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SpaceNews.com • A C Charania, Alex Gilbert, Tyler Bernstein

2026: space nuclear power and surviving the lunar night set the agenda for a busy lunar year

2026 is shaping up as a turning point: space nuclear power and solutions for surviving the lunar night will drive mission architecture and payload priorities, even as governments and commercial players accelerate cislunar infrastructure, launch cadence and policy work to support expanded lunar activity.

2026-01-13T04:11:55.781016-08:00

European Spaceflight

ESA expands Phase 2 of LEO Cargo Return Services to include demonstrations to commercial space stations

2026-01-13T04:19:22.107318-08:00

SpaceWatch Global

ispace establishes Saudi Arabia subsidiary to deepen lunar exploration partnerships

2026-01-13T02:45:12.504713-08:00

Bloomberg

Venezuela’s ouster of Maduro cuts China’s access to a key space partner

2026-01-12T20:39:37.884632-08:00

News Timeline

European Spaceflight

ESA expands Phase 2 of LEO Cargo Return Services to include demonstrations to commercial space stations The European Space Agency has broadened Phase 2 of its LEO Cargo Return Services initiative to include demonstration missions to future commercial space stations. The change steers agency funding and technical support toward validating cargo-return systems, logistical interfaces and commercial cooperation with nascent private LEO platforms.

2026-01-13T04:19:22.107318-08:00

ESA expands Phase 2 of LEO Cargo Return Services to include demonstrations to commercial space stations

SpaceNews.com

2026: space nuclear power and surviving the lunar night set the agenda for a busy lunar year 2026 is shaping up as a turning point: space nuclear power and solutions for surviving the lunar night will drive mission architecture and payload priorities, even as governments and commercial players accelerate cislunar infrastructure, launch cadence and policy work to support expanded lunar activity.

2026-01-13T04:11:55.781016-08:00

2026: space nuclear power and surviving the lunar night set the agenda for a busy lunar year

SpaceWatch Global

ispace establishes Saudi Arabia subsidiary to deepen lunar exploration partnerships ispace has set up a new subsidiary in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to deepen partnerships and advance cooperation on lunar exploration. The local entity signals ispace’s intent to expand its commercial and government ties in the Middle East to support its lunar services and prospecting activities.

2026-01-13T02:45:12.504713-08:00

ispace establishes Saudi Arabia subsidiary to deepen lunar exploration partnerships

Bloomberg

Venezuela’s ouster of Maduro cuts China’s access to a key space partner Venezuela’s ouster of Nicolás Maduro severs Beijing’s ties to a Venezuelan space partner that offered regional launch and ground‑support options, constraining China’s access to the Western Hemisphere. U.S. moves to restrict Chinese activity in the region could heighten industry concerns about reliance on American‑controlled access to orbit.

2026-01-12T20:39:37.884632-08:00

Venezuela’s ouster of Maduro cuts China’s access to a key space partner

SpaceNews.com

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Portugal becomes 60th signatory to the Artemis Accords Portugal formally signed the Artemis Accords in Lisbon on Jan. 12, becoming the 60th nation to endorse the U.S.-led framework for responsible lunar exploration. The ceremony included Hugo Costa, executive director of the Portuguese Space Agency, and U.S. Ambassador John J. Arrigo.

2026-01-12T15:49:43.937228-08:00

Portugal becomes 60th signatory to the Artemis Accords

Space.com

Will U.S. budget cuts force NASA to withdraw from ESA’s next Venus mission? ESA's planned Venus mission may lose NASA contributions under proposed U.S. budget cuts, raising questions about instruments, operations and timeline. ESA says it is "in constant contact with NASA" while partners evaluate the funding shortfall's implications for mission scope and schedule.

2026-01-12T13:13:30.311191-08:00

Will U.S. budget cuts force NASA to withdraw from ESA’s next Venus mission?

Space Intel Report

EUMETSAT approves $1B EPS–Sterna polar microsatellite constellation to measure atmospheric temperature and humidity EUMETSAT's Council has approved the EUMETSAT Polar System – Sterna, a $1 billion constellation of polar-orbiting microsatellites to deliver atmospheric temperature and humidity profiles. The 30-nation programme cleared funding after months of delay and targets operational meteorological soundings from polar orbits.

2026-01-12T07:06:08.093304-08:00

EUMETSAT approves $1B EPS–Sterna polar microsatellite constellation to measure atmospheric temperature and humidity

SpaceNews.com

Industry urges accelerated collaboration to tackle orbital congestion Industry and regulators must accelerate collaboration to confront growing orbital congestion, the article argues. Coordinated improvements in debris mitigation, tracking and traffic‑management are needed to protect operational safety, preserve orbital sustainability and maintain the economics of satellite deployments as launch and constellation activity expands.

2026-01-12T04:06:57.636028-08:00

Industry urges accelerated collaboration to tackle orbital congestion

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Space Policy & International Cooperation News

2026: space nuclear power and surviving the lunar night set the agenda for a busy lunar year

ESA expands Phase 2 of LEO Cargo Return Services to include demonstrations to commercial space stations

ispace establishes Saudi Arabia subsidiary to deepen lunar exploration partnerships

Venezuela’s ouster of Maduro cuts China’s access to a key space partner

News Timeline