Space News

Moon Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation Space Exploration & Science Missions Human Spaceflight & Space Stations NASA

NASA Spaceflight • Alejandro Alcantarilla Romera, Chris Bergin

SLS production accelerates as Artemis III hardware advances and four vehicles enter production

NASA and its contractors are increasing activity ahead of next year’s Artemis III mission, with continued Solid Rocket Booster stacking and RS-25 engine installation on the SLS Core Stage 3. The agency says four SLS vehicles are now in production, signaling a broader production ramp-up for Artemis missions.

1 Source

2026-08-30T17:20:09.635588-07:00

China Moon Space Exploration & Science Missions

The Hill • Mark Whittington

What China’s delay means for the US-China moon race

By The Hill: The liftoff of China’s Chang’e 7 mission to the moon has been delayed into 2027. Ars Technica reports that the Chinese are being vague about the exact reasons for the delay, only suggesting it is due to, adhering to “the principle of proceeding prudently and reliably, and ensuring absolute success.”.

1 Source

2026-08-30T18:05:36.796867-07:00

JWST Satellite Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation Space Exploration & Science Missions NASA

Space.com • Monisha Ravisetti

NASA’s Roman Space Telescope Successfully Launches on Mission to Study the Universe

By Space.com: The Roman Space Telescope successfully launched to space on Sunday (Aug. 30). Its liftoff was met with excitement from scientists, love from its team and a surprising call from President Trump.

Payload

Roman Space Telescope Begins Its Journey to L2

CBS News

NASA's groundbreaking Roman Space Telescope launches into space

Also: cosmiclog.com

5 Sources

2026-08-30T11:50:06.010708-07:00

ISS Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation Human Spaceflight & Space Stations NASA

Bloomberg • Rachel Cohrs Zhang

NASA, SpaceX Postpone ISS Mission Launch After Spacecraft Leak

By Bloomberg: SpaceX and NASA are delaying the launch of a planned mission to the International Space Station to fix an oxidizer leak in the Dragon spacecraft’s propulsion system, the US space agency said.

1 Source

2026-08-30T13:35:36.666705-07:00

Space Exploration & Science Missions Space Policy & International Cooperation NASA

Ars Technica • Eric Berger

Why it matters that President Trump just dialed into a NASA news conference

By Ars Technica: With just one more major mission upcoming, NASA's science programs need a boost.

1 Source

2026-08-30T10:50:06.855143-07:00

Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation Commercial Space

Space.com • Mike Wall

SpaceX test-fires Starship Super Heavy booster ahead of critical Flight 14 (video)

By Space.com: SpaceX fired up all 33 engines of its Super Heavy booster to gear up for the next Starship test flight, which will mark the first time the vehicle goes orbital.

1 Source

2026-08-29T07:05:52.581797-07:00

Space Force Human Spaceflight & Space Stations Commercial Space Space Policy & International Cooperation Workforce & Skills Development Defense Policy NASA

Bloomberg • Jeff Mason

Trump Begins Process to Establish U.S. Space Academy for NASA and Military Missions

By Bloomberg: President Donald Trump began the process of creating a “US space academy,” in a move he said would help bolster military and civilian missions to space.

Aero-News

White House Policy Sets Goal Of Supporting 1,000 Rocket Launches A Year by 2030

aviationnews.eu

Trump Signs Order to Create U.S. Space Academy Modeled After West Point

Also: Wall Street Journal, Space Policy Online, Space.com, Washington Post, NASA, SpaceNews.com, ANI News Agency, notus.org, Task & Purpose, Stars and Stripes, CBS News, CNA and 7 more

24 Sources

2026-08-28T10:36:41.337426-07:00

Europe ESA Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation Commercial Space

NASA Spaceflight • Chris Bergin, Martijn Luinstra

ESA awards first European Launcher Challenge contracts

By NASA Spaceflight: The European Space Agency has signed the first contracts under its European Launcher Challenge, committing €543.6 million to three European rocket startups as it tries to broaden the continent’s launch options beyond Ariane 6 and Vega-C.

1 Source

2026-08-29T04:13:13.133921-07:00

SLS production accelerates as Artemis III hardware advances and four vehicles enter production

What China’s delay means for the US-China moon race

NASA’s Roman Space Telescope Successfully Launches on Mission to Study the Universe

Roman Space Telescope Begins Its Journey to L2

NASA's groundbreaking Roman Space Telescope launches into space

NASA, SpaceX Postpone ISS Mission Launch After Spacecraft Leak

Why it matters that President Trump just dialed into a NASA news conference

SpaceX test-fires Starship Super Heavy booster ahead of critical Flight 14 (video)

Trump Begins Process to Establish U.S. Space Academy for NASA and Military Missions

White House Policy Sets Goal Of Supporting 1,000 Rocket Launches A Year by 2030

Trump Signs Order to Create U.S. Space Academy Modeled After West Point

ESA awards first European Launcher Challenge contracts

What China’s delay means for the US-China moon race

SLS picks up the pace, four vehicles in production

NASA, SpaceX Postpone ISS Mission Launch After Spacecraft Leak

NASA’s Roman Space Telescope Successfully Launches on Mission to Study the Universe

Why it matters that President Trump just dialed into a NASA news conference

NASA and AeroVironment advance work on SkyFall Mars helicopters

NASA Announces Next Steps for Swift Rescue Mission

NASA and AeroVironment advance work on SkyFall Mars helicopters

Airbus Considers Sale of U.S. Small-Satellite Business as OneWeb Production Moves to France

President Trump gives Artemis II moon astronauts the Congressional Space Medal of Honor

Trump signs order to establish U.S. Space Academy for military, NASA and commercial workforce

ESA commits €543.6 million to three startups in first European Launcher Challenge contracts

SpaceX test-fires all 33 Super Heavy engines ahead of Starship’s first orbital attempt

Artemis II Crew Receives Congressional Space Medal of Honor for Historic Lunar Flyby

The day’s aerospace signal, in one email.

More in Space

Orbex’s Sutherland Spaceport Assets Sold to Scottish Development Agency

Exolaunch to Deploy 68 Payloads Across SpaceX’s Transporter-18 and Bandwagon-5 Missions

LandSpace’s Zhuque-3 Rocket Explodes During First Landing Attempt

Shanghai Begins Construction of Wharf for Planned Commercial Rocket Manufacturing and Sea-Launch Hub

Astroscale Prioritizes First-Mover Advantage in Satellite Servicing Over Near-Term Profitability

Ovzon to Enter German Market With New Partnerships

India’s InspeCity Raises $10.5M in Pre-Series A round

ICEYE Opens Three International Offices in a Single Week