Archive for August, 2025
Author: 
August 15th, 2025
Image credit: SpaceX
The tenth flight test of the SpaceX Starship is preparing to launch as soon as Sunday, August 24. The launch window will open at 6:30 p.m. CENTRAL TIME in Texas.
As is the case with all developmental testing, SpaceX explains, the schedule is dynamic and likely to change, so be sure to stay tuned to the Space X account for updates.
Operating envelope
In a SpaceX posting detailing the upcoming flight:
After completing the investigations into the loss of Starship on its ninth flight test and the Ship 36 static fire anomaly, hardware and operational changes have been made to increase reliability.
The upcoming flight will continue to expand the operating envelope on the Super Heavy booster, with multiple landing burn tests planned. It will also target similar objectives as previous missions, including Starship’s first payload deployment and multiple reentry experiments geared towards returning the upper stage to the launch site for catch.
Imagte credit: SpaceX
Flight experiments
The booster on this flight test is attempting several flight experiments to gather real-world performance data on future flight profiles and off-nominal scenarios. The Super Heavy booster will attempt these experiments while on a trajectory to an offshore landing point in the Gulf of America and will not return to the launch site for catch.
Following stage separation, the booster will flip in a controlled direction before initiating its boostback burn. This maneuver was demonstrated for the first time on Flight 9 and requires less propellant to be held in reserve, enabling the use of more propellant during ascent to enable additional payload mass to orbit.
Image credit: SpaceX
Test objectives
The primary test objectives for the booster will be focused on its landing burn and will use unique engine configurations. One of the three center engines used for the final phase of landing will be intentionally disabled to gather data on the ability for a backup engine from the middle ring to complete a landing burn. The booster will then transition to only two center engines for the end of the landing burn, entering a full hover while still above the ocean surface, followed by shutdown and drop into the Gulf of America.
The Starship upper stage will again target multiple in-space objectives, including the deployment of eight Starlink simulators, similar in size to next-generation Starlink satellites. The Starlink simulators will be on the same suborbital trajectory as Starship and are expected to demise upon entry. A relight of a single Raptor engine while in space is also planned.
Image credit: SpaceX
Stress the structure
The flight test includes several experiments focused on enabling Starship’s upper stage to return to the launch site.
A significant number of tiles have been removed from Starship to stress-test vulnerable areas across the vehicle during reentry. Multiple metallic tile options, including one with active cooling, will test alternative materials for protecting Starship during reentry. On the sides of the vehicle, functional catch fittings are installed and will test the fittings’ thermal and structural performance, along with a section of the tile line receiving a smoothed and tapered edge to address hot spots observed during reentry on Starship’s sixth flight test.
Starship’s reentry profile is designed to intentionally stress the structural limits of the upper stage’s rear flaps while at the point of maximum entry dynamic pressure.
Image credit: SpaceX
Production ramping up
Flight tests continue to provide valuable learnings to inform the design of the next generation Starship and Super Heavy vehicles.
With production ramping up inside Starfactory at Starbase alongside new launch and test infrastructure actively being built in Texas and Florida, Starship is poised to continue iterating towards a rapidly and fully reusable launch system.
A live webcast of the flight test will begin about 30 minutes before liftoff, which you can watch on X @SpaceX. You can also watch the webcast on the X TV app, as well as here at:
Posted in 
Russia’s biosatellite will house 75 mice for month-long stay in space.
Image credit: Roscosmos
Russia is preparing to loft a “miniature mouse hotel” into space.
The Bion-M No. 2 biosatellite is being readied for liftoff on August 20, placed into a pole-to-pole orbit. Onboard are 75 mice and other specimens to be exposed to 30 days of radiation before a parachute return to Russia.
Technicians work on the Bion-M No. 2 mission.
Image credit: Roscosmos
Lobbed spaceward atop a Soyuz-2.1b rocket from the Baikonur Cosmodrome the biosatellite is also being dubbed a “Noah’s Ark” loaded with the mice, more than 1,000 fruit flies, cell cultures, microorganisms and plant seeds.
Go to my new Space.com story – “Russia to launch 75 mice, 1,000 fruit flies on Aug. 20 to study spaceflight effects” – at:
Image credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech
On the NASA Curiosity rover team, scientists are continuing their exploration of the boxwork-forming region in Gale Crater, reports Lucy Lim, Planetary Scientist at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center.
