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Universe Today • Mark Thompson

Radar study reveals complex subsurface history near the Moon’s south pole—raising construction and landing-site risks

A new radar-based investigation probes buried layers in one of the Moon’s most impact-battered regions, finding evidence of ancient impacts, frozen melt sheets, and billions of years of overlapping debris. The results suggest the geological environment underpinning south-pole outpost plans may be far more heterogeneous than expected.

2026-04-14T13:53:11.262768-07:00

SpaceNews.com

White House orders NASA, Pentagon and DOE to develop space nuclear power systems for first launches as soon as 2028

2026-04-14T11:28:19.787759-07:00

Payload

CLD companies push back on NASA’s assessment; NASA urges “prove we got it wrong”

2026-04-14T11:55:33.194432-07:00

Aviation Week

BAE Systems debuts “Ascent” spacecraft to extend its Elevation space-mobility line with dynamic on-orbit maneuvering

2026-04-14T05:08:26.678162-07:00

News Timeline

Universe Today

Radar study reveals complex subsurface history near the Moon’s south pole—raising construction and landing-site risks A new radar-based investigation probes buried layers in one of the Moon’s most impact-battered regions, finding evidence of ancient impacts, frozen melt sheets, and billions of years of overlapping debris. The results suggest the geological environment underpinning south-pole outpost plans may be far more heterogeneous than expected.

2026-04-14T13:53:11.262768-07:00

Radar study reveals complex subsurface history near the Moon’s south pole—raising construction and landing-site risks

Payload

CLD companies push back on NASA’s assessment; NASA urges “prove we got it wrong” Companies behind CLD efforts are disputing NASA’s position after Isaacman said he wasn’t surprised they “didn’t like what we had to say,” adding they should “prove we got it wrong.” NASA’s response is to challenge critics to demonstrate why the agency’s conclusions are incorrect, raising pressure ahead of the next program steps.

2026-04-14T11:55:33.194432-07:00

CLD companies push back on NASA’s assessment; NASA urges “prove we got it wrong”

SpaceNews.com

❗️

White House orders NASA, Pentagon and DOE to develop space nuclear power systems for first launches as soon as 2028 A White House policy released April 14 directs NASA, the Pentagon and the Department of Energy to develop space nuclear power systems with an earliest launch target of 2028. NASA’s goal is to field a nuclear-reactor-powered interplanetary spacecraft capable of a Mars-bound mission by the end of 2028—widely viewed as highly ambitious.

2026-04-14T11:28:19.787759-07:00

White House orders NASA, Pentagon and DOE to develop space nuclear power systems for first launches as soon as 2028

Space.com

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Artemis 2 executes farthest-ever crew call with ISS at record Earth–Moon separation Artemis 2 astronauts conducted a farthest-ever crew call with the International Space Station during the mission’s record-breaking Earth–moon distance profile. The link underscores that voice/data relay and human communications remain viable at extreme lunar-range conditions as NASA progresses Orion and Artemis operations toward future deep-space missions.

2026-04-14T05:08:26.772918-07:00

Artemis 2 executes farthest-ever crew call with ISS at record Earth–Moon separation

Aviation Week

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BAE Systems debuts “Ascent” spacecraft to extend its Elevation space-mobility line with dynamic on-orbit maneuvering BAE Systems introduced its Ascent spacecraft as a new addition to the Elevation line, positioning the capability for “space superiority” and exploration missions. The company also said it is entering the space tug market with a refuelable, highly maneuverable vehicle intended to move cargo and small satellites to the Moon and perform dynamic on-orbit maneuvers.

2026-04-14T05:08:26.678162-07:00

BAE Systems debuts “Ascent” spacecraft to extend its Elevation space-mobility line with dynamic on-orbit maneuvering

SpaceNews.com

Axiom Space targets 2027 in-space test flight for Artemis lunar spacesuit Axiom Space says it expects to test its developing Artemis lunar spacesuit in space in 2027, either on the International Space Station or during Artemis 3. The milestone is aimed at de-risking suit readiness ahead of human lunar surface operations.

2026-04-14T04:28:17.101152-07:00

Axiom Space targets 2027 in-space test flight for Artemis lunar spacesuit

SpaceWatch Global

Europe’s narrowing window for space security autonomy as US missile-defence and lunar competition accelerates Analysis warns Europe’s effort to achieve “space security autonomy” is facing a shrinking timeframe as the US pivots toward missile defence and lunar priorities. The report flags key risks, dependencies, and the urgent policy and industrial choices needed to reduce reliance and close capability gaps.

2026-04-14T03:35:25.987204-07:00

Europe’s narrowing window for space security autonomy as US missile-defence and lunar competition accelerates

Universe Today

Study suggests lunar water formed from multiple sources across billions of years A new study rethinks how water accumulated on the Moon, arguing it likely reflects contributions from several sources over billions of years rather than a single, dominant deposit laid down early. The findings narrow targets for where future measurements should focus as models of lunar volatiles are refined.

2026-04-13T11:34:45.504260-07:00

Study suggests lunar water formed from multiple sources across billions of years

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Space Exploration & Science Missions News

Radar study reveals complex subsurface history near the Moon’s south pole—raising construction and landing-site risks

White House orders NASA, Pentagon and DOE to develop space nuclear power systems for first launches as soon as 2028

CLD companies push back on NASA’s assessment; NASA urges “prove we got it wrong”

BAE Systems debuts “Ascent” spacecraft to extend its Elevation space-mobility line with dynamic on-orbit maneuvering

News Timeline