Space Exploration & Science Missions News

Space.com • Andrew Jones

Hayabusa2 returns images after July 5 near-Earth asteroid flyby, highlighting the risk sign-off debate

Japan’s Hayabusa2 returned striking images following a super-close near-Earth asteroid flyby on July 5. The attempt required a heated technical discussion before teams agreed to proceed, underscoring the safety-versus-science trade behind the maneuver.

2 Sources

2026-07-19T03:19:48.371160-07:00

Universe Today

Artemis III: NASA to Run 2027 ‘Dress Rehearsal’ Lander Rendezvous & Docking Ahead of 2028 Moon Return

2 Sources

2026-07-18T20:05:32.160288-07:00

SpaceNews.com

NASA ends Draper lunar lander effort after major development delays

1 Source

2026-07-17T17:10:04.484630-07:00

NASA

Serbia becomes Artemis Accords signatory as NASA welcomes 69th partner

4 Sources

2026-07-16T15:50:51.949598-07:00

Space Exploration & Science Missions News Timeline

Space.com

2 sources

Hayabusa2 returns images after July 5 near-Earth asteroid flyby, highlighting the risk sign-off debate Japan’s Hayabusa2 returned striking images following a super-close near-Earth asteroid flyby on July 5. The attempt required a heated technical discussion before teams agreed to proceed, underscoring the safety-versus-science trade behind the maneuver.

2026-07-19T03:19:48.371160-07:00

Hayabusa2 returns images after July 5 near-Earth asteroid flyby, highlighting the risk sign-off debate

Universe Today

2 sources

Artemis III: NASA to Run 2027 ‘Dress Rehearsal’ Lander Rendezvous & Docking Ahead of 2028 Moon Return NASA plans Artemis III as a key demonstration in 2027, before the first Artemis astronauts land on the Moon’s surface in 2028. The mission will let teams on Earth and in orbit rehearse rendezvous and docking between commercial human landing systems and the Orion spacecraft.

2026-07-18T20:05:32.160288-07:00

Artemis III: NASA to Run 2027 ‘Dress Rehearsal’ Lander Rendezvous & Docking Ahead of 2028 Moon Return

Universe Today

None source

NASA’s Artemis III Lander Test Will be a "Dress Rehearsal" for Returning to the Moon!

2026-07-18T20:05:32.160288-07:00

NASA’s Artemis III Lander Test

SpaceNews.com

1 source

NASA ends Draper lunar lander effort after major development delays NASA and Draper have terminated plans for a lunar lander mission following significant delays in development of the spacecraft. The cancellation marks a setback for the program’s timeline and underscores continuing schedule risk in lunar surface systems procurement.

2026-07-17T17:10:04.484630-07:00

NASA ends Draper lunar lander effort after major development delays

Via Satellite

1 source

Sky Perfect JSAT and ispace sign MoU to collaborate on lunar exploration Sky Perfect JSAT has entered a new memorandum of understanding with ispace to pursue collaboration in lunar exploration. The partnership signals closer alignment between a satellite communications operator and a lunar mission company as both look to support the growing demand for reliable space connectivity and mission services.

2026-07-17T12:29:08.410625-07:00

Sky Perfect JSAT and ispace sign MoU to collaborate on lunar exploration

Payload

3 sources

NASA awards SpaceX Starlink contract for Artemis III laser communications in LEO NASA has selected SpaceX to deliver laser communications capabilities for the Artemis III mission using Starlink. The contract supports ship-to-ship communications in low Earth orbit, aiming to improve how Earth-based observers view and monitor planned in-orbit activity in the 2027 timeframe.

2026-07-17T05:58:32.578049-07:00

NASA awards SpaceX Starlink contract for Artemis III laser communications in LEO

NASA

4 sources

❗️

Serbia becomes Artemis Accords signatory as NASA welcomes 69th partner Serbia signed the Artemis Accords on 16 July at a NASA ceremony hosted at the agency’s Washington headquarters, becoming the 69th nation to commit to “peaceful, transparent and responsible” space exploration. The move arrives over two years after Serbia’s original policy alignment with China’s lunar base project.

2026-07-16T15:50:51.949598-07:00

Serbia becomes Artemis Accords signatory as NASA welcomes 69th partner

Space.com

3 sources

Astronomers report the first detected atmosphere around a rocky, Earth-like planet in its star’s habitable zone Researchers say they have identified an atmosphere around a rocky, Earth-like exoplanet orbiting within its star’s habitable zone—described as the first such detection of its kind. The finding marks a major step toward characterizing potentially habitable worlds beyond the solar system.

2026-07-16T11:56:35.708509-07:00

Astronomers report the first detected atmosphere around a rocky, Earth-like planet in its star’s habitable zone

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