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AeroTime • Clement Charpentreau

Dassault’s VORTEX-D picks Arkadia’s “green” RCS propulsion using ARIEL 250 N thrusters and hydrogen peroxide

Dassault has selected Spain’s Arkadia Space to supply the Reaction Control System for its VORTEX-D reusable spaceplane demonstrator. The RCS is based on Arkadia’s ARIEL 250 N thrusters and uses hydrogen peroxide as a “green” propellant to improve safety and efficiency in orbital missions.

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

SpaceNews.com

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

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

Space.com

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

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

Space.com

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

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

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AeroTime

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Dassault’s VORTEX-D picks Arkadia’s “green” RCS propulsion using ARIEL 250 N thrusters and hydrogen peroxide Dassault has selected Spain’s Arkadia Space to supply the Reaction Control System for its VORTEX-D reusable spaceplane demonstrator. The RCS is based on Arkadia’s ARIEL 250 N thrusters and uses hydrogen peroxide as a “green” propellant to improve safety and efficiency in orbital missions.

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

Dassault’s VORTEX-D picks Arkadia’s “green” RCS propulsion using ARIEL 250 N thrusters and hydrogen peroxide

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

New York Times

Study flags Earthly fungal survivability on Mars, challenging planetary-protection sterilization protocols Researchers identified a terrestrial fungal species capable of surviving radiation, extreme heat, and simulated Martian soil conditions. The finding raises a new contamination risk for Mars planetary-protection protocols—particularly those aimed at preventing forward contamination during spacecraft assembly and operations.

2026-04-25T18:56:09.182413-07:00

Study flags Earthly fungal survivability on Mars, challenging planetary-protection sterilization protocols

Via Satellite

Rocket Lab rolls out next-generation star tracker for longer-duration missions Rocket Lab has introduced a next-generation star tracker lineup intended to extend spacecraft mission duration. The company’s updated sensor suite is designed to improve onboard attitude determination performance over longer operational timelines, targeting more ambitious flight plans beyond current endurance limits.

2026-04-24T14:19:30.654063-07:00

Rocket Lab rolls out next-generation star tracker for longer-duration missions

Space.com

Hayabusa2 sample returns suggest asteroid Ryugu was struck by a swarm of tiny impactors ~1,000 years ago New analyses of samples returned to Earth by Japan’s Hayabusa2 indicate Ryugu carries scarring consistent with a relatively recent bombardment by swarms of small space rocks. The inferred timing—about 1,000 years ago—points to ongoing resurfacing processes on near-Earth asteroids.

2026-04-24T12:24:13.174928-07:00

Hayabusa2 sample returns suggest asteroid Ryugu was struck by a swarm of tiny impactors ~1,000 years ago

European Spaceflight

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ESA disputes Gateway-delay claims, says HALO and I-HAB corrosion isn’t the primary driver The European Space Agency (ESA) confirmed corrosion issues on HALO and I-HAB but pushed back against claims that those problems were the primary cause of delays to the Gateway station’s development. ESA’s response also directly addresses assertions attributed to the NASA administrator regarding the source of schedule risk.

2026-04-24T10:23:31.115211-07:00

ESA disputes Gateway-delay claims, says HALO and I-HAB corrosion isn’t the primary driver

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Space Exploration & Science Missions News

Dassault’s VORTEX-D picks Arkadia’s “green” RCS propulsion using ARIEL 250 N thrusters and hydrogen peroxide

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

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

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

News Timeline