Archive for the ‘Space News’ Category
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January 21st, 2026
Image credit: CCTV/Inside Outer Space screengrab
China’s first emergency operation in its human spaceflight program came to an end as an uncrewed Shenzhou 20 return capsule parachuted into the Dongfeng landing site in north China’s Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region on January 19.
The spacecraft had spent 270 days in orbit, docked for nine months to the country’s Tiangong space station.
And that wasn’t the plan.
Go to my new Space.com story – “Chinese capsule damaged by space-junk strike returns to Earth (video) – Shenzhou 20 survived the trip through Earth’s atmosphere in one piece” – at:
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Wait-a-Minute!
Image credit: Barbara David
The value of two-way communication input and output between NASA and the planetary science community via specialized advisory groups (AGs) has been devalued.
That assessment comes from the space agency’s Science Mission Directorate, providing yet another wait-a-minute moment.
“Unfortunately, despite the recognized value of the AGs,” [NASA’s Planetary Science Division] “PSD can no longer formally support the AGs,” reports Louise M. Prockter, NASA Planetary Science Division Director.
Credit: Space HD Wallpapers
Groups impacted
NASA will be ending support for the AGs at the end of April of these years, impacting these groups:
Extraterrestrial Materials Analysis Group (ExMAG)
Lunar Exploration Analysis Group (LEAG)
Mapping and Planetary Spatial Infrastructure Team (MAPSIT)
Mars Exploration Analysis Group (MEPAG)
Mercury Exploration Assessment Group (MExAG)
Outer Planets Assessment Group (OPAG)
Small Bodies Assessment Group (SBAG)
Venus Exploration Analysis Group (VEXAG)
Recent changes
pointed out in a January 16 communiqué: “For many years, the eight PSD AGs have served as community-based, interdisciplinary bodies responsible for providing science input and analysis needed to plan and prioritize NASA planetary science research and exploration activities.”
“Several recent changes in the NASA landscape, however,” Prockter said, “make continuing the current support and operations model infeasible.”
“This decision does not automatically force the AGs to be dissolved—they have the opportunity to evolve and innovate as self-organized entities that continue to help advance planetary exploration,” Prockter added.
The full communiqué can be read at:
https://science.nasa.gov/planetary-science/resources/psd-director-letter-to-the-community/
Surprising decision
“This was a surprising decision. It seemed likely that support for the AGs would be reduced in some manner; however, I did not think support would be eliminated,” responded Benjamin Greenhagen, Chair of the Lunar Exploration Analysis Group (LEAG). “With all due respect for PSD, I don’t think this was the correct decision. And I don’t believe that this was the only possible decision.”
NASA’s Artemis Program, enabling Moon to Mars human exploration.
Image credit: NASA
Greenhagen said “it will be harder for us to provide agile analysis to NASA on critical topics but we will.”
Artemis de-generation?
“I think that community engagement, analysis, and consensus building is essential to NASA executing of our nation’s priorities of advancing lunar science, exploration, and critical technologies,” said Greenhagen in an open posting on the Lunar-L site.
“I take it to heart when NASA says we are all the Artemis Generation and we are going,” Greenhagen said. “When something is this important, you focus on what you will do to support and foster it rather than what you can’t do.”
Wait-a-Minute!
Image credit: Barbara David
Image credit: CCTV/Inside Outer Space screengrab
China’s uncrewed Shenzhou-20 return capsule parachuted into the Dongfeng landing site in north China’s Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region on January 19 at 09:34 (Beijing Time).
That capsule’s original return date had been delayed due to concerns over tiny cracks found in the capsule’s viewport window, damage thought caused by a high-speed run-in with space debris.
The spacecraft spent 270 days in orbit, verifying its ability to remain docked in orbit for nine months, the China National Space Administration (CNSA) stated.
