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Republican-backed reconciliation bill passes, includes funding for ISS, Artemis programs, Space Shuttle relocation – Spaceflight Now

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SpaceX

Republican-backed reconciliation bill passes, includes funding for ISS, Artemis programs, Space Shuttle relocation – Spaceflight Now

The Mary W. Jackson NASA Headquarters in Washington D.C. Image: NASA A massive tax and spending package passed by the Senate on Wednesday was approved by the House on Thursday and signed by President Donald Trump on Friday, July 4. The bill, H.R. 1, also referred to as the ‘One Big Beautiful Bill’ Act, was passed through the reconciliation process, meaning it required a simple majority in both chambers of Congress, avoiding impacts from the filibuster. It is separate from the Fiscal Year 2026 appropriations bills, which include the funding for NASA’s budget along with other agencies, however, there are provisions that do concern America’s space agency. Moon and Mars The legislation earmarks $9.995 billion to be available until Sept. 30, 2032, for projects that have backing by politicians i...

NASA — Fourth of July from Way Up High! 🎆

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NASA

NASA — Fourth of July from Way Up High! 🎆

Space is a global frontier. That’s why we partner with nations all around the world to further the advancement of science and to push the boundaries of human exploration. With international collaboration, we have sent space telescopes to observe distant galaxies, established a sustainable, orbiting laboratory 254 miles above our planet’s surface and more! As we look forward to the next giant leaps in space exploration with our Artemis lunar exploration program, we will continue to go forth with international partnerships!Teamwork makes the dream work. Here are a few of our notable collaborations: Artemis ProgramOur Artemis lunar exploration program will send the first woman and the next man to the Moon by 2024. Using innovative technologies and international partnerships, we will explore m...

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Science

Where does time actually come from?

The universe follows the arrow of timeWavebreakmedia Ltd DW1802_1 / Alamy Where does time really come from? I am often asked this question after acquaintances or friends of friends learn that I am a physics reporter. There is not a set answer – but to better understand it, it helps to look at the arrow of time. Dating back to the 1920s, this concept stems from the laws of physics that describe energy, heat and entropy. Entropy is the big one, as time seems to move from low- to high-entropy states – this is the direction in which the “arrow of time” flies. Entropy gets a bad reputation for being about disorder, but the more precise way to think about it is to count how many ways something large – a macrostate – can be assembled from smaller constituent parts, or mi...

Balancing Risk With Opportunity – State of the Planet

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Science

Balancing Risk With Opportunity – State of the Planet

When we think of artificial intelligence (AI) and climate justice, we can imagine two stars in an orbital waltz; each with its own gravity, sometimes in harmony, while other times in tension. In moments of alignment, their fields reinforce each other, giving new vitality and perspective. Yet not all orbits are stable and the gravitational field of AI is growing at an accelerated pace. The ultimate danger we face is the potential for AI to swallow everything around it, much like a black hole. AI has the potential to illuminate patterns in climate data, sharpen models and increase our chances to forecast an uncertain future. Yet there is a justified concern over the carbon footprint of big AI model training, the secrecy surrounding it, and the risk of exclusion—particularly with com...

Defense Satellites to redefine Global Earth Observation Strategy

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NASA

Defense Satellites to redefine Global Earth Observation Strategy

The global pivot toward government-backed satellite programs is redefining global EO strategies, shifting demand toward defense-grade, sovereign capabilities Paris, France [July 2, 2025] – The 18th edition of Novaspace’s Earth Observation Satellite Systems report, finds 5,770 EO satellites set to launch by 2034 as national defense priorities shape space strategy. As geopolitical instability drives interest in sovereign EO assets, defense and civil satellites are positioned to overtake commercial deployments . “A new generation of defense suppliers is emerging as countries look to promote the development of national EO ecosystems, with momentum expected to increase in the coming years,” says Federico Banfi, project manager at Novaspace. “This shift in priorities is acceleratin...