Following the launch of the Soyuz MS-28 spacecraft from the Baikonur Cosmodrome, an accident caused significant damage to the launch pad, including the collapse of the mobile service cabin. Footage suggests a service module remained in the rocket’s exhaust duct, contributing to the incident. The affected launch pad is the only operational platform for crewed missions to the ISS, potentially delaying all future Soyuz and Progress flights. Russia’s State Space Corporation ROSCOSMOS has acknowledged the damage and stated repairs will be conducted, however, no timeline has been announced.
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Canada announces a massive jump in funding to the European Space Agency, and it’s definitely a move that’s making waves, and for good reason. This isn’t just about throwing money at a cool project; it’s a strategic play that’s got a lot of smarts behind it. The investment is designed to supercharge the development of Canadian space tech, covering everything from satellite communications to Earth observation, space exploration, and even space situational awareness. Essentially, Canada is boosting its own capabilities and getting ready to play a bigger role in the global space game.
This move is particularly interesting in light of shifting geopolitical realities.… Continue reading
The Trump administration is reportedly planning to cut over 2,000 high-ranking NASA employees with specialized skills, primarily through early retirements and buyouts. These cuts, impacting core mission areas like science and human spaceflight, are part of a broader effort to reduce the size of the federal government. Former NASA officials have voiced strong opposition to the proposed budget cuts for fiscal year 2026, which would cancel numerous science programs. They argue such cuts threaten US leadership in space and could cede ground to China’s ambitious space program.
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China and Russia have partnered to construct a nuclear power plant on the moon by 2036, powering their jointly led International Lunar Research Station (ILRS). This unmanned construction will support the ILRS’s long-term research and technological testing, eventually paving the way for a human presence. The ILRS, planned for the moon’s south pole, will be a permanent base and has already attracted seventeen international partners. This ambitious project, part of a larger plan to establish a comprehensive lunar base by 2050, represents a significant advancement in both nations’ space programs.
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John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood