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- 1Artemis II to return astronauts to the moon after 50 years●Artemis II's moon mission is the 1st in more than 50 years. Why did it take the US so long to return?
NASA's Artemis II mission is set to fly astronauts around the moon for the first time since the Apollo era more than 50 years ago. The long gap has drawn attention to why the United States took so long to resume crewed lunar missions, with explanations pointing to shifting political priorities, funding fluctuations, and technical setbacks across successive programs since Apollo ended in 1972.
- 2New findings on Enceladus point to possible microbial life▼Promising discoveries about the potential for life on one of Saturn’s icy moons
Researchers led by planetary scientist Frank Postberg at Freie Universität Berlin report promising new discoveries about the potential for life on Enceladus, Saturn's icy moon, drawing on data from the Cassini mission. The findings, published in Science, suggest conditions beneath the moon's frozen surface could support microbes, drawing attention across scientific and news communities.
- 3SpaceX prepares for first orbital flight of Starship●SpaceX shoots for first orbital flight of Starship
SpaceX is attempting the first orbital test flight of its Starship rocket, the largest and most powerful launch vehicle ever built. The flight from Starbase in Texas is a key milestone in the company's plan to develop a fully reusable spacecraft for missions to the Moon and Mars. Spaceflight enthusiasts and industry watchers are following preparations closely.
- 4Core rocket for Artemis III moon mission arrives in Florida●Core rocket for upcoming Artemis III mission arrives at Kennedy Space Center
The core stage rocket for NASA's upcoming Artemis III mission has arrived at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The delivery marks a key step in preparations for the mission, which aims to return astronauts to the lunar surface. Attention now turns to assembly and testing as NASA works toward its next crewed moon landing.
- 5AI reveals hidden water hotspots on the Moon●AI just unlocked the Moon’s hidden water hotspots—here’s what this reveals
Researchers have used artificial intelligence to identify previously unknown regions where water may be concentrated on the Moon, according to a new report. The findings could prove significant for future lunar missions, since accessible water ice would be vital for long-term human presence and for producing fuel and oxygen on site. The work has drawn attention for showing how machine learning can map resources that telescopes and orbiters have struggled to pinpoint.
- 6China's Moonshot Reportedly Seeks More Nvidia Blackwell Chips▼China's Moonshot Reportedly Seeks Access To More NVDA Blackwell Chips A Week After Trump Official Flagged Export Control Breach
Chinese AI firm Moonshot is reportedly seeking access to additional Nvidia Blackwell chips, according to a report circulating this week. The claim lands just a week after a Trump administration official flagged an alleged breach of US export controls on advanced Nvidia processors. The episode keeps a spotlight on Washington's restrictions on high-end AI chips reaching China and enforcement questions around them.
- 7NASA and IBM AI Improves Lunar Ice Detection by 22%●NASA And IBM’s AI Spots Lunar Ice With 22% Better Accuracy
NASA and IBM have developed an artificial intelligence system that detects ice on the Moon with 22% better accuracy than previous methods. The tool is aimed at supporting future lunar missions, since water ice at the lunar poles could be used for drinking water, oxygen and rocket fuel. The announcement highlights the growing role of AI collaboration between space agencies and technology companies.
- 8Moon's Billion Tons of Water Would Last a City Just 100 Years●Moon’s Billion Tons of Water Would Only Last a City 100 Years
New analysis suggests the Moon holds roughly a billion tons of water, largely as ice in permanently shadowed craters. While the figure sounds vast, researchers calculate it would only supply a single city for about a century, underscoring how limited lunar resources are. The finding is drawing attention as space agencies plan crewed Moon missions and consider whether lunar ice could support long-term bases or be worth mining.
- 9Earth microbes survive simulated conditions of Enceladus ocean●Earth microbes survive simulated conditions of Saturn moon’s ocean
New research indicates that Earth microbes can survive under simulated conditions of the ocean beneath the ice of Saturn's moon Enceladus, suggesting life there is not out of the question. Scientists see the finding as encouraging for the search for life beyond Earth, since Enceladus's subsurface ocean is considered one of the most promising places to look.