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SpaceNews.com • Jeff Foust

NASA weighs 62% CLPS ordering-authority increase to $4.2B for expanded lunar lander cadence

NASA is considering adding $1.6 billion to the ordering authority for its Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) program, lifting the ceiling from $2.6 billion to $4.2 billion. The move supports an expanded delivery network already awarding 11 lunar missions to five contractors.

2026-05-01T16:16:37.286477-07:00

Space.com

Drone-based radar trials on Earth aim to refine Mars water-ice targeting for future drilling

2026-05-01T13:49:53.586747-07:00

Space.com

Scientists develop ultra-thin, stretchable radiation-shielding material for next-gen space systems

2026-05-01T09:56:29.616489-07:00

SpaceNews.com

DARPA funds studies for lunar orbiter concepts to hunt water ice in very low orbits

2026-05-01T04:52:03.214073-07:00

News Timeline

SpaceNews.com

NASA weighs 62% CLPS ordering-authority increase to $4.2B for expanded lunar lander cadence NASA is considering adding $1.6 billion to the ordering authority for its Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) program, lifting the ceiling from $2.6 billion to $4.2 billion. The move supports an expanded delivery network already awarding 11 lunar missions to five contractors.

2026-05-01T16:16:37.286477-07:00

NASA weighs 62% CLPS ordering-authority increase to $4.2B for expanded lunar lander cadence

Space.com

Drone-based radar trials on Earth aim to refine Mars water-ice targeting for future drilling Scientists are testing drone-mounted radar on Earth to improve how spacecraft identify and access buried water ice on Mars. The goal is to reduce uncertainty in landing/site selection and drilling plans, supporting better resource mapping to inform future astronaut and mission planning.

2026-05-01T13:49:53.586747-07:00

Drone-based radar trials on Earth aim to refine Mars water-ice targeting for future drilling

Space.com

Scientists develop ultra-thin, stretchable radiation-shielding material for next-gen space systems Researchers say they’ve created a new material for shielding humans and critical technology from harmful radiation. The material is thinner than a human hair and can stretch like rubber, aiming to deliver protection while reducing rigidity and weight penalties for future space architectures.

2026-05-01T09:56:29.616489-07:00

Scientists develop ultra-thin, stretchable radiation-shielding material for next-gen space systems

Payload

Space nuclear companies back FY27 budget bill as funding for multiple missions looms Executives in the space nuclear sector say a proposed FY27 budget bill could be a step-change for the industry, effectively underwriting “multiple missions” and potentially accelerating development paths they view as their biggest opportunities. The push underscores how near-term appropriations could determine pacing for space nuclear applications.

2026-05-01T06:06:33.389966-07:00

Space nuclear companies back FY27 budget bill as funding for multiple missions looms

SpaceNews.com

DARPA funds studies for lunar orbiter concepts to hunt water ice in very low orbits DARPA has awarded contracts to three companies to study lunar-mission concepts aimed at searching for water ice from very low orbits. The effort targets improved sensing/operations profiles for locating lunar volatiles and refining where future measurements and missions should focus.

2026-05-01T04:52:03.214073-07:00

DARPA funds studies for lunar orbiter concepts to hunt water ice in very low orbits

European Spaceflight

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ESA sterilises ExoMars Rosalind Franklin descent parachute to enable Mars touchdown ESA has completed sterilisation of the ExoMars parachute set that will slow the Rosalind Franklin rover’s descent for a safe touchdown on Mars. ESA’s Mars chief engineer Albert Haldemann walked through the sterilisation approach and why it’s critical to mission success for the rover’s environment-sensitive landing phase.

2026-05-01T00:54:51.537593-07:00

ESA sterilises ExoMars Rosalind Franklin descent parachute to enable Mars touchdown

Universe Today

NASA’s record-power lithium-metal-vapor magnetoplasmadynamic electric thruster successfully tested for future Mars trips NASA says its engineers completed a major milestone in high-power electric propulsion with a prototype lithium metal vapor (liquid lithium) magnetoplasmadynamic thruster. The system is intended to enable faster, more capable propulsion architectures for future Mars missions.

2026-04-30T20:39:44.778880-07:00

NASA’s record-power lithium-metal-vapor magnetoplasmadynamic electric thruster successfully tested for future Mars trips

Universe Today

Artemis II’s laser link shows what “calling home” from cislunar space requires During Artemis II’s April lunar flyby, NASA’s breakthrough laser communications system enabled unusually detailed downlink coverage—showing the technical demands of high-rate optical links when the spacecraft is far from Earth and radio alternatives are constrained.

2026-04-30T14:15:22.762399-07:00

Artemis II’s laser link shows what “calling home” from cislunar space requires

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Space Exploration & Science Missions News

NASA weighs 62% CLPS ordering-authority increase to $4.2B for expanded lunar lander cadence

Drone-based radar trials on Earth aim to refine Mars water-ice targeting for future drilling

Scientists develop ultra-thin, stretchable radiation-shielding material for next-gen space systems

DARPA funds studies for lunar orbiter concepts to hunt water ice in very low orbits

News Timeline