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- 1SpaceX prepares first orbital flight of StarshipโSpaceX aims to put Starship in orbit for the first time
SpaceX is aiming to launch its Starship spacecraft into orbit for the first time, a milestone for the company's next-generation rocket designed for deep space missions. The attempt is being closely watched as Starship is central to SpaceX's plans for lunar and Mars travel, and success would mark a major step in commercial spaceflight.
- 2SpaceX Starship prepares for 10-hour spaceflight attemptโSpaceX's Starship is about to attempt a 10-hour spaceflight: Watch live.
SpaceX's Starship is set to attempt a roughly 10-hour spaceflight, an unusually long duration for the vehicle, with live coverage available for viewers. The mission, if successful, would mark a significant step in testing the spacecraft's endurance and capabilities. Attention is focused on whether Starship can sustain such an extended flight as SpaceX continues developing the system for future deep-space missions.
- 3Satellite Engine That Breathes Earth's Atmosphere ProposedโNew Satellite Engine Could Use Earth's Atmosphere to Stay in Orbit Indefinitely
Researchers have unveiled a concept for an air-breathing satellite engine that scoops up molecules of Earth's upper atmosphere and uses them as propellant, allowing spacecraft in very low orbit to refuel themselves and stay aloft indefinitely without carrying finite fuel. If proven, the design could enable long-lived Earth observation satellites and new very-low-orbit missions that today decay and burn up within months.
- 4NASA's Artemis II moon mission: what to knowโWhat to know about NASA's Artemis II moon mission including how to watch, who are the astronauts
NASA's Artemis II mission is set to return astronauts to the Moon for the first time in more than 50 years, and coverage is focusing on the crew, launch timing, and how to watch the flight. Outlets are profiling the four astronauts who will fly around the Moon on the Orion spacecraft, a key step before a future lunar landing under the Artemis program.
- 5AST SpaceMobile satellites measured far brighter than targetsโ"Our measurements reveal an average brightness seven times brighter than mitigation targets cited in FCC filings and pea
New measurements of AST SpaceMobile's BlueWalker-class satellites show an average brightness seven times above the mitigation targets the company cited in its FCC filings, with peak readings over 200 times brighter than the International Astronomical Union's recommended magnitude-7 threshold for satellites in orbit. Astronomers say the findings undercut assurances given to regulators, and concerns are growing as the company prepares to deploy a much larger constellation of spacecraft.
- 6Private spacecraft burns up after failed NASA telescope rescueโผPrivate spacecraft burns up in Earth's atmosphere after failing to rescue aging NASA telescope
A private spacecraft has burned up in Earth's atmosphere after a mission to rescue an aging NASA telescope failed. The craft, sent to service or retrieve the telescope, did not complete its task and was destroyed on reentry. The failed effort raises questions about the fate of the decades-old observatory it was meant to save.
- 7Space Force Books 2027 On-Orbit Servicing MissionsโผU.S. Space Force Schedules 2027 On-Orbit Servicing Missions With Astroscale U.S. and Starfish Space
The U.S. Space Force has scheduled on-orbit servicing missions for 2027 with Astroscale U.S. and Starfish Space. The contracts would see the two commercial companies demonstrate satellite servicing capabilities in orbit, including refueling or maintenance tasks that could extend the life of U.S. spacecraft. The move signals the military's growing reliance on commercial space companies for orbital logistics and sustainment.
- 8Spacecraft hunting for life on icy moons swings past EarthโWhy a spacecraft exploring moons where life may thrive is zipping by Earth
A spacecraft built to explore icy moons where life could exist is flying close by Earth, using the planet's gravity to adjust its course. The maneuver is part of a long journey toward the outer solar system, where scientists hope to study oceans beneath the moons' surfaces. The flyby has drawn attention as a milestone in the search for conditions suitable for life beyond our planet.
- 9ESA's Juice spacecraft set for Earth gravity assist flybyโRE: https:// squeet.me/display/962c3e10-d8b 898ad-2b77e666dde0552f Coming up tomorrow, ESA's Juice spacecraft will fly p
ESA's Juice spacecraft is scheduled to fly past Earth tomorrow as part of another gravity assist manoeuvre on its journey to Jupiter. The flyby has drawn attention among space enthusiasts, with one contributor involved in planning camera shots for the manoeuvre noting that new imaging techniques are being tried during the pass.
- 10Planet Labs Ships Pelican-12 Satellite for SpaceX Bandwagon-5 LaunchโผPlanet Labs Delivers Pelican-12 Spacecraft to Cape Canaveral for SpaceX Bandwagon-5 Mission
Planet Labs has delivered its Pelican-12 spacecraft to Cape Canaveral in preparation for launch aboard SpaceX's Bandwagon-5 rideshare mission. The delivery marks a key step toward integrating the high-resolution imaging satellite into the mission. The news highlights Planet's expanding Pelican fleet and the growing role of SpaceX's rideshare program in deploying Earth-observation satellites.