May 24, 2026

Scientists Thought Jupiter's Moon Europa Was Ejecting Water. Now They're Not So Sure (Source: Space.com)
Astronomers have studied 14 years of Hubble Space Telescope observations of Jupiter's icy moon Europa, and now suspect that its infamous water vapor eruptions may not exist as was previously thought. This Jovian moon is thought to host a global subsurface ocean that possibly harbors some of the essential elements for life under its thick and icy shell, including complex organic chemicals and water.

The faint and difficult-to-detect plumes were previously thought to originate from the vast global saltwater ocean lurking beneath the icy shell of Europa. This material is thought to erupt from cracks in the icy shell of the moon. The team feared that the detection of water vapor plumes from Europa may have been the result of "noise" in their data. "Our reanalysis took our original 99.9% confidence in the plumes’ existence and reduced it to less than 90% confidence," said team leader Lorenz Roth. (5/22)

This Cryptocurrency Billionaire Will Fly SpaceX's 1st Private Starship to Mars, But When? (Source: Space.com)
When SpaceX attempted to launch its newest (and tallest) megarocket yet on Thursday, all eyes were on the shiny Starship Version 3 atop its South Texas pad. Especially NASA's, since the agency wants to use the towering rocketship to land Artemis astronauts on the moon in two years. So it was a bit of a surprise when SpaceX, with less than 15 minutes remaining before liftoff, announced something new: A private Starship mission to Mars, a flyby expedition led by cryptocurrency billionaire Chun Wang.

"So it's going to be a flyby mission of Mars," Wang said in a recorded announcement unveiled by SpaceX during live launch commentary (the Starship V3 liftoff was ultimately scrubbed). "A lot of people talk about Mars. We like Mars, we're gonna land on Mars. We're gonna do a city on Mars. But let's get it started with a flyby." (5/22)

Mars Fungi Could Make Red Planet Regolith Fertile for Crops (Source: Universe Today)
While growing crops on Mars using fungi might be decades away, this hasn’t stopped an international team of scientists from the United States and Brazil from pushing the limits of enhancing crop production through non-traditional methods. With their findings recently published, the researchers discuss how a type of fungi called beneficial fungi could be used to convert the toxic and nutrient-absent lunar and Martian regolith into biologically friendly soil for crop production. Beneficial fungi are a fungi species capable of driving nutrient cycling for plants, soil, and other organisms. (5/23)

NASA is Forging a Nuclear Path to Mars (Source: The Hill)
While NASA, along with its international and commercial partners, is going pedal to the metal back to the moon, the space agency is not neglecting Mars. In 2028, if all goes well, NASA plans to test a new technology that could reduce trip times to the Red Planet and open it up to exploration and, perhaps, human settlement.

NASA is developing Space Reactor-1 Freedom, a nuclear-powered spacecraft designed to deliver three helicopters called Skyfall to Mars. The idea is similar to the Ingenuity copter that went to the Red Planet as part of the Perseverance rover mission in 2021. Once there, the Skyfall helicopters could scout out possible landing sites for future human missions to Mars.

Space Reactor-1 Freedom is a nuclear electric rocket, which means that it ionizes a propellant such as xenon with electricity. This provides a slow but steady thrust that eventually accelerates a spacecraft faster than an ordinary chemical rocket. It would be launched by a conventional rocket into space before firing its nuclear electric engine. (5/24)

NASA to Add Missions to SpaceX Commercial Crew Contract (Source: Space News)
NASA plans to add more missions to SpaceX’s commercial crew contract, protecting the agency from the possibility that Boeing’s spacecraft is never certified for missions to the International Space Station. (5/24)

Hong Kong's First Astronaut Joins Mission to TSS (Source: Bloomberg)
Hong Kong’s first astronaut, a former police officer with a doctorate in computer forensics, will join a Chinese mission to its space station on Sunday, in what the city’s Chief Executive John Lee described as a “historic moment.”

