Satellite   North America   Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation   Space Defense & Militarization  
Spaceflight Now • Will Robinson-Smith

SpaceX to launch NROL‑105 Falcon 9 from Vandenberg carrying NRO reconnaissance satellites

SpaceX will launch a Falcon 9 from Vandenberg Space Force Base late Friday on the NROL‑105 mission, carrying an undisclosed number of National Reconnaissance Office intelligence satellites to low Earth orbit. Liftoff is targeted for late‑night local time; further details are being withheld by the NRO.

2026-01-16T09:07:06.409528-08:00
Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation   Space Exploration & Science Missions   Human Spaceflight & Space Stations   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: indiatoday.in and BBC
2026-01-16T04:53:03.590998-08:00
Space Exploration & Science Missions   Commercial Space  
Universe Today • Andy Tomaswick

Using Mars’ Thin Atmosphere to 3D‑Print Metal Parts Could Save Millions on Missions

By Universe Today: Additive Manufacturing, more commonly known as 3D printing, will be an absolutely critical technology for any long-term settlement on another world. Its ability to take a generic input, such as plastic strips or metal powder, and turn it into any shape of tool an astronaut will need is an absolute game changer.

2026-01-16T04:53:15.673114-08:00