May 27, 2025

L3Harris Brings Efficiencies to Rocket Motor Supply Chain (Source: Army Technology)
L3Harris Technologies has started building five Virginia facilities for the production of solid rocket motors, enhancing its Center of Excellence for Propellant Research. The expansion, supported by a Defense Production Act Title III agreement, includes a 12,000-square-foot facility for motor casting and assembly, a new control room and upgraded testing systems. The project aims to reduce manufacturing distances by 90% and supports national defense needs. (5/26)

Golden Dome Proposal Stirs Global Arms Race (Source: TIME)
President Donald Trump's proposed "Golden Dome" space-based missile defense system, which is similar to Israel's Iron Dome, has drawn criticism from North Korea, Russia and China, which view it as a provocation that could escalate an arms race and militarize space. The system's potential to intercept missiles globally raises fears of increased military tensions and strategic imbalances. (5/27)

Russia Has Signed a Deal with China to Build a Nuclear Power Plant on the Moon (Source: Space.com)
The Russian reactor will be used to power the International Lunar Research Station (ILRS), jointly led by China and Russia, and should be completed by 2036, according to a memorandum of cooperation signed by the two nations. The construction of the Chinese-Russian reactor will likely be carried out autonomously "without the presence of humans," according to a 2024 interview with Yury Borisov, director general of the Russian space agency Roscosmos. (5/25)

Empyreum, Italy’s New Satellite Platform for the Constellation Era (Source: Space News)
Italy’s SITAEL unveiled Empyreum, its next-generation small satellite platform equipped with the company’s proprietary Spark electric propulsion system. In this exclusive interview, Chiara Pertosa – CEO of SITAEL and one of second-generation leader of Angel Holding – explains what makes Empyreum unique, how Italy is expanding its satellite manufacturing capabilities, and why achieving European technological independence is more urgent than ever.

We designed Empyreum to be highly performant and easy to build. Its modular, metallic structure allows for quick and simple assembly of subsystems using a plug/and/play approach. This means shorter delivery times, and lower costs. It’s not just about integration, we own the technology for 80% of the subsystems. Thanks to our articulated solar arrays, we also offer up to 3 kW peak power, even on inclined orbits, which significantly expands its mission range. (5/27)

Webb Spots Frozen Water Around a Star That Mirrors Our Sun (Source: Daily Galaxy)
Astronomers using the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) have made a significant breakthrough, detecting water ice in a dusty debris ring orbiting a distant, sunlike star. This observation is not only a technical achievement, but also a meaningful step toward understanding how life-essential compounds like water are distributed in other planetary systems.

The star in question, HD 181327, is located around 155 light-years away in the constellation Telescopium. Despite being a cosmic infant at just 23 million years old, this star offers a glimpse into what our solar system might have looked like in its earliest stages. HD 181327 is surrounded by a broad, dusty debris disk, filled with small icy bodies — the basic ingredients for building planets. (5/26)

NASA Finds Venus Has a Surprisingly Thin Crust (Source: SciTech Daily)
Venus may not have Earth-style tectonic plates, but it’s far from geologically quiet. A new model shows its crust is surprisingly thin and undergoes dramatic transformations, breaking off or melting into the mantle and potentially triggering volcanic eruptions. This crustal “metamorphism” gives scientists a whole new perspective on how Venus churns beneath its blistering surface. Upcoming missions like DAVINCI and VERITAS aim to find out just how alive the planet still is. (5/16)

The Atmosphere Of Titan Spins In A Different Way From The Saturnian Moon (Source: IFL Science)
Titan, the largest moon of Saturn, is truly a remarkable world. It has a thick atmosphere as well as rivers, lakes, and seas of methane and hydrocarbons. It is too cold for liquid water, but it is the only other world in the Solar System with liquid on its surface. And of course it rains too.

