A team led by the Institute of Space Sciences (ICE‑CSIC) analysed samples from C‑type asteroids and found compositions consistent with their use as a source of raw materials for space operations. The study bolsters the technical case for asteroid mining and informs selection of future prospecting targets.

2025-12-29T15:25:39.790345-08:00

C‑type asteroid sample analysis strengthens case for asteroid mining

SpaceQ

Volta Space tests 'LightGrid' satellite system to beam power to lunar landers Volta Space is flight-testing its LightGrid satellite system to beam electrical power to lunar landers, aiming to keep surface missions operational through the long, cold lunar night. The demonstration evaluates in-orbit power transmission and lander receiver integration to sustain survival and mission activities.

2025-12-29T09:45:34.757319-08:00

Volta Space tests 'LightGrid' satellite system to beam power to lunar landers

NASA

NASA schedules two January ISS spacewalks to boost power and prep roll‑out solar hardware NASA will preview two planned spacewalks at a Jan. 6, 2026 briefing at Johnson Space Center. In January, U.S. astronauts will perform EVAs at the International Space Station to boost electrical power and install equipment, including preparations for a roll‑out solar array.

2025-12-29T09:30:04.343768-08:00

NASA schedules two January ISS spacewalks to boost power and prep roll‑out solar hardware

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Space Exploration & Science Missions News

NASA to Test Orion Heat Shield Ahead of Artemis II Four‑Crew Lunar Flyby

2025 Shakeup at NASA: Damage, Reforms and Industry Implications

Europa Clipper observes interstellar object 3I/ATLAS near perihelion

Artemis II crew completes launch‑day dress rehearsal as Space Coast braces for busy 2026

News Timeline