Archive for the ‘Space News’ Category
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June 17th, 2025
China’s momentum in establishing a human Moon landing program was advanced on June 17.
An escape flight test on its new-generation crewed spacecraft Mengzhou has been carried out at zero altitude.
The test was carried out at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest.
Escape tower trial
According to China Central Television (CCTV) the spacecraft’s escape engine ignited, then propelled the capsule-tower assembly upward.
Image credit: CCTV/Inside Outer Space screengrab
About 20 seconds later, the return capsule separated from the escape tower at the predetermined altitude.
Two minutes later, the capsule landed safely in the designated area using an airbag cushioning system.
Image credit: CCTV/Inside Outer Space screengrab
Major milestone
CCTV notes that the flight test marked a major milestone in the development of China’s crewed lunar mission.
“It was the country’s first zero-altitude escape test for a manned spacecraft in 27 years, following a similar test for the Shenzhou spacecraft in 1998.”
Image credit: China National Space Administration (CNSA)/China Central Television (CCTV)/SciNews.ro/Inside Outer Space screengrab
Image credit: CCTV/Inside Outer Space screengrab
For a video view of the test, go to:
https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1Duw1WLLuo/
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Image credit: Etheria Space
There is an uplifting announcement regarding the future of space elevators – a groundbreaking concept that could reshape the future of space exploration.
The dream is to put in place a highway to the stars, a continuous bridge connecting Earth to space, one that offers a more reliable, cost-effective, and eco-friendly alternative to traditional rockets.
A first-ever global space elevator challenge is being kicked off at the National Space Society’s International Space Development Conference in Orlando, Florida June 19-22 at the Rosen Centre Hotel.
Strategic competitions
Designed for university level students and space enthusiasts, a World Space Elevator Competition (WSPEC) will feature multiple strategic competitions designed to advance critical technologies needed to construct an elevator to space – the first ever to take place on a global level.
Image credit: Scientific Workgroup for Rocketry and Spaceflight (WARR) Space Elevator Challenge of Germany.
What’s being staged are live demonstrations of winning robotic climbers from past regional competitions, including the world’s fastest robotic climber that set a record climbing a 1,200 meter ribbon-shaped tether at more than 100 kilometers per hour.
WSPEC is a partnership of Etheria Space, who is driving the initiative, the Japan Space Elevator Association and the Scientific Workgroup for Rocketry and Spaceflight (WARR) Space Elevator Challenge of Germany. The U.S.-based International Space Elevator Consortium (ISEC) is driving the research behind a space elevator.
Image credit: Etheria Space
Critical technologies
WSPEC is an international non-profit organization that aims to advance the critical technologies needed to construct a space elevator through a series of strategic competitions designed to foster innovation and inspire the next generation of scientists and engineers.
At its heart, it’s about building the future, one audacious idea at a time.
The space elevator competition will spotlight innovations in:
- Advanced Materials: Teams will push the limits of material science, developing super-strong, ultra-light materials for the elevator tether.
- Robotics and Automation: showcase advancements in robotics systems designed to construct, maintain, and operate a space elevator.
- Power Beaming: Tame energy transmission needs with technologies that aim to wirelessly power “climbers” over vast distances.
- Artificial Intelligence: Teams will develop AI-powered systems for guidance, navigation, and control of space elevator operations.
Wanted: innovation
By fostering teamwork and innovation, the competition aims to inspire the next generation to make the ambitious dream of space elevators a reality.
Image credit: Etheria Space
The climber competition will be the first challenge of the space elevator games, pitting teams against each other.
Here’s what’s at stake:
Speed: How fast can their climber ascend the tether?
Efficiency: How little energy can they use to get to the top?
Payload Capacity: How much weight can their climber carry?
Innovation: Can they incorporate groundbreaking new technologies or designs?
Image credit: International Space Elevator Consortium
Science fiction turned to fact?
