Archive for the ‘Space News’ Category
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December 29th, 2025
Image credit: CMSA/CCTV/Inside Outer Space screengrab
China’s Shenzhou-21 crew has been busily carrying out an array of experiments aboard the country’s Tiangong space station.
The taikonaut threesome — mission commander Zhang Lu, and astronauts Wu Fei and Zhang Hongzhang – were launched on November 1st to begin their six-month voyage.
Experiment focus
As noted by China Central Television (CCTV), the three space travelers are engaged in:
- Aerospace medicine experiments: the three astronauts used electroencephalogram (EEG) equipment to acquire data needed for experimental projects such as metacognitive monitoring research and group brain cognition-emotion analysis and regulation, assisting the ground-based researchers in their ongoing research.
- Plant studies: In the station’s Wentian lab module, the trio used the science glove box to collect samples of Arabidopsis thaliana, a plant that will help in research on the molecular network regulation of plant stem cells.
- Microgravity physics: the crew completed the disassembly and assembly of the complex fluid experiment module in the fluid physics experimental cabinet and replaced the experimental samples.
Image credit: CMSA/CCTV/Inside Outer Space screengrab
Lithium-ion battery research
Work has also involved a plug-in gas experiment in the combustion experimental cabinet. The Shenzhou-21 trio carried out the cleaning and replacement of the sample in the containerless cabinet experimental chamber and the maintenance of the electrodes of the axial mechanism.
Also carried out is electrochemical optical research of lithium-ion batteries for space applications, a project to document the entire process of lithium dendrite growth.
Artwork depicts China’s Tiangong space station.
Image credit: China Manned Space Agency
Lastly, the three astronauts have undergone medical examinations such as bone density measurement, electrocardiogram and blood pressure checks, and visual function measurement to appraise their on-orbit health status.
For a video showcasing the onboard station work, go to:
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Image credit: Mars Guy/NASA/JPL-Caltech/Inside Outer Space screengrab
Mars Guy explains that NASA’s Curiosity Mars rover carries a camera that was designed for the sole purpose of recording, for the first time, video of a Mars landing. But a few years after that landing, it was repurposed to shoot continuous images during drives, including its latest one.
Watch Curiosity’s latest drive on Mars. Mars Guy shows rare video from Curiosity’s Mars Descent Imager (MARDI) camera, repurposed for “sidewalk imaging.” This 38-minute drive covers 59 feet (18 meters) of Martian terrain.
Go to: https://youtu.be/_D4dSS6ZIgA
Nuclear Weapons in Space – Orbital Bombardment and Strategic Stability has been issued by the Foreign Policy Research Institute (FPRI).
Written by Aaron Stein, President of the FPRI, this report points out that space technology is inherently dual-use.
“The platforms used to launch satellites can also be used to deliver atomic weapons. The same is true of defenses: The things built to shoot down incoming missiles can also be repurposed to shoot down satellites. The tensions between offense and defense have dominated how the United States has sought to manage access to space,” the report states.
Checklist suggestions
Stein proposes several checklist items:
Concept art for Project Excalibur (USAF)
- The U.S. should consider how to repurpose current missile defense interceptors to hold any Russian co-orbital satellites at risk
- Make explicit that any nuclear attack on U.S. origin satellites would invite retaliation
- Continue to invest in sensors to detect missile launch from adversary nations (including those fired south to travel over the South Pole)
- Be the insurer of last resort for private satellites that could be destroyed by a hostile act
To access the full report, go to:
https://www.fpri.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/stein_ona_91625.pdf
Wait-a-Minute!
Image credit: Barbara David
The profound prospect of finding out that “we’re not alone” may also have weighty wait-a-minute consequences.
A recent poll indicates that half of Americans believe aliens have visited Earth.
The poll was produced by YouGov US, an international online research data and analytics technology group.
This polling finds that most Americans believe aliens exist, and many think that aliens have paid a visit to Earth in recent years.
Full and deliberate disclosure?
Arguably, one poll result rubs up against “full disclosure” advocates, those seeking an immediate revelation about alien visitation in the past, up to today.
“Americans are more likely to believe alien encounters would have a negative effect on human civilization than to think it would have a positive effect,” YouGov explains.
Also, many believe that aliens would bring “new diseases and unintentional harm or outright hostility to people if we were to encounter them.”
Credit: Orbitz
Indeed, the poll explains that twice as many Americans say an alien visit would have a negative effect on human civilization than a positive one.
Other takeaway messages
According to YouGov data journalist, Jamie Ballard, other takeaway messages from the polling are:
- Americans are split on whether aliens have visited Earth in recent years.
- 16% of Americans believe we will make contact with alien life by 2035.
- Majorities of Americans think if we encountered aliens, it’s likely they would be more technologically advanced than humans and want to stay hidden.
The poll results stem from an online survey conducted on November 4 – 9, 2025 among 1,114 U.S. adult citizens.
To dive into the array of poll findings, go to:
https://today.yougov.com/health/articles/53486-half-of-americans-believe-aliens-have-visited-earth
Wait-a-Minute!
Image credit: Barbara David
Credit: via Roscosmos
Russia’s Roscosmos space agency has announced that a government contract has been struck with NPO Lavochkin to create a lunar power station by 2036.
It is not immediately clear in the Roscosmos statement if that power station would be nuclear. However, the contract implementation period is 2025–2036 and involves Rosatom and the Kurchatov Institute participation.
