March 31, 2026

European Union’s Shift to Defense Space and Security Signals Changing Role for ESA (Source: Aerospace America)
Despite its relative youth, the European Union’s five-year-old space agency, the European Union Agency for the Space Programme (EUSPA), is poised to displace the decades-old European Space Agency as the biggest spender in the region’s space sector, according to a new report. “The European Union as a distinct political entity is on the verge of overtaking the European Space Agency as the center of gravity for space in Europe,” said Michael Gleason, senior policy analyst at the Aerospace Corp. and author of the report, “‘A Geopolitical Awakening’: The European Union and Space.” (3/31)

NASA’s X-59 Returns To Flight After False Positive Cockpit Warning (Source: Aviation Week)
The cockpit warning light that cut short the second flight of NASA’s X-59 low-boom supersonic flight demonstrator on March 20 proved to be a false positive and the aircraft resumed envelope expansion testing with back-to-back flights on March 26 and 27. The Lockheed Martin Skunk Works-built X-59 was forced to return to base at Edwards AFB, California, after only 9 min. of a planned hour-long flight on March 20 when NASA Test Pilot Jim Less saw a vehicle system warning in the cockpit. (3/31)

Huge Solar Flare No Threat to Artemis 2 Astronaut Mission (Source: Space.com)
A massive solar eruption from the sun poses no threat to NASA's planned launch of its Artemis 2 mission to the moon this week, the space agency said. The colossal X1.4-class flare triggered a radio blackout over parts of Asia and Australia when it exploded from an active sunspot late Sunday. The flare also launched a coronal mass ejection, or CME, of solar plasma in Earth's direction, but the space weather should settle down before NASA launches its Artemis 2 astronauts on April 1. (3/30)

ESA Seeks Commercial Provider to Transport Payload to the Moon (Source: European Spaceflight)
The European Space Agency is seeking a commercial provider to deliver its NILS2 instrument to the Moon to measure negative ions on the lunar surface. On 1 June 2024, ESA’s original Negative Ions at the Lunar Surface (NILS) instrument touched down on the surface of the Moon aboard China’s Chang’e 6 lunar lander. The instrument was designed to detect and analyze negatively charged ions on the Moon’s surface produced by interactions between the solar wind and the lunar regolith. (3/31)

European Engines Powering Artemis II (Source: Douglas Messier)
ESA’s European Service Module is the propulsion heart of the Orion spacecraft, carrying 33 engines that guide, steer and propel the crew safely towards the Moon and back. The module has three types of engines that work together, each with a specific role during the mission. A single main engine delivers the large changes in speed needed to send Orion towards the Moon. It is supported by eight auxiliary engines, which are used for orbital corrections and can back up the main engine if needed. For precise control, 24 smaller reaction control system engines, arranged in six pods, are used to rotate and orient the spacecraft.

Engineers at ESA’s technical center, ESTEC, in the Netherlands will work alongside colleagues in the Mission Evaluation Room at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston, monitoring the module around the clock. Artemis II is the second mission to fly with a European Service Module. The first performed above expectations. With the third and fourth European Service Modules already delivered and undergoing testing for future missions, Europe continues to deliver the hardware that brings humankind safely towards the Moon and back home. (3/31)

Eutelsat in Talks with India's Space Agency to Diversify Launch Options (Source: Reuters)
Eutelsat, Europe's main rival to Elon Musk's satellite internet provider ​Starlink, is in talks with India's space agency about future satellite launches as it seeks to diversify beyond ‌SpaceX and Europe's Ariane rockets. Jean-François Fallacher, CEO of France-based Eutelsat since last June, said negotiations with ISRO were ongoing, though no deal has yet been reached. (3/31)

Portal Space’s ‘Mini-Nova’ Payload Goes Into Orbit to Test Technologies for Maneuverable Space Vehicles (Source: Geekwire)
Portal Space Systems has made its first foray into Earth orbit, in the form of a piggyback payload that will test technologies for highly maneuverable space vehicles. The instrument package, which is about the size of a tissue box, was one of 119 payloads sent into orbit on SpaceX’s Transporter-16 satellite rideshare mission. Portal’s “Mini-Nova” payload was attached to Momentus’ Vigoride-7 orbital service vehicle for the ride on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. (3/30)

Antaris Raises $28 Million to Accelerate AI-Driven Space Missions (Source: Space News)
Antaris, creator of an AI-powered platform that simplifies satellite design, simulation, manufacturing, and operations for ISR and communications satellite missions, announced the first close of a $28 Million Series A funding round. Antaris recently announced an MOA with SARsatX to develop a 16-satellite constellation in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, as well as initial exploration of the Japanese market.  The company is working with sovereign governments and commercial partners to develop regional and global ISR and communications satellite capabilities. (3/31)

Data Centers in Space Could Enable Golden Dome (Source: Air and Space Forces)
The tech industry’s pursuit of space-based AI data centers has potentially significant implications for military space operations, potentially enabling faster communication between satellites from multiple orbits and strengthening sensing and targeting for Golden Dome and related functions, industry and defense officials said. (3/27)

New Henrietta Spectrograph to Probe Alien Atmospheres (Source: Universe Today)
Researchers are developing a new tool called the Henrietta Infrared Spectrograph with the goal of advancing exoplanet atmosphere science by providing greater detail than possibly ever before. While several ground-based telescopes are currently used to study exoplanet atmospheres, those telescopes are designed to perform several types of science, including galaxy evolution and black holes. In contrast, Henrietta will be the first to specialize in exoplanet atmosphere research in near-infrared light, providing crucial details about exoplanets that go beyond physical attributes. (3/29)

Better Space Stock: Rocket Lab vs. Redwire (Source: Motley Fool)
Rocket Lab sure lived up to its name this week, rocketing more than 10% on Wednesday after NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman unveiled his new "Ignition" plan to build a base on the moon. As investors digested the details, they were left with visions of big stock profits. By Wednesday, the buying frenzy was in full force, with multiple space stocks soaring by double digits.

Just not Redwire Corp. Redwire stock went up only 1%. And I think that's a mistake. Don't get me wrong. I agree that the investors who bought up Rocket Lab and a few other space stocks this week may be on the right track. Admittedly, Redwire wasn't named as a recipient of any contracts under the Ignition program -- yet. (After all, the program's only a few days old.) But then again, neither has Rocket Lab. (3/29)

Some Lunar Dust Can Be Toxic for Artemis Astronauts (Source: Nicholas Barnett)
Did you know a few grains of Moon dust could push spacecraft air past safety limits? During Artemis missions, astronauts returning from the lunar surface will inevitably bring dust back with them into vehicles like the Orion spacecraft. If volatile-bearing regolith enters the cabin environment, it could release reactive gases into the air astronauts breathe.

For the Orion capsule to be used in the Artemis missions: 0.36 g of lunar regolith can exceed NASA safe exposure limits; 1.35 g of lunar regolith can exceed safe exposure limits on Earth (assuming the same volume as Orion); and 134.1 g of lunar regolith can exceed Immediate Dangerous to Life or Health (IDLH) exposure limits.

But the encouraging part is this: we can reduce this risk before astronauts ever land. By mapping the Moon’s temperature, illumination, and terrain conditions, we can identify regions where volatile compounds are more likely to accumulate or remain stable. (3/30)

Haridopolos on Artemis (Source: Payload)
For Rep. Mike Haridopolos (R-FL), a long-time resident of the Florida space coast who was elected to represent the district in 2025, there’s a lot to be excited about—both now and in the future. Artemis II can be a “great rallying cry” for Americans, Haridopolos said, joining together people from all walks of life (and across the political spectrum) to root for the astronauts.

For NASA’s broader lunar push, Haridopolos said he’s most excited about the possible, unexpected tech developed on the way to the Moon that could also improve life on Earth. “There’s a smorgasbord of potential here,” he said. (3/31)

Keith Hardiman Appointed Deputy CIO for Air Force, Space Force (Source: Defense Scoop)
The Department of the Air Force announced Saturday that Keith Hardiman has been approved to serve as its deputy chief information officer on a permanent basis. He steps into the role after having served as the DAF’s acting deputy CIO. He’ll help oversee the Air and Space Forces’ IT, cybersecurity, data and artificial intelligence initiatives. (3/30)

WRC to Readdress Power Limits to Mitigate LEO-GEO Interference (Source: Space Intel Report)
The next meeting of the quadrennial World Radiocommunication Conference (WRC), scheduled for Oct. 18 - Nov. 12, 2027 in Shanghai, is likely to revisit a subject that sharply divided LEO and GEO satellite operators when it was last examined, at the previous conference in 2023. WRC-23 concluded with a decision to permit studies on whether the 30-year-old  limits on the power that non-geostationary satellites could emit when in the line of emissions of GEO-orbit satellites, which are stationed over the equator, should relaxed. (3/31)

Data From Chinese Moon Lander Shows Signs of Peculiar Radiation “Cavity” (Source: Futurism)
As detailed in a paper published this week in the journal Science Advances, the team analyzed data collected by China’s Chang’e-4 lander, which became the first spacecraft to land and explore the far side of the Moon in early 2019. They found a surprising “region of reduced [galactic cosmic ray] flux in the prenoon sector of the lunar orbit,” challenging the presumption that radiation is “uniformly distributed over the Earth-Moon distance.”

