NASA's Langley Research Center and the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) signed a Space Act Agreement to explore drone transport for donor organs. This collaboration aims to leverage NASA's aviation expertise to enhance organ delivery efficiency, potentially improving transplant outcomes. Initial tests will assess drone performance in real-world conditions, focusing on organ viability during transport.

ispace has entered a partnership with KACST to advance lunar exploration technologies and manufacturing capabilities in Saudi Arabia. This collaboration aligns with the country's Vision 2030 initiative, aiming to enhance local expertise in space technology and promote sustainable development. The partnership signifies a commitment to fostering innovation and expanding the nation's role in the global space industry.

NASA engineers have shut down the Low-energy Charged Particles experiment (LECP) on Voyager 1 to conserve power for continued exploration of interstellar space. This decision, made on April 17, follows years of planning to prioritize instrument shutdowns. Voyager 1, launched in 1977, remains the most distant human-made object, over 15 billion miles from Earth.

Vast has formed a strategic partnership with Cedars-Sinai to advance microgravity science and crew health aboard the upcoming Haven-1 commercial space station, scheduled for launch in 2027. This collaboration will focus on stem cell and organoid research, alongside biomanufacturing technology demonstrations, aimed at enhancing regenerative medicine, longevity, and disease modeling in microgravity environments.

NASA's Artemis Program and ESA's Moon Village aim to establish a sustainable lunar presence. Research by Vanesa Muñiz Lloréns and Michael Lucas indicates that

NASA engineers at Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) commanded the shutdown of the Low-energy Charged Particles (LECP) experiment on Voyager 1 on April 17 to conserve power. This decision follows a pre-established plan to maintain mission operations, having already deactivated seven of ten instruments. The LECP has provided critical interstellar data since Voyager 1's 1977 launch.

C. elegans nematode worms launched aboard NASA's Northrop Grumman CRS-24 mission on April 11, 2026, to the International Space Station (ISS) for the Fluorescent Deep Space Petri-Pods project. Funded by the UK Space Agency, these worms will endure microgravity and cosmic radiation for 15 weeks, aiding research on biological adaptation in space environments.

ispace is establishing the groundwork for a sustainable human presence on the Moon, focusing on lunar missions and collaboration among global teams. The company's initiatives aim to foster a thriving lunar economy, leveraging innovative technologies and partnerships to support long-term habitation and resource utilization on the lunar surface, paving the way for future exploration and development.

ANYmal four-legged robots are being tested for Martian and Lunar exploration, equipped with a microscopic imager and Raman spectrometer. Researchers, led by Gabriela Ligeza from the European Space Agency, aim to enhance semi-autonomous operations for multi-target exploration, addressing communication delays. This study emphasizes the integration of these instruments for astrobiology and resource prospecting in extraterrestrial environments.

Redwire Corporation secured over $20M in follow-on orders from the Portfolio Acquisition Executive Robotic Autonomous Systems (PAE RAS) for its Stalker UAS Advanced Navigation systems. This procurement enhances the U.S. Marine Corps' capabilities in contested environments, supporting ISR missions with advanced technology. The contract was awarded through the Defense Logistics Agency under an IDIQ framework.

Redwire Corporation has secured over $20M in Purchase Orders from the Navy and Marine Corps' Small Tactical Unmanned Aircraft Systems Program Office (PMA-263). These orders, awarded in Q1 FY2026, will enhance the Stalker UAS with advanced navigation and standard systems, supporting the Portfolio Acquisition Executive Robotic Autonomous Systems Aircraft Program Management Office's objectives.

NASA has begun analyzing data from the Artemis II mission, revealing six micrometeorite impacts during its April 6 lunar flyby. Researchers, including Arturo Montoya, developed an AI-based damage prediction system funded by a $15M NASA grant. This artificial neural network (ANN) aims to enhance lunar habitat designs against micrometeorite threats, improving upon previous prediction methods.

