Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation Space Exploration & Science Missions Human Spaceflight & Space Stations NASA

Bloomberg

Artemis II: SLS/Orion crewed lunar flyby readies — critical braking burn poses mission risk

Artemis II will launch four astronauts aboard Orion on SLS for a 10‑day crewed lunar flyby, the first beyond LEO since 1972. At closest approach Orion will reach ~8,280 km/h and requires a ~2,900 km/h braking burn; failure could strand the crew in deep space.

indiatoday.in • Radifah Kabir

Orion faces critical lunar brake test — failure could strand Artemis astronauts

BBC

Artemis II: Why NASA Is Sending a Crewed Mission Around the Moon — Goals, Timeline and Industry Implications

2026-01-16T04:53:03.590998-08:00

Space Exploration & Science Missions Commercial Space

NEW

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

China Space Exploration & Science Missions

SpaceNews.com • Andrew Jones

China moves toward approval for two probes to the solar system boundary

By SpaceNews.com: China advances plans for dual solar system boundary missions China has published coordinated papers outlining dual missions to the solar system’s edge, suggesting the long-studied project is nearing formal approval.

2026-01-16T03:47:37.266523-08:00

China Satellite Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation Commercial Space Space Defense & Militarization

SpaceNews.com • Andrew Jones

China launches AlSat-3A for Algeria; Ceres-1 sea launch expands Tianqi constellation

By SpaceNews.com: China launches AlSat-3A for Algeria, Ceres-1 sea launch adds to Tianqi constellation China conducted its third and fourth launches of 2026 with Long March 2C and Ceres-1 rockets lifting off from Jiuquan and a sea platform respectively.

Janes

Algeria launches AlSat-3A surveillance satellite on Chinese rocket from Jiuquan

aa.com.tr

China’s CERES-1 Y7 completes commercial sea launch, deploys Tianqi constellation satellites

2026-01-16T03:09:22.805358-08:00

Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation Commercial Space

SpaceNews.com • Jeff Foust

Japanese launch company Interstellar Technologies raises $130 million

By SpaceNews.com: Japanese launch vehicle startup Interstellar Technologies has raised nearly $130 million to continue development of its Zero small launch vehicle.

2026-01-16T03:30:33.192523-08:00

Satellite Space Policy & International Cooperation Space Defense & Militarization Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact Cybersecurity (Cyber Threats & Protection)

Reuters • Cassell Bryan-Low, Joey Roulette

Musk's Starlink faces high-profile security test in Iran crackdown

By Reuters: How SpaceX withstands Iranian attacks on Starlink is expected to be closely watched by U.S. military forces and intelligence agencies.

Also: Economic Times

2026-01-16T03:09:43.562225-08:00

Satellite Supply Chain Commercial Space

SpaceWatch Global • Joshua Faleti

Voyager Secures Patent for In‑Orbit Production of High‑Purity Crystals to Boost Satellite Optical Communications

By SpaceWatch Global: Voyager has won a patent for an in-orbit manufacturing method that produces purer crystals for high-performance optical communications.

Also: Payload

2026-01-16T02:44:52.095550-08:00

Satellite Europe Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation Commercial Space

European Spaceflight • Andrew Parsonson

Isar Aerospace Schedules Second Spectrum Orbital Launch for 20–23 January

By European Spaceflight: The second flight of the Isar Aerospace Spectrum rocket is expected to be launched between 20 and 23 January.

2026-01-16T01:46:44.067218-08:00

Menu

Artemis II: SLS/Orion crewed lunar flyby readies — critical braking burn poses mission risk

Orion faces critical lunar brake test — failure could strand Artemis astronauts

Artemis II: Why NASA Is Sending a Crewed Mission Around the Moon — Goals, Timeline and Industry Implications

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

China moves toward approval for two probes to the solar system boundary

China launches AlSat-3A for Algeria; Ceres-1 sea launch expands Tianqi constellation

Algeria launches AlSat-3A surveillance satellite on Chinese rocket from Jiuquan

China’s CERES-1 Y7 completes commercial sea launch, deploys Tianqi constellation satellites

Japanese launch company Interstellar Technologies raises $130 million

Musk's Starlink faces high-profile security test in Iran crackdown

Voyager Secures Patent for In‑Orbit Production of High‑Purity Crystals to Boost Satellite Optical Communications

Isar Aerospace Schedules Second Spectrum Orbital Launch for 20–23 January

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

Artemis II: NASA’s Upcoming Crewed Lunar Flyby Faces Unnecessary Safety Risks

China moves toward approval for two probes to the solar system boundary

Japanese launch company Interstellar Technologies raises $130 million

Musk's Starlink faces high-profile security test in Iran crackdown

China launches AlSat-3A for Algeria; Ceres-1 sea launch expands Tianqi constellation

CesiumAstro Secures $200M Government Financing to Expand National Security Spacecom Capabilities

ESA and Liberty Mutual to Explore Using Earth‑Observation Data for Parametric Insurance

European Space Agency hit by major data breach — hundreds of gigabytes stolen; ESA cites ‘lack of cyber hygiene’

Beneath the ice: Satellites help map Antarctica's subglacial surface like never before

NASA and SpaceX execute first in‑flight medical evacuation from ISS; Crew‑11 to undock early Jan. 14

NASA, DOE commit to deploy lunar fission reactor by 2030 to power Artemis and Mars missions

Airbus UpNext launches SpaceRAN demonstrator to trial standardized global 5G NTN connectivity from orbit

Congress rebuffs Trump, preserves NASA science funding

Starlink's 2024 Advances: Transforming In-Flight Wi-Fi Connectivity in Aviation

Riyadh Air: Saudi Arabia's New National Carrier Prepares for Launch Amid Regional Competition

More in Space

Lynk Global Tests D2D in Philippines With Smart Communications

Sodern to Open Star-Tracker Manufacturing in Colorado, Launches U.S. Subsidiary Led by Tiphaine Louradour

Arianespace Plans 7–8 Ariane 6 Launches in 2026, Including 2–3 Amazon Kuiper Missions Starting in February

Eutelsat Awards MaiaSpace Multi-Launch Contract for OneWeb Satellites

JWST Detects Lensed Supernova Pair — Time Delays Could Pin Down the Hubble Constant

Managing the Orbital Economy as Low Earth Orbit Becomes More Congested

TrustPoint demonstrates non-GPS navigation for LEO satellites

Senate staffer urges NASA to accelerate development of commercial space stations