Latvia and Jordan joined the Artemis Accords this week, bringing to 63 the number of countries that have adopted the U.S.-led set of principles for responsible behavior on the surface of the Moon. They are the first to sign since NASA announced its new plan for the Artemis program on March 24, and since the four Artemis II astronauts — three American and one Canadian — flew around the Moon for the first time in 53 years.
On a bipartisan basis, members of the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee left no doubt today that they oppose the dramatic cuts to NASA included in the Trump Administration’s FY2027 budget request. The President’s Budget Request or PBR calls for a 23 percent cut to the agency overall, with reductions to every part of the agency except human exploration.
NASA said today that the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope will launch in September, eight months ahead of schedule and under cost. Originally called the Wide-Field Infrared Space Telescope or WFIRST, it will survey the universe broadly rather than in the greater detail of the James Webb Space Telescope launched in 2021. The two complement each other, with Roman identifying targets that JWST can examine in greater detail, for example, but that is only part of what Roman will do.
A new report from NASA’s Office of Inspector General raises more questions about whether landing humans on the Moon in 2028 is realistic. Last month the OIG pointed out that the Human Landing Systems are behind schedule. Today’s report is about the spacesuits astronauts need to wear on the Moon, as well as new suits NASA is developing for use on the International Space Station. The OIG concludes neither may be ready until 2031.
Here is SpacePolicyOnline.com’s list of space policy events for the week of April 19-25, 2026 and any insight we can offer about them. The House and Senate are in session this week.
The crew of the first mission to fly around the Moon since the Apollo era told reporters today they are still absorbing the experience and what it means to them personally, but they’re confident a lunar landing is doable soon. Gratified about the impact the flight has had especially on young people, the crew shared some advice on how they can make their own impact on the world.
Gen. Chance Saltzman released two new documents today that outline what he sees as the evolution of the nation’s youngest military service over the next 15 years.
The White House Office of Science and Technology Policy issued the National Initiative for American Space Nuclear Power today. Attempts to develop space nuclear power and propulsion date back to the 1960s and the Trump Administration is trying once more to invigorate those efforts as part of the Moon-to-Mars goals and for national security uses.
Here is SpacePolicyOnline.com’s list of space policy events for the week of April 12-18, 2026 and any insight we can offer about them. The House and Senate are in session this week.
The four astronauts who flew around the Moon and splashed down in the Pacific Ocean yesterday are now back in Houston. The USS John P. Murtha recovery ship returned to Naval Base San Diego today and the crew flew home to the happy arms of family, friends and colleagues after an historic trip. In emotional remarks, they thanked everyone and shared their initial reactions to all they experienced while conceding it’s too soon to absorb it all.