If all of this were not extraordinary, researchers have discovered that the atmosphere wobbles in a different way from the moon. “It seems that the angular momentum axis of the atmosphere is offset from that of the solid body. Over time, the rotation axis of the atmosphere is changing relative to the planet's spin-axis,” said lead author Dr Lucy Wright. (5/24)

USAF Cargo Rocket Could Land Anywhere on Earth in Under 90 Minutes (Source: New Atlas)
Part of the Rocket Experimentation for Global Agile Logistics (REGAL) program, Rocket Cargo seeks to develop a commercial reusable transport rocket that is capable of boosting into suborbital trajectory and landing anywhere on Earth in 60 to 90 minutes. Not only that, the final vehicle is expected to have the cargo capacity of a Globemaster III transport plane. That's 77 tonnes of groceries at one go. (5/25)

NASA-French Satellite Spots Large-Scale River Waves for First Time (Source: NASA)
In a first, researchers from NASA and Virginia Tech used satellite data to measure the height and speed of potentially hazardous flood waves traveling down U.S. rivers. The three waves they tracked were likely caused by extreme rainfall and by a loosened ice jam. While there is currently no database that compiles satellite data on river flood waves, the new study highlights the potential of space-based observations to aid hydrologists and engineers, especially those working in communities along river networks with limited flood control structures such as levees and flood gates. (5/27)

Patrick Space Force Base to Add Buildings for STARCOM as Field Command Moves From Colorado (Source: Florida Today)
Two modular buildings for Space Training and Readiness Command (STARCOM) personnel are planned for construction at Patrick Space Force Base. STARCOM is moving its headquarters from Peterson Space Force Base in Colorado to Patrick Space Force Base in Florida. This 4.2-acre footprint off West Tech Road lies within a previously developed and demolished area on base.

"Last year, Patrick welcomed its first cohort of STARCOM Guardians, who are currently on the ground, rapidly establishing an initial operating capability for later in 2025," the statement said. "Over the coming years, STARCOM will steadily transition a force of more than 450 personnel as it completes its move. These personnel consist of a mix of uniformed Guardians and Airmen, federal civilians, and contractors," the statement said. STARCOM will use existing and temporary buildings in the Patrick area until the permanent facilities are constructed, the statement said. (5/26)

A Serious Threat May Be Lurking in The Orbit of Venus (Source: Science Alert)
Twenty years ago, the US Congress instructed NASA to find 90 percent of near-Earth asteroids threatening Earth. They've made progress finding these asteroids that orbit the Sun and come to within 1.3 astronomical units of Earth. However, they may have to expand their search since astronomers are now finding asteroids co-orbiting Venus that could pose a threat. They can be hidden in the Sun's glare and resist our efforts to find them. It comes down to observability windows and how the asteroids' brightness changes. (5/27)

Chinese Rotating Detonation Engine (Source: Farmingdale Observer)
Beijing has unveiled a revolutionary hypersonic engine. Propelling aircraft at 20,000 km/h, it represents a major advance in aeronautical technology. The secret of this engine lies in its ability to operate in two distinct modes. Up to Mach 7, it uses rotary detonation, a process that maximizes energy efficiency. This process is similar to a supersonic combustion cycle in which air is compressed and ignited in a cylindrical chamber, generating a detonation wave that propagates in a spiral. This technique makes it possible to harness the energy released more efficiently and achieve greater speed. (5/26)

FAA Preemptively Clears Airspace For SpaceX Launch (Source: AvWeb)
For Starship's next launch, the FAA has declared a 1600-nm hazard area stretching from the launch site in Starbase, Texas, to the Turks and Caicos. In the previous flights, the corridor was about half that size. The agency said the expansion was done because of the previous experience and because there’s a new element of risk with this launch.
(5/26)

SpaceX to Test New Objectives During Starship Launch (Source: Spectrum 13)
SpaceX announced that it will be testing out some new objectives and experiments during its ninth Starship launch on Tuesday. And one of those experiments is having the booster rocket being used for a second time, which is a first for Starship. As the booster is returning for that hard splashdown in the Gulf, initially, three of the center engines will be used for the final phases of the landing. This is done on purpose to gather data. Then the booster will switch to only using two center engines for the landing burn.

The Starship craft itself, which will eventually hold 100 humans, it has its own test objectives. Starship will deploy eight Starlink satellite simulators. These simulators are expected to burn up on re-entry.