Lee congratulated Lai Ka-ying, a payload expert born and raised in the city, in a statement on Saturday, saying her selection to join the Shenzhou-23 crew was not only “affirmation of her own capability, but also a testimony to the country’s high recognition of Hong Kong’s I&T talent, development, and achievements.” (5/23)

Pentagon Taps Viasat and Intelsat for $438M Anti-Jam Satellite Deal (Source: Defence Blog)
The U.S. Space Force has awarded Viasat and Intelsat General Communications a combined $437.7 million contract to build satellites for the Protected Tactical Satellite Communications-Global program, a new constellation designed to keep troops connected even when adversaries are actively trying to jam them out of the sky. The contract covers the procurement of space vehicles in support of the PTS-G program. (5/23)

The African and European Space Agencies are Calling for Applications from African Earth Observation Startups (Source: Spacewatch Global)
The African Space Agency (AfSA) and the European Space Agency (ESA) are jointly accepting applications for the Business Innovation Program, an accelerator initiative under the Africa–EU Space Partnership. The program supports Earth Observation (EO) startups and SMEs with capacity development, investor matchmaking, and innovation support. (5/22)

Palm Bay Residents May Hear Explosions, See Green Smoke During Space Force Drill (Source: Florida Today)
On Florida's Space Coast, Palm Bay residents may notice simulated explosions and green smoke rising from the Malabar Transmitter Annex on Friday, May 22 — but Space Force officials say these will be "controlled effects" deployed during a training exercise. (5/21)

Is Russia Maneuvering to Threaten an ICEYE Satellite? (Source: Integrity Flash)
Russia appears to have maneuvered multiple Cosmos satellites into nearly co-planar orbits with ICEYE-X36, a commercial SAR imaging satellite supporting Ukrainian military operations. The level of fuel expenditure, orbital alignment, and positioning involved is not typical of routine LEO activity and raises important questions about future rendezvous and proximity operations, counterspace positioning, and the evolving role of commercial satellites in conflict. (5/22)

Florida Rep. Leads Bill to Ensure American Semiconductor Superiority in Space (Source: Vern Buchanan)
Congressman Vern Buchanan (R-FL), Vice Chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, Congresswoman Terri Sewell (D-AL) and Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (D-WA) introduced the Semiconductor Superiority Act to amend the Section 48D Advanced Manufacturing Investment Credit to explicitly include property and infrastructure for space-based semiconductor manufacturing. "It will strengthen Florida’s position as a national leader in the space economy and keep America ahead of China in the race for technological and space dominance. By supporting next-generation semiconductor innovation, we can bolster national security, create high-paying jobs and cement America’s leadership in the industries of the future.” (5/23)

South Africa to Host Space Law Moot Competition (Sourcec: SA News)
South Africa will host the 17th Africa Regional Round of the Manfred Lachs Space Law Moot Court Competition next week. The Chief Director of Space Affairs at the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (the DTIC) and Africa Regional Coordinator for the competition, Nomfuneko Majaja, said the continued growth of the initiative reflects the continent’s determination to position itself at the centre of shaping global space governance, particularly in addressing pressing global challenges such as climate change, food security, resource management, and water security. (5/23)

NASA Reorganization Shuffle Combines Programs, Lands KSC New Director (Source: Orlando Sentinel)
NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman outlined a major overhaul of the agency’s structure that included a new director for Kennedy Space Center. Following the retirement of Janet Petro earlier this month, KSC had been in the hands of interim director Kelvin Manning. It will now be run by Brian Hughes, Isaacman announced Friday. Hughes will add the responsibility on top of his recently announced role as NASA’s senior director of launch operations. That role gave him oversight over launches from Florida, but also from the Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia. (5/23)

ArkEdge Space Delivers Study for JAXA on a GNSS-Independent Low Earth Orbit Positioning, Navigation & Timing System (Source: ArkEdge)
ArkEdge Space has completed a study commissioned by JAXA on “Elemental Technologies and Systems for a Dedicated, GNSS-Independent LEO-PNT Satellite System.” Positioning, Navigation and Timing (PNT), currently derived from Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) such as the US Global Positioning System (GPS), is vital to everyday life, from financial transactions to telecommunications and infrastructure. (5/19)

