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NASA"s Artemis II mission is on track to launch as early as April 1, with the crew set to arrive at Kennedy Space Center (KSC) for pre-launch quarantine. The mission marks a significant step towards returning humans to the lunar surface.
As NASA prepares to launch its Artemis 2 mission, nations participating in the Artemis Accords are working to establish key rules for operating on the moon, including emergency response protocols and addressing harmful interference. The unresolved issues highlight the complexity of international cooperation in space exploration.
The US Space Force has decided to launch the GPS III-8 satellite on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket instead of the originally planned United Launch Alliance Vulcan Centaur due to technical issues with the latter's solid rocket boosters. This change is significant as it affects the final mission in the GPS III line and highlights ongoing challenges with the Vulcan Centaur program.
Astronomers have discovered four new moons of Jupiter and 11 new moons of Saturn, bringing the total number of known moons in our solar system to 442. These small celestial bodies, with diameters averaging about 1.9 miles, were detected using large ground-based telescopes.
The US Department of Defense has awarded Rocket Lab a $190 million contract for 20 launches of its HASTE vehicle, a suborbital variant of the Electron rocket, to test hypersonic technologies. This partnership aims to accelerate the development of advanced aerospace capabilities through the TRMC MACH-TB program.
NASA"s Space Launch System (SLS) rocket has been transported to the launch pad at Kennedy Space Center in preparation for the upcoming Artemis 2 mission, which will send a crew of four astronauts on a lunar flyby. The mission is scheduled to launch no earlier than April 1, marking a significant milestone in NASA"s plans to return humans to the moon.
The Artemis 2 rocket has arrived back at the launch pad after addressing technical issues, with NASA aiming to launch the mission in less than two weeks. The mission will send astronauts around the moon, marking a significant step towards establishing a sustainable human presence on the lunar surface.
The NASA Artemis II mission is set to launch on April 1, 2026, sending four astronauts on a 10-day journey around the moon. The Space Launch System (SLS) rocket and Orion crew capsule are currently undergoing preparations for launch at the Kennedy Space Center.
NASA has lost contact with its MAVEN Mars spacecraft and is attempting to reestablish communication, with no signal detected since January 16. The agency remains hopeful in locating the spacecraft, deploying additional assets and utilizing the Curiosity rover to aid in the search.
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.