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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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Recent articles reveal significant space findings: a rare meteorite on Earth with insights into planetary cores, a giant nebula in the Milky Way, and new evidence of electrical activity on Mars. These discoveries deepen understanding of planetary formation, interstellar objects, and Martian phenomena, highlighting ongoing space exploration progress as of December 2025.
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European space ministers in Bremen agreed to increase funding for space programs, with a focus on space transportation and Earth observation. The move aims to enhance Europe's space capabilities amid geopolitical and economic challenges, including security concerns and climate monitoring.
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The Ursid meteor shower is active from December 17 to 26, peaking on December 22-23 with 5-10 meteors per hour visible mainly in the Northern Hemisphere. It follows the Geminid shower, which peaked December 13-14 with up to 120 meteors per hour. Both events benefit from minimal moonlight, enhancing visibility under dark skies.
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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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Michaela Benthaus, a 33-year-old aerospace engineer and former mountain biking accident survivor, became the first wheelchair user to fly to space aboard Blue Origin's New Shepard. The flight, designed for accessibility, included her with five other passengers, highlighting efforts to make space tourism more inclusive. The trip lasted about 10 minutes, reaching the Kármán line, with Benthaus expressing her belief in never giving up on dreams.
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2025 saw notable developments in space launch technology, including Blue Origin's New Glenn's successful flights, China's emerging reusable rockets mimicking SpaceX, and new satellite innovations. SpaceX plans to upgrade Starlink for AI hosting, signaling a shift toward space-based data centers amid growing industry competition.
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Recent reports confirm record-high temperatures in the Arctic and Antarctic, with sea ice and glaciers shrinking rapidly. These changes are driven by climate change, with significant impacts on ecosystems and global sea levels. Despite scientific warnings, some nations plan to expand fossil fuel extraction in these regions.
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On December 18, 2025, Jared Isaacman was confirmed by the US Senate as NASA administrator with a 67-30 bipartisan vote. Isaacman, a private astronaut and businessman with close ties to SpaceX, aims to accelerate lunar missions under the Artemis program and push toward Mars exploration amid budget cuts and competition with China. His appointment follows a complex nomination process influenced by political and industry dynamics.
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In 2026, NASA prepares for its first moon crew since 1972, with Artemis 2 launching early in the year. The year also features lunar robotic landings, a total solar eclipse, and the return of interstellar visitors, marking a pivotal year in space exploration and policy.
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NASA's Artemis II mission is on track to launch as early as February, carrying four astronauts around the Moon on the first crewed lunar fly-around since 1972. The mission involves extensive preparations, including a critical fueling test scheduled for early February, with launch windows in February and March depending on weather and technical readiness.
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On January 15, 2026, NASA's SpaceX Crew-11 astronauts returned to Earth early due to a medical concern affecting one crew member. The Crew Dragon capsule splashed down off California's coast after a 10.5-hour descent. The affected astronaut is stable, but NASA prioritized ground-based medical evaluation. The ISS now operates with a reduced crew until Crew-12 arrives next month.
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Russia aims to build a nuclear power plant on the moon by 2036 to support its lunar program and joint Chinese efforts. The project follows recent international developments, including US plans for lunar reactors, amid renewed space exploration ambitions. The initiative signals a shift towards long-term lunar infrastructure.
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On January 15, 2026, NASA's SpaceX Crew-11 mission returned early to Earth due to a serious but undisclosed medical condition affecting one astronaut aboard the International Space Station. The Crew Dragon capsule splashed down off San Diego after a 10.5-hour descent. The crew of four—two Americans, one Japanese, and one Russian—are stable, with the affected astronaut receiving immediate medical care on the ground.
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A powerful coronal mass ejection from the sun has caused a G4 geomagnetic storm, resulting in widespread auroras visible across Australia, North America, Europe, and parts of New Zealand. The storm, the largest since 2003, may disrupt technology and power systems, with visibility expected to last until early next week.
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NASA revealed the Artemis II mission's Official Flight Kit, including historic flags, moon soil samples, and relics, as the mission approaches its planned February launch. The crew will travel farther than any humans before, including a lunar flyby and record-breaking distances, marking a significant milestone in space exploration.
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China will require all new vehicles from 2027 to have mechanical door releases, banning retractable handles due to safety concerns after EV accidents where electronic handles failed. Existing models have until 2029 to comply. The move aims to reduce occupant entrapment and improve emergency access.
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On February 15, 2026, NASA's Crew-12 mission successfully docked at the International Space Station (ISS), restoring the full seven-member crew after a month operating with a skeleton team due to a medical evacuation in January. The crew includes Americans Jessica Meir and Jack Hathaway, French astronaut Sophie Adenot, and Russian cosmonaut Andrey Fedyaev. They will conduct scientific experiments during an eight-month mission aboard the aging ISS, scheduled for deorbit in 2030.
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On February 12, 2026, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) finalized the repeal of the 2009 'endangerment finding' that classified greenhouse gases as threats to public health. Led by the Trump administration and EPA head Lee Zeldin, this marks the largest climate deregulation in US history, removing federal greenhouse gas emission standards for vehicles and threatening broader climate regulations. The rollback aims to reduce costs for automakers and fossil fuel industries but faces strong opposition from environmental groups and legal challenges.