🚀 SPACE HEADLINES

In a major move for the future of low-Earth orbit operations, NASA is seeking commercial plans from U.S. industry to develop future private space stations. Expanding its civil space and exploration capabilities, the agency also demonstrated next-generation heat shield technologies and advanced its contributions to the Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (LISA) gravitational-wave mission using a new test telescope. In space science, researchers reported the first detection of variable water clouds on an exoplanet outside the solar system, while new theoretical findings indicate that strong magnetic fields could allow white dwarf stars to exceed the Chandrasekhar mass limit. On the defense and aerospace front, a military watchdog urged better alignment across the Pentagon's planned GPS backup systems, the U.S. Coast Guard placed a $248 million order for its first MQ-9B drones, and Lockheed Martin unveiled its PAC-3 Edge next-generation Patriot interceptor. In international defense developments, the Swedish government initiated its first Patriot missile mission to Poland. Looking ahead, industry observers should watch for General Dynamics Land Systems to deliver its new loitering munitions platform to the U.S. Army by the end of the month.