Ars Technica reports, “NASA officials announced contract awards for the initial elements of a lunar base on Tuesday, including two rovers that will provide mobility to astronauts. With the series of announcements, NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman sought to maintain momentum around a Moon Base initiative revealed two months ago as part of the space agency’s return to the Moon. ‘For those waiting patiently, the grand return is close at hand, and we will not slow down,’ he said.”
Full Story (Ars Technica)
Tag: aerospace engineering
AIAA Receives Award Recognizing the Impact of Student Outreach Programs
FROM THE INSTITUTE
Challenger Center has awarded AIAA with the Challenger-7 Recognition, a national honor that recognizes work with K-12 students that inspires and supports the next generation of STEM leaders.
From Student Competitions to Corporate Membership: How AIAA Fueled One Engineer’s Journey
FROM THE INSTITUTE
For Rut Lineswala, the path from freshman engineering at Rutgers University to founding a cutting-edge aerospace simulation company wasn’t paved solely by textbooks or classroom lectures. Rather, it was forged in the crucible of real-world challenges, collaborative competitions, and the continuing support offered by AIAA through every stage of his career.
Congressional Leaders Laud NASA Moon Plans, But Fight Intensifies over Science Funding
FROM THE INSTITUTE
Congressional leaders with oversight of NASA were bullish on the progress of the Artemis program and plans to return astronauts to the surface of the moon and beyond, but also reinforced the clashes ahead on Capitol Hill over steep proposed cuts to the agency’s budget.
SpaceX’s Starship V3 Reaches Key Milestones Despite Booster Loss
Aviation Week reports, “SpaceX completed a full suborbital flight of the latest version of its Starship-Super Heavy launch vehicle on May 22, achieving several key milestones for ‘Version 3’ even as it lost its first-stage booster shortly into the flight.”
Full Story (Aviation Week)
Video
SpaceX Starship V3 flip and landing burn.
VideoFromSpace; YouTube; Framegrab
SpaceX Launches Improved Starship Rocket in Latest Development Milestone
CBS News reports, “SpaceX on Friday pulled off a test launch of its latest Starship megarocket. CBS News space consultant Bill Harwood has the latest.”
Full Story (CBS News)
Video
SpaceX launches Starship V3. (Launch at the 6:58 mark)
Avid Space; YouTube; Framegrab
Rocket Lab Completes Ninth Launch Mission for Synspective
Aviation News reports, “Rocket Lab has successfully launched its ninth dedicated mission for the Japanese Earth observation company Synspective, deploying a new StriX radar satellite into orbit. Originating from New Zealand, this latest launch reinforces one of the most reliable commercial partnerships in the small satellite sector.”
Full Story (Aviation News)
Town Hall Calls for U.S. to Approach Lunar Development Like Real Estate Projects on Earth
FROM THE INSTITUTE
As the United States confronts its great power competition with China to the moon, NASA and policy and commercial space experts shared current thinking on how to accelerate developing the lunar environment — and why it matters.
Exploring Next Steps for On-Orbit Data Centers
FROM THE INSTITUTE
The volume of data generated in space is increasing every day, and the concept of orbital data centers to handle it is receiving considerable attention. At a HUB session during ASCEND, The Aerospace Corporation’s Kelley Litzner presented and fielded questions on this hot tech topic.
vLEO Gains Momentum as Space Force, Industry Weigh Dual-Use Potential
FROM THE INSTITUTE
vLEO is emerging as a serious option in future space architectures for national security and commercial missions, panelists said at ASCEND 2026 on Wednesday. “It’s the perfect time for vLEO to be coming into its own,” said Spence Wise, senior vice president at Redwire, citing a convergence of technical readiness, operational demand, and commercial interest.