In his 22nd century-set 1970’s novel, The Fountains of Paradise, science fact/fiction writer, Arthur Clarke imagined an elevator connecting Earth with an orbiting satellite, eliminating the need for costly and environmentally destructive rockets.
The concept of the “space elevator” first appeared in 1895 when Russian scientist Konstantin Tsiolkovsky, inspired by the newly constructed Eifel Tower in Paris, thought of a tower that reached all the way into space.
In 1957 Yuri Artsutanov drew up a more feasible plan for building such a space tower. He proposed using a geostationary satellite as a base from which to build it. He suggested lowering a cable toward Earth while a counterweight was extended from Earth, keeping the cable’s center of gravity at the geosynchronous point.
Artsutanov published his ideas in the Sunday supplement Komsomolskaya Pravda (a national newspaper) in 1960.
Image credit: Gollancz/Orion Publishing Group
Clarke prediction
Bringing the concept to a popular readership, Clarke in his novel had engineers construct a space elevator on top of a mountain peak in the mythical island of Taprobane. The builders use advanced materials such as the carbon nanofibers.
“I’m often asked when I think the space elevator will be built,” Clarke once said during an interview. “My answer is about 10 years, when everyone stops laughing.”
For more information, go to:
https://isdc.nss.org/isdc_tracks/space-elevators-25/
Image credit: ESPI
The European Space Policy Institute (ESPI) has created the “Launch Dashboard.”
This new interactive tool enables the user to track global space activity.
The easy-to-use dashboard allows for more frequent updates, customizable views, and deeper exploration of launch trends, satellite operators, mission purposes, and more.
“As space becomes increasingly integrated into our daily lives, economies, and strategic interests of European societies, the pace and complexity of space activities is accelerating,” explains Lars Petzold, an ESPI research fellow.
“With more actors entering orbit and more launches taking place than ever before, access to timely, transparent, and curated data is essential,” Petzold adds.
To access this important tool, go to:
Showing its age – the International Space Station.
Image credit: NASA
Yes, in space, everyone can hear a hiss.
“A new pressure signature” has been identified in the Russia-supplied Zvezda service module attached to the International Space Station.
That issue, with NASA working with Russia’s Roscosmos, has led to postponing the launch of the private Axiom Mission 4 to the ISS.
The problem cropped up after a recent post-repair effort with the Zvezda module, NASA stated.
Leak rate
“Cosmonauts aboard the space station recently performed inspections of the pressurized module’s interior surfaces, sealed some additional areas of interest, and measured the current leak rate. Following this effort, the segment now is holding pressure,” NASA added in a Thursday communiqué.
The postponement of Axiom Mission 4 give NASA and Roscosmos added time to evaluate the situation and determine whether any additional troubleshooting is necessary.
Crew of Axiom Mission-4 private astronaut mission. From left are, Pilot Shubhanshu Shukla from India, Commander Peggy Whitson from the U.S., and Mission Specialists Sławosz Uzanański-Wiśniewksi from Poland and Tibor Kapu from Hungary.
Image credit: Axiom
Long-time concern
Problems with the Russian-supplied station segment have been a long-time concern.
Back in 2021, onboard cosmonauts were tasked to fix a 2-inch (4.5-centimeter) air leak in the Zvezda intermediate chamber. Patulas, glue-mastic, Hermetall and Anaterm sealants, sandpaper, foam rubber, fluoroplastic films, alcohol wipes, metal pads, and electrical tape were utilized. Also, toss in goggles, respirators, rubber gloves, a drill and a vacuum cleaner.
A new launch date for the fourth private astronaut mission will be provided once available.
“NASA defers to Roscosmos to answer specific questions about the Zvezda module,” NASA stated.
Roscosmos reaction
In a posting on the Telegram channel, Roscosmos notes that the leak in the Russian segment of the ISS has been eliminated. “Roscosmos continues daily monitoring and maintenance of all systems in the Russian segment of the International Space Station.”
Roscosmos explains that the next stage of sealing the transition chamber of the Zvezda service module has been completed. “According to experts from the Mission Control Center, there is no leak in the Russian segment of the ISS.”
Image credit: Roscosmos
The history of air leakage from the intermediate chamber of the Zvezda service module of the ISS, points out Roscosmos has been going on for more than five years. “It was first reported in September 2019. Several attempts have been made to seal the leak in recent years, but all attempts have led to only partial results.”
After sealing in June 2025, concludes Roscosmos, “tests show that the air leak in the transition chamber has stopped completely, for the first time since it was discovered.”
For a current review of the situation, go to this story by Marcia Smith at the SpacePoilicyOnline.com website:
NASA Confirming Success of ISS Leak Repairs Before Finalizing Ax-4 Launch Date
Image credit: The Aerospace Corporation
This document provides a deep dive and excellent reference regarding the U.S. federal civil space budget between Fiscal Year 2023 and proposed spending in Fiscal Year 2025.
The term civil space is generally understood among the public and policymakers to refer to non-national security agencies with direct missions to space.
Increased national importance
As pointed out in this document, the growing number of civil space departments and agencies “is one way of measuring space’s increased national importance.”
Indeed, the ubiquitous use of space is also a result of capabilities becoming more accessible, “allowing department agendas to incorporate space as a tool rather than endeavor a space-centric, long-term, strategic mission,” the document adds.
“As a result, the emerging civil space enterprise resembles a complex food chain, with embedded interdependencies between agencies.”
Image credit: The Aerospace Corporation
Foundational dataset
A Comprehensive Guide to the U.S. Federal Civil Space Budget provides a foundational dataset for civil space budget analyses, developed by Lindsay DeMarchi, a policy analyst in the Center for Space Policy and Strategy at The Aerospace Corporation.
Projects that support, enable, or leverage space activities for civil purposes are found among more than 100 individual line items spread across 17 federal departments and agencies and funded by 4 different appropriations bills.
Priority areas
The second half of the report introduces a novel representation of the civil space budget by organizing the data into national priority areas:
♦ American Leadership and Manufacturing
♦ Workforce Development
♦ Fundamental Science
♦ Efficiency, Improvements, and Growth
♦ Homeland Security
♦ Infrastructure, Energy, and Resiliency
♦ Remote Sensing Applications
Credit: White House
The intent of this referential dataset is to begin a broader discussion of the direct and indirect relationships civil space budget line items have to broader national priorities.
To review the document — A Comprehensive Guide to the U.S. Federal Civil Space Budget – go to:
https://csps.aerospace.org/sites/default/files/2025-06/DeMarchi_FedSpaceBudget_20250609_4.pdf
Terraforming Mars would require warming the atmosphere to enable engineered microbes to create oxygen through photosynthesis, which would further allow for slow oxygen build-up to support liquid water and more complex life.
Image credit: Los Alamos National Laboratory
Transforming Mars to make the Red Planet more palatable for we humans is called terraforming.
But what needs to be done now if there’s intent to overhaul that world to make it more Earth-like? Also, is there science to support such a reconstruction effort?
A research group led by Pioneer Labs and the University of Chicago has taken on those issues and offer some interesting observations.
They note that this research could ultimately help maintain “oasis Earth,” arguing that technologies spurred by inhabiting Mars — such as desiccation-resistant crops, efficiently remediating soil, and improved ecosystem modeling – would likely benefit our resident planet.
A future Mars protected from the direct solar wind should come to a new equilibrium allowing an extensive atmosphere to support liquid water on its
surface.
Credit: J.L.Green, et al.
Vital testbed
“Mars terraforming research offers a vital testbed for planetary science, potentially validating theories or exposing knowledge gaps,” they explain in a newly-issued research paper appearing in Nature Astronomy. “Continued research promises significant scientific progress, regardless of whether full-scale terraforming occurs.”
The research paper, led by Erika Alden DeBenedictis, CEO of Pioneer Labs in San Francisco, California, also notes: “While the possibilities are exciting, anything as big as modification of a planetary climate has major consequences and would require careful thought once we reach the point where it is feasible.”
