Space Exploration & Science Missions   Space Policy & International Cooperation   Policy & Regulation  
Payload • Jacqueline Feldscher

Mars Sample Return cancellation exposes gaps in space law

With Mars Sample Return canceled, the focus shifts from engineering the return to testing the limits of international space law: cached samples on Perseverance raise immediate questions about custody, liability and scientific access, and whether existing treaties can prevent legal or geopolitical disputes.

2026-01-13T10:11:07.859652-08:00
Space Exploration & Science Missions   Human Spaceflight & Space Stations   NASA  
NBC News • Denise Chow

Study: Long‑duration spaceflight alters astronauts’ brain structure and position, with implications for Moon and Mars missions

By NBC News: The research has implications for NASA’s goals to build a base on the moon and eventually conduct crewed missions to Mars.

Also: NBC News and Sky News
2026-01-12T15:51:42.398723-08:00
Satellite   Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation   Space Exploration & Science Missions   Commercial Space  
Universe Today • Andy Tomaswick

Can Philanthropy Fast-Track a Flagship Telescope?

By Universe Today: New Space is a term now commonly used around the rocketry and satellite industries to indicate a new, speed focused model of development that takes its cue from the Silicon Valley mindset of “move fast and (hopefully don’t) break things.” Given that several of the founders of rocketry and satellite companies have a Silicon Valley background, that probably shouldn’t be a surprise, but the mindset has resulted in an exponential growth in the number of satellites in orbit, and also an exponential decrease in the cost of getting them to orbit.

2026-01-13T07:10:35.272046-08:00