Photos: 13 Years on Mars
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Fox News
20 minutes ago
- Fox News
Inside NASA's fast-track plans for lunar nuclear power and new space stations to outpace global rivals
Amid significant budget cuts, NASA is fast-tracking the development of nuclear reactors on the moon and next-generation space stations with one clear objective: beating U.S. adversaries in the new space new memos signed by interim NASA chief and Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy outline a bold strategy to secure strategic ground on the moon. The centerpiece of this effort is a lunar nuclear reactor, a renewable and stable power source to support long-term exploration."The goal is to power everything," a senior NASA official told Fox News Digital. "Our systems, habitats, rovers, robotic equipment, even future mining operations — everything we want to do on the moon depends on this."The moon's environment makes this a necessity. Its month-long day cycle — two weeks of daylight followed by two weeks of darknessc — renders solar power unreliable. A reactor would allow missions to function around the SECRETARY DUFFY TO ANNOUNCE NUCLEAR REACTOR DEVELOPMENT PLAN FOR THE MOONNASA officials warn that China and Russia have publicly announced plans for a joint lunar nuclear project by the mid-2030s. If they succeed first, they could establish exclusive control over the moon's most valuable areas, locations with the most light and access to water and ice."They could set up a 'keep-out zone' in the prime locations," the NASA official financial constraints, Duffy's leadership signals a renewed priority to lunar and Martian exploration. "China has already landed on the far side of the moon. We never have," the official added. "They're moving on a steady path to dominate this domain."The new directive solicits proposals for a 100-kilowatt nuclear reactor — enough to power about 80 homes — with a target launch date of 2030. It also requires NASA to appoint a dedicated program many robotic spacecraft operate at just a few watts, the equivalent of a couple of light bulbs, which severely limits scientific capabilities. While the ISS uses solar panels, that model doesn't work on the moon or Mars, where sunlight is too weak or second memo shifts focus to replacing the aging and leaking International Space Station (ISS), which is scheduled to be retired in 2030. Without a successor, China would become the only country with a permanently crewed station in now plans to select two commercial partners within six months of issuing new requests for proposals. Under Duffy's direction, the agency is moving away from traditional fixed-price contracts and will instead use flexible Space Act Agreements, which give companies more freedom in how they build stations while saving time and SATELLITES COMPLETE GROUNDBREAKING MISSION 22,000 MILES ABOVE EARTH"We're telling companies what we need," a senior NASA official said. "But we're not prescribing how they must do it. That flexibility saves us both time and resources."NASA wants the new station to be cheaper and easier to maintain than the ISS. Originally, it envisioned a platform that could host two astronauts for six months. But, under the revised plan, the minimum requirement is four astronauts for just one Commercial Low Earth Orbit Destination (CLD) initiative, launched in 2021, was structured in two phases:Duffy's directive calls for skipping fixed-price contracts in Phase 2 and continuing with Space Act Agreements, in line with tightening budget to the Trump administration's fiscal 2026 budget proposal, NASA's overall budget would drop from $24.8 billion to $18.8 billion, a 25% cut. The Science Mission Directorate, which oversees research in planetary science, astrophysics, Earth observation and heliophysics, would face a nearly 50% reduction. However, human spaceflight programs are slated for increased has also confirmed that nearly 4,000 employees — about 20% of its workforce — have taken voluntary buyouts in recent these setbacks, agency officials remain optimistic. "Multiple companies tell us they can deliver a station within two years," one senior official said. "Timelines are always challenging, but we believe we can meet these goals — even on a leaner budget."
CBS News
2 hours ago
- CBS News
A comet going 130,000 mph is visiting our solar system from another star. The Hubble telescope just took its picture.
