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European Spaceflight • Andrew Parsonson

CNES calls for prototype ‘space kitchen’ to support crewed deep-space missions; Toulouse long-term tests planned

CNES has published a call for development of a space-kitchen prototype aimed at supporting future crewed deep-space missions. The selected solution will undergo long-term testing in Toulouse, targeting sustained operational suitability for crews beyond near-Earth environments.

2026-04-28T08:04:49.287778-07:00

The Space Review

The push for cislunar security: absent monitoring and defense concepts amid a growing “fortress moon” race

2026-04-28T02:24:39.318673-07:00

SpaceNews.com

Corrosion issue found in European-built modules for NASA’s Gateway and a commercial space station

2026-04-28T03:20:48.678656-07:00

Universe Today

Texas A&M demonstrates laser-based, contactless 3D control of engineered micro-devices—metajet propulsion implications

2026-04-28T02:57:11.872021-07:00

News Timeline

European Spaceflight

CNES calls for prototype ‘space kitchen’ to support crewed deep-space missions; Toulouse long-term tests planned CNES has published a call for development of a space-kitchen prototype aimed at supporting future crewed deep-space missions. The selected solution will undergo long-term testing in Toulouse, targeting sustained operational suitability for crews beyond near-Earth environments.

2026-04-28T08:04:49.287778-07:00

CNES calls for prototype ‘space kitchen’ to support crewed deep-space missions; Toulouse long-term tests planned

SpaceNews.com

Corrosion issue found in European-built modules for NASA’s Gateway and a commercial space station A European manufacturer has identified corrosion in modules intended for both the lunar Gateway and a commercial space station, raising new material and qualification questions for flight hardware. The report flags the issue as affecting more than one program, implying shared design, supply chain, or processing factors.

2026-04-28T03:20:48.678656-07:00

Corrosion issue found in European-built modules for NASA’s Gateway and a commercial space station

Universe Today

Texas A&M demonstrates laser-based, contactless 3D control of engineered micro-devices—metajet propulsion implications Texas A&M researchers report that lasers can lift and steer tiny engineered devices in three dimensions without physical contact. The team frames the results as a step toward “fuel-free” propulsion concepts, pointing to laser-driven metajets as a potential path for future spacecraft propulsion and maneuvering.

2026-04-28T02:57:11.872021-07:00

Texas A&M demonstrates laser-based, contactless 3D control of engineered micro-devices—metajet propulsion implications

The Space Review

The push for cislunar security: absent monitoring and defense concepts amid a growing “fortress moon” race Two analyses argue that U.S. planning for cislunar space lacks a coherent, actionable approach to monitor, administer and defend the region. They frame an off-Earth analog to Strait of Hormuz-type disruption risk, with military conflict dynamics extending to the Moon–Earth operating environment.

2026-04-28T02:24:39.318673-07:00

The push for cislunar security: absent monitoring and defense concepts amid a growing “fortress moon” race

AeroTime

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Dassault selects Arkadia Space to supply “RCS” propulsion for reusable VORTEX-D spaceplane demonstrator Dassault Aviation has chosen Spain’s Arkadia Space to provide the VORTEX-D demonstrator’s propulsion system. The selected RCS architecture is based on Arkadia’s ARIEL 250 N thrusters, using hydrogen peroxide as a “green” propellant aimed at improving safety and efficiency for orbital missions.

2026-04-27T07:20:32.597847-07:00

Dassault selects Arkadia Space to supply “RCS” propulsion for reusable VORTEX-D spaceplane demonstrator

SpaceNews.com

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Artemis II returns from lunar flyby; NASA pivots to the real test for Artemis III/IV—lunar landing execution amid US–China race NASA’s Orion capsule with Reid Wiseman, Christina Koch, Victor Glover and Jeremy Hansen splashed down in the Pacific on April 10, completing the first crewed lunar mission in more than 50 years. With Artemis II complete, NASA now faces the program-critical challenge: proving Artemis III and IV can survive the operational and schedule realities of crewed lunar landings.

2026-04-27T06:20:22.151608-07:00

Artemis II returns from lunar flyby; NASA pivots to the real test for Artemis III/IV—lunar landing execution amid US–China race

Space.com

AI boosts James Webb data reduction—turning years of analysis into days for faint ground-to-space astronomy AI algorithms are improving naturally blurry images from ground-based telescopes, extracting details that previously required space-borne observatories such as the James Webb Space Telescope and Hubble. The approach can accelerate JWST data analysis from years to days, and extend high-resolution insights beyond orbit.

2026-04-27T05:09:27.482896-07:00

AI boosts James Webb data reduction—turning years of analysis into days for faint ground-to-space astronomy

Space.com

NASA’s “MoonFall” concept: a drone fleet to scout the lunar south pole NASA is exploring a new MoonFall effort that would use a fleet of drones to conduct robotic reconnaissance at the Moon’s south pole. The concept is aimed at improving situational awareness for landing and operations in a region central to NASA’s broader lunar architecture.

2026-04-27T03:20:27.653332-07:00

NASA’s “MoonFall” concept: a drone fleet to scout the lunar south pole

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Space Exploration & Science Missions News

CNES calls for prototype ‘space kitchen’ to support crewed deep-space missions; Toulouse long-term tests planned

The push for cislunar security: absent monitoring and defense concepts amid a growing “fortress moon” race

Corrosion issue found in European-built modules for NASA’s Gateway and a commercial space station

Texas A&M demonstrates laser-based, contactless 3D control of engineered micro-devices—metajet propulsion implications

News Timeline