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President Trump Issues Executive Order to Accelerate Space-Based Quantum Technology

by Zac Aubert June 23, 2026

written by Zac Aubert

WASHINGTON — In a major move to solidify American leadership over a critical emerging domain, President Trump has issued an expansive executive order aimed at unifying and accelerating the development of quantum technologies. Notably, the directive places a heavy emphasis on space-based systems, which officials say could unlock next-generation navigation, ultra-precise sensing, and virtually unhackable cryptographic communications.

The order, titled “Ushering in the Next Frontier of Quantum Innovation” (Executive Order 14411), was signed by President Donald Trump on June 22, 2026. It establishes a strict, whole-of-government framework designed to translate atomic-scale physics into operational infrastructure before foreign adversaries, particularly China gain a strategic technical advantage.

The Strategic Deadlines: Mandates for Space and Defense

The executive order shifts quantum policy away from theoretical research and toward immediate practical implementation. It establishes aggressive, time-bound targets for several key civil and defense agencies:

Department of War Selection
August 21, 2026 (60 Days)

The Department of War must identify at least three next-generation quantum sensor projects to fast-track for military fielding.

Computing Specifications
September 20, 2026 (90 Days)

The Department of Energy must publicly release the technical specifications required to build a transformative, large-scale scientific quantum computer under the newly formed QC-ADDS program.

NASA’s 5-Year Space Plan
October 20, 2026 (120 Days)

NASA must submit a formal five-year plan detailing how the agency will develop and extend civilian quantum sensing and networking specifically for space-based applications.

Defense Fielding Deadline
September 30, 2028

The hard deadline by which the Department of War must actively field its three prioritized next-generation quantum sensors in operational environments.

Simultaneously, a separate executive order was signed directing agencies to fortify existing critical infrastructure and national security data with post-quantum cryptography to defend against future quantum decryption threats.

Turbocharging Precision: The Power of Quantum Sensing

While full-scale quantum computers are widely expected to remain earthbound for the foreseeable future, experts highlight that quantum sensors are ready for orbit today.

Coinciding with the White House announcement, an industry coalition called America’s Quantum Space Initiative was unveiled. Led by quantum tech firm Infleqtion, the coalition includes Voyager Technologies, Armada, Monarch Quantum, and the University of Colorado Boulder.

Infleqtion, which has spent a decade collaborating with NASA on projects like the International Space Station’s Cold Atom Lab, is targeting the deployment of a quantum gravity gradiometer in partnership with NASA and the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) before 2030.

“We’re not talking percentage improvements…These are 10x to 1,000x improvement in precision when you swap existing sensors to quantum sensors.”

– Matt Kinsella, Infleqtion’s CEO

By measuring microscopic changes in gravity from orbit, these sensors will grant operators unparalleled space situational awareness, mapping features on and beneath Earth’s surface with unprecedented fidelity.

Recreating GPS for High-Stakes Geopolitics

The geopolitical stakes driving the executive order are remarkably high. China has invested heavily in quantum communications, successfully demonstrating highly encrypted satellite-to-ground quantum links.

In a modern conflict scenario, peer adversaries possess electronic warfare capabilities that could jam or disable traditional GPS constellations, blinding U.S. forces. Quantum infrastructure offers an un-jammable alternative.

Quantum Capability	Strategic Operational Benefit
Quantum Sensing	Recreates an un-jammable, “turbocharged” alternative to GPS navigation without relying on traditional radio signals.
Advanced Atomic Clocks	Provides hyper-precise timing synchronization essential for deep-space navigation and military coordination.
Quantum Networking	Enables secure, physics-encrypted communication channels between Earth and orbital assets that cannot be intercepted.

Turning Physics into Engineering

According to industry leaders, the remaining barriers to deployment are no longer rooted in quantum physics, but rather in rugged systems engineering. To be viable, delicate atomic systems must survive the violent vibrations of a rocket launch, endure intense space radiation, and operate autonomously in harsh orbital environments for years without manual repair.

