SPACE reports Russian cosmonauts “worked to install and retrieve science experiments while on a spacewalk outside the International Space Station on Wednesday (May 27). Expedition 74 commander Sergey Kud-Sverchkov and flight engineer Sergei Mikaev spent 6 hours and 5 minutes outside the space station, conducting an extravehicular activity (EVA) that ran from 10:18 a.m. to 4:23 p.m. EDT.”
Full Story (SPACE)
Tag: Astronautics
Experts Say Space Nuclear Power’s Biggest Obstacles Are Logistical, Not Technical
FROM THE INSTITUTE
A workshop on nuclear capabilities in space dove into the opportunities and challenges that have surrounded this powerful technology since the first space race. The workshop at AIAA’s ASCEND event in Washington, D.C., was hosted by Brian Weeden, Director of Civil and Commercial Policy at The Aerospace Corporation’s Center for Space Policy and Strategy. It kicked off with a lively discussion of nuclear power in space, then transitioned into interactive roundtables on related topics.
NASA Unveils New Lunar Base Developments as Artemis Efforts Expand
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)
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)
Varda CEO Foresees Space-Based Medicine Moving from Research Novelty to Manufacturing Mainstream
FROM THE INSTITUTE
Fresh off the reentry of its sixth vehicle over Australia and a newly announced commercial partnership with United Therapeutics, Varda Space Industries is positioning itself as a bridge between orbital research and real-world medicine, CEO and Co-founder Will Bruey said in a fireside chat Wednesday at ASCEND 2026.