Sam's News — space — 2026-10-05¶

Space¶

7 NASA Selects GIMLI Project to Explore Lunar Cave Beneath Marius Hill Pit¶

NASA selected the GIMLI (Geophysical Instruments for Marius Lunar pit Investigation) project to investigate whether the Marius Hill Pit on the Moon opens into a vast underground cave or lava tube. Led by Planetary Science Institute's Than Putzig, GIMLI will use ground-penetrating radar, seismic sensors, gravity measurements, and cameras to probe subsurface voids and estimate cave size, funded through NASA's PRISM program with equipment delivered via CLPS commercial landers and rovers.

Project lead: Than Putzig (Planetary Science Institute)
Instruments: ground-penetrating radar, seismic sensors, gravity measurements, cameras
Partners: Honeybee Robotics (equipment), Norwegian Space Agency
First use of active-source seismic methods on lunar surface since Apollo
Target: determine if caves/lava tubes exist beneath Marius Hills volcanic region
Caves could provide radiation shielding and temperature protection for future astronauts
Funded through PRISM program with delivery via CLPS initiative

Sources: ScienceDaily AI Web Searched, BBC RSS

7 SpaceX Starship success sidelines NASA in Musk's bid to dominate space industry¶

SpaceX's Starship entered orbit for the first time on September 28, 2026, prompting federal approval for accelerated testing and up to two additional October launches. Elon Musk plans hourly flights within 2–3 years, expanding Starlink to 100,000 satellites and deploying space-based data centers. SpaceX intends to retire Falcon 9 in 2028, raising concerns among satellite operators and NASA, which has historically dominated the space industry.

Starship first orbital test: September 28, 2026 from Starbase
Federal approval for up to 2 additional launches in October
Musk targets hourly Starship flights within 2-3 years
Plans: 100,000-satellite Starlink network and space-based data centers
SpaceX plans Falcon 9 retirement in 2028 despite its widespread use globally
SpaceX conducted 50%+ of 325 global launches in 2025 (over 50 launches)
October 1: three launches in 13 hours (crew to ISS, Google AI data center+129 payloads, spy satellite)
Concerns: Starship acceleration could disrupt launches and harm startups and NASA

Sources: EL PAÍS English AI Web Searched

7 NASA deputy chief warns civilian space race with China closer than U.S. prefers¶

NASA deputy administrator Matt Anderson stated on October 5 that the civilian space race with China is "closer than we would like right now." China targets lunar landing by 2030 with Long March 10 heavy-lift rocket and Lanyue lander on track. NASA flew Artemis II around the Moon in April 2026 and converted Artemis III to Earth-orbit testing; Artemis IV aims for lunar landing in 2028, the first since Apollo 17 in 1972.

NASA deputy: civilian space race with China closer than desired
China targets lunar landing by 2030
China's Long March 10 rocket, Mengzhou spacecraft, Lanyue lander reportedly on track
NASA Artemis II: four astronauts around Moon, April 2026
Artemis III converted to Earth-orbit test flight (2027)
Artemis IV targets lunar landing in 2028 (first since Apollo 17 in 1972)
NASA leads in all three space sectors; emphasizes scientific exploration over prestige

Sources: Anadolu Agency AI Web Searched, aa.com.tr Web Search

6.5 NASA deputy chief warns of intensifying civilian space race with China¶

A NASA deputy administrator told international media that China is advancing faster than the US would prefer in civilian commercial space competition.

Sources: aa.com.tr RSS

6.5 SpaceX Starship success sidelines NASA as Musk pursues space market dominance¶

Analysis suggests that SpaceX's rapidly advancing Starship program is diminishing NASA's central role as private spaceflight accelerates under Musk's leadership.

Sources: EL PAÍS English RSS

5 NASA chief reflects on unidentified aerial phenomena¶

The NASA administrator has offered perspective on the investigation and significance of unidentified aerial phenomena.

Sources: Inside Outer Space Web Search

4 NASA administrator comments on unidentified aerial phenomena reports¶

NASA's leadership offered remarks on recent unidentified aerial phenomena sightings and ongoing monitoring efforts.

Sources: Inside Outer Space RSS