Today In Space
Last Updated: Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025, 6:10 AM PDT
2025-09-13T06:10:14.698570-07:00 2025-09-13T06:10:14.698570-07:00 (2025-09-13T06:10:14.698570-07:00)
Universe Today
• Andy Tomaswick
Researchers Demonstrate Efficient Laser Drill for Extraterrestrial Icy Surfaces
By Universe Today: Lasers aren’t just useful for entertaining cats or pointing out features of powerpoint slides. They can also drill holes on icy extraterrestrial bodies from comets to Mars polar caps.
Space.com
• Robert Z. Pearlman
Astronaut Prepares Purple Kefir Aboard ISS to Test Vitamin‑Rich Fermented Food
By Space.com: "Science for exploration, one [fermented milk] bag at a time.".
Ars Technica
• Stephen Clark
Scientists warn U.S. faces critical moment to preserve leadership in Solar System exploration
By Ars Technica: “When you turn off those spacecraft’s radio receivers, there’s no way to turn them back on.”….
SpaceNews.com
• Andrew Jones
China completes second hot‑fire test of new lunar rocket stage, demonstrates engine restarts
By SpaceNews.com: China completes second hot-fire test for new moon rocket, including engine restarts China conducted a rocket stage hot fire test Friday in the latest step in the country’s plans to land astronauts on the moon.
SpaceNews.com
• Sandra Erwin
Maxar executive warns budget cuts could threaten commercial remote‑sensing industry
By SpaceNews.com: Maxar executive renews warning that budget cuts threaten commercial remote sensing industry Maxar executive renews warning on commercial satellite funding cuts.
Reuters
• Tim Hepher
Thales, Airbus, Leonardo eye initial agreement on 10 bln-euro satellite JV, sources say
By Reuters: Europe's aerospace groups Leonardo, Thales and Airbus have redoubled efforts to combine their satellite businesses into a 10 billion-euro ($11.7 billion), French-headquartered joint venture and are working towards hammering out an initial agreement in coming weeks, sources close to the matter said.
Department of the Air Force, FAA clear SpaceX to launch up to 120 Falcon 9 rockets annually from Cape Canaveral
By Spaceflight Now: On Sept. 3, the FAA published documents supporting SpaceX’s proposal to launch up to 120 times using its Falcon 9 rocket at Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.
