Plus: NASA fixes helium issue with Artemis 2
| Welcome to our roundup of top SpaceNews stories, delivered every Friday! This week, the Senate Commerce Committee voted to extend the International Space Station, NASA made progress on Artemis 2 and more.
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| | | | | OUR TOP STORY
| | By Jeff Foust The Senate Commerce Committee advanced a revised NASA authorization bill that implements some of the changes to the Artemis lunar exploration effort sought by the agency while also extending the life of the International Space Station.
The committee passed on a voice vote March 4 an amended version of S. 933, a NASA authorization act originally introduced nearly a year ago. The committee also approved nearly 20 additional amendments from various committee members with the same vote.
The new version of the bill supports changes that NASA is seeking to make to Artemis that NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman announced at a Feb. 27 briefing.
| | | | | | | CIVIL
| | Workers completed repairs to the helium pressurization system in the upper stage of the Space Launch System, solving the problem that caused Artemis 2's latest delay and keeping a potential April launch on track.
The United Kingdom is refocusing its funding priorities with a new 500 million pound ($668 million) space funding package that aligns more closely with economic growth and national security priorities.
In a letter last week to FCC Chairman Brendan Carr, Reps. Brian Babin, R-Texas, and Zoe Lofgren, D-Calif., said elements of the FCC's "Space Modernization for the 21st Century" notice of proposed rulemaking, would impose regulations beyond the commission's statutory authority.
| | MILITARY
| | The Space Force's push to accelerate procurement of new systems is running up against a basic constraint: not enough contracting officers and financial managers to execute the work.
The U.S. Space Force is intensifying its push for more personnel and training resources as military leaders warn that the Pentagon's reliance on space capabilities is expanding faster than the service itself.
Space and cyber forces moved first in preparation for U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran on Feb. 28, underscoring how military campaigns now begin in orbit and online before aircraft launch or missiles fire. | | | | | | | COMMERCIAL
| | In-orbit services provider Infinite Orbits announced plans March 3 to acquire London-based in-orbit servicing and manufacturing startup Lunasa, marking a step in the company's expansion into the United Kingdom.
Sierra Space raised $550 million in a Series C funding round led by LuminArx Capital Management, valuing the privately held spacecraft manufacturer at about $8 billion, the company said March 5.
The European Space Agency announced up to 100 million euros ($118 million) in funding March 2 for projects promising to accelerate the convergence of satellite and terrestrial communications. | | | |  | | SPONSORED CONTENT
| | By the European Commission Following the successful launch of Ariane 6 in 2025, Europe's access to space ambitions gain momentum. The launch of the reusable launcher first stage demonstrator Themis T1H under the SALTO project represents a decisive step towards sustainable and autonomous access to space. Other EU-backed initiatives – including the ENLIGHTEN project and an upcoming €20 million call for game-changing technologies – aim to further accelerate Europe's progress in access to space.
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