Space Exploration & Science Missions   Space Defense & Militarization  
Universe Today • Matthew Williams

Study: Iron-rich asteroids far more resilient than expected, complicating planetary-defence plans

A new study, with contributions from University of Oxford physicists, finds iron‑rich asteroids can absorb far more energy before fragmenting than previously believed. That resilience undermines assumptions behind kinetic‑impact and disruption mitigation concepts and forces a reassessment of planetary‑defence modelling and response options.

2026-01-16T14:27:12.334384-08:00
Satellite   Commercial Space   Policy & Regulation  
Via Satellite • Rachel Jewett

Convergence Comes of Age: 2026 Turns Direct‑to‑Device Satellites and 3GPP NTNs into Commercial Reality

By Via Satellite: With the first commercial direct-to-device (D2D) constellations now scaling up and 3GPP standards maturing, it will become harder for users to distinguish between terrestrial and non-terrestrial networks (NTNs), with connectivity blending seamlessly between the two.

2026-01-16T12:11:31.570302-08:00
Satellite   North America   Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation   Space Defense & Militarization  
Spaceflight Now • Will Robinson-Smith

NRO, SpaceX to launch reconnaissance satellites from Vandenberg Space Force Base

By Spaceflight Now: ![](http://spaceflightnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/20260116_NROL-105_F9_pad.jpeg) SpaceX is preparing for a late night Falcon 9 launch from Vandenberg Space Force Base on Friday, which will carry an undisclosed number of intelligence-gathering satellites for the National Reconnaissance Office.

Also: Space.com
2026-01-16T09:07:06.409528-08:00
Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation   Space Exploration & Science Missions   Human Spaceflight & Space Stations   Space Policy & International Cooperation   NASA  
Bloomberg

Artemis II: NASA’s Upcoming Crewed Lunar Flyby Faces Unnecessary Safety Risks

By Bloomberg: Wish them well. Next month, four astronauts are expected to board a space capsule called Orion, blast off on a rocket known as the Space Launch System, and exit low-Earth orbit for the first time since 1972, en route to a 10-day flyby of the moon.

Also: NASA, SpaceQ, miragenews.com, Scientific American, CBS News, indiatoday.in, BBC and NASA
2026-01-16T04:53:03.590998-08:00