Porthole crack
“To mitigate the risks associated with the Shenzhou-20 spacecraft’s return, on December 9, 2025, the Shenzhou-21 astronaut crew utilized an extravehicular activity (EVA) to take close-up photos of the Shenzhou-20 return capsule’s porthole using a high-definition camera, further confirming the condition of the porthole crack,” the CNSA added.
Image credit: CCTV/Inside Outer Space screengrab
“Furthermore, in conjunction with the emergency launch of the Shenzhou-22 spacecraft, a porthole crack repair device was expedited and sent to the launch site,” said the CNSA. “Astronauts installed it inside the Shenzhou-20 capsule, effectively improving the spacecraft’s heat protection and sealing capabilities during reentry.”
On-site inspection found that the Shenzhou-20 return capsule’s exterior was “generally normal, and the items inside were in good condition,” the CNSA said.
Alternative spacecraft
An alternative Shenzhou-21 spacecraft was used to safely transport the three Shenzhou-20 crew members to Earth on November 14.
Incoming Shenzhou-20 capsule.
The incident sparked an emergency mission to fly an uncrewed Shenzhou-22 spacecraft to the space station on November 25. Now docked to the orbiting facility, that vessel will serve the Shenzhou-21 crew on their expected return at the conclusion of their six-month mission.
“Currently, the Shenzhou-23 spacecraft, which will take over the rolling backup mission, has arrived at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, and the Long March 2F Y23 carrier rocket is about to be shipped,” the CNSA pointed out. “With the return of the Shenzhou-20 spacecraft, the main tasks of this emergency space operation for the Chinese space station have been successfully completed.”
Frigid temperatures
At the capsule’s Dongfeng Landing Site, search and recovery teams had to cope with extreme weather conditions in the area. Frigid temperatures and strong winds posed challenges in retrieving the return craft.
China Central Television (CCTV) reported that Xu Peng, the on-site commander at the touchdown site, noted that ground search forces made targeted adjustments.
Image credit: CCTV/Inside Outer Space screengrab
“This marks the first time the Dongfeng Landing Site has carried out a spaceship recovery mission during the coldest season of the year, with cold weather posing a test for both our search and rescue teams and equipment. We made special cold-protection preparations in advance to ensure that both personnel and the equipment remained in good condition throughout the mission,” Xu said.
Quick response
Xu also noted another unique factor of this unmanned return recovery operation, placing extra pressure on the ground teams to respond quickly to its touchdown.
Xu said the ground teams deployed new methods, such as drones and other high-tech equipment, to assist in recovery operations.
“Adjustments were made to our recovery forces,” Xu said. “The helicopter unit did not participate in this mission, and the drone and unmanned ground vehicle units made their debut. This new model, combining unmanned search equipment with ground personnel, was applied in the recovery of the uncrewed capsule,” he said.
Xu Peng, the on-site commander at the touchdown site.
Cut the parachute
Xu added that, as the Shenzhou-20 return capsule was unmanned, there was no astronaut to manually separate the parachute.
“As a result, the main parachute did not automatically detach upon landing, and in strong winds, it could have dragged the return capsule along the ground. This requires our ground personnel to reach the landing point and cut the parachute as quickly as possible,” Xu said.
Image credit: CCTV/Inside Outer Space screengrab
Damaged porthole
On-site personnel quickly took steps to protect the damaged porthole on the return capsule upon its landing. That action was driven by a post-landing assessment on the damage the Shenzhou-20 capsule sustained in space.
An on-site inspection confirmed that the exterior of the Shenzhou-20 return capsule was “generally intact” and the items inside were in good condition, the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA) reported.
Retired spacesuit
One of those inside items was a retired Extravehicular Mobility Unit (EMU) B spacesuit used for spacewalks.
That spacesuit garnered a distinguished service period that spanned more than four years in orbit, far exceeding its original design life, reported CCTV. Over that time, the suit had supported 11 Chinese astronauts across eight crewed missions, enabling 20 successful EVAs to be conducted.