“This cavity indicates that the influence of Earth’s magnetic field within the space environment extends unexpectedly up to and far beyond the lunar orbit,” the paper reads. The cavity appears a few Earth hours after lunar sunrise. A single lunar day lasts for approximately 29.5 Earth days, which means it’s not as fleeting a moment as it sounds, stretching the window to “roughly 2 [Earth] days during each lunar revolution.” (3/29)

Haven-1 Approved Through Interagency Review Process (Source: FAA)
The FAA approved the Vast Space Haven-1 commercial space station through an interagency payload review process. The favorable determination found that Vast Space initiated all required licensing from other agencies and that the spacecraft would not jeopardize public health and safety, safety of property, U.S. national security or foreign policy interests, or international obligations of the United States. (3/31)

FAA and European Air Traffic Control Partners Talk Space Integration (Source: FAA)
The FAA hosted several European air traffic control partners to discuss the safe integration of U.S.-based space launches into the North Atlantic Region airspace. In the coming years, a slight uptick in the number of space transport operations with planned hazard areas affecting the region’s airspace is expected.

The talks included representatives from commercial space transport companies and emphasized the need for early engagement and information sharing. Participants also visited the FAA Air Traffic Control System Command Center in Virginia for an overview of the space operation lifecycle from license to launch. It included a simulated mission exercise allowing attendees to gain exposure to airspace management concepts in a realistic operational context.

The FAA held a similar meeting with the Latin America and Caribbean Region last fall and plans to continue these international engagements to keep airspace safe during space operations. (3/31)

Space and Airline Industries Collaborate to Share the Airspace (Source: FAA)
As the number of space launch and reentry operations increases, so too does the need for collaboration among stakeholders to optimize the safe and efficient sharing of the U.S. National Airspace System (NAS).

The FAA established the Space Collaborative Decision-Making program in 2021 to bring together the FAA, space transport operators, the airline industry, federal space agencies, and other stakeholders for a quarterly dialogue and information exchange. It focuses on the technologies, processes, and procedures associated with integrating space launch and reentry operations into the NAS. The program is working on improving data sharing, pre-mission planning, and international coordination. (3/31)

Igniting a New Vision for NASA (Source: Space Review)
At a day-long event last week, NASA leadership announced major changes to its exploration, science, and technology programs. Jeff Foust reports on the various initiatives and the hurdles they face. Click here. (3/31)
 
From Advantage to Arena: Space Power 1991–2026 (Source: Space Review)
The conflict in the Middle East has demonstrated how space capabilities have become essential to modern warfare. Bharath Gopalaswamy discusses how it also shows the vulnerabilities of space capabilities and new challenges for them. Click here. (3/31)
 
Artemis 2, Project Hail Mary, and the Risks and Benefits of Human Spaceflight (Source: Space Review)
The impending Artemis 2 launch comes as the movie Project Hail Mary hits theaters. Scott Solomon discusses how they both illustrate the benefits and risks of human spaceflight. Click here. (3/31)
 
Convair’s Manned Astronomical Research Station (MARS) (Source: Space Review)
Another early space station concept was developed by Convair. Hans Dolfing unearths some details about this proposed station and its military connections. Click here. (3/31)

Ex-ISRO Scientists Developing New Commercial Rocket (Source: India Today)
India's private space revolution has a new name, and it comes from an unexpected address. Bharath Space Vehicle (BSV), a startup incorporated in 2024 and headquartered in Surat, Gujarat, is building what could be one of the country's most credible private rocket programs. The founding team brings combined 70-plus years of experience inside ISRO. BSV is developing Agasthya-1, a two-stage expendable rocket powered by two LOX/RP-1, or liquid oxygen and kerosene engines, designed to provide reliable and affordable access to space. (3/29)

Kristen Stewart to Play Sally Ride in Amazon's 'The Challenger' Series (Source: Space.com)
The space-based projects just keep on launching! Kristen Stewart will be buckling up for a simulated voyage into space for her upcoming Prime Video limited series playing Sally Ride, America’s first woman in orbit and a pivotal figure in the government's Challenger Disaster investigation. The series was first revealed in 2024, but it's taken nearly two years for Amazon to officially greenlight the project. (3/29)

China's CAS Achieves Orbit with First Successful Kinetica-2 Launch (Source: Space News)
Chinese firm CAS Space successfully reached orbit with the first launch of its Kinetica-2 launch vehicle Monday, with a prototype cargo spacecraft among the payloads. The 53-meter-tall rocket blasted off from the Jiuquan spaceport. The Qingzhou-1 + Kinetica-2 combo was the first successful commercial bid for the low-cost cargo supply mission to Chinese space stations. (3/30)

