NASA's VAB stands against a pre-dawn sky. Photo: Mark Stone

NASA Appeals for Volunteers in Second Buyout as Budget Cuts Loom

Artemis 2 in front of VAB. NASA Budget cuts could jeopordize the program.
The Artemis II core stage stands in front of the VAB earlier this year. Many fear budget cuts could put the Artemis Program in jeopardy. Photo: Charles Boyer/FMN

NASA has extended a second offer to its workforce in an effort to trim staff amid sweeping budget cuts ahead of the federal fiscal year 2026. The agency emailed employees Monday, unveiling a new deferred resignation program (DRP) and voluntary retirement incentives, extending benefits through January 2026—a full four months longer than its January program—which is open through July 25.

New NASA Budget Proposal Will Hit The Space Coast Region Hard

New NASA Budget Proposal Will Hit The Space Coast Region Hard

Hard times for the Space Coast’s local economy might be ahead.

The Administration’s proposed fiscal year 2026 budget includes a 24.3% reduction in NASA’s funding, decreasing the agency’s budget from $24.8 billion to $18.8 billion. This so-called “skinny” budget blueprint is a high level one short of full details, which will be forthcoming. After that, Congress will take up and begin debate on a budget bill.

This proposed significant cut threatens to eliminate key programs and could result in substantial job losses at Florida’s Kennedy Space Center (KSC), a cornerstone of the Space Coast’s economy, and that will have ripple effects that everyone who lives in the region will feel.

SpaceX's Gigafactory

Mini-Starship or Bust? Experts Clash Over SpaceX’s Future

March 19, 2025 – SpaceX’s Starship program, critical to NASA’s lunar goals and Elon Musk’s Martian dreams, is at a crossroads, with experts offering starkly contrasting visions. While one leading engineer champions a smaller “Mini-Starship” to expedite human landings on the Moon and Mars, critics slam Starship for its repeated failures as evidence of a doomed design. 

Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore

Boeing CFT Astronauts Set To Return to Earth Tomorrow

It’s finally time for NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams to come home! If everything goes according to plan, one of the most talked about journeys in American spaceflight will come to an end with a splashdown tomorrow evening somewhere off the coast of Florida.

Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore
Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore Photo: NASA
Crew 10 Rises To Orbit, On Its Way To ISS

Crew 10 Rises To Orbit, On Its Way To ISS

It was a good day to have a good day here in Florida, and that’s exactly what NASA, SpaceX and Crew-10 had today at Kennedy Space Center. Falcon 9 lifted off carrying three astronauts and one cosmonaut towards orbit and the International Space Station just as the sun was starting to set in the west. Some seven and a half minutes later, SpaceX booster B1090 completed its duty for the day by landing at LZ-1 in Cape Canaveral, 8.8 miles south of LC-39A.

Crew-10 Launch Delayed By Technical Issue – New Launch Date Set

Crew-10 Launch Delayed By Technical Issue – New Launch Date Set

The astronauts were strapped in, the weather was perfect, and everything pointed to a flawless launch. But that’s not how it usually goes in the spaceflight business, and Wednesday evening’s Crew-10 launch attempt was no exception.

Crew-10 waits for Wednesday's launch, which was eventually scrubbed, aboard the Crew Dragon endurance. Photo: Charles Boyer/FMN
Crew-10 waits for Wednesday’s launch, which was eventually scrubbed, aboard the Crew Dragon Endurance. Photo: Charles Boyer/FMN
Crew 10 Astronauts Arrive at KSC, Prepare For Wednesday Launch

Crew 10 Astronauts Arrive at KSC, Prepare For Wednesday Launch

March 10, 2025 – Kennedy Space Center, FL – It’s “all systems go” for Crew 10 following their arrival at Kennedy Space Center in Florida last Friday. The crew has since successfully completed a wet dress rehearsal in preparation for their six-month mission.

An enthusiastic Crew 10 waves to reporters after arriving at KSC on Friday. Photo: Eric Moore/FMN
An enthusiastic Crew 10 waves to reporters after arriving at KSC on Friday. Photo: Eric Moore/FMN
Intuitive Machines IM-2 Confirmed On Its Side, Mission Ended

Intuitive Machines IM-2 Confirmed On Its Side, Mission Ended

Intuitive Machines Nova-C IM-2 'Athena' on its side on the lunar surface.
Intuitive Machines Nova-C IM-2 ‘Athena’ on its side on the lunar surface.
Photo: Intuitive Machines.

Despite high hopes, Intuitive Machines’ IM-2 mission has concluded after it was confirmed that the lander is on its side on the Moon and cannot properly charge its batteries. The company confirmed that in an update this morning.

Athena Has Landed – But Is She OK? –

Athena Has Landed – But Is She OK? –

STORY UPDATED 7:00 PM EDT 3/6/25

Intuitive Machine’s IM-2 mission is on the lunar surface, but the vehicle’s status is uncertain. Today’s landing marks the second soft touchdown of a US manufactured spacecraft in less than a week, and only the third commercial moon landing in history. Firefly’s Blue Ghost lander touched down just four days ago.

Artist's concept of Athena on the moon. Graphic: Intuitive Machines
Artist’s concept of Athena on the moon. Graphic: Intuitive Machines