Space Exploration & Research
1. Gilmour Space’s Eris Rocket Testflight 1 Crashes Minutes After Launch
Australia’s first homegrown orbital-class rocket briefly lifted off before crashing in a controlled pad-avoidance maneuver. Although it didn’t reach orbit, the CEO highlighted valuable data gained
and emphasized future tests planned in six months.
[Read more → The Guardian]News.com.au+1The Courier-Mail+1The Guardian
2. NASA Water Recycling System Recycles Over 90% of Wastewater
NASA continues to improve its ECLSS, recycling astronaut wastewater––including urine and humidity—into clean drinking water, achieving efficiencies that are vital for long-duration missions like
those to Mars.
[Read more → Washington Post]The Washington Post+1The Times of India+1
3. NASA’s AI-Powered "CogniSAT-6" Demonstrates Autonomous Targeting in Space
The Dynamic Targeting system enables satellites to autonomously scan for cloud-free imagery and rapidly capture relevant data—marking a shift toward AI-driven Earth observation.
[Read more → Times of India]The Times of IndiaThe Times of India+4TS2 Space+4The Times of India+4
4. NASA‑ISRO NISAR Satellite Launches on July 30, 2025
The $1.5 billion joint mission aboard India’s GSLV‑F16 will deliver real-time all-weather radar imaging to improve climate monitoring and disaster response globally.
[Read more → Times of India]TS2 Space+15keeptrack.space+15The Times of India+15The Times of India+3TS2 Space+3The Times of India+3
5. NASA’s Tracers Mission Studies Space Weather from Low Earth Orbit
Two satellites launched (Falcon 9) will study magnetic reconnection events near Earth’s poles, helping predict auroras and protect satellites and power grids.
[Read more → Express News]The
Courier-Mail+2expressnews.com+2reuters.com+2
6. France Reports Progress on European Satellite Alliance “Project Bromo”
France’s Industry Minister says discussions with Italy’s Leonardo and Airbus are moving forward toward a venture to rival SpaceX’s Starlink in satellite manufacturing and services.
[Read more → Reuters]reuters.com+1reddit.com+1
7. Latest NASA Budget Proposal Sparks Criticism from Scientists
Funding reductions proposed for 2026 science missions could cut programs like the Webb and Hubble telescopes nearly in half, drawing concern over U.S. leadership in space research vis-à-vis
China.
[Read more → Washington Post]The Washington Post
8. NASA Proves Growing Plants in Space Benefits Future Deep‑Space Missions
Experiments aboard the ISS (e.g., the Veggie project) have shown that cultivating plants in microgravity improves nutrition, air/water recycling, and psychological health for astronauts.
[Read more → Times of India]The Times of India
9. June Planetary Science: Mars Rover Finds Water‑Formed Minerals & JWST Images Exoplanet
Curiosity uncovered evidence of prolonged groundwater on Mars via "boxwork" structures; Perseverance identified clay-rich, manganese-bearing rocks—while Webb directly imaged exoplanet
TWA 7b.
[Read more → SpaceTech Chronicles]spacetechchronicles.com
10. China Launches ChinaSat‑9C, Proposes Asteroid Swarm Mission & Crewed Station EVA
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China launched a new geostationary commsat, ChinaSat‑9C.
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Scientists proposed a cubesat swarm to study asteroid Apophis in 2029.
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Shenzhou‑20 crew conducted a second spacewalk on Tiangong space station.
[Read more → Lagrangian.Space]TS2 Space+3lagrangian.space+3lagrangian.space+3
11. UK Space Agency Awards £75M for Active Debris Removal Mission
The U.K. has launched a £75.6 million tender to fund its first mission to actively remove space debris using British robotic technology.
[Read more → gov.uk via TS2.Tech roundup]TS2 Space
12. Syntilay to Design AI-Generated Shoe in Space by Late 2026
Leveraging AI aboard a satellite, Syntilay plans to create microgravity-designed sneakers and transmit design files to Earth for 3D printing, advancing decentralized space manufacturing.
[Read more → Lagrangian.Space roundup]lagrangian.space
13. NASA Dual Mission Launches SPHEREx & PUNCH to Study Cosmos and Solar Wind
On March 11, NASA deployed SPHEREx (infrared sky survey) and PUNCH (solar corona monitoring) via SpaceX Falcon 9 to observe cosmic origins and solar dynamics.
[Read more → Lagrangian.Space Issue 41]lagrangian.space+1livemint.com+1
14. Saturn Now Holds Record 274 Moons After Discovery of 128 New Satellites
Astronomers confirmed 128 previously unknown moons orbiting Saturn, solidifying its status as the planet with the most natural satellites in our solar system.
[Read more → Lagrangian.Space]lagrangian.space
15. NASA’s “Spinoff 2025” Highlights Earth-Benefit Technologies
The annual report showcases how NASA innovations—from navigation systems to medical devices—are being commercialized for terrestrial applications, reinforcing space–Earth technology synergy.
[Read more → NASA Spinoff Release]nasa.gov+1spinoff.nasa.gov+1
16. New Artemis-Style Venus Strategy Laid Out by Planetary Science Group
The Venus Exploration Analysis Group published a roadmap to coordinate NASA and international missions like VERITAS, DAVINCI, and EnVision for sustained Venus exploration in the next decade.