Rosatom is a Russian state nuclear corporation.
The Kurchatov Institute is Russia’s leading nuclear research institute.
Power to lunar consumers
The power plant work is to also engage the facilities of foreign partners.
Artist’s view of International Lunar Research Station to be completed by 2035. Credit: CNSA/Roscosmos
In a Roscosmos statement, the purpose of the lunar power station is projected to be a long-term power supply to consumers (moon rovers, observatory) of the Russian lunar program, as well as infrastructure facilities of the international scientific lunar station.
Long-term lunar exploration
Roscosmos said a set of tasks are scripted, from development of spacecraft, ground-experimental testing, flight tests and deploying infrastructure on the Moon.
“The project is an important step toward creating a permanent scientific lunar station and transitioning from one-time missions to a long-term lunar exploration program,” Roscosmos stated in a December 24th posting.
Russia is blueprinting a robotic lunar exploration program, such as this Luna-26, a Moon orbiter.
Image credit: NPO Lavochkin
China/Russia cooperation
Roscosmos and the China National Space Administration (CNSA) signed a memorandum on cooperation in building the lunar power plant on May 8.
Furthermore, in March 2021, China and Russia inked an intergovernmental memorandum to cooperate in a multi-phased International Lunar Research Station (ILRS).
Credit: Piplsay
Air vehicles of nameless origin, unknown intent, and seemingly odd capabilities are operating within America’s national airspace, flying over sensitive facilities, and interfering with commercial air traffic.
All of this aerial weirdness involves Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena or UAP for short. Whatever they are, UAPs continue to be seen, reported, and even documented through various technologies.
Perplexing issue
However, there seems to be a bottleneck in getting to the bottom of the UAP issue. Why so?
Credit: DOD/U.S. Navy/Inside Outer Space screengrab
Key specialists appraising UAPs have yet to untangle the perplexing issue, but do appear to be agreeing on what needs to be done now to further resolve what UAP are…and from where?
For more information, go to my new Space.com story – “We didn’t find answers in 2025, but UFO researchers say the search continues” – at:
Image Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/Malin Space Science Systems
Mars Guy checks in with Abe after 13 – plus years on Mars.
“A year on Earth has passed since we last checked in on the century old Lincoln penny that’s part of a camera calibration target on the Curiosity rover,” explains Mars Guy. “It was notably clean at that time but Mars has since piled on dust and ruined some camera pixels.”
Go to video at:
Image credit: Blue Origin/Inside Outer Space screengrab
Blue Origin successfully launched the 37th flight of the New Shepard program on December 20, 2025.
Image credit: Blue Origin/Inside Outer Space screengrab
The crew included: Michaela (Michi) Benthaus, Joey Hyde, Hans Koenigsmann, Neal Milch, Adonis Pouroulis, and Jason Stansell.
Image credit: Blue Origin/Inside Outer Space screengrab
This mission marked the first time a wheelchair user has flown above the Kármán Line, the internationally recognized boundary of space.
Go to in-flight video of crew at:
https://x.com/i/status/2002454714575692119
Image credit: Philippine Space Agency
China on Saturday sent a new communication technology test satellite via a Long March-5 booster into space from the Wenchang Space Launch Site in south China’s Hainan Province.
Meanwhile, the Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA) confirmed the launch and expected launch leftovers to careen within identified drop zones: approximately 69 nautical miles away from Burgos, Ilocos Norte, and 94 nautical miles away from Dalupiri Island, Cagayan; and 117 nautical miles away from Santa Ana, Cagayan, and 130 nautical miles away from Camiguin Norte.
Details of the rocket drop zone were disclosed through a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) warning of an “aerospace flight activity.”
Potential risk
PhilSA disseminated a pre-launch report to relevant government agencies and authorities prior to the launch.
Rocket debris recovered in 2022.
Image credit: Philippine Coast Guard
“While not projected to fall on land features or inhabited areas, falling debris poses danger and potential risk to ships, aircraft, fishing boats, and other vessels that will pass through the drop zone,” PhilSA posted on their website.
“There is also a possibility for the debris to float around the area and wash toward nearby coasts. Additionally, the possibility of an uncontrolled re-entry to the atmosphere of the rocket’s upper stages returning from outer space cannot be ruled out at this time,” PhilSA added.
Furthermore, PhilSA reiterated its advice for the public to inform local authorities if suspected debris is sighted. “PhilSA also cautions against retrieving or coming in close contact with these materials that may contain remnants of toxic substances such as rocket fuel.”
Image credit: White House
Today, President Donald J. Trump signed an Executive Order that sets a bold vision for an “America First space policy,” ensuring the United States leads the world in space exploration, security, and commerce.
Described by the White House as launching a “New Age of American Space Achievement,” the Order calls for Americans’ return to the Moon by 2028.
Image credit: NASA
Furthermore, the Order calls for the establishment of “initial elements” of a permanent lunar outpost by 2030.
The Order also directs the deployment of nuclear reactors on the Moon and in orbit, including a lunar surface reactor ready for launch by 2030.
International Space Station.
Image credit: Roscosmos
Replacing the ISS
The wide-ranging Order also spurs private sector innovation and investment by upgrading launch infrastructure and developing a commercial pathway to replace the International Space Station by 2030.
To read the entire Executive Order issued December 18 by the White House – “Ensuring American Space Superiority” – go to:
https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/12/ensuring-american-space-superiority/
