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The crew of NASA's Artemis 2 mission reported observing six flashes of light while passing behind the Moon during their lunar flyby. These visual phenomena are not unprecedented in spaceflight history, as similar flashes have been documented by astronauts on previous missions beyond low Earth orbit.
Texas A&M University has opened the Anthony Wood '87 Artificial Gravity Lab, featuring a research centrifuge acquired from NASA. The facility is positioned to become one of the most advanced human centrifuge facilities in the United States, with the capability to simulate lunar and Martian gravity levels for extended durations. The lab will enable researchers to conduct experiments on how varying gravity conditions affect human physiology, supporting future long-duration space missions to the Moon and Mars.
NASA released a photograph taken on April 6, 2026, showing a portion of the Moon's far side along the terminator—the boundary separating lunar day from night. The image captures the Orientale Basin visible in the upper right portion of the lunar disk, with its structure revealed by low-angle sunlight casting long shadows across the surface.
Blue Origin is preparing to launch the third flight of its New Glenn rocket, marking a significant milestone as the company will use a reused booster for the first time, according to industry reports. The upcoming mission represents a step toward the rocket's operational phase following its initial test flights.
Scientists at the Max Planck Institute for Extraterrestrial Physics have successfully separated X-ray emissions originating within our solar system from those coming from deep space, using data from the SRG/eROSITA space telescope. The telescope, positioned approximately 1.5 million kilometers from Earth—roughly four times the distance to the Moon—collected four sky maps between 2019 and 2021 that enabled researchers to isolate solar-wind charge exchange (SWCX) emission.
The four astronauts who completed NASA's Artemis II mission around the moon spoke with reporters Thursday, nearly a week after their spacecraft splashed down in the Pacific Ocean. The crew members said they are still processing the significance of their historic flight, which marked humanity's return to lunar orbit after decades. The mission represents a key milestone in NASA's Artemis program, which aims to establish a sustained human presence on and around the moon.
The Artemis 2 mission has successfully completed, marking a significant milestone in NASA's lunar exploration program. The mission, which involved a crewed flight around the Moon, splashed down safely after its journey. The successful completion of Artemis 2 serves as a benchmark for the broader Artemis program, which aims to return humans to the lunar surface and establish a sustained presence there.
The Moon will pass in front of Regulus, the brightest star in the constellation Leo, in what will be the last North American occultation of this star in the current cycle. Observers will be able to watch Regulus disappear behind the Moon and then reappear as the Moon continues its orbit. The event marks the conclusion of a series of occultations visible from North America during this particular astronomical cycle.
Taiwan has proposed developing a shared satellite communications constellation as part of broader calls for increased space collaboration in the region. The initiative comes as Taiwan seeks to expand its space capabilities and foster partnerships with like-minded nations and entities. Details about the specific scope, timeline, and potential partners for the proposed constellation were not immediately disclosed. The proposal reflects growing interest among nations in the Asia-Pacific region to develop independent or collaborative space infrastructure, particularly for communications and connectivity purposes. Taiwan's space sector has been expanding in recent years, with the island developing its own satellite capabilities and seeking to position itself as a contributor to regional space activities despite its complex international status.
The Space Weather Prediction Center in Boulder, Colorado, monitors solar activity using spacecraft and ground-based instruments to safeguard astronauts and satellites from potentially harmful space weather events. Solar storms and radiation bursts from the sun can pose significant risks to both human spaceflight operations and satellite infrastructure in orbit.
NASA's Human Research Program has announced the Artemis II Human Research Data Methodology Challenge, seeking innovative approaches to analyze health data from astronauts. The program uses research from ground facilities, the International Space Station, and analog environments to develop methods for protecting astronaut health and performance during space missions. The initiative supports NASA's long-term goals for sustained lunar surface missions and eventual human exploration of Mars, with Artemis II representing a key milestone in gathering human health data from deep space environments.
Scientists at MIT have developed a new wave model predicting that mild winds on Titan, Saturn's largest moon, could generate waves up to 10 feet tall—far larger than similar conditions would produce on Earth. The model represents the first to capture the complete dynamics of wave formation across different planetary environments.