In 2026 NASA flew astronauts around the Moon for the first time in over fifty years, and in almost the same weeks the White House proposed some of the deepest budget cuts in the agency's history, most of them aimed at its science programmes

- In 2026, NASA successfully flew astronauts around the Moon for the first time in over fifty years, marking a major milestone in human space exploration.
- Simultaneously, the White House proposed some of the deepest budget cuts in the agency's history, specifically targeting science and climate research programs.
- The proposed cuts would disproportionately impact robotic probes and telescopes, which are the most cost-effective tools for NASA's scientific discoveries.
- This conflict highlights a growing tension between prioritizing high-profile human exploration missions and maintaining the foundational science that sustains the agency's reputation.
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NASA’s Roman Space Telescope: Launch Updates
• NASA and SpaceX are targeting a liftoff for the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope at 7:26 a.m. EDT this Sunday. • The telescope will launch from Launch Complex 39A at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida aboard a SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket.
Read original · science.nasa.govScience Snapshots: August 30, 2026 - The Hindu
• The August 30, 2026, edition of "Science Snapshots" highlights critical research regarding Betelgeuse's companion star, solar panel biodiversity impacts, and pediatric heat exposure. • New findings reveal a significant disparity in heat exposure, as most children live in tropical, low-latitude regions where temperatures are rising most intensely.
Read original · thehindu.comNasa space telescope set to launch after surviving Trump budget cuts | Nasa
• NASA is scheduled to launch the Roman space telescope this Sunday morning from Florida to search for exoplanets and study planet formation. • The mission survived previous budget cuts under the Trump administration and is designed to complement the work of the Hubble (1990) and Webb (2021) telescopes.
Read original · theguardian.comOn this day in space! Aug. 28, 1993: Galileo spacecraft flies by asteroid Ida on the way to Jupiter only to find a tiny moon!
• On August 28, 1993, NASA's Galileo spacecraft performed a flyby of the asteroid Ida while en route to Jupiter. • During the encounter, the spacecraft discovered Dactyl, a tiny moon orbiting the larger asteroid Ida.
Read original · space.com
Space.com9 Things to Know About NASA’s Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope - NASA Science
• NASA is scheduled to launch the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope at 7:26 a.m. EDT on Sunday, Aug. 30. • The flagship mission utilizes a large field of view combined with high-resolution infrared vision to scan expansive areas of the deep sky.
Read original · science.nasa.gov
NASA ScienceMeet “the Ultimate Climate Solution”
• A collaborative reporting effort by The Guardian, Agence France-Presse, and other CCNow partners has highlighted a global consensus on environmental policy. • Peer-reviewed studies and opinion surveys reveal that a supermajority of 80% to 89% of the world's population wants their governments to take more aggressive action against climate change.
Read original · newrepublic.com
The New RepublicTop 10 Roman Space Telescope science breakthroughs
• NASA is preparing to launch the Roman Space Telescope, which is designed to provide a vast new window into the cosmos. • The telescope is expected to deliver a "data deluge," enabling scientists to achieve at least 10 major breakthroughs in astronomical understanding.
Read original · scientificamerican.com
Scientific AmericanAugust 28, 2026 - Science Friday
• The August 28, 2026, episode of Science Friday explores the integration of AI in healthcare, specifically its role in transcribing patient visits, answering physician queries, and analyzing medical scans. • The program examines the balance between the efficiency benefits of medical AI and the potential risks associated with its implementation in clinical settings.
Read original · sciencefriday.com
Science FridayNature News -- ScienceDaily
• Scientists investigating the origins of life have discovered evidence suggesting that the first free-living cells may have emerged on two separate occasions. • This research challenges previous assumptions about a single common ancestor, implying that life may share a more complex evolutionary history.
Read original · sciencedaily.comNASA is about to launch a space telescope that could change how we see the universe
• NASA is scheduled to launch the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope on August 30 to investigate fundamental mysteries of the cosmos. • The mission aims to provide a transformative perspective on the universe, utilizing advanced imaging capabilities to explore deep space.
Read original · npr.orgNASA's Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope is set to launch this weekend. When will we see its first photos?
• NASA is scheduled to launch the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Sunday morning, August 30. • This state-of-the-art spacecraft is designed to provide astronomers with advanced capabilities to study exoplanets, distant galaxies, and the mysteries of dark matter.
Read original · livescience.com
Live ScienceNASA's Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope set to explore the universe - ABC News
• NASA is preparing to launch the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope, a repurposed spy satellite designed to complement the James Webb Space Telescope. • The telescope will focus on mapping the universe, searching for alien planets, and investigating the mysteries of dark energy and dark matter.
Read original · abc.net.au
