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On October 13, 2025, SpaceX launched its 11th full-scale Starship test flight from Texas, marking the final flight of the second-generation rocket. The Super Heavy booster executed a controlled splashdown in the Gulf of Mexico, while the Starship upper stage deployed eight mock Starlink satellites and splashed down in the Indian Ocean. This flight tested new heat shield configurations and dynamic maneuvers, advancing NASA’s Artemis lunar goals and SpaceX’s Mars ambitions.
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Vast's Haven Demo spacecraft launched into orbit from Cape Canaveral, aiming to establish a commercial outpost. Meanwhile, India launched its heaviest communication satellite, CMS-03, supporting military communications and lunar ambitions. The US and China progress with space-based interceptors and reusable rockets, signaling a new era in space activity.
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On November 14, 2025, Chinese astronauts Chen Dong, Chen Zhongrui, and Wang Jie safely returned to Earth after a nine-day delay caused by space debris damage to their original Shenzhou-20 return capsule. They landed in the Gobi Desert aboard the newer Shenzhou-21 spacecraft. The incident highlights growing risks from orbital debris amid China's expanding space ambitions.
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President Trump has reversed his decision to withdraw Jared Isaacman's nomination as NASA administrator, citing new support and reassessment of his credentials. The move follows political debates over Isaacman's past donations and industry ties, with the Senate approval process still pending as of November 12, 2025.
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Multiple solar coronal mass ejections (CMEs) have caused geomagnetic storms across the US, UK, and parts of Canada, leading to spectacular aurora displays. The storms have disrupted satellite and communication systems and are expected to continue into Thursday, with visibility affected by weather conditions.
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NASA is nearing key decisions on lunar rover contracts, with plans to fund a backup rover provider amid budget constraints. The agency is also progressing with private space station development, including projects from Voyager Technologies and others, to ensure continuity after the ISS's end of life in 2030.
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In late November 2025, a Soyuz rocket launch from Baikonur Cosmodrome successfully delivered three astronauts to the ISS but caused significant damage to the launchpad's service cabin. Roscosmos has begun repairs, aiming to restore the pad by February 2026. The incident has prompted NASA to advance Dragon supply missions to mitigate potential supply gaps. Meanwhile, SpaceX's Starship V3 booster suffered a critical failure during ground testing, delaying its development.
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NASA is preparing for upcoming Artemis lunar missions, including deploying robotic rover MAPP to study lunar dust and plasma environments. Meanwhile, a new report emphasizes prioritizing Mars life detection and resource utilization, amid strategic competition with China. NASA's plans involve international collaboration and private sector engagement.