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SpaceNews.com • Andrew Jones

Tianwen-2 executes post-burn maneuvers ahead of July asteroid rendezvous, per radio tracking

China’s Tianwen-2 has performed a series of small propulsive maneuvers after a June 7 main burn, with radio tracking indicating the spacecraft is shaping up for an asteroid rendezvous in July. The incremental burns suggest ongoing trajectory refinement to set up the final approach window.

2026-06-16T03:39:24.811197-07:00

Spaceflight Now

Astrobotic readies Griffin-1 lunar lander for NASA Moon Base mission, preparing for California environmental testing

2026-06-15T18:23:17.197622-07:00

Flying Magazine

NASA X-59 Quesst hits Mach 1.4 at FL550 as Quesst quiet-supersonic overland flight test campaign accelerates

2026-06-15T09:33:13.302141-07:00

Space.com

Artemis 2 used an ISS-tested laser link to stream live video from lunar flyby

2026-06-15T08:22:55.591656-07:00

News Timeline

SpaceNews.com

Tianwen-2 executes post-burn maneuvers ahead of July asteroid rendezvous, per radio tracking China’s Tianwen-2 has performed a series of small propulsive maneuvers after a June 7 main burn, with radio tracking indicating the spacecraft is shaping up for an asteroid rendezvous in July. The incremental burns suggest ongoing trajectory refinement to set up the final approach window.

2026-06-16T03:39:24.811197-07:00

Tianwen-2 executes post-burn maneuvers ahead of July asteroid rendezvous, per radio tracking

SpaceNews.com

Tianwen-2 makes series of burns on approach to asteroid, according to radio tracking

2026-06-16T03:39:24.811197-07:00

Tianwen-2 makes series of burn

Spaceflight Now

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Astrobotic readies Griffin-1 lunar lander for NASA Moon Base mission, preparing for California environmental testing Astrobotic has unveiled Griffin-1, its next lunar lander for NASA’s Moon Base mission, positioning the vehicle to deliver one of the heaviest payloads ever to the lunar surface. The company says the lander is nearly complete and is set to move to NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in California for environmental testing later this month.

2026-06-15T18:23:17.197622-07:00

Astrobotic readies Griffin-1 lunar lander for NASA Moon Base mission, preparing for California environmental testing

Flying Magazine

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NASA X-59 Quesst hits Mach 1.4 at FL550 as Quesst quiet-supersonic overland flight test campaign accelerates NASA reports the X-59 Quesst experimental jet reached Mach 1.4 at FL550 (about 16,773 m) during its test program, validating real-flight conditions for overland low-boom supersonic demonstrations. With engineers preparing for its first flight over U.S. communities, NASA is now increasing the tempo toward that next phase.

2026-06-15T09:33:13.302141-07:00

NASA X-59 Quesst hits Mach 1.4 at FL550 as Quesst quiet-supersonic overland flight test campaign accelerates

Space.com

Artemis 2 used an ISS-tested laser link to stream live video from lunar flyby NASA says a laser communications system—previously tested aboard the International Space Station—enabled live video streaming during Artemis 2 as Orion traveled on its way around the Moon. The demonstration shows how optical links can extend end-to-end bandwidth for deep-space mission media delivery.

2026-06-15T08:22:55.591656-07:00

Artemis 2 used an ISS-tested laser link to stream live video from lunar flyby

Space.com

X9 solar flare: unusual pre-eruption solar-atmosphere changes sharpen space-weather forecast signals Scientists analyzing a powerful X9 solar flare report “strange changes” in the sun’s atmosphere hours before eruption. The findings suggest identifiable precursors to major flares and improve the physical basis for short-lead space-weather forecasting. (X9 flare study focus: pre-eruption atmospheric anomalies.)

2026-06-15T06:19:17.560175-07:00

X9 solar flare: unusual pre-eruption solar-atmosphere changes sharpen space-weather forecast signals

SpaceNews.com

Sustained maneuver test flags a propulsion-system problem for modern spacecraft operations The cluster centers on a propulsion challenge that undermines long-duration “sustained maneuver” capabilities. It highlights that, beyond simply holding position through reliable station-keeping, future spacecraft architectures must execute continuous maneuvering—an engineering requirement constrained by propulsion performance and integration.

2026-06-15T06:03:44.041974-07:00

Sustained maneuver test flags a propulsion-system problem for modern spacecraft operations

Universe Today

NASA-supported study argues Titan’s resource base makes it the top near-term ISRU target for human exploration A NASA-backed study evaluated Titan’s resource base and its suitability for in-situ resource utilization (ISRU). Compared with other candidate sites such as the Moon and Mars, the research concludes Titan offers “unrivaled potential” to support human exploration and eventual settlement.

2026-06-14T17:31:31.643286-07:00

NASA-supported study argues Titan’s resource base makes it the top near-term ISRU target for human exploration

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Space Exploration & Science Missions News

Tianwen-2 executes post-burn maneuvers ahead of July asteroid rendezvous, per radio tracking

Astrobotic readies Griffin-1 lunar lander for NASA Moon Base mission, preparing for California environmental testing

NASA X-59 Quesst hits Mach 1.4 at FL550 as Quesst quiet-supersonic overland flight test campaign accelerates

Artemis 2 used an ISS-tested laser link to stream live video from lunar flyby

News Timeline