“A successful 25-meter drive (about 82 feet) brought the rover from the “peace sign” ridge intersection to a new ridge site,” Lim adds. Several imaging investigations were recently pursued in, including Mastcam observations of a potential incipient hollow (“Laguna Miniques”), and of a number of troughs to examine how fractures transition from bedrock to regolith.
NASA’s Mars rover Curiosity captured this image of the three intersecting ridges in front of the robot that make a sort of “peace sign” shape. Curiosity acquired the image using its Left Navigation Camera on August 8, 2025, Sol 4623.
Image credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech
Contact science
“With six wheels on the ground, Curiosity was also ready to deploy the rover arm for some contact science,” Lim explains.
The robot’s Alpha Proton X-ray Spectrometer (APXSAPXS and arm-mounted Mars Hand Lens Imager (MAHLI) measurements were planned to explore the local bedrock at two points with a brushed Dust Removal Tool (DRT) measurement (“Santa Catalina”) and a non-DRT measurement (“Puerto Teresa”).
Curiosity Mars Hand Lens Imager (MAHLI) photo produced on Sol 4628, August 13, 2025.
Image credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/MSSS
A third MAHLI observation would be co-targeted with one of the Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscope (LIBS) geochemical measurements on a light-toned block, “Palma Seca.”
Bedrock target
“Because we’re in nominal sols for this plan, we were able to plan a second targeted LIBS activity to measure the composition of a high-relief feature on another block, “Yavari” before the drive,” Lim reports.
Curiosity Chemistry & Camera (ChemCam) RMI photo taken on Sol 4629, August 14, 2025.
Image credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/LANL
The auto-targeted LIBS Autonomous Exploration for Gathering Increased Science (AEGIS) — a software suite on Curiosity — that executed post-drive on sol 4626 had fallen on a bedrock target and will be documented in high resolution via Mastcam imaging.
Lim says that two long-distance imaging mosaics were planned for the Chemistry and Camera (ChemCam) remote imager (RMI): one on a potential scarp and lens in sediments exposed on the “Mishe Mokwa” butte in the strata above the rover’s current position, and the second on an east-facing boxwork ridge with apparently exposed cross-bedding that may be related to the previously explored “Volcán Peña Blanca” ridge.
Curiosity Right B Navigation Camera photo acquired on Sol 4629, August 14, 2025.
Image credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech
Atmospheric opacity
“As usual, the modern Martian environment will also be observed with camera measurements of the atmospheric opacity,” Lim points out. On the books, a Navcam movie to watch for dust lifting, and the usual Dynamic Albedo of Neutrons (DAN) and Rover Environmental Monitoring Station (REMS) passive monitoring of the temperature, humidity, and neutron flux at the rover’s location.
Curiosity Left B Navigation Camera image taken on Sol 4629, August 14, 2025.
Image credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech
“The next drive is planned to bring us to a spot in a hollow,” Lim concludes, “where we hope to plan contact science on the erosionally recessive hollow bedrock in addition to imaging with a good view of the rock layers exposed in the wall of another prominent ridge.”
Curiosity Left B Navigation Camera image taken on Sol 4629, August 14, 2025.
Image credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech
Image credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/Univ. of Arizona/Mars Guy/Inside Outer Space screengrab
Mars Guy explains that a forced retreat has led an interesting discovery by NASA’s Perseverance Mars rover at Jezero Crater.
In a new video episode, Mars Guy notes that every wheeled vehicle has its hill-climbing limit, even on the Red Planet with 38% the gravity of Earth.
The Perseverance robot recently met its limit on a steep slope with crumbly rocks that forced it to retreat, which led it to a little rock that’s part of a bigger story.
Go to the video at: https://youtu.be/7F9ETJJPT6I?si=5IFLoeBVs9m2JKIF
A healthy commercial space ecosystem should be founded on more transparency and a reduction in red tape surrounding launch and reentry licensing and activity.
Image credit: SpaceX
Today, President Donald J. Trump signed an Executive Order to streamline regulations and foster a competitive commercial space industry, ensuring the United States maintains its leading role in the commercial use of space.
