Space Exploration & Science Missions News

SpaceNews.com • Andrew Jones

China plans 2026 debut of Long March 10 for crewed lunar and LEO missions

China is targeting a 2026 inaugural launch of the new Long March 10 heavy launcher, a key test for Beijing’s crewed lunar landing architecture and expanded low‑Earth orbit operations. The flight will validate vehicle systems and lift capability central to future Chinese human lunar and LEO missions.

2025-12-12T09:51:57.289178-08:00

Space.com

Megaconstellations could permanently contaminate space‑telescope observations by late 2030s, scientists warn

2025-12-12T03:06:45.877546-08:00

SpaceNews.com

NASA Loses Contact with MAVEN During Mars Far‑Side Pass; Recovery Underway

2025-12-10T05:06:46.868310-08:00

Bloomberg

NASA invites competitors to challenge SpaceX's Artemis moon-landing contract amid Starship delays

2025-12-09T20:10:38.681807-08:00

Space Exploration & Science Missions News Timeline

Space.com

Global Space Awards 2025 honor playmakers, innovators and science breakthroughs The inaugural Global Space Awards were presented at London's Natural History Museum on Dec. 5, recognizing playmakers, technology innovators and scientific breakthroughs across the space sector. The ceremony highlighted achievements from commercial space firms, research institutions and mission teams shaping near-term capabilities and future exploration.

2025-12-12T15:03:44.217562-08:00

Global Space Awards 2025 honor playmakers, innovators and science breakthroughs

SpaceNews.com

Leonardo, Telespazio and Intuitive Machines sign deal to build interoperable lunar communications and navigation networks Leonardo, Telespazio and Intuitive Machines have signed a strategic cooperation to develop interoperable lunar communication and navigation infrastructure, aligning European and U.S. networks to boost performance. The agreement aims to support robotic and crewed missions, strengthen international cooperation and elevate Italy's role in lunar systems.

2025-12-12T12:03:48.862915-08:00

Leonardo, Telespazio and Intuitive Machines sign deal to build interoperable lunar communications and navigation networks

SpaceQ

Oxford-led team makes first direct observation of the Sun's 'ghost particles' using SNOLAB An Oxford University-led team has, for the first time, detected the Sun's 'ghost particles' (neutrinos) with the SNOLAB underground detector. The observation supplies a new ground-based probe of the solar interior and complements spaceborne solar and space‑weather measurements used by satellite operators.

2025-12-12T11:56:56.316893-08:00

Oxford-led team makes first direct observation of the Sun's 'ghost particles' using SNOLAB

SpaceNews.com

❗️

China plans 2026 debut of Long March 10 for crewed lunar and LEO missions China is targeting a 2026 inaugural launch of the new Long March 10 heavy launcher, a key test for Beijing’s crewed lunar landing architecture and expanded low‑Earth orbit operations. The flight will validate vehicle systems and lift capability central to future Chinese human lunar and LEO missions.

2025-12-12T09:51:57.289178-08:00

China plans 2026 debut of Long March 10 for crewed lunar and LEO missions

SpaceNews.com

NASA advances one SMEX heliophysics mission to flight design, extends study for second NASA advanced one Small Explorer (SMEX) heliophysics mission into flight‑design and extended concept studies for a second, refining its heliophysics portfolio amid concerns about the field's funding and scientific capacity. The moves prioritize a near‑term flight path while buying time to mature competing concepts.

2025-12-12T04:46:28.642180-08:00

NASA advances one SMEX heliophysics mission to flight design, extends study for second

Space.com

❗️

Megaconstellations could permanently contaminate space‑telescope observations by late 2030s, scientists warn Scientists warn that the growth of large satellite constellations could permanently obscure observations from space telescopes by the late 2030s, raising urgent questions about how many future observatories will be affected as planned constellations are launched. They say optical interference from the satellites may contaminate images and limit scientific returns.

2025-12-12T03:06:45.877546-08:00

Megaconstellations could permanently contaminate space‑telescope observations by late 2030s, scientists warn

SpaceNews.com

NASA astrophysics director optimistic on near‑term science despite budget uncertainty NASA’s astrophysics director offered an upbeat assessment of the agency’s near‑term science missions, citing technical readiness and strong expected returns, even as Washington’s budget proposal six months ago signaled deep cuts. The comments highlight a gap between program momentum and persistent funding risk.

2025-12-11T21:09:53.656887-08:00

NASA astrophysics director optimistic on near‑term science despite budget uncertainty

NASA Spaceflight

All eight ISS docking ports occupied for first time as Soyuz MS-28 arrives; Expedition 74 begins Soyuz MS-28 arrived at the International Space Station on Nov. 27, occupying the final open berthing node and marking the first time all eight ISS docking ports were simultaneously in use. The handover also coincided with the start of Expedition 74 aboard the station.

2025-12-11T16:25:37.032743-08:00

All eight ISS docking ports occupied for first time as Soyuz MS-28 arrives; Expedition 74 begins

Create a free account to see more recent Space Exploration & Science Missions stories.