For a CCTV video on the recovery of the capsule, go to:
https://www.facebook.com/reel/1810473869665482
Also, go to this video showcasing the current crew aboard China’s space station at:
Image credit: Illustration by John DiJulio, University of Virginia Communications
There’s some new planetary defense news – specific to nuking an Earth-threatening asteroid.
Experiments at CERN’s Super Proton Synchrotron (SPS) suggest that metal-rich asteroids are more resistant than previously assumed. The asteroid tests challenge nuclear-deflection models.
The European Organization for Nuclear Research is known as CERN.
There have been those advocates that, in the case of an impending collision with Earth, nuclear deflection may well be a last-resort option, leading to lots of fragments. However, a key uncertainty in such a mission would be the materials properties of the asteroid.
Credit: NASA/Don Davis
Scientific challenge
“Planetary defense represents a scientific challenge,” explains Karl-Georg Schlesinger, co-founder of the Outer Solar System Company (OuSoCo), a start-up developing advanced material-response models used to benchmark large-scale nuclear deflection simulations.
“The world must be able to execute a nuclear deflection mission with high confidence,” Schlesinger said, “yet cannot conduct a real-world test in advance. This places extraordinary demands on material and physics data.”
Stronger than expected – the Campo del Cielo meteorite. Image credit: E Halwax
Experimental campaign
To tackle that problem, an experimental campaign was carried out at CERN’s High Radiation to Materials facility (HiRadMat) in Switzerland. Researchers irradiated a Campo del Cielo iron meteorite sample with 440 GeV protons from CERN’s Super Proton Synchrotron.
Campo del Cielo refers to a group of iron meteorites that fell to Earth 4,200 to 4,700 years ago in Argentina where they were found.
The Campo del Cielo meteorite was exposed to 27 successive short, intense pulses of the SPS proton beam, reproducing impact-relevant shock conditions not attainable with conventional laboratory techniques.
Controlled lab conditions
“Our results demonstrate that asteroid materials can absorb significantly more energy without structural failure than normal material parameters would suggest. Crucially, we were able to reproduce–under controlled laboratory conditions–the discrepancy factor observed between laboratory-derived yield strength values and those inferred from atmospheric meteor breakup events,” notes a research paper – “Dynamical development of strength and stability of asteroid material under 440 GeV proton beam irradiation” – in Nature Communications.
CERN’s High Radiation to Materials facility (HiRadMat).
Image credit: CERN
“The material became stronger, exhibiting an increase in yield strength, and displayed a self-stabilizing damping behavior,” explains Melanie Bochmann of BoS GmbH, headquartered in Mörbisch am See in Austria and a co-founder and co-team lead alongside Schlesinger.
Unexplored possibilities
This research does imply that much larger amounts of energy can be deposited into asteroid material than previously assumed–without structural failure.
“This opens yet unexplored possibilities for nuclear energy-density asteroid deflection techniques, where deep energy coupling is desired without fragmentation,” the research paper states, with future work exploring this scenario in detail.
Image credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech
Next step
“In our first experimental campaign, we focused on a metal-rich asteroid material because its more homogeneous structure is easier to control and model, and it met all the safety requirements of the experimental facility,” Bochmann and Schlesinger explain in the CERN Courier. “This allowed us to collect, for the first time, non-destructive, real-time data on how such material responds to high-energy deposition.”
“As a next step, we plan to study more complex and rocky asteroid materials, the two researchers point out.
“One example is a class of meteorites called pallasites, which consist of a metal matrix similar to the meteorite material we have already studied, with up to centimeter-sized magnesium-rich crystals embedded inside. Because these objects are thought to originate from the core–mantle boundary of early planetesimals, such experiments could also provide valuable insights into planetary formation processes, Bochmann and Schlesinger state in the CERN Courier.
For more information, go to the research paper at:
Image credit: ASA
The ongoing investigation and study of Unidentified Aerial Phenomena (UAP) has received a legislative boost.
UAP legislation has been submitted to the Vermont legislature to create a state level, 10-person UAP task force.
