NASA

President Trump signed an executive order directing NASA to return astronauts to the Moon by 2028, establish a permanent lunar base by 2030, deploy nuclear power systems on the Moon, and accelerate development of the administration's 'Golden Dome' missile defense program. The order aims to attract at least $50 billion in private investment into US space markets by 2028 and pursue a commercial pathway to replace the International Space Station by 2030.

NASA confirmed the safe return of its SpaceX Crew-11 mission following a medical concern for one of the astronauts. The crew, consisting of Mike Fincke, Zena Cardman, Kimiya Yui, and Oleg Platonov, splashed down on January 15, 2026, after an accelerated departure from the International Space Station.

The Space Development Agency (Breaking Defense) has awarded Starfish Space a $52.5 million contract to provide a disposal service for the agency's Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture (PWSA) satellites at the end of their life. The service, which will be provided by the 300-kilogram Otter vehicle, is designed to work with unprepared satellites and could have significant implications for sustainable space operations.

The National Football League is exploring the potential of supersonic commercial aviation as part of its long-range planning for European expansion. According to the Wall Street Journal, the league has taken an interest in new aircraft programs and faster transatlantic travel, driven by the desire to ease logistical challenges.

A NASA F-15B testbed jet is conducting high-speed taxi tests with a CATNLF fin, aiming to increase laminar flow and reduce drag. According to AeroTime, this technology could lead to significant fuel savings for Boeing 777 aircraft.

NASA has launched its twin ESCAPADE spacecraft on a historic journey to study Mars' space weather. The Blue Origin New Glenn rocket carried the spacecraft into orbit around Earth before launching them towards Mars.

A medical concern on the International Space Station has prompted NASA to consider an early return for SpaceX Crew-11. According to AeroTime, a 'medical situation' involving astronaut Kimiya Yui led to the postponement of their planned spacewalk.

A NASA WB-57 made a gear-up landing at Ellington Field in Houston on January 27, 2026, after experiencing a mechanical issue during landing. According to AeroTime, a NASA spokesperson confirmed that all crew members were safe and a thorough investigation will be conducted to determine what occurred.

NASA has confirmed that SpaceX Crew-11 will return early from the International Space Station due to health concerns. The decision was announced on January 8, 2026, and a news conference involving incoming NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman was held.

NASA has acquired two F-15 fighter jets to support its supersonic flight research program. The aircraft were previously retired from service by the US Air Force and are now being transferred to NASA's Armstrong Flight Research Center at Edwards Air Force Base, California.

NASA has completed the first flight of its Crossflow Attenuated Natural Laminar Flow (CATNLF) scale-model wing on an F-15B research jet at NASA's Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California. The test aimed to prove the aircraft could fly safely and predictably with the test article installed.

NASA has delayed its Artemis II crewed lunar mission due to technical issues encountered during a 'wet dress rehearsal' at Kennedy Space Center. The agency is now targeting early March for the launch, with an additional window on March 11 and further options in April if needed.

NASA has awarded Firefly Aerospace $93.3 million to deliver a suite of ten NASA-sponsored science and technology demonstration payloads to the Moon's Crisium basin in 2023. The 'Blue Ghost' lunar lander will operate on-board payloads during transit, orbit, and on the lunar surface for a complete lunar day.

Billionaire entrepreneur Jared Isaacman returned to Capitol Hill on December 3, 2025, for a second confirmation hearing to lead NASA, following his renomination by President Trump after a brief withdrawal in May. Isaacman, who founded Shift4 Payments and funded private SpaceX missions, faces key questions about his ties to Elon Musk, proposed budget cuts, and his controversial "Project Athena" plan to reshape the agency.

Jared Isaacman has been confirmed as the new head of NASA after US President Donald Trump withdrew his support in May 2024. The selection comes seven months later, following a Senate confirmation process.

NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman has criticized both Boeing and the agency itself for the failed Starliner mission, which stranded a crew in orbit for months. The investigation report highlights issues with propulsion systems, qualification work, leadership, and culture that contributed to the failure.

With the fiscal year 2026 appropriations process complete, a key House appropriator expressed concerns about the adequacy of NASA's funding for 2027. The appropriator believes there is 'room for improvement' in the agency's budget and hopes to see enhancements in the next spending bill.

GE Aerospace has successfully completed ground testing of a hybrid electric turbofan engine system with NASA support. The tests demonstrated the ability to extract power from the engine and inject it back into the propulsion system while maintaining stable operation.

Firefly Aerospace has completed the Integration Readiness Review (IRR) of its Blue Ghost M1 lunar lander, marking key progress milestones across multiple areas. The review was held at Firefly's headquarters in Cedar Park, TX, and was led by Ray Allensworth, Blue Ghost Program Manager.

Firefly Aerospace has been awarded a $176.7 million NASA Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) contract to deliver five payloads to the Moon's south pole in 2029. Utilizing its Elytra orbital vehicle and Blue Ghost lunar lander, Firefly will enable payload operations that include evaluating resources, studying radiation and thermal environments, and deploying rovers and scientific instruments.

Firefly Aerospace, Inc., has been awarded a $112 million NASA contract to deliver multiple lunar payloads in 2026. As part of the Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) initiative, Firefly will utilize its Blue Ghost spacecraft in a two-stage configuration to place a satellite into lunar orbit and then deliver research payloads on the far side of the Moon.

Firefly Aerospace successfully launched its Alpha rocket on October 1, 2022, becoming the first US commercial space company to reach orbit. The mission deployed three customer payloads, including demonstration satellites from NASA TechEdSat-15 in conjunction with San Jose State University.

Firefly Aerospace successfully completed its first commercial Moon landing, Blue Ghost Mission 1, after performing over 14 days of surface operations on the lunar surface. The mission, which began on March 2, saw all 10 NASA CLPS instruments operate as planned, collecting over 119 GB of data.

Firefly Aerospace has shipped its Blue Ghost lunar lander to NASA JPL for final testing before launching in Q4 2024. As part of NASA's Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) initiative, Firefly's Blue Ghost Mission 1 lander is integrated with 10 scientific instruments and technology demonstrations that will help pave the way for humanity's return to the Moon.

Firefly Aerospace has announced its Alpha Flight 5 (FLTA005) mission, called Noise of Summer, which is scheduled to launch no earlier than June 26. The mission will deploy eight educational payloads for NASA's CubeSat Launch Initiative, providing low-cost access to space for U.

Firefly Aerospace successfully completed environmental testing on Blue Ghost, a lunar lander designed to support NASA's Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) initiative. The lander will be shipped to Cape Canaveral, Florida, in mid-December for launch on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket.

Firefly Aerospace has appointed Bretton Alexander as Chief Revenue Officer, bringing over 30 years of aerospace experience to the role. Based in Washington D.

Firefly Aerospace has secured an oversubscribed $175 million Series D funding round led by RPM Ventures. The round valued Firefly at over $2 billion, solidifying the company's position as a leader in responsive space services.

Firefly Aerospace successfully landed its Blue Ghost lunar lander on the Moon's surface as part of NASA's Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) initiative. The mission marks a historic milestone for the company, which has become the first commercial entity to achieve a fully successful soft-landing on the lunar surface.

Firefly Aerospace has been awarded a fixed-price NASA contract for a dedicated Alpha launch of the Investigation of Convective Updrafts (INCUS) mission from Wallops Flight Facility. The company will provide responsive operations and mission flexibility, with the Alpha rocket supporting dedicated missions like INCUS.

Firefly Aerospace has announced plans to establish a mass production facility at Exploration Park, Florida, and conduct launch operations at Cape Canaveral Spaceport. The company will invest $52 million and bring over 200 high-paying jobs to the state of Florida.

Firefly Aerospace, a developer of orbital launch vehicles for the small to medium satellite market, has formed an all-star advisory board. Initial appointments include Jeff Bingham, Robert M.

Firefly Aerospace has announced an agreement with the United Arab Emirates' Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre to deliver the Rashid 2 Rover to the far side of the Moon on Firefly's Blue Ghost lander. The rover will demonstrate lunar surface mobility and in-situ resource utilization technologies, while payloads from Australia, the European Space Agency, and NASA will also be included.

DARPA has backed startup Diffraqtion to develop a 'first-of-its-kind' quantum camera capable of providing near-real time imagery at up to 20 times current optical surveillance cameras. The two-year, $1.