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Sam's News — space — 2026-08-20

Space

7.5 Private mission to save NASA's Swift Observatory fails

A privately-funded spacecraft failed to boost the orbit of NASA's Swift Space Telescope, meaning it will re-enter Earth's atmosphere later this year.

Sources: Space.com RSS, Space RSS

7.5 Fastest known star in Milky Way discovered orbiting Sagittarius A* at 15,500 miles per second

Astronomers identified the speediest star known in the galaxy, racing around the supermassive black hole Sagittarius A* at extreme velocity.

Sources: Space.com RSS

7.5 SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket stage creates 60-foot crater on the Moon

A discarded SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket stage crashed into the Moon on August 5, forming a newly identified crater approximately 60 feet across.

  • Falcon 9 upper stage impacted August 5, 2026 at ~5,400 mph
  • Rocket stage: ~40 feet long, ~4,900 kg, launched January 15, 2025
  • Crater: ~60 feet (18 m) diameter, <10 feet (3 m) deep
  • Impact force equivalent to ~3 tons of TNT
  • LRO captured images August 11–12 at ~97 km altitude
  • Second known uncontrolled human-made object crash on Moon

Sources: Science Daily RSS, ScienceDaily RSS, Science Daily Web Search Update to: NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter captures Falcon 9 impact crater details

7.5 James Webb finds hidden fainter stars in early universe, revealing larger galaxies

The James Webb Space Telescope is discovering fainter stars between bright ones in early galaxies, indicating those galaxies are more massive than previously believed.

Sources: Space.com RSS

7 NASA Glenn develops nuclear-powered spacecraft for lunar and deep space missions

NASA Glenn Research Center is leading development of nuclear-powered spacecraft intended to support moon base operations and deep space exploration.

Sources: News 5 Cleveland WEWS RSS

7 NASA Glenn Leads Development of Nuclear-Powered Spacecraft for Lunar Base and Deep Space

NASA Glenn is leading development of Space Reactor 1—Freedom (SR-1 Freedom), a nuclear-powered spacecraft designed to enable farther travel and power long-term lunar base operations. Nuclear power addresses the critical limitation of extended darkness on the Moon where sunlight-dependent solar power is inadequate. The initiative represents the start of a new generation of spacecraft and could involve billions in funding.

  • Project: Space Reactor 1—Freedom (SR-1 Freedom)
  • NASA Glenn selected to lead nuclear-powered spacecraft development
  • Nuclear power enables lunar base operation during extended darkness periods
  • Deputy project manager Lindsay Kaldon described it as 'hybrid rocket' spacecraft
  • Potential funding: billions of dollars

Sources: News 5 Cleveland AI Web Searched, News 5 Cleveland WEWS Web Search

7 NASA cancels rescue mission for aging Swift space telescope

NASA has decided not to pursue a rescue or servicing mission for its aging Swift gamma-ray observatory.

Sources: yoursun.com RSS

7 NASA abandons rescue plans for Swift space telescope

NASA has ended plans to attempt a rescue of the Swift Observatory satellite from falling into Earth's atmosphere.

Sources: New Scientist Web Search, The Verge Web Search, New Scientist Web Search, The Verge Web Search, Ars Technica RSS Update to: Private mission to save NASA's Swift Observatory fails

6.5 NASA Telescope Rescue Mission Fails

NASA's first-of-its-kind mission to rescue a space telescope has ended in failure.

Sources: People.com RSS

NASA's plan to extend the Swift Observatory's operational life through orbital reboost will not proceed following complications with the LINK spacecraft.

Sources: CW39 Houston RSS, Chosunbiz RSS