Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation   Space Exploration & Science Missions   Commercial Space   NASA  
Universe Today • Mark Thompson

NASA completes first major nuclear reactor propulsion tests in 50 years

NASA completed its first major tests of nuclear reactor hardware for spacecraft propulsion in more than 50 years, running over 100 2025 'cold‑flow' trials on a full‑scale reactor engineering unit at Marshall Space Flight Center to characterize propellant flow and support development of nuclear thermal/electric deep‑space propulsion.

2026-01-29T14:12:20.604359-08:00
Supply Chain   Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation   Space Exploration & Science Missions   Commercial Space   Space Policy & International Cooperation   NASA  
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SpaceNews.com • Jeff Foust

NASA at crossroads over lunar Gateway logistics, explores alternative supply and transport approaches

By SpaceNews.com: NASA is at a “crossroads” in deciding how to handle logistics for the lunar Gateway as it considers alternative approaches.

2026-01-29T14:41:17.299919-08:00
Satellite   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Commercial Space  
Via Satellite • Rachel Jewett

York Space Systems Goes Public in $629M IPO to Fund 'Proliferation at Scale'

By Via Satellite: York Space Systems raised $629 million in an upsized initial public offering (IPO) on Thursday, which CEO Dirk Wallinger says will enable the company to manufacturer satellites “to meet large proliferation at scale, at an affordable price.”.

Also: SpaceNews.com and SpaceWatch Africa
2026-01-29T13:32:32.879738-08:00
Satellite   AI   Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation   Commercial Space   Space Policy & International Cooperation  
Reuters • Echo Wang, Joey Roulette

Exclusive: SpaceX in merger talks with xAI ahead of planned IPO to combine Starlink, X and Grok

By Reuters: The merger would bring Musk’s rockets, Starlink satellites, the X social media platform and Grok AI chatbot together and could boost his efforts to launch data centers into orbit, according to a person briefed on the matter and two recent company filings seen by Reuters.

Also: The Verge and 4 more
2026-01-29T10:52:39.791203-08:00