The Order directs the Secretary of Transportation, in consultation with the Chair of the Council on Environmental Quality, “to eliminate or expedite environmental reviews for launch and reentry licenses and permits.” In addition, the Order also directs the Secretary of Transportation “to review regulatory requirements to eliminate outdated, redundant, or overly restrictive rules for launch and reentry vehicles.”
Far-reaching actions
In Trump’s August 13 Presidential Action document, it explains that “it is imperative that we build on the far-reaching actions taken by my Administration during my first term to ensure that new space-based industries, space exploration capabilities, and cutting-edge defense systems are pioneered in America rather than by our adversaries. Ensuring that United States operators can efficiently launch, conduct missions in space, and reenter United States airspace is critical to economic growth, national security, and accomplishing Federal space objectives.”
Illustration of Haven-1 space station and docked SpaceX Dragon.
Image credit: Vast
U.S. Transportation Secretary and acting NASA Administrator Sean Duffy joined President Trump at the White House Wednesday for the signing of the Executive Order.
Outdated regulations
The U.S. House Science, Space, and Technology Committee Chairman Brian Babin released the following statement after President Trump signed the Executive Order.
“President Trump’s new Executive Order is a bold step to cut red tape, speed approvals, and strengthen America’s leadership in commercial space,” Chairman Babin said. “For too long, outdated regulations and duplicative reviews have slowed progress, hindered investment, and given our adversaries like China an opening to close the gap. This action puts America’s commercial space industry on a trajectory to continue leading the world—driving breakthroughs, creating jobs, and bolstering our national security.”
Regulatory relief
The Commercial Space Federation (CSF) issued a statement on President Trump’s signing of the Executive Order. CSF President Dave Cavossa stated, “CSF applauds President Trump and the leaders across the Federal
Government for taking bold action to prioritize space. Building upon the work of his first administration,
today’s executive order reorganizes key aspects of the FAA and Department of Commerce and provides regulatory relief to unleash the U.S. commercial space industry.”
Pre-launch photo shows technicians working on the Varga capsule-mounted spacecraft.
Image credit: Rocket Lab
Cavossa added that, with these actions, “it is clear that President Trump is serious about maintaining U.S. dominance in space in the face of growing international competition, especially from China. This executive order will strengthen and grow the U.S. commercial space industry by cutting red tape while maintaining a commitment to public safety, benefitting the American people and the U.S government that are increasingly reliant on space for our national and economic security.”
Fact sheet
Go to this informative Fact Sheet: President Donald J. Trump Enables Competition in the Commercial Space Industry at:
Also, read the full document “Enabling Competition in the Commercial Space Industry” at:
Chris Dreyer, director of engineering at the Colorado School of Mines Center for Space Resources and the new Mines Lunar Surface Simulator.
Image credit: Barbara David
GOLDEN, Colorado – The Colorado School of Mines has built a large simulated moonscape. The specialized facility is being used to test lunar rovers, evaluate lunar landing and launch pads, excavation gear and assess other hardware ideas.
It’s all about getting a lunar leg up on how best to robotically work effectively on the Moon.
For more details, go to my new Space.com story – “New lunar surface simulator in Colorado puts Moon machinery to the test” – at:
NEUROSPACE GmbH of Berlin, Germany evaluates its modular rover platform within the Mines Lunar Surface Simulator.
Image credit: Barbara David
Image credit: Virgin Galactic
Virgin Galactic’s new Delta class space plane could fly as soon as fall 2026
The company is also looking at using its mothership aircraft that releases spacecraft at high altitude as a carrier platform for other customers.
Go to my new Space.com story at:
Image credit: CMG
The Shenzhou-20 crew aboard China’s Tiangong space station has been occupied in the unpacking of new extravehicular spacesuits and carrying out multiple scientific experiments and tests.
The astronaut trio — Chen Dong, Chen Zhongrui and Wang Jie — entered the Tiangong space station on April 25 this year.
Last week, the crew unpacked the two new sets of extravehicular spacesuits transported by the Tianzhou-9 cargo craft, and conducted functional performance tests and maintenance, as reported by China Central Television (CCTV).
Image credit: CCTV/CMSA/Inside Outer Space screengrab
Spacewalking suits
The design lifespan of the two suits, designated D and E, has been significantly extended from 15 extravehicular activities (EVAs) within three years to 20 EVAs within four years, CCTV adds.
In performing science duties, the crew used organ-on-a-chip technology to study the effects of the space environment on the blood-brain barrier and brain function at cellular, tissue, and organ levels, while exploring the underlying mechanisms.
Image credit: CCTV/Inside Outer Space screengrab
The crew has been investigating bone metabolism regulation and studying microbiota and nutritional metabolism.
Mixed reality glasses
Crew members also began trial operation of an on-orbit mixed reality (MR) training device. The astronauts wore portable MR glasses and achieved seamless interaction with the MR system through simple voice or gesture commands.
Image credit: CMG
Similarly, in terms of new technology and applications, the crew conducted microbial control experiments in the extraterrestrial habitat. They used bacterial detection plates to compare microbial levels on the selected module before and after disinfection, thus evaluating the effectiveness of the disinfection process, CCTV reports.
Health monitoring
The taikonaut threesome conducted comprehensive health monitoring, including bone density and muscle volume measurements, maximal isometric strength testing, and audiometric examinations, while actively performing exercises to cope with weightlessness.
Lastly, the crew completed the installation and testing of the -80 degrees Celsius space refrigerator in the Wentian lab module, and carried out the replacement of the core module’s sleeping compartment door.
Go to this CCTV video detailing work onboard China’s space outpost:
China’s Tiangong space station as imaged by MAXAR satellite.
Image credit: MAXAR
The Chang’e-6 sample container is shown being removed from the Chang’e-6 return capsule.
Image credit: Jin Liwang via SegerYU X posting.
Findings from China’s Chang’e-6 lunar sample mission provide evidence of a “super-reduced” state in the Moon’s mantle.
Published in the journal Nature Communications, the study shows the mantle material beneath Chang’e-6’s landing site is not only drier and more depleted than samples from the Moon’s near side, but also exists in a more chemically reduced state, meaning elements tend to exist in lower oxidation states.
“It either hasn’t undergone oxidation, or may have become more reduced later, possibly due to some major impact event,” said Yang Wei, a researcher at the Institute of Geology and Geophysics of the Chinese Academy of Sciences.
Image credit: CCTV/Inside Outer Space screengrab
Yang told China Central Television (CCTV) that the redox state of planetary bodies has always been a key indicator for understanding their internal processes and surface habitability.
Significant differences
The new findings confirm that significant differences between the lunar near side and far side extend deep into the mantle.
In 2024, Chang’e-6 rocketed to Earth 1,935.3 grams of lunar farside samples. These samples were collected from the South Pole-Aitken (SPA) Basin, the largest, deepest, and oldest basin on the Moon.
China’s Chang’e-6 lander/ascender in farside sampling scenery.
Image credit: CNSA/CLEP
Analysis of the lunar samples is clarifying the compositional differences between the near and far sides and to unravel the long-standing mystery of their asymmetry.
Guidance for ISRU
“Previously we could only observe the differences between the near side and far side through images,” Yang said. “But were these differences just superficial or did they extend hundreds of kilometers deep into the mantle? At least our current results prove that even at depths of several hundred kilometers, differences between the near side and far side persist. This is our new discovery.”
Image credit: CLEP
The new insight regarding the Moon’s formation and evolution also offers guidance for future lunar resource assessment and utilization.
To access the paper – “Magnetic signatures and origins of ferromagnetic minerals in Chang’e-6 lunar farside soils” – go to:
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-025-61705-1
Also, watch this CCTV video at:
https://www.facebook.com/share/v/177WSAr9kC/
Researchers from the Institute of Geology and Geophysics load test samples into lab equipment.
Image credit: CLEP
China completed a comprehensive test of its crew-carrying Moon lunar lander Lanyue in north China’s Hebei Province, August 6, 2025.. Image credit: CGTN//China Media GroupI
China’s lunar lander aces touchdown and takeoff tests ahead of planned 2030 crewed moon mission.
“For our manned space missions, we must ensure that astronauts land on the lunar surface very comfortably and smoothly.”
Go to my new Space.com story at:
