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The Space Review • Alan T. Dugger

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

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

SpaceNews.com

Report finds former Spaceport America director violated New Mexico state law and launch-site policies

2026-04-26T21:20:28.583805-07:00

European Spaceflight

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

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

News Timeline

SpaceWatch Global

Germany’s new military strategy signals counterspace and Satcom intent, but leaves a thin satellite roadmap as Europe’s space ef Germany’s first Military Strategy to 2039 flags threats and pushes for conventional leadership in Europe, yet its stated space emphasis is limited—raising questions about follow-through. The broader European push toward counterspace and satellite communications investments risks exacerbating duplication and fragmentation across national and EU programmes.

2026-04-28T02:37:57.480448-07:00

Germany’s new military strategy signals counterspace and Satcom intent, but leaves a thin satellite roadmap as Europe’s space ef

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

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

SpaceNews.com

Report finds former Spaceport America director violated New Mexico state law and launch-site policies A report concludes the former director of Spaceport America in New Mexico repeatedly violated state law and applicable policies while managing the commercial spaceport. The finding follows the director’s removal from leadership of the facility responsible for supporting commercial launch operations.

2026-04-26T21:20:28.583805-07:00

Report finds former Spaceport America director violated New Mexico state law and launch-site policies

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

Space Intel Report

US, France, UK, Norway and Germany space commanders map “deeper allied cooperation” goals for the next two years Top space commanders from the United States, France, Britain, Norway and Germany were prompted to define what deeper allied space cooperation should look like over the next two years. The exchange focuses on translating today’s alignment into actionable partner collaboration plans and expectations for follow-on steps.

2026-04-24T13:05:33.482426-07:00

US, France, UK, Norway and Germany space commanders map “deeper allied cooperation” goals for the next two years

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

SpaceNews.com

Editorial: The governance gap for orbital data centers—certification as the missing prerequisite to scale Orbital data centers can’t scale on momentum alone: after more than two decades of watching industries grow, the missing link is certification that makes on-orbit sourcing, supply chains, and operating architectures predictable, certifiable, and repeatable. Without formal governance, deployment velocity will remain constrained by uncertainty.

2026-04-24T07:42:37.904461-07:00

Editorial: The governance gap for orbital data centers—certification as the missing prerequisite to scale

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Space Policy & International Cooperation News

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

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

Report finds former Spaceport America director violated New Mexico state law and launch-site policies

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

News Timeline