The Vermont bill establishes a statewide task force to scientifically evaluate unidentified aerial activity. The bill assigns responsibility for the scientific analysis of reported aerial activity to the Scientific Coalition for UAP Studies (SCU).
Proactive, science-driven approach
“SCU would be involved in supporting the task force for all scientific and technical issues,” explains Robert Powell, an executive board member of the Scientific Coalition for UAP Studies. “We feel that if we can get enough states involved then we hope that will open a new method of obtaining UAP information,” he told Inside Outer Space.
Image credit: SCU
Vermont is taking a proactive, science-driven approach to public and aviation safety with the introduction of H.654, legislation creating a statewide framework to evaluate and respond to unusual aerial activity. This includes drones, balloons, and other objects that could affect aviation, infrastructure, or public safety.
Transparency
“As aerial activity grows nationwide, states are encountering new challenges that require proactive solutions,” said Representative Troy Headrick (I-Burlington), the bill’s sponsor. “H.654 ensures Vermont is prepared. It gives our state the tools to respond responsibly, with science, transparency, and collaboration guiding every decision.”
“While most reports turn out to be ordinary objects, a few may reveal phenomena we do not yet fully understand,” Powell said in a SCU statement. “Vermont’s framework ensures that every report is handled thoughtfully, with science and public safety guiding every step.”
The bill will be considered by the Vermont House Government Operations Committee today, January 16.
Artistic image of UAP over New Jersey coast.
Image credit: ASA
Multi-agency collaboration
Also welcoming the UAP Vermont bill is Americans for Safe Aerospace (ASA), pledging its support for the legislation.
Ryan Graves, ASA’s founder and executive director, said that Vermont’s approach “recognizes that coordinated airspace safety requires technical expertise, multi-agency collaboration, and transparent reporting mechanisms.”
The Vermont bill follows New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy signing Assembly Bill 5712, making New Jersey the first state to establish dedicated funding for university-based UAP research. It was signed into law by Governor Murphy on January 12, 2026.
“Vermont and New Jersey’s legislation reflects a broader shift toward state-level UAP reporting infrastructure that addresses gaps in federal action,” explains an ASA posting. “While Congressional hearings and UAP disclosure provisions have created momentum, actual research funding and systematic data collection remain limited at the federal level. State-level action fills that gap.”
For more information on UAP and the new state-supported activity, go to:
Scientific Coalition for UAP Studies (SCU) at: https://www.explorescu.org/
Americans for Safe Aerospace (ASA) at: https://www.safeaerospace.org/
The NASA Office of Inspector General (OIG) has released a new report — 2025 Top Management and Performance Challenges.
It outlines five critical challenges facing the Agency:
Challenge 1: Returning Humans to the Moon
Challenge 2: Sustaining a Human Presence in Low Earth Orbit
Challenge 3: Improving Management of Major Programs and Projects
Challenge 4: Managing Cybersecurity Risks and Emerging Technology
Challenge 5: Sustaining Mission Critical Capabilities
Heat shield woes
Regarding the return of humans to the Moon, the newly-issued OIG report notes:
“The most time-sensitive challenge for NASA’s effort to return humans to the Moon is preparing for Artemis II. NASA must address various challenges to safely fly the four astronauts to lunar orbit on their planned 10-day mission,” the report explains.
Image credit: NASA OIG
“While NASA considered Artemis I to be a near-perfect flight, it revealed technical issues that need to be addressed before Artemis II can launch. Specifically, the ablative outer material of Orion’s heat shield did not properly vent the gases normally produced during entry into Earth’s atmosphere, leading to widespread cracking and char loss.”
Root cause
Furthermore, the report explains that “given NASA’s current understanding of the root cause, the Agency intends to reuse the heat shield design for Artemis II while flying a modified reentry trajectory that is less severe.”
High-speed return from lunar distance, the thermal protection system of Orion’s crew module must endure blistering temperatures to keep crew members safe. Measuring 16.5 feet in diameter, Orion’s heat shield is the largest of its kind developed for missions carrying astronauts.
