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European Spaceflight • Andrew Parsonson

Redwire delivers Argonaut lunar lander robotic arm prototype as ESA launches €68M call

Redwire has delivered a robotic arm prototype to the European Space Agency (ESA) as the agency opens a €68 million procurement for a similar system for its Argonaut lunar lander. The development underscores Redwire’s continued role in lunar surface autonomy hardware heading into ESA’s next phase.

2026-05-25T04:14:20.210142-07:00

NASA Spaceflight

Expedition 74 activity on ISS: two vehicle arrivals, one departure, orbital reboost, and ongoing science/maintenance through Apr

2026-05-24T12:11:27.634530-07:00

The Hill

NASA to test nuclear technology for faster crewed Mars trip times by 2028

2026-05-24T08:15:46.942503-07:00

NASA Spaceflight

Shenzhou 23 launches with 3-person crew to Tiangong on May 24—China’s first year-long station mission

2026-05-23T15:26:31.297723-07:00

News Timeline

European Spaceflight

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Redwire delivers Argonaut lunar lander robotic arm prototype as ESA launches €68M call Redwire has delivered a robotic arm prototype to the European Space Agency (ESA) as the agency opens a €68 million procurement for a similar system for its Argonaut lunar lander. The development underscores Redwire’s continued role in lunar surface autonomy hardware heading into ESA’s next phase.

2026-05-25T04:14:20.210142-07:00

Redwire delivers Argonaut lunar lander robotic arm prototype as ESA launches €68M call

NASA Spaceflight

Expedition 74 activity on ISS: two vehicle arrivals, one departure, orbital reboost, and ongoing science/maintenance through Apr Expedition 74 continued a high-tempo month aboard the International Space Station, overseeing two vehicle arrivals, a departure, and an orbital reboost. The crew also completed multiple technology demonstrations, science experiments, and routine Station maintenance, reinforcing the cadence of in-orbit operations.

2026-05-24T12:11:27.634530-07:00

Expedition 74 activity on ISS: two vehicle arrivals, one departure, orbital reboost, and ongoing science/maintenance through Apr

The Hill

NASA to test nuclear technology for faster crewed Mars trip times by 2028 NASA is planning a nuclear-technology demonstration in 2028 aimed at reducing Mars transit times. The effort is positioned as a key enabler for faster deep-space journeys, aligning near-term propulsion risk reduction with longer-range mission timelines.

2026-05-24T08:15:46.942503-07:00

NASA to test nuclear technology for faster crewed Mars trip times by 2028

NASA Spaceflight

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Shenzhou 23 launches with 3-person crew to Tiangong on May 24—China’s first year-long station mission China is set to launch the three-person Shenzhou 23 crew to the Tiangong space station from Jiuquan on May 24, marking a record-length planned stay of about one year. The mission follows Tiangong’s continuous occupation since June 5, 2022, and includes Hong Kong’s first astronaut.

2026-05-23T15:26:31.297723-07:00

Shenzhou 23 launches with 3-person crew to Tiangong on May 24—China’s first year-long station mission

Bloomberg

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China to launch Shenzhou-23 to Tiangong with first Hong Kong taikonaut, starting an overdue crew rotation China is set to launch Shenzhou-23 on Sunday from Jiuquan Satellite Launch Centre, sending three astronauts—Zhu Yangzhu, Zhang Zhiyuan and Lai Ka-ying—to Tiangong. The mission will relieve an overdue crew and could mark the start of China’s first year-long stay in orbit, with Lai becoming Hong Kong’s first astronaut on a Chinese space station flight.

2026-05-22T22:42:22.261557-07:00

China to launch Shenzhou-23 to Tiangong with first Hong Kong taikonaut, starting an overdue crew rotation

Universe Today

Mars fungi research points to bioprocessing regolith into fertile growing media for early settlements A study on “Mars fungi” explores how Earth microbes could be used to make Martian regolith more suitable for growing food crops. The concept centers on using fungal action to condition the soil substrate so it can support a first self-sustaining harvest in a settlement scenario.

2026-05-22T20:05:43.672239-07:00

Mars fungi research points to bioprocessing regolith into fertile growing media for early settlements

CNBC

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SpaceX conducts successful Starship V3 pre-IPO test, deploying mock satellites before Super Heavy booster breakup SpaceX says its upgraded Starship V3—paired with the Super Heavy booster—successfully deployed mock satellites and returned to Earth largely intact during a pre-IPO test. The booster, however, spun out of control and broke apart over the Gulf of Mexico, despite some engine outages. The company frames the flight as a key step toward future Moon and Mars missions.

2026-05-22T15:11:29.205994-07:00

SpaceX conducts successful Starship V3 pre-IPO test, deploying mock satellites before Super Heavy booster breakup

NASA

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NASA to Compete Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) Management Contract Under Broader Agency Realignment NASA said it will compete the next contract to manage and operate its federally funded research and development center (FFRDC) at Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern California, positioning JPL’s oversight for a potential reset within a wider NASA restructuring. The move is framed as strengthening accountability and value for taxpayers.

2026-05-22T08:05:08.321587-07:00

NASA to Compete Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) Management Contract Under Broader Agency Realignment

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Space Exploration & Science Missions News

Redwire delivers Argonaut lunar lander robotic arm prototype as ESA launches €68M call

Expedition 74 activity on ISS: two vehicle arrivals, one departure, orbital reboost, and ongoing science/maintenance through Apr

NASA to test nuclear technology for faster crewed Mars trip times by 2028

Shenzhou 23 launches with 3-person crew to Tiangong on May 24—China’s first year-long station mission

News Timeline