Universities Space Research Association Announces the Establishment its New Subsidiary, USRA Energy LLC (Source: USRA)
Universities Space Research Association (USRA) today announced the formation of its wholly owned subsidiary, USRA Energy LLC, located in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. The establishment of this entity aligns with the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) priorities to apply transformational artificial intelligence to next generation workforce development, nuclear innovation, scientific discovery, and mission execution simultaneously. (5/19)

HawkEye 360 Enters Into $125 Million Revolving Credit Facility (Source: HawkEye 360)
HawkEye 360 announced that it has entered into a $125 million revolving credit facility maturing in May 2031. The revolving credit facility enhances the Company’s liquidity and financial flexibility to support continued investment in its space-based radio frequency (“RF”) data and analytics platform, constellation expansion, product innovation and other strategic growth initiatives. (5/21)

Washington State's PALS Evaluates Launch Options (Source: PALS)
Pacific Aerospace Launch & Spaceport (PALS) is advancing a serious early-stage effort to evaluate next-generation launch, manufacturing, and testing infrastructure in Washington. The work underway is focused on site viability, early assessment of launch-path, safety, airspace, maritime, and land-use constraints, regulatory pathway assessment, infrastructure requirements, and long-term economic value for the state. PALS is also engaging experienced aerospace, infrastructure, and regional development advisors to help shape a disciplined path forward.

Washington already plays a major role in the space economy. PALS is focused on defining what it would take to responsibly add launch, testing, and supporting infrastructure to that ecosystem. PALS was formed to pursue that opportunity with rigor, responsibility, and ambition. (5/19)

ICEYE Secures €300 Million Revolving Credit Facility to Support Continued Growth (Source: ICEYE)
ICEYE has originated a €300 million 3-year committed revolving credit facility. The RCF will support the issuance of guarantees for customer contracts, enable continued business growth, and serve as a liquidity backstop. (5/21)

Europe Wants its Own Starlink. But it's On Course for Five Failures Instead (Source: Euractiv)
The war in Ukraine changed Europe’s view of space forever. Not because satellites suddenly became important – they already were. But because Europe was forced to confront an uncomfortable reality which made one American commercial system essential to European security almost overnight. That realization triggered a political shockwave across European capitals.

The European Union’s IRIS² program is supposed to become Europe’s answer to Starlink – a secure satellite communications constellation designed to strengthen European resilience and reduce dependence on external actors. Yet even before IRIS² becomes operational, individual countries are already discussing or pursuing their own national systems. Germany has recently announced SATCOMBw as their future national secure satcom program. France has Syracuse, the UK Skynet, Italy SICRAL, not to mention various GOVSATCOM programs or commercial players such as Eutelsat/OneWeb.

This should raise alarm bells. Because the uncomfortable truth is that building a genuine alternative to Starlink is extraordinarily difficult. It is not simply a matter of launching satellites and declaring victory. Starlink works because of scale. SpaceX has launched thousands of satellites, built vertically integrated manufacturing, secured launch capacity, developed user terminals, and created a system capable of constant replenishment and rapid expansion. (5/23)

UK Space Threat Detection System Operational Six Months Early (Source: UK Defense Journal)
A new software system designed to track threats to British satellites has reached operational status six months ahead of schedule, the Ministry of Defence has announced, as the UK also released the first images captured by its Noctis-1 military space telescope. Major General Paul Tedman, Commander of UK Space Command, said the combination of Noctis-1 and the new Borealis software represented a step change in the UK’s ability to operate in what he described as the invisible front line. (5/22)

Blue Origin Announces $600M Florida Expansion (Source: Florida Today)
Look for Blue Origin to build a $600 million expansion of the space company's sprawling Rocket Park manufacturing complex on Merritt Island, supporting 500 aerospace jobs with average salaries topping $98,000. Labeled Project Horizon, this expansion will feature an estimated 830,000-square-foot manufacturing facility for upper stages of heavy-lift New Glenn rockets. (5/23)

FAA Clears New Glenn for Launch (Source: Pune Times Mirror)
Blue Origin New Glenn is back in business after a brief but serious setback. The US FAA has cleared Jeff Bezos’ heavy-lift rocket to resume launches following an April anomaly that destroyed a commercial satellite. Blue Origin later said the New Glenn upper stage “experienced an off-nominal thermal condition” that caused one of its BE‑3U engines to deliver lower-than-expected thrust. The company has previously talked about flying New Glenn as many as a dozen times by the end of 2026, though the one-month pause may complicate that schedule. (5/24)

Caltech Could Lose Management of JPL When Contract is Opened to Competitive Bidding (Source: LAist)
NASA plans to open the contract to manage the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in California to a competitive bidding process. Since NASA was established in 1958, Caltech has managed JPL for the federal space agency "through a contractual relationship that has been regularly reviewed and renewed," according to a memo. NASA began its regular process of evaluating the contract last year.

