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SpaceNews.com • Jeff Foust

NASA targets September launch for Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope

NASA expects to launch the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope as soon as September, presenting the imminent liftoff as evidence the agency can deliver flagship science missions on cost and schedule. The timing moves the observatory from final testing into active launch preparations.

2026-01-08T11:35:46.611775-08:00

Space.com

NASA X‑ray spacecraft uncovers violent past of Milky Way’s supermassive black hole

2026-01-08T14:03:29.621090-08:00

Payload

House minibus bill cuts Mars Sample Return funding, likely dooming mission

2026-01-07T13:41:09.081432-08:00

SpaceNews.com

The moon, AI and the high-stakes decisions shaping space’s future

2026-01-08T08:06:50.541254-08:00

News Timeline

Space.com

NASA X‑ray spacecraft uncovers violent past of Milky Way’s supermassive black hole NASA's X‑ray observatory has captured evidence that the Milky Way's supermassive black hole underwent powerful outbursts and shocks that reshaped the galactic center. New X‑ray data reveal signatures of violent feedback and high‑energy events that surprised astronomers and revise models of black‑hole activity.

2026-01-08T14:03:29.621090-08:00

NASA X‑ray spacecraft uncovers violent past of Milky Way’s supermassive black hole

SpaceNews.com

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NASA targets September launch for Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope NASA expects to launch the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope as soon as September, presenting the imminent liftoff as evidence the agency can deliver flagship science missions on cost and schedule. The timing moves the observatory from final testing into active launch preparations.

2026-01-08T11:35:46.611775-08:00

NASA targets September launch for Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope

Space.com

Vera Rubin Observatory discovers record-fast spinning asteroid 2025 MN45 The Vera Rubin Observatory has discovered asteroid 2025 MN45, a roughly 0.4‑mile (≈0.64 km) object that completes a full rotation every 1.88 minutes. Time‑series observations identify 2025 MN45 as a record‑fast spinning asteroid and provide precise rotation and size measurements for the object.

2026-01-08T09:13:46.541269-08:00

Vera Rubin Observatory discovers record-fast spinning asteroid 2025 MN45

SpaceNews.com

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2026 will clarify Europe’s new priorities for space 2026 will be the decisive year in which Europe defines its new space priorities, as member states, ESA and EU institutions crystallize funding, industrial and defence commitments. The decisions will set procurement, sovereign-capability and civil-versus-military programme trade-offs that shape the continent’s space posture.

2026-01-08T08:06:50.640041-08:00

2026 will clarify Europe’s new priorities for space

SpaceNews.com

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The moon, AI and the high-stakes decisions shaping space’s future A convergence of lunar ambitions and rapidly advancing artificial intelligence is driving urgent policy, procurement and commercial choices that will determine who operates and profits off the Moon. This story examines the high‑stakes legal, technical and strategic decisions shaping the next decade of off‑Earth activity.

2026-01-08T08:06:50.541254-08:00

The moon, AI and the high-stakes decisions shaping space’s future

Space.com

Former Google CEO pledges four next‑generation telescopes in three years at a 'ridiculously low' price Former Google CEO says he will build four next‑generation telescopes in three years 'for a ridiculously low price.' The announcement commits to an accelerated schedule to field multiple advanced observatories; the plan's technical specifications, funding sources and operational model were not disclosed.

2026-01-08T07:11:02.558721-08:00

Former Google CEO pledges four next‑generation telescopes in three years at a 'ridiculously low' price

SpaceNews.com

Interplanetary science needs a commercial backbone Interplanetary science needs a commercial backbone to enable more frequent, cost-effective missions and sustained research beyond episodic programs. Building that backbone will require commercial services, funding models, policy shifts and scalable industrial infrastructure to support routine access and operations across interplanetary space.

2026-01-08T04:12:21.425711-08:00

Interplanetary science needs a commercial backbone

The Atlantic

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Inside Trump's attack on NASA's science missions During his first year back in office, President Trump mounted a campaign to dismantle NASA's science missions, seeking deep cuts and structural changes that would sharply reduce federal support for space and Earth science. The moves imperil long-term research that underpins civil, commercial and defence capabilities.

2026-01-08T04:11:40.950644-08:00

Inside Trump's attack on NASA's science missions

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Space Exploration & Science Missions News

NASA targets September launch for Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope

NASA X‑ray spacecraft uncovers violent past of Milky Way’s supermassive black hole

House minibus bill cuts Mars Sample Return funding, likely dooming mission

The moon, AI and the high-stakes decisions shaping space’s future

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