Space Exploration & Science Missions News

SpaceNews.com • Jeff Foust

NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory to Lay Off 550 Employees in Latest Workforce Reduction

NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory will lay off 550 employees this week, the latest round of workforce reductions at the Pasadena-based space science center. The move compounds an ongoing contraction of agency science personnel and raises concerns about continuity and capacity on current and planned missions.

2025-10-13T11:57:01.577577-07:00

NASA Spaceflight

Starship Flight 11 marks end of one development era and opens a new phase

2025-10-12T13:41:22.449965-07:00

Space Explored

SpaceX moves reused Super Heavy to pad for Starship Flight 11, will attempt first booster reuse

2025-10-09T11:53:36.487625-07:00

SpaceNews.com

Momentus wins multiple NASA tech‑demo contracts to fly COSMIC microgravity mission and thruster test on Vigoride

2025-10-09T13:51:11.035641-07:00

Space Exploration & Science Missions News Timeline

Space.com

Asteroid-spin probability maps to guide deflection and prevent return impacts Researchers have created probability maps of asteroid spin states to inform kinetic-deflection missions, enabling impact-site selection that steers hazardous objects away while reducing the risk they return on an Earth-impacting trajectory. The approach is intended to improve long-term planetary defence planning.

2025-10-13T13:04:35.283025-07:00

Asteroid-spin probability maps to guide deflection and prevent return impacts

SpaceNews.com

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NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory to Lay Off 550 Employees in Latest Workforce Reduction NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory will lay off 550 employees this week, the latest round of workforce reductions at the Pasadena-based space science center. The move compounds an ongoing contraction of agency science personnel and raises concerns about continuity and capacity on current and planned missions.

2025-10-13T11:57:01.577577-07:00

NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory to Lay Off 550 Employees in Latest Workforce Reduction

Universe Today

High‑resolution CME simulations reveal critical gaps in space‑weather forecasting and sensing A University of Michigan–led study used high‑resolution coronal mass ejection simulations to show current space‑weather models and sensing hardware systematically underestimate storm impacts. The results call for upgraded simulation fidelity and a networked sensing architecture to deliver more accurate, actionable warnings for aviation, satellites and critical infrastructure.

2025-10-13T09:32:52.876366-07:00

High‑resolution CME simulations reveal critical gaps in space‑weather forecasting and sensing

NASA Spaceflight

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Starship Flight 11 marks end of one development era and opens a new phase After ten integrated test flights and a years‑long campaign of static fires, tanking and cryogenic proof tests — plus several wet dress rehearsals — Starship Flight 11 closes the vehicle's current development chapter and signals the start of a new phase in the programme's maturation and operational testing.

2025-10-12T13:41:22.449965-07:00

Starship Flight 11 marks end of one development era and opens a new phase

Space.com

Human-associated microbes survive spaceflight stresses, easing health risks for long‑duration missions Human-associated microbes essential for digestion and immune function withstand the stresses of spaceflight — including launch accelerations, microgravity and radiation — remaining viable through missions. That resilience reduces a key health unknown and supports prospects for preserving crew microbiomes on long‑duration exploration missions.

2025-10-12T07:04:25.704391-07:00

Human-associated microbes survive spaceflight stresses, easing health risks for long‑duration missions

NASA Spaceflight

Cassini reanalysis finds new molecules in Enceladus' water jets Researchers reexamined Cassini plume measurements and identified previously undetected molecules in the water jets venting from Saturn’s moon Enceladus. The detections expand the known chemistry of the plumes and feed directly into scientific priorities and instrument requirements for follow‑on missions.

2025-10-11T14:24:35.192885-07:00

Cassini reanalysis finds new molecules in Enceladus' water jets

Space.com

Telescope image shows baby exoplanet carving a gap in its birth ring A new telescope image reveals a forming exoplanet embedded in a circumstellar ring, where the infant world has carved a distinct gap as it accretes material. The snapshot provides direct visual evidence of a planet in the act of growth and orbital clearing within its birth disk.

2025-10-11T03:02:55.104258-07:00

Telescope image shows baby exoplanet carving a gap in its birth ring

dailycampus.com

Save Our Space Shuttle Discovery From Being Moved When Space Shuttle Discovery made its final landing at Kennedy Space Center’s Runway 15 on March 9, 2011, it closed a 27‑year flight career. A public campaign to prevent Discovery's relocation highlights disputes over museum stewardship, transport risk and the orbiter's status as a national heritage artifact.

2025-10-11T00:46:35.303383-07:00

Save Our Space Shuttle Discovery From Being Moved

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