BALLS on the moon: China set to launch Africa's 1st lunar science mission in 2029

• NASA is preparing to launch the Roman Space Telescope on August 30, marking the arrival of the agency's next major space observatory. • The telescope is designed for unprecedented efficiency, capable of completing Milky Way observations in one month that would take the Hubble Space Telescope approximately a century to finish.

• SpaceX successfully conducted the 13th test flight of its Starship megarocket, focusing on evaluating the vehicle's performance and capabilities. • The mission provided significant data and high-quality visuals of the massive rocket during its ascent and flight phases.

• Keith Cooper reviews the new book *It’s (Just) Rocket Science: Exploring Physics Through Spaceflight Missions* written by Trisha Muro. • Muro was inspired to write the text after a former high-school student dropped her physics course in search of "story physics," prompting her to bridge the gap between theory and narrative.

• NASA has successfully supplied the fuel for the next-generation Roman Space Telescope in preparation for its upcoming mission. • The telescope is currently scheduled for launch in August, marking a significant milestone in the agency's deep-space observation capabilities.

• The FCC possesses the authority to approve massive satellite constellations that could permanently alter the visibility of the night sky globally. • Current international space laws lack the necessary tools and enforcement mechanisms to prevent American companies from deploying these projects.

• Researchers have developed the smallest "quantum lighthouse" ever built, utilizing quantum optics to manipulate light at an infinitesimal scale. • The device leverages quantum mechanics to create a highly precise light source, pushing the boundaries of nanotechnology and photonics.

• The White House has released a new strategic vision for science, while the Department of Energy announced an expansion of the Genesis Mission. • President Trump has targeted the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) following the release of an updated report on climate attribution science.

• NASA's Accelerating Earth Solutions (AES) initiative is working to integrate Earth-observing satellite measurements more effectively into decision-making processes. • Recent astronomical findings include a 500-million-year decline in star formation within the Andromeda galaxy as observed by the Hubble Space Telescope.

• NASA's Viking landers were launched on an audacious mission to search for signs of past or present life in Martian soil. • While most experts agree the twin spacecraft failed to find definitive evidence of organisms, some scientists argue the results were misinterpreted.

• NASA’s Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory detected a "wandering" or "orphan" mega black hole as it shredded and consumed a star on the outskirts of a distant galaxy. • This rare event, known as a tidal disruption event, occurred when the black hole's gravity tore the star apart, creating a massive flare of light.

• A proposed White House rule under the "America First" administration seeks to grant political appointees unprecedented control over the distribution of scientific funding. • This shift would replace the current merit-based peer-review system, where subject-matter experts—such as physicists and oncologists—vet proposals to ensure scientific rigor.