Swift telescope救急車、宇宙病も調査！

Jun. 28, 2026 - Last 24 Hours

Top Stories

NASA Embarks on High-Stakes Mission to Save Swift Telescope

NASA has initiated a daring and ambitious mission to prevent its aging Swift Observatory from falling back to Earth. The mission, utilizing a robotic spacecraft named Lift built by U.S. startup Katalyst Space Technologies, aims to capture Swift and boost it into a higher, more stable orbit. Swift, launched in 2004, is a crucial instrument for studying gamma-ray bursts and exploding stars. However, increased solar activity has caused it to lose altitude faster than anticipated, threatening its operational lifespan. The Lift spacecraft, a three-armed robot, will launch aboard an air-launched Pegasus rocket from the Marshall Islands. It is expected to take about a month to rendezvous with Swift, after which it will use its robotic arms to gently push the observatory from its current orbit of approximately 360 kilometers to about 600 kilometers over two months The Times of India, EarthSky.

This operation is considered highly challenging because Swift was not designed for in-orbital servicing or capture. NASA officials acknowledge the risks but emphasize the importance of preserving Swift, noting that replacing its capabilities would be prohibitively expensive. The mission, costing $30 million, could also set a precedent for future satellite servicing operations, potentially extending the lives of other valuable space assets like the Hubble Space Telescope. China is the only other nation to have successfully conducted a similar maneuver, moving a satellite to a graveyard orbit in 2022. Katalyst Space Technologies believes that a more advanced version of its technology could service Hubble by 2028, and envisions future applications for repairing, refueling, and repositioning satellites, as well as supporting orbital infrastructure development The Times of India.

Researchers Propose Lunar Quarantine for Extraterrestrial Samples

In response to a new era of ambitious space exploration, a recent study by researchers from Strategic Threat Analysis and Research Laboratories and McGill University advocates for the establishment of a lunar quarantine facility. This facility would serve as a crucial protective barrier, screening extraterrestrial samples—such as those from asteroids or Mars—before they are brought to Earth for analysis. The primary concern is to prevent biological contamination and safeguard Earth's biosphere from potentially hazardous alien microbes, drawing parallels to the devastating impacts of invasive species throughout Earth's history EarthSky.

The moon is considered an ideal location for such a facility due to its proximity, natural isolation, and apparent lack of a biosphere. The proposed lunar outpost would utilize robots for initial handling and assessment of samples, thereby minimizing human exposure. While Earth-based containment facilities exist, such as the specialized clean room used for asteroid Bennu samples from the OSIRIS-REx mission, researchers argue that no terrestrial facility can guarantee absolute containment or eradication of an unknown alien microorganism in the event of an accident. The ongoing Artemis program and future Mars missions underscore the urgency of implementing enhanced planetary protection strategies to manage the risks associated with returning extraterrestrial materials EarthSky.

Launch Updates

Blue Origin Targets New Glenn Return by Year-End Following Explosion

Blue Origin CEO Dave Limp has reiterated the company's ambitious goal of achieving a second New Glenn launch before the end of 2026, despite a recent explosion that damaged the launch pad at Cape Canaveral. Limp stated that work is proceeding around the clock to repair the damaged LC-36 pad, though a public timeline for these repairs has not yet been released. A successful return to flight for New Glenn is critical for Blue Origin, which has significant national security and NASA contracts in its manifest. Any delays in pad repair could impact launch windows across the industry KeepTrack.

SpaceX to Launch Starlink 17-40 from Vandenberg

SpaceX is scheduled to launch Starlink 17-40 from Space Launch Complex-4E (SLC-4E) at Vandenberg Space Force Base. The mission, set for liftoff at 7:36 a.m. PDT (14:36 UTC), will deploy an additional 24 Starlink V2 Mini Optimized satellites into low Earth orbit. This flight is part of a routine effort to fill out the Group 17 shell of the Starlink constellation. The Falcon 9 booster, B1088, will be making its 17th flight and is expected to land on the droneship "Of Course I Still Love You" in the Pacific Ocean KeepTrack.

China's Shenzhou-23 Crew Busy with Experiments and Enjoying Orbital Life

The three taikonauts aboard China's Tiangong space station, comprising the Shenzhou-23 crew, have completed one month in orbit, engaging in a range of scientific experiments and even enjoying freshly baked pumpkin. The crew conducted ultrasound scans to collect data on pan-vascular blood flow and muscle remodeling in microgravity, utilizing an ultrasound diagnostic device. They also performed touch-based interaction tests with the space robot Xiaohang, which has been operational on Tiangong for over a year. Additionally, the taikonauts continued research into in-orbit electroencephalogram (EEG) testing, analyzing visual-motor processing and behavioral responses to light conditions. The astronauts are also maintaining their health through traditional Chinese medicine diagnostics, bone loss countermeasures, and regular exercise, all contributing to a one-year in-orbit stay experiment Global Times.

Upcoming Launches

Several other launches are scheduled for the coming days. On June 29, a SpaceX Falcon 9 Block 5 will carry the Sirius SXM-11 geostationary satellite from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. The same day, South Korea's Agency for Defense Development will conduct a demonstration flight of its solid-fuel small launch vehicle from an offshore platform. June 30 is set to be a busy day with Rocket Lab's Electron launching a radar-imaging satellite for iQPS, China Rocket Co. Ltd.'s Smart Dragon 3 with an unknown payload, the European Space Agency's Themis Demonstrator's first low-altitude hop test, another SpaceX Falcon 9 Block 5 mission to replenish Globalstar's HIBLEO-4 fleet, Deep Blue Aerospace's Nebula-1 suborbital test flight, and the Pegasus XL air-launching the Link spacecraft to boost the Swift Observatory KeepTrack.

