Civil
Stories about US and international civil space missions, including those led by NASA and ESA.
Isaacman: Commercial Won’t Solve Every NASA Problem
“If the objective is to force an economy out of every NASA endeavor, then NASA should probably sit inside the Department of Commerce,” Isaacman wrote in a lengthy post on X late Wednesday night. “But NASA is an independent agency with a broader mission.”
NASA Taps Blue Origin for Mars Communications Network
NASA selected Blue Origin to develop NASA’s Mars Telecommunications Network, a next-gen comms system for the Red Planet.
Roman Space Telescope Begins Its Journey to L2
The Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope launched at 7:26 am ET on Sunday from KSC aboard a SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket, starting its journey to Lagrange Point 2 and beginning a lengthy commissioning period.
NASA Puts $2B Price Tag on Nuclear Mars Mission
The $2B Space Reactor-1 Freedom is said to be the first fission-powered interplanetary spacecraft.
Breaking Down the $686B Space Economy
The global space economy totaled a record $686B in 2025, according to the Space Foundation.
UK Commits £62M into Domestic Space Capabilities
The UK government announced £62M ($83.3M) in new funds Monday to develop domestic satcom and space technologies.
NASA Selects Starlink for Artemis III Mission
NASA has awarded SpaceX a contract to deliver laser communications capabilities for its Artemis III mission using Starlink.
TraCSS Looms Large Over Mission Authorization Hearing
A hearing to review the Office of Space Commerce’s (OSC’s) proposed framework for novel mission authorization became a referendum on whether the office can afford to run it.
NASA Releases CLD Draft RFP
NASA is officially moving forward with its original plan to support stand-alone replacements to the ISS, after industry proved its take on human habitation in LEO.
NASA Praises Blue Origin’s Mishap Progress, Announces Moon Base Contracts
NASA said the vendors plan to fly “updated versions of already-flown lander designs” to try to meet the agency’s goal of monthly landings with NASA payloads.
NASA Reverts to Original CLD Procurement Plan
“The industry position will now shape the path forward as NASA proceeds with the original commercial strategy.”
NASA Awards LTV, Lunar Transport Contracts
“For those waiting patiently, the grand return is close at hand,” NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman said during a press conference at NASA HQ.
Better Moon-Tech Tops NASA Stakeholder Wishlist
Two years ago, NASA asked the space community what technical challenges are giving people the biggest headaches to help NASA prioritize its space tech investments.