Rocket Lab Secures Germany's Approval to Acquire Mynaric (Source: Space News)
Rocket Lab has finally secured approval from the German government to acquire laser communications company Mynaric. Rocket Lab announced Monday that Germany's Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy approved the transaction under foreign investment rules, paving the way for the acquisition to close in April. Rocket Lab announced a deal a year ago to acquire Mynaric for $150 million, but the sale raised concerns among German officials and lawmakers who were wary of allowing a supplier of sensitive space technology to fall under foreign ownership. Rocket Lab has positioned the acquisition as a way to secure a critical component in the satellite supply chain while expanding its presence in Europe. Mynaric produces optical communications terminals that enable satellites to transmit data via laser links, a technology increasingly central to next-generation constellations. (3/31)

Starlink Satellite Anomaly Generates Debris (Source: Space News)
For the second time in a little more than three months, a Starlink satellite has malfunctioned in orbit, generating debris. SpaceX said Monday that Starlink-34343 "experienced an anomaly" Sunday. Space situational awareness company LeoLabs said it was tracking tens of debris objects in the vicinity of the satellite, launched less than a year ago. The debris does not pose a risk to other spacecraft, including the ISS and upcoming Artemis 2 launch, and should decay within weeks. The incident is similar to one in mid-December involving another Starlink satellite. SpaceX said it is working to determine what happened to Starlink-34343 and implement any corrective actions. (3/31)

Sovereign Drive Could Propel European Space Leadership (Source: Space News)
A shift in priorities may help turn the European Union into a major space power. A report Tuesday by The Aerospace Corp. concluded that increased emphasis on military and security space applications, with increased funding, will create a shift in the balance of power in Europe's space sector, making the EU the lead player over national governments and the European Space Agency. The report projects that the EU, which currently provides about a quarter of ESA's budget, could become the majority funder of ESA in a few years, shifting that agency more towards military programs. (3/31)

China Plans Sharp Increase in Launches (Source: Space News)
China is planning a sharp increase in launches this year. Yang Yiqiang, founder and chairperson of CAS Space, told a Chinese publication that China's launches are expected to reach around 140 in 2026. That would be a significant increase from the 92 launches by China last year, which itself shattered the record of 68 launches in 2024. The rapid acceleration in China's launch cadence is being facilitated by the growth of its space launch infrastructure as well as the rise of several launch companies, many of whom are pursuing reusable rockets. (3/31)

SpaceX Launches 100+ Satellites on Monday California Rideshare Mission (Source: Space News)
SpaceX launched more than 100 satellites on a Transporter rideshare mission Monday. The Falcon 9 lifted off from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California on the Transporter-16 mission. SpaceX said there 119 payloads on the launch, a total that includes both satellites deployed directly from the rocket as well as orbital transfer vehicles carrying hosted payloads and spacecraft for later deployment.

Several companies used the launch to replenish their constellations. Also on board was Varda Space Industries' W-6 reentry vehicle . The W-6 capsule carries government-backed payloads, including an autonomous navigation system developed by Rhea Space Activity with funding from the Space Force and the Air Force Research Laboratory. (3/31)

ESA Picks Rocket Lab to Launch NavSats (Source: Space News)
ESA turned to Rocket Lab to launch a pair of navigation test satellites because of a lack of alternative options. An Electron launch Saturday placed into orbit two Celeste spacecraft built by separate European industrial teams to test technologies for low Earth orbit navigation satellites systems. ESA said in a prelaunch briefing that the satellites needed to be in orbit by May to put their frequencies into use, and European launch options like Vega-C were fully booked. A second set of nine larger, more capable Celeste satellites is planned to be launched by the end of 2027. (3/31)

SpaceX Sets Another Reuse Record with Monday Starlink Mission From Florida (Source: Orlando Sentinel)
A Falcon 9 set another reuse record on a launch Monday. The Falcon 9 lifted off from the Cape Canaveral Spaceport in Florida, placing 29 Starlink satellites into orbit. The launch was a record 34th flight of this booster, which first flew nearly five years ago. SpaceX is seeking to reuse Falcon 9 boosters up to 40 times. (3/31)

Japanese Astronaut Retiring (Source: Yomiuri Shimbun)
Japanese astronaut Satoshi Furukawa is retiring. The JAXA astronaut is leaving the agency effective Tuesday after being selected as an astronaut by JAXA's predecessor, NASDA, in 1999. He flew two long-duration ISS missions, in 2011 and 2023-24, spending a year in space. Furukawa, a medical doctor, said he will become a professor at Japan's Kyorin University School of Medicine. (3/31)