Redwire invites attendees to visit booth #238 at the 2026 Army Aviation Warfighting Summit to explore their combat-proven Stalker and Penguin uncrewed aerial systems, along with the Octopus line of ISR camera gimbal payloads. A happy hour hosted by Redwire will take place on April 16 from 1400-1600 at the same booth.

Redwire will host its Tech Talks at the 2026 Space Symposium, transforming booth #1373 into a platform for expert insights. The agenda includes discussions on the practical adoption of AI for space business, addressing the priorities of today’s space and defense communities. Attendees can expect impactful sessions and valuable networking opportunities throughout the event.

Redwire Corporation opened a new office in the United Kingdom to support programs under the UK Ministry of Defence. This expansion aims to enhance responsiveness and technical expertise for current and future defense initiatives. The move underscores Redwire's commitment to fostering an enduring partnership with the MOD, reinforcing its position in the aerospace and defense sector.

ESA's recent experiment demonstrated that graphene aerogels can be propelled by lasers in microgravity, achieving rapid accelerations. Conducted during the 86th parabolic flight campaign in May 2025, the study showed that stronger laser beams increase acceleration. This research opens pathways for future solar sail propulsion and attitude control in small satellites, potentially revolutionizing space propulsion technologies.

Redwire is enhancing mission readiness for the U.S. Army Aviation Center of Excellence and the Ukrainian Armed Forces through tailored training programs for Uncrewed Aircraft Systems (UAS). This initiative focuses on immersive training environments that equip operators with essential skills, ensuring they can effectively operate UAS technology under pressure in combat situations, ultimately saving lives.

Redwire Corporation has secured a contract to develop a quantum-secure satellite for the European Space Agency's Quantum Key Distribution Satellite (QKDSat) initiative. This project falls under ESA's Advanced Research in Telecommunications Systems (ARTES) Partnership Projects program, enhancing secure communications capabilities in space. The contract highlights Redwire's leadership in space and defense technology solutions.

Redwire Corporation's advanced optical imaging and sun sensor technology will be integrated into the Orion spacecraft for NASA's Artemis II mission, marking a significant milestone as the first crewed mission in the Artemis program. This collaboration with Lockheed Martin underscores Redwire's commitment to enhancing space exploration capabilities through innovative technology solutions.

Rocketroll's nuclear-electric spacecraft study explores advanced propulsion concepts for future missions. The study focuses on the integration of nuclear power systems with electric propulsion technologies, aiming to enhance mission efficiency and reduce travel times. Key technical challenges include thermal management and power conversion efficiency, which are critical for successful deployment in deep-space environments.

Redwire's Stalker uncrewed aerial system (UAS) is a combat-proven, long-endurance, fixed-wing, VTOL Group 2 platform designed for reconnaissance and target acquisition. Manufactured in the U.S. with a vertically integrated supply chain, Stalker supports Army training and operations, reinforcing the need for secure domestic production to meet escalating demand for small drones in contested environments.

Redwire Corporation has secured a $12.8 million contract to provide Extensible Low-Profile Solar Array (ELSA) wings to Moog, Inc. The solar arrays will be integrated into Moog's METEOR satellite bus, enhancing capabilities for a national security program. This contract underscores Redwire's position as a leader in aerospace and defense technology solutions.

NASA’s DART spacecraft impacted the asteroid moonlet Dimorphos in September 2022, altering both its orbit and that of its larger companion, Didymos, around the Sun. This marked the first measurable change in a celestial body's path due to human intervention. The impact demonstrated kinetic impact as a viable planetary defense technique against hazardous asteroids in the future.

SPACE2 is pioneering in-space and off-world farming solutions, essential for human survival during long space missions and planetary colonization. Led by University of Nebraska-Lincoln professors Santosh Pitla and Yufeng Ge, the initiative focuses on developing agricultural practices in extreme environments through the Consortium of Space, Policy, Agriculture, Climate and Extreme Environment, enhancing food production capabilities beyond Earth.