[Read more → arXiv Preprint]arxiv.org
17. Pandora SmallSat to Study Exoplanet Atmospheres Launching in Fall 2025
The Pandora mission will conduct multiband observations of exoplanets and their host stars using a small telescope in low Earth orbit—a low-cost complement to larger missions.
[Read more → arXiv Preprint]arxiv.org
? Key Trends & Takeaways
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Earth science and climate monitoring are soaring — NISAR and Tracers provide critical real-time data on disasters and space weather.
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AI and autonomy in orbit are pioneering new paradigms—from self-operating satellites to microgravity-based manufacturing.
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Planetary science booms, with Mars revealing signs of longer-lived ancient water and JWST capturing its first exoplanet directly.
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Global shifts in leadership: from China’s growing space strategy to Europe’s ambitions to rival Starlink and Australia’s inaugural rocket attempt.
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Space sustainability & infrastructure: debris removal, NASA spinoff innovations, and lunar strategies all point toward the next phase of exploration.
Over the past couple of weeks, several significant developments have occurred in space research, exploration, and the commercial space industry, particularly among prominent space tourism companies:
Vast Space's Ambitious Plans
On January 23, 2025, California-based company Vast Space announced its intention to launch Haven-2, a commercial space station equipped with artificial gravity, into low Earth orbit by 2028. This initiative aims to extend human presence in space beyond the International Space Station's planned decommissioning in 2030. Vast Space has partnered with SpaceX and is preparing for its first station, Haven-1, set for launch in 2025.
Market Reactions to U.S. Space Initiatives
Following President Trump's inauguration and his commitment to advancing American space exploration, space stocks such as Rocket Lab USA Inc. (RKLB) and Intuitive Machines Inc. (LUNR) have experienced significant rallies. Analysts highlight the exceptional positioning of these companies for future growth in the space industry, supported by substantial investments and an expected acceleration in space industry launches throughout 2025.
Challenges in Space Launches
SpaceX's recent and frequent rocket launches, particularly the Starship, have led to significant disruptions in air traffic. During the latest launch, the Starship's upper stage exploded, causing debris to fall near Turks and Caicos, temporarily closing airspace in the Caribbean. This forced numerous flights into holding patterns and diversions, impacting several airlines. The FAA has initiated an investigation and grounded future Starship launches.
UK's First Vertical Launch License
On January 16, 2025, the UK granted its first vertical launch license to German startup Rocket Factory Augsburg (RFA) to launch a rocket into space from the SaxaVord spaceport in the Shetland Islands. This will be the first time a rocket is launched into orbit from Europe proper if successful. RFA plans to launch its 30-meter RFA One rocket, targeting the niche market for microlaunchers.
Embracing Failures for Innovation
SpaceX and Blue Origin's recent commercial space launches both experienced failures, but embracing these setbacks is key to rapid innovation in the space industry. Despite failed attempts, these companies focus on quickly fixing and retrying, leading to faster development and lower costs. SpaceX, led by Elon Musk, launched 140 rockets in 2024 and holds an estimated $350 billion valuation.
As of December 27, 2024, here are the latest developments in space exploration and research:
Blue Origin's New Glenn Rocket Receives FAA License
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has granted Blue Origin a commercial space launch license for its New Glenn rocket. This authorization enables orbital missions from Cape Canaveral, Florida, with plans for the reusable first stage to land on a barge in the Atlantic Ocean. The inaugural mission will serve as a certification for the U.S. Space Force, positioning Blue Origin to compete for national security space missions alongside SpaceX and United Launch Alliance.
NASA's Parker Solar Probe Achieves Closest Approach to the Sun
NASA's Parker Solar Probe has successfully completed a record-breaking close approach to the Sun, flying just 3.8 million miles from its surface on December 24. This mission aims to study the Sun's activity and is the closest any human-made object has come to it. During the approach, the probe withstood extreme temperatures of up to 982°C, protected by its advanced heat shield. The team at Johns Hopkins University received confirmation of the spacecraft's survival via a "beacon tone" signal. The Parker Solar Probe will help scientists understand the heating of the Sun's outer atmosphere and the origins of the solar wind. Data from this mission is expected to be received by January 1, 2025, with the mission scheduled to conclude in September 2025.
SpaceX's Starship Program Advances
SpaceX continues to make strides with its Starship program, conducting successful tests of the fully reusable spacecraft designed for missions to the Moon, Mars, and beyond. Recent tests have focused on the vehicle's heat shield and landing capabilities, bringing the company closer to achieving its goal of interplanetary travel.
China's Lunar Exploration Progress
China's space agency has announced the successful deployment of a new lunar rover as part of its ongoing exploration of the Moon's surface. The rover is equipped with advanced instruments to analyze the lunar soil and search for potential resources, contributing to China's ambitious plans for a sustainable human presence on the Moon.
ESA's ExoMars Mission Update
The European Space Agency (ESA) has provided an update on its ExoMars mission, confirming that the Rosalind Franklin rover is undergoing final preparations for its journey to Mars. The mission aims to search for signs of past life on the Red Planet and is scheduled for launch in the upcoming window.
These developments highlight the dynamic nature of space exploration as agencies and private companies continue to push the boundaries of human achievement beyond Earth.
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