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European Spaceflight • Andrew Parsonson

ESA starts risk-mitigation work to replace NASA contributions for LISA

The European Space Agency (ESA) has launched efforts to reduce program risk by developing European alternatives to NASA’s planned contributions to the LISA mission. The move signals ESA’s intent to preserve mission continuity despite uncertainty around NASA-provided elements.

2026-05-08T04:10:07.547161-07:00

SpaceNews.com

SatVu’s HotSat-2 delivers first-light thermal imagery of live activity at global energy sites

2026-05-07T20:11:29.782075-07:00

SpaceNews.com

Lunar Outpost raises $30M to rework lunar rover designs for NASA’s revised Artemis architecture

2026-05-07T18:55:38.949080-07:00

NASA Spaceflight

Tianzhou-9 undocks as China ramps Tiangong cargo-and-crew operations; new freighter designs aim to boost reusability

2026-05-07T14:09:13.048926-07:00

News Timeline

European Spaceflight

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ESA starts risk-mitigation work to replace NASA contributions for LISA The European Space Agency (ESA) has launched efforts to reduce program risk by developing European alternatives to NASA’s planned contributions to the LISA mission. The move signals ESA’s intent to preserve mission continuity despite uncertainty around NASA-provided elements.

2026-05-08T04:10:07.547161-07:00

ESA starts risk-mitigation work to replace NASA contributions for LISA

SpaceNews.com

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SatVu’s HotSat-2 delivers first-light thermal imagery of live activity at global energy sites SatVu says its second satellite, HotSat-2, has transitioned from development into operational thermal intelligence following first-light imaging and early on-orbit shakedown. Imagery highlights thermal activity at strategic energy infrastructure locations including sites tied to Cuba’s oil refining sector, with the company positioning thermal EO as a missing Earth-observation layer.

2026-05-07T20:11:29.782075-07:00

SatVu’s HotSat-2 delivers first-light thermal imagery of live activity at global energy sites

SpaceNews.com

Lunar Outpost raises $30M to rework lunar rover designs for NASA’s revised Artemis architecture Lunar Outpost has raised $30 million as it revises its lunar rover designs to align with NASA’s updated Artemis architecture. The funding underscores how quickly commercial surface-mobility developers are being forced to adapt to changing program requirements as Artemis evolves.

2026-05-07T18:55:38.949080-07:00

Lunar Outpost raises $30M to rework lunar rover designs for NASA’s revised Artemis architecture

Space.com

New study ties the Moon’s South Pole–Aitken crater to a “decapitated” asteroid impact, refining a sample target for Artemis astr A new analysis argues that a disrupted, “decapitated” asteroid likely produced the Moon’s largest impact crater, South Pole–Aitken. The debris-scattering mechanism would have delivered deep mantle material toward the lunar south pole—guiding where Artemis may land to sample ancient lunar history.

2026-05-07T15:07:49.550844-07:00

New study ties the Moon’s South Pole–Aitken crater to a “decapitated” asteroid impact, refining a sample target for Artemis astr

NASA Spaceflight

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Tianzhou-9 undocks as China ramps Tiangong cargo-and-crew operations; new freighter designs aim to boost reusability Tianzhou-9 has officially undocked from China’s Tiangong space station, beginning its independent flight phase ahead of atmospheric re-entry. The resupply mission comes as China tests new low-Earth-orbit cargo freighter designs and reveals planned upgrades intended to improve reusability and expand operational capacity for follow-on crew and cargo flights.

2026-05-07T14:09:13.048926-07:00

Tianzhou-9 undocks as China ramps Tiangong cargo-and-crew operations; new freighter designs aim to boost reusability

SpaceNews.com

Redwire positions for NASA’s Moon-base push with lunar landers and power-systems work Redwire says it is renewing focus on lunar lander and power-system opportunities, citing a fresh demand signal from NASA as the agency pursues plans for a sustained Moon base. The company’s interest centers on roles tied to how surface missions are powered and delivered at scale.

2026-05-07T11:55:43.866506-07:00

Redwire positions for NASA’s Moon-base push with lunar landers and power-systems work

Space.com

NASA and U.S. Space Force to launch space-weather mission to probe Earth’s “ring current” NASA, in partnership with the U.S. Space Force, plans to launch later this month a dedicated space-weather mission aimed at identifying the source of Earth’s “ring current” plasma structure. The campaign is designed to resolve where the ring current originates and how it forms around the planet.

2026-05-07T11:11:02.544820-07:00

NASA and U.S. Space Force to launch space-weather mission to probe Earth’s “ring current”

European Spaceflight

The Exploration Company completes hot-fire test campaign for Huracan lunar lander engine The Exploration Company says it has completed its Huracan rocket engine hot-fire test campaign, aimed at powering the company’s future lunar lander. The milestone advances development toward integration and subsequent flight readiness for its Moon mission plans.

2026-05-07T07:50:44.970360-07:00

The Exploration Company completes hot-fire test campaign for Huracan lunar lander engine

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Space Exploration & Science Missions News

ESA starts risk-mitigation work to replace NASA contributions for LISA

SatVu’s HotSat-2 delivers first-light thermal imagery of live activity at global energy sites

Lunar Outpost raises $30M to rework lunar rover designs for NASA’s revised Artemis architecture

Tianzhou-9 undocks as China ramps Tiangong cargo-and-crew operations; new freighter designs aim to boost reusability

News Timeline