Space Exploration & Science Missions News

Ars Technica • Eric Berger

If Congress Axes SLS, NASA Must Rethink Deep-Space Exploration Architecture

The White House budget proposal, if enacted by Congress, would eliminate NASA’s Space Launch System, forcing a complete reconfiguration of its exploration architecture — from lunar Gateway support to deep-space missions — around alternative launchers and reallocated priorities.

2025-05-13T12:51:45.411482-07:00

SpaceNews.com

White House Budget Proposal Targets Roman Space Telescope, Jeopardizing Exoplanet Science

2025-05-13T08:05:38.111435-07:00

Space.com

Trump’s 2026 Budget Plan Would Scrap Mars Sample Return; Experts Call It a 'Major Step Back'

2025-05-13T02:06:17.584108-07:00

Space.com

Webb Captures Jupiter’s Auroras in Unprecedented Detail, Revealing Intensity and Rapid Fluctuations

2025-05-12T07:12:21.937334-07:00

Space Exploration & Science Missions News Timeline

SpaceNews.com

Rocket Lab to Launch NASA UV Astrophysics Smallsat on Electron to Study Galaxy Evolution NASA has selected Rocket Lab to launch a small ultraviolet astrophysics satellite aboard its Electron rocket to study galaxy evolution. The mission marks NASA’s inaugural astrophysics flight on Electron and underscores Rocket Lab’s growing portfolio of dedicated science launch services.

2025-05-14T15:46:27.674847-07:00

Rocket Lab to Launch NASA UV Astrophysics Smallsat on Electron to Study Galaxy Evolution

Reuters

GRAIL Mission Maps Lunar Gravity, Revealing Why Near and Far Sides Differ NASA’s twin GRAIL spacecraft have produced the most detailed gravity map of the Moon to date, uncovering crustal density variations and mascon distributions that explain why the Earth-facing near side hosts vast maria while the far side remains dominated by highlands. These findings refine models of lunar formation and evolution.

2025-05-14T14:26:34.927028-07:00

GRAIL Mission Maps Lunar Gravity, Revealing Why Near and Far Sides Differ

Universe Today

Study finds 26 bacteria adapting to NASA spacecraft cleanrooms A new Microbiome paper reports 26 new bacteria species thriving in NASA spacecraft cleanrooms despite stringent sterilization, raising planetary protection and biosecurity considerations for interplanetary mission assembly. These resilient microbes highlight evolutionary pressures in sterile environments and could inform improved contamination controls and biotechnological applications for deep-space exploration.

2025-05-14T11:31:04.689630-07:00

Study finds 26 bacteria adapting to NASA spacecraft cleanrooms

Payload

Zeno Power Raises $50 Million Series B to Scale Strontium-90 Nuclear Batteries for Space and Undersea Missions Nuclear battery startup Zeno Power has closed a $50 million Series B round to accelerate deployment of its heat-to-electricity systems based on strontium-90, targeting extreme environments where solar panels and conventional batteries fall short. The funding will support expansion into orbital and subsea mission markets.

2025-05-14T05:33:20.636100-07:00

Zeno Power Raises $50 Million Series B to Scale Strontium-90 Nuclear Batteries for Space and Undersea Missions

NASA

NASA, Saudi Space Agency to Fly CubeSat on Artemis II Test Flight NASA and the Saudi Space Agency have formalized an agreement for a CubeSat to hitch a ride on the Artemis II test mission, announced by President Trump and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Riyadh. The shoebox‐sized satellite will measure space radiation en route to the Moon, supporting future crewed lunar efforts.

2025-05-13T15:47:20.307410-07:00

NASA, Saudi Space Agency to Fly CubeSat on Artemis II Test Flight

Ars Technica

❗️

If Congress Axes SLS, NASA Must Rethink Deep-Space Exploration Architecture The White House budget proposal, if enacted by Congress, would eliminate NASA’s Space Launch System, forcing a complete reconfiguration of its exploration architecture — from lunar Gateway support to deep-space missions — around alternative launchers and reallocated priorities.

2025-05-13T12:51:45.411482-07:00

If Congress Axes SLS, NASA Must Rethink Deep-Space Exploration Architecture

Live Science

China and Russia Cement 2036 Lunar Base Deal with Moon Power Plant Plan A new memorandum of understanding with Russia tasks China with co-developing a lunar power plant and paves the way for a joint Moon base targeted for completion by 2036. The agreement arrives as NASA evaluates scaling back its own Artemis lunar infrastructure initiatives.

2025-05-13T11:32:15.272519-07:00

China and Russia Cement 2036 Lunar Base Deal with Moon Power Plant Plan

SpaceNews.com

❗️

White House Budget Proposal Targets Roman Space Telescope, Jeopardizing Exoplanet Science President’s fiscal 2026 budget blueprint would eliminate funding for NASA’s Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope—slated for a 2026 launch—alongside cuts to other flagship missions. Its cancellation risks derailing U.S. leadership in exoplanet microlensing surveys and dark energy studies.

2025-05-13T08:05:38.111435-07:00

White House Budget Proposal Targets Roman Space Telescope, Jeopardizing Exoplanet Science

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