Space Exploration & Science Missions   Space Policy & International Cooperation   Policy & Regulation   NASA  
Science Daily

Curiosity finds largest organics yet on Mars; abiotic sources can't fully explain abundance

Analysis of a rock sample collected by NASA's Curiosity rover found the largest organic molecules yet detected on Mars — decane, undecane and dodecane — compounds that could be fatty‑acid fragments. Researchers say known abiotic sources, including meteorites, cannot fully account for the measured abundance, raising implications for sample‑return and planetary protection.

Also: thedebrief.org, Science Alert and dailygalaxy.com
2026-02-12T06:53:34.749322-08:00
Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation   Space Exploration & Science Missions   Human Spaceflight & Space Stations   Commercial Space   NASA  
NASA • Tiernan P Doyle

NASA Selects Vast for Sixth Private Mission to Space Station

By NASA: NASA and Vast have signed an order for the sixth private astronaut mission to the International Space Station, targeted to launch no earlier than summer 2027.

Also: Payload, spaceanddefense.io and miragenews.com
2026-02-12T13:30:22.193690-08:00
Satellite   Commercial Space   Space Policy & International Cooperation   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact   Cybersecurity (Cyber Threats & Protection)  
Wall Street Journal • Alexander Ward, Robbie Gramer

U.S. Covertly Smuggled Thousands of Starlink Terminals into Iran to Bypass Tehran’s Internet Blackouts

By Wall Street Journal: The Trump administration covertly sent terminals into Iran in an effort to keep dissidents online following Tehran’s stifling of internet access.

Also: tass.com
2026-02-12T12:57:20.165595-08:00