JPL has been through several rounds of layoffs in recent years. The lab and the university are leaders in civilian space science, with missions that have sent spacecraft into Earth orbit, to Mars and as far from Earth as any man-made object. The lab is also a major employer in the region and hosts massive classes of interns from around the world. (5/22)

SpaceX Launches Starship, Ending Seven-Month Hiatus, But Struggles with its Engines (Source: Houston Chronicle)
SpaceX struggled with its Starship engines on Friday while debuting the latest version of its rocket. It was the company’s 12th combined launch outside of Brownsville, ending a seven-month hiatus as the company redesigned its various rocket components. The Super Heavy booster ignited its 33 engines and propelled Starship over the Gulf of Mexico. One of its engines cut out early. And after the two vehicles separated, Super Heavy did not reignite as many engines as expected when coming back to land in the water.

Starship’s six engines initially ignited, but then one cut out prematurely. The spacecraft still entered space and ejected 20 fake satellites and two actual SpaceX Starlink satellites. The Starlink satellites were modified to test new hardware and scan Starship’s heat shield. Starship landed in the Indian Ocean with two engines instead of three, though that did not appear to affect its controlled descent into the water.

Redesigns began with the launch pad, which has additional pumps to more quickly load propellant. The tower has shorter mechanical arms that can move faster when catching vehicles on future flights. Super Heavy’s upgrades included a redesigned tube for moving propellant to its 33 Raptor engines, enabling them to ignite faster and all at the same time. Starship underwent a “clean-sheet redesign” of its propulsion systems, SpaceX said, including improvements to its reaction control system used for steering during flight. (5/22)

Developing a Rocket Engine After Two Years of Study (Source: ETH Zurich)
Across the globe, research is under way on this new type of rocket engine, which is both more efficient and more powerful: ETH students from the Swiss student space initiative Aris have developed and tested their own Rotating Detonation Rocket Engine. Barbara Pary is studying for a Bachelor’s degree in interdisciplinary sciences and, together with 19 other colleagues, is a member of the Pegasus team of the Aris student space initiative. 

Pegasus has set itself the goal of developing and testing a bi-liquid RDRE. The project is largely financed through sponsorships. Industrial companies provide the team with a substantial amount of material and services, and in some cases also with funds. The expectations on such engines are decidedly high: the aim is to deliver around 10 to 20 percent more power with the same amount of fuel. (5/17)

NASA Announces Major Reorganization (Source: Space Policy Online)
Rumors have been circulating for several weeks that major changes were in the works. Many of them affect NASA headquarters. The five programmatic mission directorates are now combined into three along with personnel adjustments and changes to reporting chains. In addition, three of NASA’s nine civil service field Centers — Goddard, Glenn, and Kennedy — have new Directors, and NASA has decided to compete the contract for management and operation of the Jet Propulsion Laboratory.

At Headquarters, the Exploration Systems Development Mission Directorate (ESDMD) and the Space Operations Mission Directorate (SOMD) are combined, as are the Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate (ARMD) and Space Technology Mission Directorate (STMD). The Science Mission Directorate (SMD) is unchanged. The Mission Support Directorate also remains in place, but under different leadership.

The merger of ESDMD and SOMD into the Human Spaceflight Mission Directorate (HSMD) returns the structure to how it was from 2011-2021. Then-Administrator Bill Nelson split them up so one could focus on human exploration of the Moon and Mars with the Artemis program, and the other on operations of the International Space Station in low Earth orbit (LEO) and efforts to facilitate commercial space stations to replace it. Isaacman said today both efforts are operational now. (5/22)