Cosmonaut Oleg Artemyev has been replaced by Andrey Fedyaev on SpaceX’s Crew-12 mission to the International Space Station, due to allegations of photographing confidential SpaceX materials in California, potentially violating US export control rules. Artemyev reportedly took pictures of SpaceX engines and internal materials on his phone and removed them from the site, leading to his removal from training. Roscosmos officially cited a job transfer as the reason for the change, while the Crew-12 mission, using a Crew Dragon spacecraft, is scheduled for launch on February 15, 2026. SpaceX and NASA have not commented publicly on the reported investigation, which carries significant legal and diplomatic implications.
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Scientists have announced the first detection of electrical discharges, referred to as “mini lightning,” in the Martian atmosphere, based on audio and electromagnetic recordings by the Perseverance rover. These discharges, often linked to dust devils and dust storm fronts, were identified by analyzing 28 hours of microphone recordings collected over two Martian years. This discovery suggests Mars joins Earth, Saturn, and Jupiter in exhibiting atmospheric electrical activity, with implications for Martian atmospheric chemistry, climate, and the potential for past or present life. While the recordings provide persuasive evidence, some researchers suggest further confirmation via visual observations is necessary, and debate within the scientific community is expected to continue.
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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
NASA is targeting February 2026 for the Artemis II mission, aiming for a ten-day journey around the Moon. This mission will be the first crewed lunar mission in 50 years and will send four astronauts beyond low Earth orbit to test systems. The crew will not land on the Moon, but their voyage will extend further into space than any previous crewed mission. Scientists will conduct experiments on the astronauts, including analyzing organoids, to understand the effects of space on the human body.
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Firefly Aerospace’s Blue Ghost Mission 1 successfully landed near Mons Latreille on the Moon’s near side, marking the second commercial soft landing. The mission, carrying ten NASA payloads, aims to study navigation, heat flow, dust, and more, supporting Artemis plans and long-term exploration. The CLPS model emphasizes commercial deliveries to accelerate testing and lower costs, fostering a pipeline for innovation and a sustainable lunar presence. By observing lunar dust behavior, testing drilling and sampling methods, and refining navigation with GNSS, the mission aims to contribute to both lunar and Earth-based scientific advancements.
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Jim Lovell, the astronaut who commanded the Apollo 13 mission, has passed away at the age of 97. Lovell was also the command module pilot for the Apollo 8 mission, the first to carry humans to the moon and back. His most notable mission, Apollo 13, faced an oxygen tank explosion, but he and his crew returned safely, earning the mission the title of “successful failure”. Lovell’s leadership and composure in the face of adversity, as well as his contributions to the Apollo program, have been widely recognized and praised.
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NASA says 20% of workforce to depart space agency, and honestly, it’s hard not to feel a bit blindsided. It’s like a gut punch to the dreams of kids who grew up wanting to be astronauts, the scientists who dedicated their lives to pushing the boundaries of what’s possible, and frankly, to the very idea of American ingenuity. This isn’t just about jobs; it’s about a symbol, a legacy of exploration, and the countless innovations that have come from the agency.
The economic impact of NASA is substantial. We’re talking about billions injected into the economy, supporting hundreds of thousands of jobs across all fifty states.… Continue reading
NASA is experiencing a significant workforce reduction, with nearly 4,000 employees opting to leave the agency through a deferred resignation program, representing an estimated 20% of its workforce. These departures stem from the Trump administration’s plan to decrease the federal workforce, aligning with recommendations from the Department of Government Efficiency. While the administration has proposed budget cuts for NASA, potentially impacting the agency, the agency has also received additional funding through 2032 for Mars missions and lunar plans. This has led to criticism and letters of dissent from scientists, space organizations, and current and former NASA employees.
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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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The Axiom-4 mission successfully launched from Florida, carrying a multi-national crew that included Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, the second Indian to journey into space. Piloting the commercial flight to the International Space Station (ISS), Shukla is poised to become the first Indian to visit the orbiting laboratory, marking India’s return to space after 41 years. The mission, a collaboration between NASA, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), and others, also includes astronauts from Poland and Hungary. This significant event has generated considerable excitement in India, with ISRO recognizing the valuable experience Shukla will gain, supporting its future spaceflight endeavors.
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John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood