Space Exploration & Science Missions News

Payload • Victoria Woodburn

NASA sets $2B price tag for nuclear Mars mission Space Reactor-1 Freedom, targeting first fission-powered interplanetary spacecr

NASA has put a $2 billion price tag on its Space Reactor-1 Freedom nuclear Mars mission, described as the first fission-powered interplanetary spacecraft. The announcement frames the program cost for a mission architecture built around nuclear propulsion for deep-space travel.

2 Sources

2026-07-23T05:50:38.159172-07:00

Space.com

Artemis II pilot urges safer landing approach for next moon missions, weighing equatorial touchdown over south-pole site

2 Sources

2026-07-23T05:02:42.902476-07:00

Politico

NASA leadership signals funding is in hand for expanded lunar return under new head

1 Source

2026-07-22T18:49:18.305075-07:00

Space.com

NASA reclassifies a near-Earth object as a comet after nearly 30 years of observations; implications for comet discovery and pla

1 Source

2026-07-22T12:08:21.189330-07:00

Space Exploration & Science Missions News Timeline

Payload

2 sources

NASA sets $2B price tag for nuclear Mars mission Space Reactor-1 Freedom, targeting first fission-powered interplanetary spacecr NASA has put a $2 billion price tag on its Space Reactor-1 Freedom nuclear Mars mission, described as the first fission-powered interplanetary spacecraft. The announcement frames the program cost for a mission architecture built around nuclear propulsion for deep-space travel.

2026-07-23T05:50:38.159172-07:00

NASA sets $2B price tag for nuclear Mars mission Space Reactor-1 Freedom, targeting first fission-powered interplanetary spacecr

Space.com

2 sources

Artemis II pilot urges safer landing approach for next moon missions, weighing equatorial touchdown over south-pole site NASA is targeting the lunar south pole for its first crewed Artemis landing, but Artemis II astronaut Victor Glover argues Artemis should consider an easier, safer landing location. He suggests the lunar equator could reduce landing risk and improve mission execution for later Artemis flights.

2026-07-23T05:02:42.902476-07:00

Artemis II pilot urges safer landing approach for next moon missions, weighing equatorial touchdown over south-pole site

Politico

1 source

NASA leadership signals funding is in hand for expanded lunar return under new head NASA’s new agency head says Isaacman is not seeking additional money from the GOP as the agency aims to return to the Moon and push farther than the next-generation lunar plans. The message centers on having the cash needed to proceed with mission execution rather than additional appropriations.

2026-07-22T18:49:18.305075-07:00

NASA leadership signals funding is in hand for expanded lunar return under new head

Space.com

1 source

NASA reclassifies a near-Earth object as a comet after nearly 30 years of observations; implications for comet discovery and pla After nearly 30 years, NASA determined a near-Earth asteroid is actually a comet. The finding could expand astronomers’ ability to identify more hidden comets and, by improving characterization of near-Earth small bodies, strengthen long-term planetary defense efforts.

2026-07-22T12:08:21.189330-07:00

NASA reclassifies a near-Earth object as a comet after nearly 30 years of observations; implications for comet discovery and pla

Payload

1 source

Space economy hits $686B globally, with growth trajectory highlighted in Space Foundation data The Space Foundation’s latest reporting breaks down the global space economy at $686B and outlines its growth trajectory. The update provides a consolidated view of the sector’s scale and direction, useful for benchmarking investment plans and capacity across space segments.

2026-07-22T06:11:42.257583-07:00

Space economy hits $686B globally, with growth trajectory highlighted in Space Foundation data

SpaceNews.com

1 source

Artemis 2 astronaut urges equatorial first lunar landings An Artemis 2 crew member said NASA’s return to the Moon should begin with human landings in less challenging equatorial regions. The recommendation highlights a phased approach to lunar surface operations, aiming to reduce risk early in the program before expanding to more demanding landing sites.

2026-07-22T03:23:16.474273-07:00

Artemis 2 astronaut urges equatorial first lunar landings

Universe Today

5 sources

NASA shares Psyche spacecraft flyby video and confirms instrument health ahead of metal-rich asteroid arrival NASA released a video featuring images and a time-lapse of Mars captured during the Psyche spacecraft’s flyby. The mission team also tested the spacecraft’s other instruments to verify they are functioning, using a Mars gravity-assist to gain speed and refine trajectory toward its eventual target.

2026-07-21T14:37:17.655190-07:00

NASA shares Psyche spacecraft flyby video and confirms instrument health ahead of metal-rich asteroid arrival

Space.com

2 sources

NASA-Artemis III to use SpaceX Starlink laser terminals on Orion for HD/4K video and data-heavy downlinks NASA is partnering with SpaceX to equip the Artemis III Orion spacecraft with Starlink laser communications terminals. The upgrade is intended to support high-definition—reported as 4K—video transmission and enable higher-throughput, data-heavy mission downlinks during the Artemis III timeframe.

2026-07-21T10:07:35.730508-07:00

NASA-Artemis III to use SpaceX Starlink laser terminals on Orion for HD/4K video and data-heavy downlinks

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