By pulling together launch providers (Voyager, Armada), photonics developers (Monarch), and academic hubs (UC Boulder), America’s Quantum Space Initiative intends to build out the domestic supply chain necessary to meet the White House’s aggressive timeline.

June 23, 2026 0 comments

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Relativity Space Unveils Interplanetary Sciences Program with Privately Funded 2028 Mars Orbiter

by Zac Aubert June 22, 2026

written by Zac Aubert

WASHINGTON — In a pivot toward deep-space exploration, Relativity Space announced on June 17 the launch of its new Interplanetary Sciences Program. The private initiative aims to lower the cost barrier of deep-space exploration, beginning with an ambitious Mars science and telecommunications orbiter slated to launch in late 2028.

The program represents a new public-private-philanthropic blueprint for planetary science. Driven by a desire to get “radically more science per dollar,” Relativity will partner with NASA, academic institutions, and an undisclosed philanthropic organization to build, launch, and operate the spacecraft.

“Relativity’s vision is to make access to space more open, reliable and routine, advancing science and innovation beyond Earth…The Interplanetary Sciences Program is a natural step towards that, built on the foundation of Terran R, our reusable rocket designed for scale and speed to orbit.”

– Eric Schmidt, Executive Chairman and Chief Executive of Relativity Space

The 2028 Mars Orbiter: Science Meets High-Performance Compute

While technical specifications like size, mass, and power draw remain under wraps, the orbiter’s highly sophisticated payload suggests a large, power-heavy spacecraft design.

The mission will fly two core scientific instruments:

NASA’s Aeolus Suite: Contributed by NASA’s Ames Research Center, this atmospheric profiling payload includes a Doppler wind and temperature sensor, a thermal limb sounder, surface radiometric sensors, and a wide-field camera. NASA will handle instrument operations for one Martian year and process the raw data for global researchers.
Shallow Radar Sounder: A specialized instrument designed to map subsurface geology and shallow ice reserves, identifying high-value landing sites for future human explorers.

Beyond raw data collection, the spacecraft is being engineered as an orbital Relay Data Center.

It will host high-bandwidth optical (laser) and radio-frequency (RF) communication links to beam massive volumes of data back to Earth, while serving as a surface relay node for Martian rovers. Crucially, the orbiter will pack “server-class compute” and massive data storage to execute complex algorithms, autonomous science profiling, and advanced AI models directly in Martian orbit.

“By pairing NASA’s world‑class instruments with commercial innovation and investment, we can deliver more science, more often”

– NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman.

The Eric Schmidt Influence and the Terran R Roadmap

The mission serves as a critical test of the strategic direction established by Eric Schmidt. The former Google CEO took the helm of Relativity Space in March 2025 following a massive personal investment. Under Schmidt’s leadership, the company has entirely consolidated its focus on Terran R, its medium-to-heavy lift launch vehicle featuring a reusable first stage.

The 2028 Mars orbiter is tightly bound to Schmidt’s expanding web of space-science philanthropic ventures.

Through Schmidt Sciences, Eric and Wendy Schmidt previously announced the creation of the Eric and Wendy Schmidt Observatory System. This includes Lazuli, a massive space telescope larger than Hubble that is also scheduled to launch on a Terran R rocket as early as 2028.

Mission	Target Launch	Launch Vehicle	Primary Funding Source
Terran R Maiden Flight	2027 (Projected)	Terran R	Internal Commercial / VC
Lazuli Space Telescope	2028	Terran R	Schmidt Sciences (Philanthropic)
Mars Science Orbiter	Late 2028	Terran R	Private Philanthropy / NASA Partnership

While Relativity previously stated a goal to launch Terran R from Cape Canaveral in late 2026, industry sources widely expect the maiden flight to slip into 2027. Despite potential launch schedule adjustments, hardware development is moving forward actively; the company recently shipped a Terran R second stage from its Long Beach, California factory to NASA’s Stennis Space Center in Mississippi for structural and environmental testing.

