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SpaceX Lands Starship At Its Launch Pad
Keith’s note: SpaceX just landed Ship 42 on the same launch pad that it departed from – yesterday. They were unable to get the booster back yesterday but they have already proven that capability more than once. I got a note from someone who watched this via Starlink (of course) in Antarctica (see below). IâĤ
NASA Sets New Mars Sample Return Study for January
NASA’s Mars Exploration Program will start another Mars Sample Return study, this time a yearlong one set to begin in January to find new ways to return the samples the Perseverance rover is collecting on Mars. The agency ended the earlier MSR mission last year because of cost concerns.
Latest News
House Science Democrats: Preserve Your Records
Keith’s note: According to a press release from Rep. Zoe Lofgren, incoming chair of theâĤ
Another NASA OIG Challenges Report
Keith’s note: NASA OIG just issued 2026 Report on NASAâs Top Management and Performance Challenges.âĤ
House Science Committee Schedules Space Weather Hearing
The House Science, Space and Technology Committee will hold a hearing on space weather Nov.âĤ
OIG To NASA: Watch Your Commercial Contracts
The NASA Office of Inspector General (OIG) has identified five top management and performance challengesâĤ
Senate Commerce Sets Vote on NASA CFO, Inspector General Nominees
Senate Commerce Committee Chairman Cruz has scheduled committee votes on Joshua Shoemaker to be NASA’sâĤ
Axiom Vast Lawsuit Alleges Copied NASA Mission Plan
Axiom Space has sued rival Vast Space under the False Claims Act, alleging that VastâĤ
NASA Inspector General Nominee Steinau Pledges Aggressive Oversight
Robert H. Steinau, nominated to be NASA’s inspector general, told the Senate Commerce Committee onâĤ
Research Bases At Earth’s and The Moon’s South Poles
Keith’s note: While NASA talks about a Moonbase at the Lunar South Pole a researchâĤ
NASA Opens Astronaut Applications for Its Next Class
NASA has opened applications for its next astronaut class, giving U.S. citizens until 11:59 p.m.âĤ
President Announces Big Airshow At KSC
Keith’s note: The only thing that the President said at KSC that was newsworthy wasâĤ
Astrobiology Operations Begin In Antarctica
Keith’s note: Dale Andersen’s team has arrived at Lake Untersee, Antarctica to do Astrobiology research.âĤ
NASA’s new bosses on Capitol Hill: what the midterms mean for space
Tuesday’s midterm elections gave Democrats a majority in both chambers of Congress. With that comesâĤ
New Armstrong Center Director
According to NASA: “NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman has named Troy Asher director of the agencyâs Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California. Asher, a veteran test pilot and aerospace engineer with decades of experience in flight research and operations, has served as the centerâs acting director since March.” More.
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Exploration
Astrobiology In Antarctica 2026: Part II
Keith’s note: Dale Andersen is preparing for his second expedition to Lake Untersee, Antarctica for 2026. The first 2026 Field season at Lake Untersee was conducted from January â March 2026. Daleâs research is coordinated through the Carl Sagan Center within the SETI Institute. I will be posting their updates here and at the SETIâĤ
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Reid Wiseman To Be JPL Deputy Director
Keith’s note: Artemis II commander Reid Wiseman has been announced as the new Deputy Director of NASA JPL. NASA JPL Press release
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ARTEMIS
NASA Science Community Town Hall
Keith’s note: NASA will host a community town hall from 2 to 3 pm EDT TODAY with Nicola Fox, associate NASA SMD AA and otherâĤ
Faster To Science: A Letter To The NASA Science Community
From NASA Science Mission Directorate AA Nicola Fox: Dear NASA Science Community, NASA Science wants to deliver science faster, so weâre changing how we competeâĤ
NASEM Report On Lunar Landing Sites
According to the NASEM: Future crewed missions to the moon should prioritize exploring the Bhabha Crater, Mons Hadley, the Orientale Basin, and the Aristarchus Plateau,âĤ
International space station
The Impact Of War On Russian Space Activities
Keith’s note: Ukraine attacked Russian Space facilities. Given their dual civilian/military use they are likely to be hit again. At what point does Russia’s spaceâĤ
Cutting Edge Space Station Research
Keith’s note: THIS research by Auxilium Biotechnologies is exactly what the Space Station can do and is a preview of what space-based research can offer.âĤ
Let’s Try The Commercial Space Station Thing Again
Keith’s note: NASA issued a new notice seeking industry input on the second phase of its commercial space station thing. Link to RFP. Get creativeâĤ
TECHNOLOGY
Science Community Pushes Back On OMB
Keith’s note: In June OMB issued new regulations which, if implemented, would gut the way that American science has been evaluated and conducted for theâĤ
Creepy Quantum Memes
Keith’s note: @DoWCTO (Department of War CTO) put out another one of those creepy, shoot-em-up video game graphics out on social media. NASA abolished theirâĤ
NAS Review Of NASA SBIR and STTR Programs
Keith’s note: The National Academies has issued “Review of the SBIR and STTR Programs at NASA”. In a nutshell the NAS likes NASA’s SBIR andâĤ
