Deep Space Extra

Here is a list of news that were published in our Newsletter the week of March 17th, 2025:

Human Space Exploration

• NASA Examining Options for Another Starliner Test Flight Coalition Member in the News – Boeing;
• NASA Still Mulling Options for Boeing’s Troubled Starliner Coalition Member in the News – Boeing;
• Chinese company targets crewed orbital spaceflight;
• Butch and Suni, with Nick and Alex, Are Home Coalition Members in the News – Axiom Space, Boeing;
• Former NASA Astronaut: ‘We’re a Good 15 Years Away from Going to Mars’;
• Is the Moon in America’s Future?;
• Starliner Astronauts Head Back to Earth Coalition Member in the News – Boeing;
• Fresh Crew Docks at Space Station Coalition Member in the News – Boeing;
• SpaceX to Send Starship to Mars Next Year, Elon Musk Confirms;
• Tiangong Astronauts’ Experiment with AI Robot and More to Kick Off Busy Year for Chinese Human Spaceflight;

Space Science

• The Extremely Large Telescope could sense the hints of life at Proxima Centauri in just 10 hours;
• New evidence that cosmic rays spark lightning
• Massive star explosions may have triggered two mass extinctions in Earth’s past: ‘It would be terrifying.’;
• How Will the Universe End?;
• What Were Stephen Hawking’s Greatest Contributions to Science?;
• Can Any Nearby Supernova Cause a Mass Extinction?;
• The Far Side of the Moon Was Once a Vast Magma Ocean;
• Astronomers Think They’ve Found a Reliable Biosignature. But There’s a Catch;
• Firefly Aerospace Wraps Up Successful Blue Ghost 1 Mission;
• Mars Could Have an Ocean’s Worth of Water Beneath Its Surface;
• The 1st Private Mission to Venus Comes Together Ahead of Possible 2026 Launch;
• James Webb Space Telescope Sees Four
• A Mars chopper mission over glaciers and canyons;
• NASA hails Blue Ghost 1 mission as “proof positive” of CLPS program

Other News

• U.S. Space Force budget trimmed in full-year continuing resolution;
• Futuristic, ‘alien-like’ nuclear fusion rockets developed in total secret could revolutionize space travel if they actually work;
• Dream Chaser Completes More Pre-Flight Milestones Coalition Member in the News – Northrop Grumman;
• Europe Funds Inflatable Satellite Drag Sail Demonstration;
• A New Company Plans to Prospect the Moon;
• Space National Guard Debate Reignited with Bipartisan Legislation;
• Senate Passes Bill to Avert Government Shutdown;

Major Space Related Activities for the Week of March 17th:

• The Crew-9 Crew Dragon capsule is set to depart from the ISS early on Tuesday with a splashdown and recovery planned later in the day, weather permitting.
• It is anticipated NASA will submit an Agency RIF [Reduction-in-Force] and Reorganization Plan (ARRP) this week as required by the White House in a February 11 executive order.
• Wednesday through Friday, the American Astronautical Society (AAS) will host its 2025 Goddard Space Science Symposium near the Goddard Space Flight Center.
• National Space Club’s annual Goddard Memorial Dinner will be held Friday evening in Washington D.C.
• Additionally, the U.S. House and Senate are at recess for the week, except for pro forma sessions.

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