Space Exploration & Science Missions   Space Policy & International Cooperation   Policy & Regulation   NASA  
SpaceNews.com • Jeff Foust

NASA ends financial support for planetary-science advisory groups amid advisory-structure drawdown

NASA will end financial support for several planetary-science advisory groups as part of a broader drawdown of the agency’s advisory structure. The move withdraws funded, independent panels that advise on planetary missions and scientific priorities, reducing formal external input into NASA’s decision-making.

2026-01-21T04:31:25.423032-08:00
Satellite   Supply Chain   Commercial Space  
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Universe Today • Andy Tomaswick

NC State develops self-healing composite for satellites; startup formed

By Universe Today: Material science plays an absolutely critical role in space exploration. So when a new type of self-healing composite is announced, it’s worth a look–especially when the press release specifically calls out its ability to repair microtears associated with micrometeoroid impacts on satellites.

2026-01-21T05:06:33.747419-08:00
Space Exploration & Science Missions  
Universe Today • Laurence Tognetti

Enceladus Plumes May Hold a Clear Clue to Ocean Habitability

By Universe Today: How can scientists estimate the pH level of Enceladus’ subsurface ocean without landing on its surface? This is what a recently submitted study hopes to address as a team of scientists from Japan investigated new methods for sampling the plumes of Enceladus and provide more accurate measurements of its pH levels.

2026-01-20T17:53:43.058777-08:00