Deep Space Extra

Here is a list of news that were published in our Newsletter during the week of June 14, 2026:

Human Space Exploration

• GAO report on Space Station replacement;
• SpaceX doesn’t have a timeline for its human missions to Mars. Kalshi traders say don’t expect it this decade;
• SpaceX Dragon cargo capsule undocks from ISS, heads home to Earth
  Coalition Member in the News – Northrop Grumman;
• Russia appears set to finally address long-term, serious space station cracks;
• Astrobotic showcases Griffin-1 lander ahead of environmental testing in California;
• How Jules Verne predicted the Artemis II mission to the Moon almost 160 years ago;
• The critical robot arm on the ISS isn’t working properly, but NASA has a plan to fix it
  Coalition Member in the News – Northrop Grumman;

Space Science

• Scientists say a new universe could form inside a dying star;
• NASA’s Lucy mission reveals an asteroid’s hidden history;
• A secretive Chinese probe has just arrived at one of Earth’s ‘quasi-moons’ and will soon attempt a first-of-its-kind landing;
• NASA’s Perseverance rover just ran a marathon on Mars. Could you do the same;
• Mars life search gets boost as rover test distinguishes mirrored biosignature molecules;
• Astronomers discover third dark matter-free galaxy in unprecedented cosmic lineup;
• ‘High-res’ is the secret to finding alien life with the next great space telescope;
• NASA picks Eric Schmidt’s rocket company for Mars mission, setting up a race with SpaceX;
• A space telescope is falling to Earth. NASA is racing to rescue it;
• Contact? Groundbreaking Israeli method may soon detect life in outer space;
• The history and scientific impact of Hubble’s deep field imaging;
• NASA seems to be backing away from hunting for life on Mars;
• New study assesses Titan’s resources and their potential uses;
• Is Planet Nine real? New discovery at the edge of the solar system adds a twist;
• Space research is reshaping life on Earth;
• ‘It blows my mind’: Astrobiologist weighs in on latest findings from NASA’s Curiosity rover;

Other News

• Space Force evaluating new launch complex near Port Canaveral;
• ESA studies doubling Ariane 6 flight cadence;
• Deep Space Network antenna mishap blamed on poor training and procedures;
• Blue Origin starts launch pad rebuild, targets New Glenn rocket return in 2026;
• Space race or space divide: orbital AI and the Global South’s exclusion crisis;
• New Moon of June 2026 brings stunning views of Mercury, Venus and Jupiter;
• DARPA to explore ways to rapidly rebuild satellite networks if attacked;
• By the numbers: Here’s what you might have missed in SpaceX’s record market debut;
• ISRO building lander to function on the Moon for 200 days, survive freezing nights;
• Japan successfully launches H3 rocket;
• ESA eyes Ariane 6 for human spaceflight;

Major Space-Related Activities for the Week

• On Wednesday, the European Space Agency (ESA) will live stream a media briefing on its quarterly ESA Council policy session. Topics are anticipated to include the assignment of ESA astronauts to future NASA Artemis missions and continued ESA contributions of service modules for the Orion crew capsules that are housing the astronauts launched on Artemis missions.
• On Wednesday, NASA and Katalyst Space are to host a news briefing at 11 a.m. EDT on plans to launch an upcoming SWIFT mission to boost the altitude and extend the operational life of the Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory. SWIFT was launched in 2004 for observations of gamma ray bursts. The SWIFT mission could pave the way for a follow-up mission to boost the altitude and increase orbital operations of NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope, which was launched in April 1990.
• Meanwhile, the U.S. House is in recess this week with the exception of pro forma sessions. The Senate is in session for part of the week.

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