Without more research, DeBenedictis and colleagues add, “we do not even know what is physically or biologically possible.”
Artist’s concept depicts astronauts and human habitats on Mars.
Image credit: NASA
Should we…can we?
The researchers also underscore that any movement of humans beyond Earth raises ethical issues. “It is a trope of science fiction that, even though humans have already restructured Earth’s land surface, nitrogen cycle and so on at the planetary scale, attempts to do the same for other worlds will be seen as dysfunctional.”
Underlying the paper’s observations is that an important part of the “should we?” is the question “can we?”
“Believe it or not, no one has really addressed whether it’s feasible to terraform Mars since 1991,” said Nina Lanza, a planetary scientist at Los Alamos National Laboratory and a co-author on the paper.
“Yet since then,” Lanza points out, “we’ve made great strides in Mars science, geoengineering, launch capabilities and bioscience, which give us a chance to take a fresh look at terraforming research and ask ourselves what’s actually possible.”
Depiction shows Jezero Crater — the landing locale of the Mars 2020 Perseverance rover — as it might have appeared billions of years ago when it was perhaps a life-sustaining lake. An inlet and outlet are also visible on either side of the lake.
Image Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech
Marsshot
The Nature Astronomy perspective paper draws from the proceedings of an April 2024 Mars Terraforming Workshop held in Pasadena, California and hosted by The Astera Institute and Pioneer Labs.
As an Astera Institute resident working to terraform Mars, DeBenedictis founded Pioneer Labs, a nonprofit with a “moonshot,” better yet a “marsshot” mission, to transform microbes to be able to live on Mars.
“Some people might argue that Green Mars is not really a practical application of bioengineering, beyond that transition between a dead planet and a live one,” DeBenedictis says, but asks what are other reasons for terraforming Mars?
Image credit: SpaceX
Eminently doable
“I like Green Mars as a thesis because it is, first of all. a really well defined problem statement. It is a verifiable vision of what could be accomplished in the long term,” says DeBenedictis.
“In terms of practicality, there’s a lot more work to be done, but it’s possible that greening Mars is eminently doable and shockingly fast and cheap,” DeBenedictis senses.
Recent work points to greening Mars within roughly 30-50 years, “in the department of $100B’s” DeBenedictis says, roughly the cost of the US’s interstate highway system.
In the new research paper, fully terraforming Mars “would be (at least) a multicentury project, during which Earth’s politics will change. What will not change, the paper adds, are the physical, chemical and biological constraints—the science—that can be uncovered only through more research.
Credit: Michael Carroll via Chris McKay
“Of course, the biggest problem with these estimates right now is that not enough people are thinking about it. We need more research, more thorough cost estimates, and more discussion about whether or not we want to actually do it if it’s possible,” DeBenedictis concludes.
To access the Nature Astronomy paper – “The case for Mars terraforming research” – go to:
To access the 2024 Mars Terraforming Workshop Proceedings, go to:
https://zenodo.org/records/11390070
For more information on Pioneer Labs, the work of Erika Alden DeBenedictis and colleagues to engineer microbes for Mars, go to
Image credits: (a) D. Knaub, (b) F. Nicklen, (c) D. Perrine, (d) W. Davis, (e) G. Flipse, (f) A. Henry, (g) M. Gaughan, (h) H. Romanchik, (i) D. Patton, (j) D. Perrine, (k) S. Istrup, (l) S. Hilbourne.
Studying the behavior of humpback whales is contributing to the study of non-human intelligence and is aiding the search for extraterrestrial intelligence.
A team of scientists from the SETI Institute and the University of California at Davis have documented that humpback whales produce large bubble rings.
While this behavior may represent play or communications, those whale-produced bubbles cage prey, and also used when competing to escort a female whale.
Under the WhaleSETI project researchers have charted the actions of humpback whales that often exhibit inquisitive actions when approaching boats and swimmers while blowing bubble rings.