The 2028 orbiter effectively supersedes a previous, highly publicized 2022 agreement between Relativity and Impulse Space to launch a private Mars lander. With the lander initiative quietly shelved, Relativity’s Interplanetary Sciences Program marks a permanent, structural shift toward establishing a repeatable, data-driven framework across the Solar System.

June 22, 2026 0 comments

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Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope Arrives At NASA Kennedy Space Center

by Zac Aubert June 22, 2026

written by Zac Aubert

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FL. — NASA’s next premier eye on the universe, the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope, arrived at the Kennedy Space Center on June 21. The milestone marks the beginning of the final prelaunch processing campaign for a flagship astrophysics mission running significantly ahead of schedule.

Following the completion of integration and environmental testing at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland, the massive, nearly 18,000-pound (8,200-kilogram) observatory was carefully sealed inside an environmentally controlled transport container. It was then driven to the Port of Baltimore, where NASA’s Pegasus barge carried it down the Atlantic coast to its new, temporary home in Florida.

Now stationed at the newly upgraded Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility (PHSF), the observatory is on track for a launch no earlier than Sunday, August 30, aboard a SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket from Launch Complex 39A. Impressively, this timeline positions Roman eight months ahead of its original target date.

Deep-Cleaning and Final Checkouts

Upon arrival at the wharf, technicians connected the observatory’s trailer to a transport truck to move it to the PHSF. Processing an instrument as sensitive as an advanced space telescope requires meticulous contaminant control:

Decontamination Phase 1: Technicians perform an initial external cleaning of the shipping container outside the facility.
Decontamination Phase 2: The container enters the facility’s specialized air lock, where it is cleaned again while the filtration system scrubs the air before the inner doors open.
Unboxing & Rotation: Once cleared, crews will unbox the telescope, lift it into its vertical flight orientation, and transfer it into the main high bay clean room.

On Monday, June 22, teams plan to mount Roman onto its custom work platform, aptly named the Pantheon.

While stationed on the Pantheon, technicians will run structural and electronic tests on the observatory’s six solar panels. They will also meticulously inspect its thermal blankets and insulation layers. The processing phase will culminate with a highly critical operation: loading approximately 290 gallons of hydrazine fuel into the spacecraft’s propellant tanks.

Wide-Eyed Vision: Transforming Infrared Astronomy

Once launched, Roman will journey roughly one million miles from Earth to the second Sun-Earth Lagrange point (L2). From this stable gravitational vantage point, it will begin a mission focused on mapping the cosmos at unprecedented speeds.

Hubble Space Telescope View: ├─┤ (Deep but narrow)
Roman Space Telescope View:  ├──────────────────────────────────────────────────┤ (100x wider area per snapshot)

Featuring a massive 300-megapixel camera, Roman boasts a field of view 100 times wider than the Hubble Space Telescope, while maintaining a similar level of sharp image clarity. Over its primary five-year mission, it will sweep the sky to uncover billions of galaxies, hundreds of black holes, and hundreds of thousands of new exoplanets.

Astronomers will utilize Roman’s massive data output to address fundamental mysteries of modern astrophysics, such as the nature of dark energy and the mechanics behind the accelerating expansion of the universe. Furthermore, Roman will host a cutting-edge coronagraph technology demonstration, designed to block out blinding starlight to directly image exoplanets and the dust disks that form them.

Maximizing Resources: A Shared Journey with Artemis

The telescope wasn’t the only critical piece of space hardware riding on the Pegasus barge. In a logistical win for the agency, the barge also transported a specialized weather cover for the Artemis III Space Launch System (SLS) core stage.

The protective cover will shield the SLS core stage’s sensitive thermal insulation systems while it sits at Launch Pad 39B in its short-stack testing configuration. By aligning the two schedules, NASA managed to maximize shipping resources, seamlessly linking its upcoming flagship deep-space science mission with its next major leap in human lunar exploration.

