Nasa

SpaceX is targeting Sept. 28 for the first-ever orbital flight of its Starship megarocket, with the launch available to watch live. Starship is the most powerful rocket ever built and is central to NASA's plans to return astronauts to the Moon. The historic debut attempt is drawing broad attention from space fans and industry watchers worldwide.

NASA has announced a strategy for establishing a permanent moon base, with an estimated price tag of $20 billion. The plan outlines infrastructure for sustained human presence on the lunar surface, building on the Artemis programme. Coverage is focused on what the base would involve, how it would be funded, and what it means for future crewed missions to the Moon and eventually Mars.

NASA's Artemis II mission is set to return astronauts to the Moon for the first time since Apollo 17 in 1972, prompting questions about why the gap lasted more than five decades. Commentators point to shifting political priorities, soaring costs, and the cancellation of earlier programs like Constellation as reasons the US pause extended so long.

SpaceX planned the first orbital flight of its Starship to test the rocket's critical systems, including engines, heat shield and stage separation, under real flight conditions. The test is seen as a key milestone in the vehicle's development for deep-space missions, and observers are closely watching how the ambitious launch program progresses.

NASA's Artemis II mission to send astronauts around the Moon is drawing attention, with news outlets offering details on the crew and how to follow the launch. Coverage focuses on the four astronauts chosen for the flight and viewing information, as the mission marks NASA's first crewed lunar flight attempt in more than fifty years under the Artemis program.

SpaceX is reportedly targeting an aggressive launch cadence for its Starship program, with three flights planned within roughly five weeks. Space commentators note the schedule would mark a major step up in testing pace for the vehicle, which SpaceX needs to fly repeatedly to prove reusability and meet timelines for NASA's Moon landings. Observers are weighing whether the company can realistically achieve such a rapid turnaround between launches.

Jared Isaacman, the billionaire entrepreneur and private astronaut nominated to lead NASA, spoke about the agency's direction at a Wall Street Journal event, discussing what he calls a new era for the space agency. The remarks drew wide attention amid debate over commercial space partnerships, lunar and Mars ambitions, and the future of NASA's leadership under his potential tenure.

The US Federal Aviation Administration has cleared SpaceX to proceed with the 14th flight of its Starship rocket. The regulator's approval removes the last major hurdle for the next test launch from SpaceX's Texas facilities. Starship is central to NASA's lunar landing plans and Elon Musk's ambitions for deep-space travel, and each flight test draws close attention from space watchers and industry analysts.

Experts, including former NASA administrator Sean O'Keefe, warn that while a person is still more likely to be struck by lightning than by falling space debris, the odds are shifting as more objects re-enter the atmosphere. They argue governments and companies should be required to use materials that fully burn up on re-entry to reduce the risk.

NASA's Crew-13 astronauts have arrived at Kennedy Space Center in Florida ahead of their launch to the International Space Station, targeted for October 1. The crew will travel to the orbital outpost as part of NASA's ongoing commercial crew rotation program. Arrival at the launch site marks the final stage of pre-flight preparations, including training reviews and vehicle checks with SpaceX hardware.

A private spacecraft sent to service or boost an aging NASA telescope failed in its mission and has burned up in Earth's atmosphere. The attempt, which would have extended the observatory's life, ended without a rescue, raising questions about the telescope's future and the risks of commercial deep-space servicing missions.