NASA Chief says China can soon outsmart US in space exploration: But could shape the future of space

• SpaceX successfully launched a Falcon 9 rocket from California at 3:12 a.m. ET on Tuesday, July 7. • The Transporter-17 rideshare mission delivered 81 separate payloads into orbit.

• Researchers Jacob Haqq-Misra and Eric Wolf have calculated that Earth's vegetative biosphere will likely persist for another 1.8 to 1.87 billion years. • This new estimate is significantly longer than previous scientific projections, which suggested plant life would disappear in 0.9 to 1.5 billion years.

• Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hansen announced on Monday that he will soon retire from his full-time role with the Canadian Space Agency. • The decision follows his participation in the historic Artemis II mission, which aimed to return humans to the vicinity of the moon.

• Japan's Hayabusa2 asteroid probe captured high-resolution images of the double-lobed asteroid Torifune on July 5. • The spacecraft approached the two-headed space rock from a distance of approximately 62 million miles to document its unique structure.

• Astronomers have utilized the James Webb Space Telescope to create the most detailed map of the cosmic web to date. • The project focuses on unmasking "hidden corners" of the universe by visualizing the vast network of filaments that connect galaxies.

• Campaigners have accused GB News co-owner Sir Paul Marshall of "cashing in on climate chaos" following a significant increase in his fossil fuel investments. • The analysis reveals that Marshall's portfolio includes various oil and gasfield services companies, as well as exploration and production firms.

• The July 4, 2026, science roundup highlights three major discoveries: the James Webb Space Telescope's identification of a previously unknown substance, the rapid growth of China's "Great Green Wall," and the resolution of a Medici family murder mystery. • The report emphasizes the telescope's role in expanding astronomical knowledge and the environmental impact of China's accelerated reforestation efforts.

• NASA is recruiting volunteers for the Moon and Mars Exploration Analog (MMEA), a yearlong space simulation based in Houston. • Participants must meet strict physical and educational requirements and pass a multi-day selection process involving rigorous psychological screenings.

• NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman stated that the United States is currently engaged in a "space race" against China. • The competition centers on the goal of landing astronauts on the moon and establishing a near-permanent lunar presence.

• NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory released a series of cosmic images featuring red, white, and blue phenomena to celebrate the United States' 250th birthday. • The "Space photo of the week" collection showcases high-energy X-ray data from various celestial objects to mirror the colors of the American flag.

• NASA's TESS satellite, launched in 2018 to detect exoplanets via the transit method (monitoring dips in stellar brightness), has accidentally discovered a distant world using an entirely different detection technique. • While the mission was specifically designed to find planets passing in front of stars, scientists realized the telescope was simultaneously collecting evidence for planets through an unexpected method.