June 22, 2026 0 comments

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Mu-g Technologies Acquires Falcon 50 Jet To Launch Commercial Parabolic Research Flights

by Zac Aubert June 19, 2026

written by Zac Aubert

WASHINGTON — In a major move to revive domestic access to weightless testing, aerospace startup Mu-g Technologies has officially taken delivery of a Dassault Falcon 50 business jet. The company plans to transform the aircraft into a specialized commercial parabolic flight platform, filling an operational void left open since the region’s sole provider went quiet.

Parabolic flights; plunge aircraft through steep, roller-coaster-like arcs giving scientists, defense teams, and suborbital tourists 20 to 25 seconds of weightlessness at a time.

For years, Florida-based Zero-G Corp. dominated this commercial space using a modified Boeing 727. However, with that airliner grounded since late last year and no official resumption date on the horizon, North American researchers have faced a critical capability gap.

“We saw when Zero-G stopped flying last year that capability gap got blown wide open…We realized that there are payloads that need to fly, experiments that need to be done.”

– Robert Ward, Mu-g Technologies Founder and Chief Executive

The Falcon 50: A Scaled Approach to Microgravity

While traditional parabolic flights favor massive, converted passenger airliners, Mu-g Technologies is intentionally taking a nimbler approach. Ward, a sector veteran who got his start as a NASA test subject in 1995 before working at Zero-G, noted the Falcon 50 is an optimized starting platform.

Traditional Airliner Flight | Massive cabin, dozens of payloads at once
Mu-g Falcon 50 Approach | Highly targeted, 1 to 2 research payloads per flight

The corporate jet is currently undergoing routine scheduled maintenance and interior modifications to safely secure sensitive scientific hardware. Assisted by an advanced digital flight control system, the aircraft will be programmed to precisely trace the required parabolic trajectory to achieve high-quality microgravity.

Ward projects that commercial operations could begin within six months, though the exact timeline hinges on Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) certification. While Mu-g has been entirely self-funded up to this point, the company is actively approaching strategic investors, with eyes on eventually scaling up to an Airbus A321 airliner.

Dual Tracks: Private Innovation vs. NASA’s Internal Fleet

Mu-g’s entry into the market comes as the private sector rushes to meet commercial demand; including projects funded by NASA’s Flight Opportunities program while NASA itself is working to acquire its own dedicated plane.

On June 1, NASA awarded an $8.4 million contract to Denmar Technical Services to maintain and modify an agency-owned Boeing 737-700. NASA intends to use this proprietary asset for a very specific mandate: validating the next-generation lunar spacesuits and crew hardware essential for the upcoming Artemis Moon missions.

Feature	Mu-g Technologies Platform	NASA In-House Platform
Aircraft Type	Dassault Falcon 50	Boeing 737-700
Primary Mission	Multi-user commercial research & payloads	Artemis lunar spacesuit & crew systems validation
Availability	Open to commercial, academic, & government buyers	Internal NASA operations

Mu-g Technologies doesn’t see NASA getting its own plane as competition; instead it a vital infrastructure redundancy.

“The work that they’re going to be doing on that aircraft is going to be work that NASA needs to get done…Having multiple aircraft available provides backup if a plane is out of service. If they’re flying parabolas, and we’re flying parabolas, we’re all winning.”

– Robert Ward, Mu-g Technologies Founder and Chief Executive

June 19, 2026 0 comments

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TLP’s ‘LunEx-1’ Payload Loaded Onto Astrobotic’s Griffin-1 Lunar Lander

by Zac Aubert June 16, 2026

written by Zac Aubert

PITTSBURGH — As Astrobotic finalizes assembly on its massive Griffin-1 lunar lander, a small but deeply important piece of TLP history has officially secured its ride to the stars.

Our first private payload, LunEx-1, has been safely loaded into the spacecraft’s “Moonbox” compartment ahead of its late 2026 launch to the Moon.

