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A team of astronomers has identified 20 metal-poor stars with peculiar orbital motion that may have originated from a dwarf galaxy called Loki, which was consumed by the Milky Way billions of years ago. This discovery provides insight into the formation and evolution of the Milky Way galaxy.
NASA has awarded contracts to several private companies, including Blue Origin, Astrolab, and Firefly Aerospace, as part of its plan to establish a sustained presence on the Moon, with a total investment of nearly $1 billion. The missions, scheduled to begin in 2026, will include the deployment of lunar terrain vehicles, lunar landers, and drones to the Moon's surface.
NASA intends to establish a crewed lunar base near the lunar south pole over the next decade, covering hundreds of square miles, with the aid of MoonFall drones and new lunar rovers. This ambitious project is part of the agency's Artemis program, aiming to expand human presence in space.
The European Commission's proposed budget increase for defense and space spending could have a significant impact on the region's entrepreneurial space sector, potentially clearing bureaucratic roadblocks and providing opportunities for startups. The increased funding, totaling roughly $150 billion over seven years, may help accelerate the development of key technologies such as space domain awareness.
NASA has announced a three-stage plan to establish a moon base at the lunar south pole, with the first stage involving more frequent astronaut and cargo flights to develop necessary infrastructure. The plan is part of NASA's broader Artemis program, aiming to return humans to the lunar surface by 2026.
On May 26, 2026, SpaceX launched its Falcon 9 rocket from Vandenberg Space Force Base, deploying 24 Starlink satellites into orbit. The mission marked another successful launch for the company, with the booster landing on a drone ship in the Pacific Ocean.
The Artemis 2 mission, launched on April 1, 2026, has successfully completed a crucial phase with the separation of its rocket boosters from the core stage, sending the Orion spacecraft on its journey around the moon. This milestone marks a significant step towards achieving the mission"s objective of sending four astronauts on a lunar orbital flight.
The US Space Force aims to double its active-duty force from 10,000 to 20,000 personnel by 2030, with plans to add 2,800 active-duty personnel and 2,000 civilian employees by fiscal year 2027. This expansion is driven by new mission demands, including space control and cyber operations.
The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) is set to launch its Robotic Servicing of Geosynchronous Satellite (RSGS) demonstrator in summer 2026, aiming to test and validate the capabilities of a robotic satellite to service and repair other satellites in geosynchronous orbit. This mission marks a significant step towards enabling on-orbit upgrades, inspections, and anomaly resolution for satellites in distant Earth orbits.
On October 22, 2024, SpaceX launched 29 Starlink V2 Mini Optimized satellites into low Earth orbit from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, marking the company"s 60th orbital flight of the year. This launch further expands SpaceX"s Starlink megaconstellation, which aims to provide global broadband internet coverage.
Australia is developing its space infrastructure to support strategic resilience in the region, with a focus on dual-use applications and cooperation with international partners. This development is part of Australia's 2026 National Defence Strategy, which identifies space as a warfighting domain.
China has announced the three-person crew for its upcoming Shenzhou 23 mission, which is scheduled to launch on May 24 and will include Hong Kong"s first astronaut, Lai Ka-ying. The mission marks a significant milestone in China"s space program, with one of the astronauts set to spend a continuous year in orbit.
Researchers have explored the potential of using oysters for water filtration and as a protein source in space, designing a closed-circuit automated support environment for oysters in a simulated space analog. This innovative approach could have significant implications for long-duration space missions.
On May 22, 2026, SpaceX launched its Starship V3 from Starbase, Texas, marking the 12th overall flight for the Starship program. The test flight demonstrated the capabilities of the newest version of SpaceX"s Starship, with both the Starship Super Heavy booster and its Ship upper stage making controlled splashdowns after reaching suborbital space.
China has successfully launched the Shenzhou 23 mission, sending a trio of astronauts to the Tiangong space station for a six-month-long stay, marking the end of the country's longest human spaceflight mission to date. This launch also sets a new milestone with one astronaut starting a one-year stay in orbit and another becoming the first from Hong Kong to fly to space.
NASA has unveiled a significant reorganization, combining mission directorates and reshuffling personnel to increase efficiency and support its ambitious future missions, including the Artemis program. The changes aim to streamline operations and improve collaboration across the agency.
SpaceX successfully launched the Starship V3 megarrcket on its first test flight from the Starbase facility in South Texas, marking a significant milestone in the development of the vehicle despite experiencing engine shutdowns during liftoff and ascent. The mission aimed to evaluate the performance of the redesigned Starship Version 3, featuring a complete design overhaul for operational missions.
On May 22, 2026, SpaceX launched its first Starship Version 3 rocket from the Starbase launch site on the Texas Gulf Coast, testing more powerful methane-fueled Raptor 3 engines and enhanced control systems. The mission marked a significant milestone for the company, despite an early engine shutdown, and has major implications for the broader aerospace industry.
The US Space Force is planning to launch a series of spacecraft in 2027 to demonstrate in-space refueling and satellite servicing technologies, with the goal of determining their commercial sustainability. The demonstrations will involve multiple spacecraft, including the Provisioner and Otter, and will test various capabilities such as refueling, docking, and augmented maneuvering.
On May 21, 2026, SpaceX attempted to launch its Starship V3 megarocket for the first time, but the launch was delayed due to technical issues. The WorldView Legion satellite captured a notable image of the Starship V3 on the launchpad prior to the scheduled launch.
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) plans to open up competition for the contract to operate the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), a federally funded research and development center (FFRDC) currently managed by the California Institute of Technology (Caltech). This decision marks a significant change in the management structure of JPL, which has been overseen by Caltech since its inception.
Scientists have discovered evidence of a significant solar proton event that occurred between 1200 and 1204 CE, which was recorded in tree rings and the diary of a Japanese poet, providing valuable insights into the sun's activity during that period. This finding has major implications for our understanding of space weather and its potential impact on astronauts and spacecraft.
On May 22, 2026, SpaceX attempted to launch its Starship V3 megarocket for the first time from Starbase, Texas, targeting a 90-minute launch window. The successful launch of Starship V3 is crucial for NASA's Artemis 4 mission and future crewed missions.
SpaceX has launched its newest version of the Starship, the world"s largest and most powerful rocket, on a critical test flight from Starbase, Texas, marking the first launch of the redesigned vehicle and Super Heavy booster. The successful launch paves the way for future development and testing of the Starship program.