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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.
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On March 3, 2026, a total lunar eclipse, known as a blood moon, was visible across the Americas, eastern Asia, and Australia, turning the moon a copper-red as it passed through Earth's shadow. The eclipse lasted about 5.5 hours with totality near one hour. The UK missed the eclipse due to moonset timing. Additionally, a rare six-planet alignment occurred around February 28 and March 1, visible to the naked eye in many regions.
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Recent studies reveal that most coastal hazard assessments have underestimated sea levels by about 30cm, especially in Southeast Asia and the Indo-Pacific. This miscalculation suggests more land and populations are at risk from rising seas than previously thought, with impacts likely to occur sooner.
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Multiple meteorites have fallen in Ohio following a large fireball seen across the Midwest. Hunters are searching for fragments, which could be valuable. The event caused sonic booms and shaken buildings, with some residents finding suspected meteorites at their homes. Scientific interest and collector activity have surged.
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Multiple sources report a rare geomagnetic storm causing the Aurora Borealis to be visible as far south as Norfolk, UK, on March 21, 2026. Forecasters expect the lights to be visible again tonight, driven by recent solar activity and coronal mass ejections, with optimal viewing conditions in dark, clear skies.
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On Sunday night, an Air Canada regional jet landing at New York’s LaGuardia Airport collided with a Port Authority fire truck responding to a separate incident. The crash killed both pilots and injured 41 others, including two fire truck occupants. LaGuardia remains closed until at least 2 p.m. Monday as investigations continue amid ongoing airport disruptions.
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NASA announced significant changes to its lunar and deep space missions, including repurposing hardware for nuclear propulsion demonstrations and accelerating plans for a lunar base. The agency aims to demonstrate nuclear electric propulsion by 2028 and build a sustainable lunar presence within a decade, shifting focus from the Gateway station to surface infrastructure.
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NASA prepares to launch Artemis II, a crewed mission around the moon, scheduled for April 1, 2026. The mission marks the first crewed lunar orbit since 1972 and aims to test spacecraft systems ahead of future moon landings. The crew includes the first woman, a person of color, and a Canadian astronaut.