While Griffin-1 (designated by NASA as Moon Base II) is built to haul massive infrastructure like rovers and power grids, the Moonbox provides a unique opportunity for private citizens to establish a footprint on the lunar surface.

“For decades, reaching the Moon was a privilege reserved exclusively for massive government agencies. Then we watched the baton pass to private commercial companies. Now, with LunEx-1, we are witnessing the third great shift: space opening up to the everyday person. By carrying the names, photos, and stories of our TLP community directly to the lunar surface, we are proving that space no longer belongs to the few—it belongs to all of us, because space truly is better together.”

— Zachary Aubert, TLP CEO

LUNEX-1 MANIFEST:
✔️ Nano SD Card
✔️ TLP Community Archive: Hundreds of names, photos, and videos
✔️ Curated historical media
✔️ “Letter to the Future” by TLP CEO Zachary Aubert

A Digital Legacy on the Moon

At the heart of the LunEx-1 payload is a specially prepared nano SD card acting as a digital time capsule. It contains hundreds of names, photographs, and video submissions from the global TLP community, capturing a distinct snapshot of human life and space enthusiasm in 2024-2025 when all was collected.

In addition to community files, the drive includes a curated collection of photos and videos documenting major cultural and historical events that TLP deemed essential to preserve beyond Earth’s orbit. Capping off the digital archive is an official “Letter to the Future” penned by Zachary Aubert, CEO of TLP.

On a personal level, it’s a bittersweet milestone. This was the last major initiative I shared with my grandfather, Bruce L Aubert, before he passed away last year. The fact that LunEx-1 will carry a piece of his spirit to the Moon is an honor I can’t fully put into words.”

— Zachary Aubert, TLP CEO

The First of Many Beyond Earth

The integration of LunEx-1 marks TLP’s first-ever official space mission, but the company is already looking far beyond Griffin-1’s late 2026 mission to the Moon.

TLP has revealed that early planning is already underway for LunEx-2, a follow-up lunar archive effort, as well as MarEx-1, a highly ambitious future concept aimed at sending a community time capsule to the surface of Mars.

For now, LunEx-1 sits safely inside the belly of Griffin-1 in Pittsburgh, waiting to head to California next week for environmental testing before its final trip on Earth to the launchpad at Cape Canaveral.

June 16, 2026 0 comments

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Astrobotic Unveils Griffin-1 Lunar Lander Ahead of Critical Environmental Testing

by Zac Aubert June 16, 2026

written by Zac Aubert

PITTSBURGH — Astrobotic today officially pulled back the curtain on its massive Griffin Mission One (Griffin-1) lunar lander at its Pittsburgh headquarters. Recently designated by NASA as Moon Base II, the spacecraft was showcased during an exclusive event attended by NASA representatives, government officials, and key space industry partners.

Griffin-1 is currently completing its final integration activities and is on track for a late 2026 launch on SpaceX Falcon Heavy from LC-39A at NASA Kennedy Space Center, Florida.

Developed under NASA’s Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) initiative, the lander is designed to serve as an infrastructure-class transport vehicle. It will deliver the largest commercial payload ever sent to the Moon, proving its capability to haul vital Moon Base cargo such as heavy rovers, scientific instruments, and solar power plants.

A Milestone for Commercial Space Flight

The unveiling took place inside Astrobotic’s state-of-the-art clean room within its spacecraft integration facility. Industry leaders from NASA, Voyager, Astrolab, and the Keystone Space Collaborative gathered to celebrate the milestone.

Matt Magaña, John Thornton, Carlos García-Galán, Kelly Randell, Justine Kasznica, Ryan Stephan, and Dr.Jimyse Brown gather for a photo op in front of Griffin-1 (Moon Base II).

“When Astrobotic was founded nearly two decades ago, the idea that a team in Pittsburgh could build and fly one of the world’s largest commercial lunar landers felt incredibly ambitious…Today, Griffin stands behind us as proof of what is possible… This spacecraft represents the transportation and logistics systems that will enable humanity’s long-term future beyond Earth.”

