Space News reports, “Virgin Galactic said May 14 it remains on track, technically and financially, to start commercial flights of its next-generation suborbital spaceplane before the end of the year. In a first-quarter earnings call, company executives said work on its first SpaceShip vehicle is on schedule, with the completed airframe recently moving from its assembly hangar to a testing hangar at its production facility near Phoenix.”
Full Story (Space News)
Tag: Space Exploration
25 Years of the International Space Station: Legacy, Science, and the Road Ahead
FROM THE INSTITUTE
In November 2025, the ISS marked 25 years of uninterrupted crewed operations – a record unmatched in human spaceflight. In January, a panel of experts at the AIAA SciTech Forum HUB stage discussed the station’s legacy and future of humanity in space, and underscored how the station’s engineering triumphs, international partnership, and scientific output have shaped today’s space agenda and will influence the transition to commercial platforms and deep space missions.
Today is the Last Day to Save on ASCEND 2026 Registration
FROM THE INSTITUTE
ASCEND 2026 is where the global space community comes together to turn bold ideas into real outcomes. Bringing together 2,000+ leaders from industry, government, and academia, ASCEND covers everything from space economy and national security to lunar exploration and next-gen technology—across 130 sessions and 190 technical papers. Powered by AIAA and backed by partners including Lockheed Martin and the ISS National Laboratory, this is the event that drives the space sector forward. Secure your seat today, before rates go up.
Orion Heat Shield Faces Critical Test as Artemis II Nears Reentry
Scientific American reports, “Before NASA’s moon mission launched, experts sounded the alarm over the Orion capsule’s heat shield and reentry. Now splashdown is just one day away.”
Full Story (Scientific American)
Space Exploration Educators Conference Delivers Inspiration, Recognition, and Hands-On Discovery
FROM THE INSTITUTE
The 32nd Space Exploration Educators Conference (SEEC) was held at Space Center Houston, 5–7 February 2026. The inspirational event brought together 600 STEM educators from all over the world to connect and gain invaluable hands-on experiences. In addition to hearing from impressive speakers and participating in sessions, attendees toured and explored iconic exhibits and labs at Space Center Houston and NASA Johnson Space Center.
Forty Years After Challenger, Spaceflight Remains a High-Stakes Endeavor
Seven astronauts lost their lives during the Challenger space shuttle disaster on Jan. 28, 1986. SPACE reports that four decades later, human spaceflight remains difficult, “despite progress in ‘lessons learned.’”
Full Story (SPACE)
Blue Origin Sends Six Space Tourists to Edge of Space
Blue Origin launched six people to suborbital space Thursday (Jan. 22). SPACE reports it “was the 17th human spaceflight” for the company, “and the 38th mission overall for New Shepard, the company’s autonomous, reusable rocket-capsule combo.”
Full Story (SPACE)
NASA Plans Early Return for Four ISS Crew Members After Medical Incident
Ars Technica reports, “NASA officials said Thursday they have decided to bring home four of the seven crew members on the International Space Station after one of them experienced a ‘medical situation’ earlier this week. The space agency has said little about the incident, and officials have not identified which crew member suffered the medical issue. James ‘JD’ Polk, NASA’s chief health and medical officer, told reporters Thursday the crew member is ‘absolutely stable’ but that the agency is ‘erring on the side of caution’ with the decision to return the astronaut to Earth.”
Full Story (Ars Technica)
International Space Station Set to Receive New Commander
Spaceflight Now reports NASA astronaut Mike Fincke will take command of the orbiting outpost as Expedition 74 begins with the undocking of Soyuz MS-27 on Monday, Dec. 8. “After 25 years of continuous human presence, the International Space Station is heading into its final half decade of planned habitation.”
Full Story (Spaceflight Now)
NASA’s Ingenuity Helicopter Achieves Longest Flight in 18 Months
SPACE reports that NASA’s Ingenuity helicopter “conducted its 63rd Mars flight on Thursday (Oct. 19), covering 1,901 feet (579 meters) of ground in the process.” That was “its longest distance since Flight 25,” NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory said. Ingenuity “flew for 2,310 feet (704 m) on Flight 25, which occurred on April 8, 2022.” This latest sortie “lasted 143 seconds, according to the mission’s flight log.” Ingenuity “got a maximum of 39 feet (12 m) above the ground and reached a top speed of about 14.1 mph (22.7 kph).”
Full Story (SPACE)