A significant number of tiles have been removed from Starship to stress-test vulnerable areas across the vehicle during reentry. Multiple metallic tile options, including one with active cooling, will test alternative materials for protecting Starship during reentry. On the sides of the vehicle, functional catch fittings are installed and will test the fittings’ thermal and structural performance. The entire ship's tile line also received a smoothed and tapered edge to address hot spots observed during reentry on Starship’s sixth flight test. (5/27)

Federal Funding Cuts Threaten NASA’s Effort to Grow New Mexico Chiles in Space (Source: KQRE)
The future of a program studying New Mexico chiles in space is now in jeopardy after federal funding cuts. In 2021, NASA started growing New Mexico chiles at the International Space Station to learn how crops can grow in harsh conditions. The research aimed to help expand NASA’s space cookbook, keep astronauts healthy, and keep their senses satisfied as they venture to the Moon and Mars.

Scientists applying for new studies are being told that the habitat will no longer be available. In April, there were cuts to the “Advanced Plant Habitat,” which was the facility where the chiles were growing on the ISS. (5/26)

SpaceX Shifts Resources for Renewed Focus on Starship-to-Mars (Source: Wall Street Journal)
SpaceX is shifting more company resources towards Starship development, reportedly to allow a Mars launch next year. SpaceX has moved teams working on other programs, like its Dragon spacecraft, to work on Starship and related projects. This includes the use of the vehicle for "rocket cargo" delivery for the U.S. military.

SpaceX CEO Elon Musk is also pushing to have Starship ready to fly a Mars mission in the next launch window in late 2026, although with no details about what Starship might do at Mars. Musk is scheduled to give a talk later today, ahead of the next Starship test flight, to discuss his plans for Starship and Mars. (5/26)

Russia Launches Satellite Inspection Satellite (Source: Russian Space Web)
Russia launched a satellite Friday that may be used to inspect other satellites. A Soyuz-2.1b rocket lifted off from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome Friday, placing the Cosmos 2588 satellite into orbit. Russian officials provided no details about the satellite, but Western observers believe it is part of a program called Nivelir for satellite inspection and potentially anti-satellite applications. The orbit of Cosmos 2588 matches that of USA 338, a U.S. reconnaissance satellite. (5/26)

Axiom Partners with Czech Republic (Source: Axiom Space)
Axiom Space announced a partnership to fly a Czech astronaut on a future mission. Axiom said that the Czech Republic's Minister of Transport, Martin Kupka, sent a letter of intent regarding the country's interest to fly an astronaut on a private astronaut mission run by the company.

That astronaut would perform research for companies and institutions in the country on the mission, much as astronauts from other countries have done on past Axiom missions to the International Space Station and the upcoming Ax-4 mission there. A final agreement will be contingent on several factors, including support from the European Space Agency for the Czech Republic and Axiom winning from NASA an opportunity to fly another private mission to the ISS. (5/27)

Axiom Space and Egyptian Space Agency Partner to Boost Space Exploration (Source: Broadcast Pro)
Axiom Space and the Egyptian Space Agency (EgSA) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to foster collaboration in the exploration and utilization of space. The partnership aims to establish a framework for joint initiatives, including research activities and support for human spaceflight efforts. (5/26)

Russia Sets $56B Space Program, Seeking To Close Gaps In Space Race (Source: Aviation Week)
The Russian government has given the green light to a multi-year space plan that emphasizes more tangible outcomes and seeks to close a growing gap with rivals.

The multi-billion dollar, decade-long undertaking, which still requires sign-off by President Vladimir Putin, calls for RUB4.5 trillion ($56 billion) in space spending, including RUB1 trillion for the first three years, Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin said after the program’s review on May 20. The new plan takes effect from 2026 and sets guideposts through 2036, Russian space agency Roscosmos said. The organization is charged with its supervision. (5/26)

After Delays, Hundreds of Full-Time Air Force Reservists Preparing to Transfer to Space Force (Source: The Gazette)
After delays, hundreds of full-time Air Force reservists are preparing to join the Space Force this year, while the plan for their part-time colleagues is still in the works. The transfers were directed by a 2024 law, that is phasing out space-focused positions in the reserve, including the entire 310th Space Wing, headquartered at Schriever Space Force Base.

Most of the space-focused reservists in the country work for the wing and can choose to apply for the active duty, leave the reserve or retrain into a different reserve role. The 310th Space Wing expects about 300 reservists will follow an initial five who have already transferred into active duty, said Col. Adam Fisher, wing commander. The wing only had 250 full-time members, so some part-time reservists were among those selected to go full-time. (5/27)