– John Thornton, CEO of Astrobotic

Several high-profile payloads have already been successfully integrated onto the lander, including:

BEACON: A CubeRover-based joint mission with Mission Control Space Services.
LandCam-X: An ESA (European Space Agency) payload built to drastically improve landing precision and safety.
FLIP Rover: Astrolab’s massive lunar rover, the mission’s largest payload, which will be integrated at the launch site in Florida to demonstrate autonomous surface logistics.
LunEx-1: A private payload by The Launch Pad; included in MoonBox

Next Stop: California for Environmental Testing

The journey to the Moon gets rigorous starting next week. Griffin-1 is scheduled to be transported to California to undergo an extensive environmental test campaign. Engineers will subject the fully integrated spacecraft to a battery of qualification and acceptance tests to ensure it can survive the extreme vibrations of launch, the vacuum of space, and harsh lunar environments.

Following its testing in California, Griffin-1 will make its final pre-launch journey to Cape Canaveral, Florida, later this year.

Once launched, the spacecraft will be operated entirely from Astrobotic’s Mission Control Center in Pittsburgh, guiding the heavy-lifter from transit all the way to its historic touchdown.

June 16, 2026 0 comments

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NASA Announces Artemis III Low Earth Orbit Test Flight Crew

by Zac Aubert June 10, 2026

written by Zac Aubert

HOUSTON — NASA has officially announced the four prime crew members and backup astronaut selected to fly the historic Artemis III mission.

Slated for mid-2027, the highly complex, two-week flight will serve as an Low Earth Orbit test of the Orion spacecraft and two commercial human landing systems, laying the critical groundwork for a return to the lunar surface.

During an event at the Johnson Space Center, agency officials revealed a crew consisting of seasoned spaceflight veterans and accomplished technical specialists.

Meet the Crew:

Commander Randy Bresnik (NASA)

A retired U.S. Marine colonel and veteran test pilot, Bresnik will be making his third trip into space. He previously flew aboard Space Shuttle Atlantis (STS-129) and later commanded Expedition 53 on the International Space Station (ISS). Since 2018, he has guided the development and testing of NASA’s deep space exploration systems.

Pilot Luca Parmitano (ESA)

Making history as the first European Space Agency (ESA) astronaut assigned to an Artemis mission, Parmitano is an elite Italian Air Force test pilot. He has completed two long-duration missions to the ISS, commanding Expedition 61.

Mission Specialist Frank Rubio (NASA)

A U.S. Army physician and aviator, Rubio returns to space after breaking the record for the longest single-duration spaceflight by an American astronaut, logging 371 consecutive days in orbit during his 2022–2023 mission.

Mission Specialist Andre Douglas (NASA)

Representing the new generation of explorers, Douglas will embark on his first spaceflight. A former U.S. Coast Guard officer with a doctorate in systems engineering, Douglas previously served as a backup and closeout crew member for Artemis II.

Backup Crew:

Bob Hines (NASA)

International Partnership and the New Golden Age

The selection of the crew underscores the deepening international collaboration at the heart of the Artemis program. For the first time, an ESA astronaut will take the pilot’s seat of an American deep space vehicle, powered by Europe’s critical hardware contribution.

“Luca’s assignment as pilot reflects the depth of European expertise in human spaceflight…At the same time, ESA’s European Service Module will once again provide the critical capabilities that power Orion, demonstrating Europe’s enduring role at the very heart of the Artemis program.” – Josef Aschbacher, ESA Director General

Artemis III will demonstrate the power of American innovation and international partnership as we test complex rendezvous and docking operations

“The Artemis III astronauts are ushering in a new Golden Age of exploration carrying forward the hopes and dreams of the next generation just as the Apollo astronauts did for so many of us.” – Jared Isaacman, NASA Administrator

The crew is scheduled to begin training immediately on Orion spacecraft operations.

June 10, 2026 0 comments

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