Two distinct and very different bubble structures, (a) bubble net and (b) bubble ring.
Image credit: (a) M. Van Aswegen/AWF); (b) D. Knaub.
Curious behavior
The WhaleSETI team is appraising intelligent, non-terrestrial (aquatic), nonhuman communication systems “to develop filters that aid in parsing cosmic signals for signs of extraterrestrial life,” explains a SETI Institute release.
“Because of current limitations on technology, an important assumption of the search for extraterrestrial intelligence is that extraterrestrial intelligence and life will be interested in making contact and so target human receivers,” said Laurance Doyle, SETI Institute scientist.
“This important assumption is certainly supported by the independent evolution of curious behavior in humpback whales,” Doyle explains.
The late Frank Drake with cosmic equation to gauge the presence of intelligent life in the cosmos. The Drake Equation identifies specific factors believed to play a role in the development of civilizations in our galaxy.
Image credit: SETI Institute
Drake Equation
The mission of WhaleSETI is to systematically investigate and comprehend the intricacies of humpback whale communication. By doing so, according to the group, the research offers a unique avenue to contribute valuable data towards the determination of astronomer Frank Drake’s Equation Factor Fi: fi = the fraction of planets with life that go on to develop intelligent life (civilizations).
“Through rigorous empirical studies, acoustic analysis, and behavioral observations, we aim to unravel the complexities of humpback whale vocalizations, seeking to discern patterns, meanings, and potential modes of interspecies communication,” explains the WhaleSETI website.
“By integrating our findings into the broader context of Drake’s Equation, we aspire to advance our understanding of the factors influencing the emergence of communicative intelligence in extraterrestrial civilizations,” the website adds.
Image of humpback whale and human encounter.
Image credit: NOAA
Interdisciplinary approach
“Through this interdisciplinary approach, our mission is to make significant strides in the quest to comprehend the prevalence and nature of communicative signals in the cosmos, ultimately contributing to the ongoing exploration of the potential for extraterrestrial life,” the WhaleSETI group points out.
The study of animal communication challenges our ideas of intelligence and informs our search for life in the universe. Among the most fascinating of vocalizations are the songs and sounds of humpback whales.
Go to — “Humpback Whale Communication and the Search for Alien Intelligence” — at:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-CIcIZzz8B4
For more information, go to this podcast – “Blue Dot: Whale-SETI: a communications interaction with Twain the Humpback Whale” — at:
Also, go to this research paper – “Humpback Whales Blow Poloidal Vortex Bubble Rings” – at:
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/mms.70026
Lastly, in related research, read my recent Space.com story – “Could deciphering dolphin language help us communicate with ET?” – at:
Image credit: Roscosmos/Inside Outer Space screengrab
Russian President Vladimir Putin led a meeting of the Council for Strategic Development and National Projects on June 6, a gathering that involved moving forward on a number of space sector projects.
“Our rocket and space industry will have to strengthen its position as a technological flagship,” Putin emphasized.
“We are proud of the unique achievements of Soviet and Russian scientists, cosmonauts, and all specialists in the space industry. And we will definitely formulate bold, long-term plans here, set the horizon for comprehensive development for the confident work of rocket builders, spacecraft developers, and their colleagues from related sectors,” Putin said.
Russia’s Angara-A5 booster.
Image credit: Roscosmos
Updated agenda
Accordingly, Russia intends to allocate about 4 trillion 400 billion rubles to implement an updated national space project agenda, including 1 trillion 700 billion over the next six years.
Key goals include the creation of a satellite communications group, and permanent presence in the top three world leaders in the number of launches.
The launch goal is planned to be achieved through the use of reusable engines and returnable stages, and the development of spaceport infrastructure, primarily the Vostochny Cosmodrome, a Russian space launch facility in the Amur Oblast.
Highlighted in the meeting is the technology required for returning the first stage of the Angara booster and developing an oxygen-hydrogen third stage for that launcher.
Image credit: Roscosmos
Communications/Earth remote sensing
“We will continue to increase the number of communication devices in near-earth, geostationary and highly elliptical orbits. Thus, we expect to cover the entire territory of the country, including the Arctic, with stable communication channels by 2030,” First Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation Denis Manturov emphasized.
Manturov said there will the involvement of private enterprises in the production of spacecraft to further develop remote sensing of the Earth. The main goals include increasing the resolution of satellite images to values comparable with competitors. Plans call for launching a system to yield remote sensing data on a commercial basis, starting in the fall of 2026.
Projected Russian orbit8ing station.
Image credit: Roscosmos/Inside Outer Space screengrab
Russia’s space station
Russia is planning to press ahead on the country’s Russian Orbital Station (ROS), following the demise of the International Space Station in 2030. At that time, the first ROS modules are to be lofted.
“It will become the world’s first drone platform equipped with robots for its maintenance,” said Manturov. “This is a patented solution of the Russian Federation. Testing the technology will allow us to apply this format to our lunar program,” he said.
Image credit: Bulletin/NPO Lavochkin
Moon, Venus initiatives
There are two separate federal projects aimed at space research : “Space Science” and “Space Atom.”
“In particular, we will have the opportunity to be the first in the world to deploy a nuclear power plant on the Moon and study the atmosphere of Venus. I would like to note that today we are the only country that has ever landed on this planet,” added the Deputy Prime Minister.
Luna-27 landing leg testing.
Image credit: NPO Lavochkin
Work on future robotic moon projects is pressing forward, recently highlighted by NPO Lavochkin in spotlighting work on Luna-27.
Lavochkin has completed development tests of a dynamically similar model of the landing vehicle for the Luna-27 mission, a south pole lander slated for launch after 2030.
Image credit: Roscosmos
Test stands
“This is one of the important stages of preparation for the upcoming lunar expedition, during which specialists worked out soft landing modes in conditions as close to real ones as possible,” reports a Lavochkin posting.
Artwork depiction of Luna-27 Moon lander.
Image credit: NPO Lavochkin
The device was also tested with a simulation of lunar gravity and contact with an analogue soil.
Lavochkin has created specialized stands to practice Moon landing modes. Last year, the stands were upgraded to meet the landing conditions of the Luna-27 spacecraft.
Lunar orbiter
Luna-27 is being developed as part of the Luna-Resource-1 project.
The first mission of the project is Luna-26 that will explore the surface from lunar orbit and select safe landing sites. To be launched in 2027, the lunar orbiter would create a topographic map of the Moon with a resolution of 2-3 meters in the southern polar region using stereo photography.
Russia’s Luna-26, a Moon orbiter.
Image credit: NPO Lavochkin
The second mission is the Luna-27 landing module itself. Its task is to study the composition of the regolith, record the presence of water, and measure the physical characteristics of the soil.
Luna-25 mishap
As part of the Luna-Glob project, NPO Lavochkin built the Luna-25 spacecraft, a small-sized demonstration landing station for testing basic soft landing technologies in the near-polar region and conducting contact studies of the south pole of the Moon.
Luna-25
Credit: Roscosmos
After Luna-25’s launch on August 10, 2023, the craft did enter lunar orbit. However, a maneuvering engine on the craft overshot its burn time, running for 127 seconds instead of 84 second. Subsequently, Luna-25 crashed onto the lunar surface on August 19, 2023.
During preparations for descent to the surface, Russia’s Luna-25 Moon lander experienced an anomaly that caused it to impact into the southwest rim of Pontécoulant G crater on Aug. 19, 2023.
Image credit: NASA Goddard Space Flight Center/Arizona State University
Image credit: NASA
Over the years, NASA has undergone ups and downs in terms of financial hits and shifts of priority.
While the projected White House recommended financial reductions and face-lifting ideas for the civilian space agency are not unique – they are being viewed by many as a budgetary bombshell.
But first a little space history.
More details at:
