Sam's News — space — 2026-08-16¶
Space¶
8 NASA performs 'Big Bang' power-system swap to extend Voyager 2 mission by one year¶
NASA engineers executed a comprehensive power redistribution across Voyager 2's systems to extend its lifespan by at least one year as its 50-year-old plutonium power source continues to fade.
Sources: Space Daily RSS
7.5 SpaceX launches two Falcon 9 rockets just 38 minutes apart, setting new record¶
SpaceX successfully launched two Falcon 9 rockets separated by only 38 minutes, establishing a new spaceflight operations record.
Sources: Space.com RSS
7.5 China Releases New Lunar Map Signaling Space Ambitions¶
China unveiled a new lunar map with updated data on the Moon's far side and a domestically developed cartographic standard.
Sources: Space.com RSS
7 NASA Administrator Confident in Artemis 3 Moon Mission for 2027¶
NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman expressed extreme confidence in the Artemis 3 moon mission, which is less than a year away from its planned launch sequence.
Sources: Spaceflight Now Web Search Update to: NASA confirms Artemis 3 lunar mission target for 2027
7 NASA funds spherical 'Aerobots' for exploration of Saturn's moon Titan¶
NASA is funding early-stage development of spherical aerial robots that could explore caves on Titan, similar in concept to the Mars Ingenuity helicopter.
Sources: Space.com RSS, Space RSS
6.5 Next Era of Mars Exploration: Shift Toward Shared International Presence¶
NASA is entering a new era of Mars exploration characterized by expanded international cooperation and a ubiquitous presence at the Red Planet.
Sources: Air and Space Museum Web Search
6 NASA highlights Rocketdyne's Mason facility as mission-critical for Mars exploration¶
NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman visited Rocketdyne's Mason facility to discuss nuclear propulsion technology critical for crewed Mars missions.
Sources: Aero-News.net Web Search Update to: NASA highlights Rocketdyne's Mason facility role in Mars nuclear propulsion development
6 Rocketdyne Mason Facility Develops Nuclear Propulsion for Mars Exploration¶
Technology developed by Rocketdyne's Mason facility could power nuclear-fueled spacecraft for future human missions to Mars.
Sources: Aero-News.net Web Search, aero-news.net RSS Update to: NASA highlights Rocketdyne's Mason facility as mission-critical for Mars exploration
6 NASA reveals design and action footage of Skyfall helicopter prototypes¶
NASA has unveiled design renderings and operational concepts for its Skyfall helicopter project intended for deployment on Mars exploration missions.
Sources: Popular Science RSS
Space Exploration¶
6.5 NASA plans lunar orbiter replacement mission under CLPS program¶
NASA plans to award three additional lunar missions this year through its commercial lunar services program, including an orbiter to replace the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter.