November 22, 2025

Why Humanity Needs a Lunar Seed Vault (Source: Space News)
As the global climate crisis and other human activity continue to threaten Earth's biodiversity, it may be time to build backups for our backup vaults storing repositories of seeds and plant life. That's according to U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. David Stuckenberg, who calls for a lunar seed vault that can store seeds and other important biological artifacts far away from Earth. He noted that melting permafrost and war have already threatened the Svalbard Global Seed Vault, often called the "Doomsday Vault," long considered to be the ultimate backup for Earth's seed banks.

The moon's extreme conditions could naturally support cryogenic storage of seeds, spores and even animal gametes for thousands of years. Additionally, the moon’s lava tubes — vast underground chambers — provide natural radiation shielding and stable environments, almost perfectly suited for long-term preservation. (11/21)

Former Central Florida Teacher Joe Acabá Steps Down as Head of NASA Astronaut Corps (Source: Orlando Sentinel)
Joe Acabá is no longer chief astronaut. The former Central Florida teacher and three-time spaceflight veteran became the first Hispanic to hold the prestigious post in 2023. NASA confirmed Monday that he was replaced by Scott Tingle. Other notable chiefs of the Astronaut Office have included Deke Slayton, Alan Shepard, Tom Stafford, Orlando’s John Young, Robert Gibson, Robert Cabana and Peggy Whitson, among others. Just what’s next for Acabá is uncertain, although his new role is “technical advisement for mission and strategy” at Johnson Space Center, according to NASA. (11/18)

Moss Survives Prolonged Exposure Outside ISS (Source: Live Science)
Moss spores have survived a prolonged trip to space, scientists reveal. The spores spent nine months on the outside of the ISS before returning to our planet, and over 80% of the spores were still able to reproduce when they arrived back on Earth. (11/20)

Earth Just Got Hit by a Stealth Solar Storm No One Saw Coming (Source: Space.com)
A stealth solar storm hit Earth on Nov. 20. It arrived without warning and may have contributed to auroras visible at mid latitudes. This event didn't trigger a geomagnetic storm; however, such solar storms, or coronal mass ejections (CMEs), are still exciting because they erupt almost undetected and disrupt the solar wind conditions around Earth. They are generally more common when the sun enters the declining phase of its 11-year solar cycle, the periodic rise and fall in the sun's magnetic activity. (11/21)

Firefly Aerospace Joins Kratos MACH-TB 2.0 Team for Hypersonic Testing (Source: Firefly)
Firefly is partnering with Kratos Defense and Security Solutions as a member of the MACH-TB 2.0 team—an expanding national coalition driving the next era of American hypersonics. Firefly will advance Kratos’ goal of one hypersonic test launch per week, making testing faster, more frequent, and more affordable. (11/20)