Space Policy and Safety - Part 3
98 reports
FAA Proposes Easing Environmental Rules for Commercial Space Launches
A new FAA proposal aims to accelerate commercial rocket launches and spacecraft reentries by waiving certain environmental regulations, raising questions about the balance between mission demand and environmental oversight
SpaceX Rocket Stage to Impact Moon, Raising New Scientific Questions
A spent SpaceX Falcon 9 upper stage is set to collide with the lunar surface on August 5, offering researchers a rare opportunity to observe the effects of artificial impacts on the Moon using telescopes and orbital instruments
NASA Funds 18 Early-Stage Space Technology Concepts for 2026
NASA has selected 18 new Phase I projects under its Innovative Advanced Concepts program, providing $3.2 million to support early-stage studies of technologies for future space exploration and astrophysics missions
Chinese Long March 3B Rocket Struck by Lightning Survives Launch
A Long March 3B rocket was hit by lightning seconds after liftoff from Xichang Satellite Launch Center, yet continued its ascent and successfully deployed a geostationary relay satellite to support China's Tiangong space station
Salyut 6 Space Station Deorbited After Five Years in Orbit
The Soviet Salyut 6 space station, operational since 1977, was deliberately deorbited on July 29, 1982, after supporting multiple long-duration missions and pioneering new space station technologies
SpaceX Starship Remains Afloat in Indian Ocean After Test Splashdown
SpaceX's Starship Version 3 upper stage was photographed floating intact in the Indian Ocean five days after its July 24 flight test, offering a rare look at the vehicle's post-splashdown condition and raising questions about rapid reusability
United and Delta Ban Humanoid Robots From All Commercial Flights
United Airlines and Delta Air Lines have introduced new restrictions prohibiting passengers from transporting humanoid robots in both carry-on and checked baggage, citing unresolved safety and operational challenges
Radio Telescopes Track Space Debris in Geostationary Orbit
Engineers have demonstrated that radio telescopes can detect and monitor space debris in geostationary orbit, using radar signals reflected from distant objects beyond the reach of conventional tracking methods
Virtual Reality Brings the International Space Station to Earth
A new VR experience, Space Explorers: The ISS Experience, uses real footage and astronaut collaboration to simulate life aboard the International Space Station, offering the public an immersive look at orbital science and daily routines.
NASA Assigns SunRISE Mission to SpaceX Falcon Heavy After Vulcan Issues
NASA's SunRISE mission, designed to study solar radio bursts, will now launch aboard a SpaceX Falcon Heavy after technical concerns paused United Launch Alliance Vulcan Centaur flights
Artemis IV Landing Debate: South Pole or Lunar Equator for Crew Safety
NASA's Artemis IV mission faces a critical decision: whether to target the moon's challenging south pole or opt for a safer equatorial landing, as astronaut Victor Glover urges a reassessment of mission priorities and safety constraints
Metal Spheres on Australian Beach Highlight Space Debris Uncertainty
Six metallic spheres found on an Australian shoreline are believed to be remnants of a space launch vehicle, raising new questions about how space debris survives reentry and where it ultimately lands
NASA to Equip Artemis III Orion with Starlink Laser Terminals
NASA will install SpaceX Starlink laser communication terminals on the Artemis III Orion spacecraft, aiming to boost high-definition video and data transmission capabilities during the mission scheduled for 2027
Pratt & Whitney Advances Valox 1500 Engine for Autonomous Aircraft
Pratt & Whitney has completed a digital design review of its Valox 1500 engine, a propulsion system intended for autonomous military aircraft, moving the program closer to ground testing and raising questions about cost, mission life, and rapid development
Artemis III to Test NASA's Most Complex Multi-Spacecraft Mission Yet
NASA's Artemis III mission will attempt a coordinated two-week operation involving four astronauts and three independently launched spacecraft, aiming to validate critical lunar landing technologies in low Earth orbit
NASA Prepares Six New Airborne Missions to Study Earth's Extremes
NASA is launching a new series of suborbital missions using aircraft, drones, and remote sensors to investigate wildfires, air quality, glacier retreat, and landslides, aiming to improve scientific understanding of rapid environmental change
Rocket Launch Costs Plummet but New Barriers Emerge for Space Access
A new analysis of more than 4,400 launches reveals that the average cost to send a kilogram to orbit has dropped by 96% since 1960, but future reductions may be limited by debris, market dominance, and geopolitical shifts
How the Heliosphere Shields the Solar System from Interstellar Space
Researchers are mapping the heliosphere, the vast bubble created by the solar wind that surrounds the Sun and planets, to understand how it protects the solar system from cosmic radiation and shapes planetary environments
Viking 1's Mars Life Experiments: What the Evidence Still Can't Prove
Fifty years after NASA's Viking 1 lander touched down on Mars, scientists remain divided over whether its life-detection experiments found evidence of Martian biology or were confounded by non-biological chemistry and instrument limitations
SpaceX Starship Test Aborted as Defense and Science Missions Advance
SpaceX's Starship Flight 13 test launch was halted seconds before liftoff, highlighting ongoing technical challenges as the company expands its role in US military and scientific space operations
NASA Contracts Chugach for Ames Research Center Facility Operations
NASA has awarded a five-year contract to Chugach Intelligence Solutions LLC to manage operations, maintenance, and repairs at Ames Research Center in California, supporting the center's scientific missions and infrastructure needs
NASA Develops VTE Risk Algorithm for Astronauts on ISS Missions
NASA's medical office has established a new risk assessment algorithm for venous thromboembolism (VTE) in astronauts, following updated case reviews and in-flight blood flow data from International Space Station missions
Astronomers Warn of Night Sky Risks From Sun-Reflecting Satellite
A private company has received regulatory approval to launch a satellite equipped with a large reflective surface, aiming to direct sunlight to Earth after dark. Astronomers and scientific organizations are raising concerns about the impact on astronomical observations and public safety.
Asteroid Apophis to Make Exceptionally Close Approach in 2029
Researchers have mapped the 2029 flyby of asteroid Apophis, predicting that up to 90% of Earth's population could see the object with the naked eye as it passes closer than many satellites, offering a rare opportunity for direct observation
Extreme Solar Storms May Exceed Previous Impact Estimates
A new analysis of solar wind data suggests that the most powerful solar storms could cause greater geomagnetic disturbances on Earth than previously calculated, with implications for satellites and power grids
Starlink Satellites Face Near-Constant Collision Avoidance in Orbit
SpaceX's Starlink satellites have performed hundreds of thousands of collision avoidance maneuvers in the past year, highlighting the growing challenge of managing orbital traffic and the risks posed by increasing satellite numbers
Satellite Neutron Detection Proposed for Nuclear Treaty Verification
A new analysis suggests that satellites equipped with neutron detectors could remotely identify nuclear materials in orbit, offering a potential method to verify compliance with the Outer Space Treaty and address emerging security concerns
SpaceX Starship Flight 13 to Test Starlink V3 Deployment
SpaceX is preparing to launch Starship Flight 13 from Starbase, Texas, aiming to deploy 20 Starlink Version 3 satellites and test upgraded booster recovery systems in a mission scheduled for July 16
Part 3 of 3