Science & Discovery

Astronomers Discover Two "Cotton Candy" Exoplanets

Astronomers have recently identified a pair of colossal exoplanets that possess remarkably low densities, earning them the moniker "super-puffs." These two gas giants, orbiting a star approximately 1,110 light-years away, are described as lighter than cotton candy despite being the size of Jupiter. They hold the record for the lowest density ever observed for planets of their immense size, with their density comparable to shaving foam. The University of Oxford's George Dransfield, who led the research, suggests that these planets are likely composed primarily of hydrogen and helium. While their exact chemical makeup awaits confirmation from follow-up observations by NASA's Webb Space Telescope, their "fluffy, wispy" nature is a significant finding Wwnytv.

These unusual exoplanets were initially detected by NASA's Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS). Researchers then utilized Earth-based telescopes to precisely measure their orbits and, consequently, their surprisingly low densities. For context, Jupiter is approximately 35 times denser than these newly discovered super-puffs. The scientific community believes that super-puffs form within the disks of gas and dust surrounding young stars, where gas is more abundant than dust. Over time, these planets shed much of their material, contributing to their unusually low density. With nearly 6,300 confirmed exoplanets, fewer than 40 are classified as super-puffs, making this discovery particularly rare and instrumental in piecing together the complex puzzle of planet formation across the cosmos Wwnytv.

Immense "Bow-and-Arrow" Radio Structure Discovered

Astronomers have detected an extraordinarily large and peculiar radio galaxy structure, reminiscent of a "bow and arrow," spanning an incredible 1.8 million light-years across the cosmos. This finding marks one of the most substantial single radio structures ever observed. Scientists theorize that this unique formation resulted from a supersonic collision between galaxy clusters, generating a massive shock wave that propagated through the intergalactic medium KeepTrack.

The sheer scale of this "bow-and-arrow" structure far exceeds that of any individual galaxy, indicating that the intergalactic medium plays a more significant role in shaping extreme radio emissions than previously understood or modeled. These findings offer crucial insights into the evolution of large-scale cosmic structures and how radio surveys can be utilized to map them more effectively. Such discoveries continue to push the boundaries of our understanding of the universe's most energetic phenomena KeepTrack.

Industry & Policy

Rocket Lab Stock Plummeted Amidst Broader Market Jitters

Rocket Lab stock experienced a significant drop this week, falling 25.3% as investors shifted away from space stocks. This decline occurred in a broader market context where the S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite also saw pullbacks, influenced by concerns over potential interest rate hikes by the Federal Reserve and a re-evaluation of growth stock valuations. The initial excitement surrounding the public offering of Space Exploration Technologies (SpaceX) has somewhat subsided, contributing to a bearish sentiment across the space industry The Motley Fool.

Despite the stock's downturn, Rocket Lab delivered positive news on two fronts. The company announced the successful deployment of the Pioneer spacecraft for the U.S. Space Force's Victus Haze mission, setting a new record for responsive space operations by completing the launch within approximately 17 hours of receiving the order. Additionally, Rocket Lab secured a contract with NASA for three Electron rocket launches, destined for the PoISIR and TSIS-2 missions early next year. These positive developments led to a noticeable rally in Rocket Lab's stock later in the week, but market observers suggest that space stocks could remain volatile in the near term The Motley Fool.

SpaceX's Market Debut Causes Ripple Effect on Smaller Space Firms

SpaceX's stock market debut has created a "rollercoaster ride" for both its own investors and smaller companies in the space sector. Prior to its initial public offering, the anticipation of a megacap SpaceX attracted capital to publicly listed rivals and related firms, viewed often as proxies or alternative investment vehicles in the burgeoning space industry. However, post-debut, there has been a rotation of capital from these smaller, more pure-play space stocks towards the newly public industry leader The Daily Upside.

This accordion effect is evident in the recent performance of several space companies: AST SpaceMobile, BlackSky, and Intuitive Machines have all seen significant one-month declines (43%, 50%, and 43% respectively) despite posting year-over-year gains. Rocket Lab, often considered a direct competitor to SpaceX, also saw its stock fall 42% in the last month. SpaceX itself has experienced a tumultuous debut, with its stock finishing down 15% last week and exhibiting single-day double-digit swings. The company reported nearly $5 billion in losses last year on $18.7 billion in revenue, reflecting heavy investment in capacity building. Analysts' forecasts for SpaceX's future revenue vary wildly, but the overall sector is expected to benefit if the bull case for SpaceX proves true, as evidenced by the proliferation of SpaceTech ETFs. Shifting portfolios due to SpaceX's inclusion in indices like the Russell 1000 may continue to exert downward pressure on other space stocks The Daily Upside.

Pentagon's Next Cyber Strategy to Integrate AI

The U.S. Department of Defense is actively formulating its next cyber strategy, with a central focus on integrating Artificial Intelligence (AI) and automated threat response mechanisms. Discussions at TechNet Cyber 2026 highlighted a strategic pivot towards embedding AI decision-support tools directly into cyber operations workflows. This development holds significant implications for the space domain, as satellite command links, ground station networks, and space situational awareness systems are all identified as potential targets for cyber exploitation KeepTrack.

The DoD has consistently emphasized the critical importance of hardening space infrastructure against cyber intrusion. The forthcoming cyber strategy is anticipated to formalize this posture, underscoring a proactive approach to protecting vital space assets from evolving digital threats. The integration of AI aims to enhance the speed and effectiveness of cyber defense, ensuring the resilience and security of critical space-based capabilities KeepTrack.