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The European Space Agency's Smile mission launched successfully on a Vega-C rocket from Europe's Spaceport in French Guiana, aiming to study Earth's response to solar wind and radiation. The mission will collect data on the planet's magnetic field and northern lights using advanced cameras.
The US Space Command will participate in a classified wargame with nearly 50 commercial space companies on March 23, 2026, in Colorado Springs, aiming to discuss threats and defense strategies in space. The exercise will focus on aligning military and commercial planning in space defense, particularly regarding the threat of weapons of mass destruction in space.
NASA"s Space Launch System (SLS) rocket and Orion spacecraft are set to return to the launch pad after repairs, with a planned launch attempt for the Artemis 2 mission scheduled for no earlier than April 1. The mission will see NASA astronauts fly around the Moon and splashdown in the Pacific Ocean, serving as a critical test flight for the Orion spacecraft.
Astronomers have discovered that exoplanet Kepler-51d, located 2,615 light years away, has an ultra-low density similar to cotton candy and is shrouded in a thick haze, making it difficult to study. The planet's unique characteristics have significant implications for our understanding of planetary formation and the search for life beyond Earth.
The European Space Agency (ESA) has reestablished contact with its Proba-3 Coronagraph spacecraft after a month of silence, marking a significant recovery in the mission to study the sun"s corona. The successful reconnection ensures the continuation of the Proba-3 mission, which relies on precise formation flying between the Coronagraph and Occulter satellites.
NASA's OSIRIS-REx mission has successfully analyzed samples of asteroid Bennu, revealing extensive networks of cracks within the rock particles, providing valuable insights into the asteroid's composition and thermal properties. This discovery sheds light on the asteroid's low thermal inertia and has significant implications for our understanding of asteroids and their behavior.
A rare daytime fireball was observed over the Midwest on March 17, producing a sonic boom and potentially depositing meteorites in northern Ohio. The event, which was estimated to have released energy equivalent to 250 tons of TNT, has garnered significant interest from astronomers and aerospace experts.
The Republic of Cyprus has become an Associate Member of the European Space Agency (ESA), effective March 17, 2026, following the signing of an Association Agreement on October 23, 2025. This new status enables Cyprus to participate in ESA's optional programs, expanding its involvement in European space activities.
NASA is set to roll out the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket for the upcoming Artemis 2 mission, scheduled to launch on April 1, 2026, which will send four astronauts on a 10-day journey around the moon. The mission marks a significant step towards establishing a sustainable human presence on the lunar surface.
The European Space Agency (ESA) Council meeting, held on 18-19 March 2026 in Interlaken, Switzerland, concluded with significant decisions on human spaceflight, planetary defence capabilities, and international partnerships. The meeting saw the endorsement of the EPIC mission concept, cooperation agreements with multiple agencies, and the appointment of new leadership positions.
The European Space Agency (ESA) held its Council meeting on March 18-19, 2026, in Interlaken, Switzerland, where Director General Josef Aschbacher and Council Chair Renato Krpoun presented key decisions shaping the agency"s future endeavors. The meeting marked an important milestone in the ESA"s strategic planning and cooperation among its member states.
NASA has successfully rolled out the Artemis 2 moon rocket to the launch pad ahead of its planned April 1 liftoff, marking a significant milestone in the mission to send four astronauts on a 10-day flight around the moon. The rollout follows a series of tests and rehearsals, including a wet dress rehearsal that was initially cut short due to a leak of liquid hydrogen propellant.
The European Space Agency (ESA) and the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) are preparing to launch the Smile mission, which aims to improve our understanding of solar storms and geomagnetic storms by studying Earth's magnetic field in X-rays and observing auroras globally in ultraviolet light. The mission is scheduled to launch on a Vega-C rocket from Europe's Spaceport in French Guiana between 8 April and 7 May 2026.
On March 16, 2025, Chinese astronaut Zhang Lu conducted his sixth spacewalk outside the Tiangong space station, tying the record for most spacewalks by a Chinese astronaut and marking a significant milestone in China's space program. The successful extravehicular activity (EVA) highlights China's growing capabilities in space exploration and its commitment to advancing its presence in space.
Lithuanian tech firms have achieved a significant milestone in developing laser-based optical communications solutions, with the first Lithuanian-made laser launched into space on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. This breakthrough has major implications for the aerospace industry, enabling faster and more secure data transmission in space.
Astronomers have discovered a rare, iron-deficient second-generation star in the dwarf galaxy Pictor II, providing valuable insights into the universe's chemical evolution. The star, named PicII-503, has an unusually low iron content and a high carbon-to-iron ratio, making it one of the most primordial stars ever found.
On March 18, 2026, two NASA astronauts performed the first US spacewalk in 10 months to prepare the International Space Station (ISS) for a new solar array, which will increase the station's electricity supply by 20-30%. This upgrade is part of ongoing efforts to enhance the ISS's power generation capabilities.
SpaceX successfully conducted a static fire test of its Starship V3 vehicle, marking a significant milestone in the development of the company's next-generation spacecraft. The test, which involved briefly igniting 10 of the vehicle's 33 Raptor engines, paves the way for future tests and launches.
The NASA Artemis 2 moon rocket has been rolled back to its hangar for repairs due to a helium system issue, delaying the launch until April 2026. The mission, which aims to send four astronauts on a 10-day trip around the moon, is a critical step towards establishing a sustainable human presence on the lunar surface.
NASA is revising its long-term plans for moon exploration, with the upcoming Artemis 2 mission set to send astronauts farther from Earth than ever before, carrying a crew of four to document the lunar surface in unprecedented detail. The mission marks a significant step towards re-establishing a human presence on the moon and paves the way for future lunar exploration.
The joint NASA and Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) mission XRISM has observed a supermassive black hole awakening in a distant starburst galaxy, providing new insights into the behavior of these massive objects. The discovery was made possible by the XRISM spacecraft's advanced X-ray imaging and spectroscopy capabilities.
The first teaser trailer for Dune: Part Three has been released, providing a glimpse into the final installment of Denis Villeneuve's adaptation of Frank Herbert's classic novel. The movie takes place 17 years after the events of the previous film and follows an older Paul Atreides as he navigates his new role.
The search for extraterrestrial intelligence (SETI) continues to intrigue scientists and theorists, with one prominent theory suggesting that advanced civilizations may deliberately choose not to communicate with others. This idea challenges traditional assumptions about the existence and behavior of intelligent life beyond Earth.
On March 17, 2026, SpaceX successfully launched its 10,000th active Starlink satellite into low Earth orbit, marking a significant milestone in the company"s effort to provide global broadband internet coverage. This achievement underscores the rapid expansion of the Starlink constellation, which is designed to offer high-speed internet services worldwide.