NASA is holding a news conference at Kennedy Space Center today, February 3, 2026, to discuss the results of the Artemis II Wet Dress Rehearsal. The critical fueling test for the Space Launch System rocket and Orion spacecraft concluded, paving the way for the first crewed lunar mission since 1972.
The Artemis II crew, comprising NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and CSA astronaut Jeremy Hansen, recently completed specialized lunar-like geology training in Iceland. This crucial preparation, conducted in volcanic landscapes resembling the Moon's surface, focused on enhancing their rock identification, navigation, and expeditionary skills for their historic mission around the Moon.
India's space agency, ISRO, has initiated the 22.5-hour countdown for the PSLV-C62/EOS-N1 mission. The launch, scheduled for January 12, 2026, at 10:17 AM IST from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre, will deploy the EOS-N1 Earth observation satellite and 18 co-passenger payloads into orbit, marking ISRO's first mission of the year.
January 2026 begins with a celestial spectacle over Luxembourg, featuring a 'Super' Wolf Moon on January 3 and the Quadrantids meteor shower peaking on January 3-4. Despite bright moonlight, observers may still catch bright meteors.
The United Arab Emirates marked 2025 with significant advancements in its space sector, expanding orbital infrastructure, forging international partnerships, and progressing lunar and deep-space missions. Key milestones include new satellite deployments, a commitment to the Lunar Gateway, and the development of the Rashid 2 Rover.
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) achieved a significant milestone by successfully launching the BlueBird Block-2 communication satellite on December 24, 2025. Carried by the LVM3-M6 rocket from Sriharikota, the 6,100 kg satellite is the heaviest commercial payload ever launched by India into Low Earth Orbit, designed to provide direct-to-mobile 4G and 5G connectivity globally.
A South Korean-built HANBIT-Nano rocket, the first commercial vehicle launched from Brazil's Alcântara Space Center, crashed shortly after liftoff on Monday night, December 22, 2025. The failure of the Innospace 'Spaceward' mission, which aimed to deploy small satellites, represents a blow to Brazil's efforts to establish Alcântara as a global commercial launch hub, echoing past tragedies at the site.
Michaela Benthaus, a German aerospace engineer, made history on December 20, 2025, by becoming the first wheelchair user to travel to space. Aboard Blue Origin's New Shepard, her 10-minute suborbital flight from West Texas crossed the Kármán Line, marking a significant step for accessibility in space exploration.
Michaela Benthaus, a German aerospace engineer, has made history as the first wheelchair user to travel to space. She embarked on a suborbital flight with Blue Origin's New Shepard rocket from West Texas, crossing the Karman line during the approximately 10-minute journey. Benthaus advocates for greater accessibility in society and space.
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) successfully conducted crucial drogue parachute deployment qualification tests for its Gaganyaan human spaceflight mission on December 18 and 19, 2025. These tests, held in Chandigarh, are a significant step towards ensuring the safe return of the crew module, validating the performance of the deceleration system under extreme conditions.
Denmark's University of Copenhagen will spearhead the Máni mission, the nation's first lunar satellite, set for a 2029 launch. Approved by ESA, Máni will create high-resolution 3D maps of the Moon's surface to enhance future landings, support base construction, and contribute to climate research.
The rare alignment of true, magnetic, and grid north is set to leave England at Berwick-upon-Tweed on December 13, 2025, moving into the North Sea. This geospatial event, tracked by the British Geological Survey and Ordnance Survey, marks the end of a three-year period where the three norths converged over England, a phenomenon not seen for centuries.
Roscosmos has announced the successful completion of flight tests for its four Ionosfera-M satellites, part of the Ionozond project. Designed to study Earth's ionosphere and space weather, the constellation is now ready for commissioning after launches in November 2024 and July 2025.
Renowned astronomers, including Nobel laureate Reinhard Genzel, are calling on the Chilean government to safeguard the pristine dark skies over the Paranal Observatory in the Atacama Desert. A proposed industrial megaproject by AES Andes, located just kilometers from the observatory, threatens to significantly increase light pollution, dust, and vibrations, potentially compromising critical astronomical research.
Spain has pledged 325 million euros to the European Space Agency's European Resilience from Space Earth Observation (ERS-EO) program. This significant investment, making Spain the largest contributor to this specific initiative, will enable the multi-sensor observation satellite constellation project to commence in 2026, bolstering Europe's independent Earth observation capabilities for security and defense.
Researchers in Guangdong Province, China, have identified the Jinlin crater, a massive 900-meter-wide impact site. Dating back less than 10,000 years, it is now recognized as the largest known impact crater from the Holocene epoch, offering new insights into Earth's recent celestial impacts.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiled Vikram-I, India's first private orbital rocket, developed by Skyroot Aerospace at its Hyderabad facility. This milestone highlights India's burgeoning private space sector and its ambition to become a global leader in satellite launch services.
Luxembourg's Minister of the Economy, Lex Delles, attended the European Space Agency (ESA) Council meeting in Bremen, Germany, reaffirming the nation's commitment to the space sector. The Grand Duchy pledged €149.3 million to ESA programs and an additional €115.8 million to its national LuxIMPULSE program for 2026-2029, totaling €265.1 million. The meeting set strategic orientations and approved a record €22.1 billion overall budget for ESA.
The Territorial Collectivity of Saint Barthélemy recently organized a vibrant night market at the Rockefeller space, known as 'la Pointe.' The event, held on Saturday, November 22, featured musical entertainment by Caroline Rivas and Ti Lina, drawing attendees for an evening of local commerce and culture.
Scientists in Guangdong, China, have confirmed the discovery of the Jinlin crater, a massive 900-meter impact structure dating back to the early-to-mid Holocene epoch. This well-preserved crater is now recognized as the largest known Holocene impact crater on Earth, offering new insights into recent extraterrestrial collisions.