Image credit: NASA
“Although this approach is technically feasible, it is also complex and contingent on a successful test campaign and does not retire the heat shield risk for Artemis III. The additional heat shield testing resulted in cascading delays to all Artemis missions starting with Artemis II.”
For access to the report, go to:
Image credit: GRU Space
A newly-minted, Y Combinator‑backed startup aims to make lunar tourism the first sustainable business on the Moon.
That’s the word from Skyler Chan, founder and CEO of Galactic Resource Utilization Space (GRU Space), a visionary Berkeley-based group.
Proprietary module system
Space’s lunar hotel would be the first ever permanent off-Earth structure built in history. GRU Space plans to build it using a proprietary habitation module system and automated process for transforming lunar soil into durable brick structures.
Construction is targeted to begin in 2029 — pending regulatory approval – with airlocks open to guests by 2032.
And if you have $1 million dollars, you can put a cash-down deposit for the right to reserve one of the first spots on what will be a once-in-a-civilization experience, explains a GRU Space statement.
“If selected, you’ll be invited to enter into a deposit agreement and make a deposit of either $250,000 or $1 million depending on the option you select,” the GRU Space website adds.
Image credit: GRU Space
Inflection point
Chan said “we live during an inflection point where we can actually become interplanetary before we die.”
The key technical challenge we face, Chan adds, is that humans cannot expand beyond Earth until we solve habitation on the Moon. He argues that this is the “Promethean moment that allows for an exciting future in space. If we succeed, billions of human lives will be born on the Moon and Mars and be able to experience the beauty of lunar and martian life.”
GRU Space is initially focused on adventurers, repeat private spaceflight participants, and those taking a “honeymoon” to the next level.
Fastest path
Lunar tourism is viewed by the group as the best economic wedge that will spin up the lunar economy, leading to the fastest path for humanity becoming interplanetary.
At 21, Skyler founded GRU Space, fundraised from investors behind SpaceX & Anduril. He was accepted into Y Combinator as its youngest space solo founder the day before graduating a year early from UC Berkeley’s Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences program.
GRU Space is part of Y Combinator’s Winter 2026 batch, and is their first company focused on building human habitation on other terrestrial bodies.
GRU Space’s early team consists of former Colorado School of Mines professor Kevin Cannon, with Robert Lillis serving as an advisor. Lillis is the principal investigator of the recently lofted ESCAPADE Mars mission.
For more information on GRU Space, go to:
Image credit: U.S. State Department
Artemis Handshake! Hugo Costa, executive director for the Portuguese Space Agency, and U.S. Ambassador to Portugal John J. Arrigo pose for a photo on Jan. 12 during a ceremony in Lisbon, Portugal, to mark the country’s signing of the Artemis Accords.
Portugal is the latest nation to sign the Artemis Accords alongside 59 other countries to advancing principles for the “responsible” exploration of the Moon, Mars, and beyond with NASA.
Image credit: U.S. State Department
Image credit: CCTV/Inside Outer Space screengrab
A month-long program was organized by the China Astronaut Research and Training Center, one that involved a team of 28 astronauts.
The data collected during the CAVES training experience is helping to shape psychological support systems for astronauts undergoing lengthy space station missions as well as future crewed lunar landing missions, said Jiang Yuan, an instructor from the China Astronaut Research and Training Center.
Cooperative Adventure for Valuing and Exercising human behavior and performance Skills (CAVES) training is similar to those organized by the European Space Agency (ESA).
Isolation, confinement and high risk
The Chinese initiative made use of a mountainous area of southwest China’s Chongqing Municipality. The astronauts were divided into four groups, each taking turns to continuously stay in a cave with an average temperature of eight degree Celsius and humidity as high as 99 percent for six days and five nights.
Isolation, confinement and high risk were experienced by the groups, along with numerous psychological hurdles including fear of darkness and sensory deprivation.
