Sam's News — space — 2026-09-12¶
Space¶
6.5 NASA and IBM develop AI model to analyze lunar data¶
NASA and IBM have created an AI model to help process and analyze the vast amounts of data the agency has collected about the moon.
Sources: Space.com RSS, Space RSS Update to: NASA and IBM develop Lunar Foundation Model to accelerate Moon research
6.5 Rocket Lab Protests NASA's $700M Mars Award¶
Rocket Lab has filed a protest against NASA's $700 million Mars contract award.
Sources: KeepTrack RSS
6 Rocket Lab protests NASA's $700 million Blue Origin Mars orbiter contract award¶
Rocket Lab filed a formal protest against NASA's award of a $700 million Mars orbiter development contract to Blue Origin, alleging inconsistency with Congressional eligibility rules.
Sources: Space.com RSS, Space RSS
5.5 NASA Signs Space Exploration Agreement With Republic of Djibouti¶
NASA established a formal space exploration partnership agreement with the Republic of Djibouti.
Sources: C-SPAN RSS
5.5 NASA intern discovers historic Apollo mission footage on surplus videotapes purchased in 1976¶
A NASA intern who purchased 1,150 surplus videotapes for $217.77 in 1976 later discovered three recordings of significant Apollo-era footage.
Sources: The Times of India RSS
4 This Week In Space podcast: Episode 227 featuring Star Trek designer Michael Okuda¶
Episode 227 of This Week In Space features Michael Okuda discussing his contributions to the visual design and substance of the Star Trek universe.
Sources: Space.com RSS
4 Perseid meteor shower captures alongside star trails in Egyptian desert¶
Astrophotographer Osama Fathi captured Perseid meteors streaking through star trails over Egypt's Western Desert on August 13–14.
Sources: Space.com RSS
Space Exploration¶
6 European Envision mission to Venus prepares for launch¶
The European Space Agency's Envision spacecraft is preparing for launch to Venus.
Sources: Root-Nation.com RSS
5 NASA announces Space Catalyst Partnership and Artemis Accords initiatives¶
NASA is advancing space collaboration through partnerships and international space exploration frameworks.
Sources: nasawatch.com RSS
Policy¶
5.5 President proposes US Space Academy with potential military-NASA overlap¶
The president's executive order proposing a U.S. Space Academy raises concerns among space policy experts about blurring lines between NASA and military operations.