The Hubble Space Telescope has captured the best picture yet of a high-speed comet visiting our solar system from another star. NASA and the European Space Agency released the latest photos Thursday. Discovered last month by a telescope in Chile, the comet known as 3I-Atlas is only the third known interstellar object to pass our way and poses no threat to Earth. Astronomers originally estimated the size of its icy core at several miles across, but Hubble's observations have narrowed it down to no more than 3.5 miles. It could even be as small as 1,000 feet, scientists say, according to a new paper published in the Astrophysical Journal Letters. The comet is hurtling our way at 130,000 mph, but will veer closer to Mars than Earth, keeping a safe distance from both. It was 277 million miles away when photographed by Hubble a couple weeks ago. The orbiting telescope revealed a teardrop-shaped plume of dust around the nucleus as well as traces of a dusty tail. NASA previously said the comet will make its closest approach to the sun in late October, scooting between the orbits of Mars and Earth. The agency said 3I/ATLAS should remain visible to telescopes through September, but then it will pass too close to the sun to observe. It is expected to reappear on the other side of the sun by early December, allowing for renewed observations. According to Las Cumbres Observatory in Chile, the object is named "3I" because it is the third such interstellar object to be found, following 1I/'Oumuamu in 2017 and 2I/Borisov in 2019. "All three appear to be quite dark and red, reflecting only about 5% of the sunlight that hits them, which is similar in reflectivity to asphalt," the observatory said last month. "Unlike 1I/'Oumuamu, 3I does not change much in brightness as it rotates, indicating that it is more likely to be spherical." Los Cumbres Observatory created an animation of image data from its telescope as it tracked the new interstellar on July 4 2025:
Fast Company
2 hours ago
- Fast Company
Why space (yes, outer space) is a much bigger business opportunity than you think
Morgan Stanley projects the space economy will hit $1.8 trillion by 2035. Yet most companies still don't have a strategy for it. Last quarter alone, multiple space startups secured seven-figure funding rounds. NASA's Artemis program also hit a major milestone. This is a very real, trillion-dollar economy forming in real time, and the window to get in early is closing fast. Critically, space is the first truly infinite domain of commerce. Unlike Earth-based markets, it offers endless potential for new infrastructure, new services, and new economies to emerge. And while many are distracted by AI or supply chain chaos, the next massive growth platform is quietly taking shape above our heads. It's not just rockets and rich guys. It's agriculture, R&D, and your next competitor When most people think of space, they picture billionaires in zero gravity or cinematic sci-fi. But the reality is that it's becoming a critical infrastructure layer for future business, just as the internet did 30 years ago. The parallels are striking. In the early 1990s, many leaders saw the internet as a novelty. Today, it's the backbone of the global economy. Space is on the same path, but with even broader implications. From biotech to agriculture to cybersecurity, space is already critically transforming industries. Biotech companies like Redwire and Varda Space Industries are leveraging microgravity for drug development and bioprinting, enabling breakthroughs not possible in Earth-bound labs. Agriculture firms are using real-time satellite imagery to optimize water use, detect crop stress, and improve yield forecasting. Platforms like Planet Labs and Descartes Labs are making precision agriculture scalable and climate-resilient. Cybersecurity providers have also been looking beyond Earth for years, as satellite networks become part of critical infrastructure. Companies like SpiderOak are pioneering zero-trust security models for space assets. The market is heating up and capital is flowing in In 2023 investors poured $12.5 billion into space startups globally, despite broader tech market pullbacks. Startups focused on in-space manufacturing, small satellite constellations, and launch technologies are leading the charge. The Artemis program is unlocking new lunar and deep space opportunities, while commercial players like SpaceX and Rocket Lab are slashing launch costs. Public-private partnerships are expanding rapidly. The Department of Defense is investing in space-based logistics and mobility. NASA is funding space-based solar power and commercial space stations. Private equity firms are acquiring ground infrastructure and launch supply chains. The smart money is building and pivoting, quickly. Four ways to make space part of your growth strategy Meanwhile, too many companies and policymakers remain tethered to earthbound thinking. The point of tapping into this market isn't to become a 'space company.' Most companies won't build satellites or spacecraft. Instead, they'll find new ways to leverage the unique conditions and infrastructure of space to improve their products, services, and operations on Earth. Or they'll take existing products and services and find ways to adapt them for space. Here's how to ensure you're positioned to lead in this rapidly expanding trillion-dollar market: Start thinking like a space vertical. You don't have to build rockets to benefit from space, but you do need to understand how the industry works. Study space value chains and learn where your products, services, or capabilities might fit in. Even surprising players can break into the market. For example, a small watchmaker in Albuquerque was tapped to build components for space-bound hardware. This wasn't because they were in aerospace, but because they solved a unique precision problem. Tap into satellite-enabled insights to optimize operations. If you're not already, look into ways your business can uniquely leverage satellite data for actionable insights, whether it's tracking supply chain bottlenecks, improving precision in agriculture, or identifying untapped markets with geospatial analysis. Codevelop with space startups tackling niche challenges. Consider partnering with startups innovating in microgravity manufacturing, on-orbit servicing, or space-based energy solutions. Explore shared R&D that aligns with your industry's specific needs, like 3D-printed components or novel materials. T rain your teams on space-driven opportunities. Upskill your workforce by collaborating with universities or space-focused research institutions. Equip your employees to identify how advancements like quantum communications or hypersonic transport could create revenue streams in your sector. The cost of waiting? Irrelevance. It's time to adapt, innovate, and lead. The companies that embrace space as a critical business opportunity will not only future-proof themselves but also define the next chapter of economic history. Every major technological revolution has created winners and losers. Space will be no different.