Image credit: CCTV/Inside Outer Space screengrab
Astronaut training
“Our cave training program is primarily designed to meet the requirements of our nation’s manned spaceflight development,” said Wu Bin, an expert in charge of astronaut training with the China Astronaut Research and Training Center.
“We utilize the natural cave environment to enhance astronauts’ capabilities in handling hazardous situations, team collaboration, scientific literacy and research skills, emergency decision-making, physical endurance, and psychological resilience in extreme conditions,” Wu told China Central Television (CCTV).
Image credit: CCTV/Inside Outer Space screengrab
Unique challenges and difficulties
During the CAVES training, groups were placed in emergency scenarios like simulated medical evacuations to test their emergency response and collaborative problem-solving capabilities.
“Exploring four side caves, each with distinct topography and terrain, presents unique challenges and difficulties,” said astronaut Zhu Yangzhu. “Cave training hones one’s comprehensive qualities and capabilities, particularly teamwork skills. This holds significant implications for our future spaceflight missions, prompting me to contemplate how to effectively lead teams and manage crews aboard the space station,” Zhu said.
Image credit: CCTV/Inside Outer Space screengrab
Teamwork
Astronaut Ye Guangfu, who previously received the ESA’s CAVES training, served as one of the commanders for the training in Chongqing.
“In terms of the training procedure, our support team reduced intervention in the activities of astronauts. This approach allows for greater autonomy in teamwork,” Ye said, “thereby further unlocking their potential to accomplish tasks in the cave.
Ye said a series of experimental tasks during the mission were incorporated to deepen understanding of the mutual influence between the cave environment and human behavior. “For support capabilities, we enhanced audio-visual communication methods, significantly improving our external communication support capacity.”
Image credit: CCTV/Inside Outer Space screengrab
Jungle training
This training program also included two days of jungle training for each session.
Tian Liping from the China Astronaut Research and Training Center added: “The jungle training program consists of three main components: First, emergency contact: In emergency, the astronauts need to establish communication with the outside world using limited supplies and equipment. Second, sustaining life: In the event that rescue forces may be unable to arrive promptly, the astronauts need to do all they can to utilize acquired knowledge and skills to maintain survival with minimal tools. And third, safely navigating out of the jungle: Under the premise of guaranteeing safety, the astronauts need to go out of the jungle to rendezvous with search and rescue teams.”
Image credit: CCTV/Inside Outer Space screengrab
Lunar lava tubes
In recent years, the China Astronaut Research and Training Center has carried out training methods and techniques in response to new mission requirements.
Analog missions like Switzerland’s Asclepios project also use subterranean tunnels to simulate lunar lava tubes, testing scientific operations and survival strategies in isolation.
Asclepios is an international non-profit with the goal of enabling analogue space missions, offered exclusively by students for students.
China’s cave training is linked to the country’s lunar ambitions, including crewed landings and a planned uncrewed Moon base by 2027.
For an informative CCTV video on CAVES training, go to:
Image credit: SpaceX
SpaceX is targeting Sunday, January 11 for Falcon 9’s launch of the Twilight mission from Space Launch Complex 4E (SLC-4E) at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California.
The launch window opens at 5:19 a.m. Pacific Time. Following stage separation, the first stage will land on Landing Zone 4 at Vandenberg Space Force Base.
Twilight is a dedicated smallsat rideshare mission.
Pandora
Among the payloads is the University of Arizona’s Pandora mission for NASA. It is built to help scientists untangle the signals from the atmospheres of exoplanets – worlds beyond our solar system – and their stars.
Pandora spacecraft.
Image credit: NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center/Conceptual Image Lab
Pandora is a small satellite that will provide in-depth study of at least 20 known planets orbiting distant stars in order to determine the composition of their atmospheres — especially the presence of hazes, clouds, and water.
Data from Pandora will establish a firm foundation for interpreting measurements by NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope and future missions that will search for habitable worlds.
Go to this video on Pandora at:
