Today In Space
Last Updated: Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2025, 11:53 AM PST
2025-12-09T11:53:02.457564-08:00 2025-12-09T11:53:02.457564-08:00 (2025-12-09T11:53:02.457564-08:00)
Lunar Outpost rover to study lunar dust alongside Artemis astronauts on moon
By collectSPACE: B-9 had Will Robinson. Twiki had Buck Rogers. And, of course, C-3PO and R2-D2 had Luke Skywalker. Now, in a scenario straight out of science fiction, MAPP will have whoever NASA names to the crew of the second Artemis moon landing mission.
1st human missions to Mars should hunt for signs of life, report says
By Space.com: "The detection of life on Mars is a persistent top priority for explorers of many disciplines, and it is the top science objective in this report.".
TrustPoint Targets 2027 for Initial LEO-Based Navigation (PNT) Service Rollout
By SpaceNews.com: TrustPoint sets 2027 target for initial rollout of LEO-based navigation services.
4 Takeaways from Terran Orbital on Industrializing Space and Competing in a Contested Domain
By Space Intel Report: With global competition accelerating and space becoming a contested operational domain, the industry must embrace a….
U.S. Should Stop Treating China’s Lunar Ambitions as a Race
By SpaceNews.com: America must stop treating China’s lunar plans as a footrace.
China launches 4 times in 4 days, boosting megaconstellation and surveillance assets
By SpaceNews.com: China launches 4 times in 4 days, boosting megaconstellation and surveillance assets China launched four missions in four days, accelerating its record-setting launch cadence while expanding its Guowang LEO megaconstellation and deploying new Yaogan reconnaissance assets.
SpaceX to Launch Classified NROL‑77 Mission for U.S. Military Today (Dec. 9)
By Space.com: The classified payload took flight atop a Falcon 9 rocket today (Dec. 9) at 2:16 p.m. ET.