Space Exploration & Science Missions News

Space.com

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ESA’s Hera spacecraft resolves Didymos and Dimorphos ahead of close study of NASA’s DART impact

The European Space Agency’s Hera planetary-defense probe has imaged Didymos and its smaller moon Dimorphos as separate objects for the first time, as it approaches the binary asteroid system. Hera will investigate the aftermath of NASA’s DART collision, collecting data on kinetic-impact deflection and probing outstanding scientific questions about the asteroids.

Space.com

Dimorphos in sight: Europe's Hera probe gets its 1st look at battered space rock (photo)

Space.com

Laika becomes first animal to orbit Earth aboard Soviet Sputnik 2

On Nov. 3, 1957, the Soviet Union launched Laika aboard Sputnik 2, making the dog the first animal to orbit Earth. The spacecraft lifted off from Baikonur atop an R-7 rocket, marking a milestone in early spaceflight.

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Starship’s Artemis IV refueling plan remains undefined, with lunar missions requiring multiple launches across two orbits

NASA’s Artemis IV mission could rely on SpaceX’s Starship as its lunar lander, but the vehicle’s scale and propellant needs make the mission architecture complex. The number of refueling launches required—and how they would be distributed between two separate orbits—remains unknown.

NASA Spaceflight

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NASA seeks commercial options for Hubble’s future, including reboost, servicing or controlled deorbit

NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman has addressed the debate over the Hubble Space Telescope’s long-term future as the agency seeks commercial input on possible paths forward. Its request for information asks companies to assess options ranging from reboosting or servicing the observatory to carrying out a controlled deorbit.

SpaceNews.com

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NASA’s 2028 crunch: Artemis, SR-1 and robotic lunar landings face program shake-up

In his first months as NASA administrator, Jared Isaacman has shaken up several of the agency’s key programs, with Artemis, the SR-1 mission and robotic lunar landings all facing a 2028 imperative. The available reporting identifies the programs but provides no further detail on the changes or their schedules.

SpaceNews.com

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ESA member states to decide future of Europe’s human and robotic exploration program

European Space Agency member states are scheduled to meet in Rome on Dec. 15 to decide the future of Europe’s human and robotic exploration program. The decision will set the direction for the agency’s exploration agenda as Europe looks beyond the International Space Station.

SpaceNews.com

Europe looks beyond the ISS