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Universe Today • Evan Gough

Scientists sample Utah geysers as terrestrial analogues for icy ocean moons

In new research, scientists collected samples from natural geysers in the Utah desert to serve as terrestrial analogues for icy ocean moons elsewhere in the Solar System. Deserts and lava fields have long been used to study Martian surfaces; this work applies the analogue approach to icy worlds.

2026-02-23T11:05:54.152102-08:00

SpaceNews.com

How AI helped save NASA science — lessons from The Planetary Society

2026-02-23T09:55:13.550820-08:00

European Spaceflight

ESA awards contracts for lunar 'remote camp' habitat studies

2026-02-23T00:21:16.280137-08:00

The Hill

How commercial launch providers could free NASA from the Space Launch System

2026-02-22T17:30:49.269332-08:00

News Timeline

Universe Today

Scientists sample Utah geysers as terrestrial analogues for icy ocean moons In new research, scientists collected samples from natural geysers in the Utah desert to serve as terrestrial analogues for icy ocean moons elsewhere in the Solar System. Deserts and lava fields have long been used to study Martian surfaces; this work applies the analogue approach to icy worlds.

2026-02-23T11:05:54.152102-08:00

Scientists sample Utah geysers as terrestrial analogues for icy ocean moons

SpaceNews.com

How AI helped save NASA science — lessons from The Planetary Society The Planetary Society argues AI is more than a chatbot: applied across mission workflows it became a force multiplier for NASA science, boosting productivity and cutting contractor and software costs at scale, preserving scientific returns that might otherwise have been lost.

2026-02-23T09:55:13.550820-08:00

How AI helped save NASA science — lessons from The Planetary Society

European Spaceflight

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ESA awards contracts for lunar 'remote camp' habitat studies ESA has awarded contracts for two studies to develop habitat concepts—so‑called "remote camp" designs—that could support future surface operations on the Moon. The work will evaluate architectural options and enabling technologies for temporary and semi‑permanent lunar living and work spaces.

2026-02-23T00:21:16.280137-08:00

ESA awards contracts for lunar 'remote camp' habitat studies

The Hill

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How commercial launch providers could free NASA from the Space Launch System Two major commercial launch providers are accelerating development of heavy‑lift and crewed launch capabilities that could offer NASA operational alternatives to the Space Launch System. Successful commercial options would ease schedule and cost pressure on Artemis‑class missions and force changes to agency procurement and mission architectures.

2026-02-22T17:30:49.269332-08:00

How commercial launch providers could free NASA from the Space Launch System

NASA Spaceflight

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Juno data refine Europa ice‑shell thickness and internal structure NASA's Juno orbiter microwave and radar measurements provide new constraints on the thickness and internal structure of Europa's surface ice shell, refining models of how material and heat move between the surface and subsurface ocean. The results will affect assessments of habitability and future mission planning.

2026-02-22T16:55:29.956996-08:00

Juno data refine Europa ice‑shell thickness and internal structure

Reuters

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NASA orders Artemis II SLS rollback to VAB for repairs, March 6 launch at risk; April slip likely NASA will roll the Artemis II Space Launch System back to the Vehicle Assembly Building for repairs that can only be completed in the Florida hangar, imperiling a planned March 6 launch opportunity. The agency now signals a likely schedule slip into April while crews complete corrective work.

2026-02-21T08:56:15.957193-08:00

NASA orders Artemis II SLS rollback to VAB for repairs, March 6 launch at risk; April slip likely

Space.com

This Week In Space podcast — Inside the Dragonfly mission (Episode 198) Episode 198 of This Week In Space dives into NASA’s Dragonfly mission, unpacking the spacecraft’s objectives, technology choices and program timeline. The episode features expert analysis of the mission’s scientific goals and what its development and operations mean for planetary science programs.

2026-02-21T07:30:25.478936-08:00

This Week In Space podcast — Inside the Dragonfly mission (Episode 198)

Universe Today

Sustainable water recycling for long‑duration space habitats Water for drinking, hygiene and plant growth is a primary constraint on long‑duration human spaceflight: resupplying the ISS costs on the order of tens of thousands of dollars per delivered mass. Durable, efficient closed‑loop water sourcing and reuse are essential to enable months‑to‑years surface and orbital habitation.

2026-02-20T15:15:31.740705-08:00

Sustainable water recycling for long‑duration space habitats

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Space Exploration & Science Missions News

Scientists sample Utah geysers as terrestrial analogues for icy ocean moons

How AI helped save NASA science — lessons from The Planetary Society

ESA awards contracts for lunar 'remote camp' habitat studies

How commercial launch providers could free NASA from the Space Launch System

News Timeline