The Space Race - Weekly Roundup Mar 18th

Author

Juan Fernández
March 18, 2025

Hello, dear space fans! 🚀 

This week has been packed with discoveries and launches! Firefly wrapped up its historic lunar mission, SpaceX deployed 74 satellites in a mega-rideshare, and NASA launched two key missions to study the universe and the Sun.

Meanwhile, China opened its Mars sample return mission to international collaboration, and Saturn smashed its moon count record again!

So much to unpack, so let’s dive in!👇

🌕 Firefly’s Lunar Mission Ends with Stunning Finale

Firefly’s Blue Ghost lander wrapped up an incredible lunar mission, capturing historic firsts. It observed a total solar eclipse from the Moon, witnessing the “diamond ring” effect, a glowing red lunar surface, and even dust levitation at sunset—just like Apollo 17!

The lander drilled into the Moon’s surface, studied its deep interior, and tested power cycling through extreme temperatures. NASA’s instruments on board gathered crucial data for future missions, including how lunar landings affect the surface. Meanwhile, its cameras sent back breathtaking Earthrise images.

This was a major win for commercial space exploration—Firefly proved private companies can operate effectively on the Moon. The mission may be over, but its legacy will shape future lunar exploration.

🛰️ SpaceX’s Successful Mega-Rideshare Launch!

SpaceX’s Transporter-13 was more than just another rocket launch: it was a massive "Uber" for 74 satellites! From Earth observation and wildfire detection to deep-space gamma-ray tracking, this mission carried a very cool mix of projects. There’s Botswana’s first satellite, NASA’s EZIE studying auroras, and yet another reentry capsule for testing hypersonic flight (Varda's W3). Private firms sent high-resolution imaging satellites, AI-driven orbital sensors, and even memorial remains into space. I love missions like this one, which highlight the growing space economy, where companies and countries hitch rides to orbit without breaking the bank.

👨🏻‍🚀 Crew-10 Arrives at Space Station

SpaceX has done it again! Crew-10 just docked at the International Space Station after a 28-hour journey, bringing four astronauts from three nations. Their six-month mission begins now, taking over from Starliner’s crew. Another smooth ride for Crew Dragon

🔭 NASA’s New Space Missions Take Off

NASA just launched two incredible missions—SPHEREx and PUNCH—on a SpaceX Falcon 9. SPHEREx will map the entire sky in infrared, revealing clues about galaxy formation and water in space. PUNCH will study the Sun’s corona and solar wind, helping us understand space weather that can impact Earth.

These missions aren’t just about pretty pictures—they’re crucial. SPHEREx could unlock secrets of the universe’s origins, while PUNCH will track solar storms that affect satellites, astronauts, and even power grids.

🇯🇵 Japan’s New SAR Satellite in Orbit

Rocket Lab successfully launched a radar satellite for Japan’s iQPS, the first of eight planned missions. This satellite is part of a future 36-satellite constellation, aiming to provide near real-time, all-weather Earth imaging. SAR tech is crucial for disaster response, security, and environmental monitoring.

With six more launches planned this year, Rocket Lab is proving it can deliver high-frequency, reliable access to space—something smaller satellite operators desperately need. More launches mean more data, and more data means better insights for everything from deforestation tracking to urban planning.

🪐 Saturn Breaks Moon Record (again)

Saturn now has a mind-blowing 274 moons, thanks to 128 new discoveries! These tiny, irregular moons likely formed from past collisions, possibly the same event that created Saturn’s rings. Studying them could unlock secrets about planetary formation and cosmic smash-ups.

🇨🇳 China Opens Mars Sample Mission to the World

China is inviting global scientists to join its Tianwen-3 mission, set to return Mars samples by 2030. This could be a game-changer in the search for signs of past life. With NASA’s sample return mission facing delays, could China be the first to bring Martian soil to Earth?

🇪🇺 Isar Aerospace Prepares for First Launch

Germany’s Isar Aerospace is gearing up for its debut Spectrum rocket launch in late March from Norway. This marks an important step for European commercial spaceflight, offering a new option for small satellite launches. If successful, Spectrum could help strengthen Europe’s independent access to space.

🌟 Four Rocky Planets Found Around Barnard’s Star

Astronomers have confirmed four small rocky exoplanets orbiting Barnard’s Star, just six light-years away. These planets are among the least massive ever detected, but they’re far too hot for life. The discovery proves how next-gen instruments are revolutionizing exoplanet research—could more planets, even habitable ones, be hiding nearby?

📹 Our latest videos

Here are the latest videos we've published on our YouTube channel this week:

🚀 Upcoming Rocket Launches

Get ready for an exciting week as rockets take flight around the globe! 🚀

Today, Tuesday, March 18th:

  • Electron | High Five (Kinéis 21-25) – Rocket Lab Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1, New Zealand

  • Falcon 9 Block 5 | Starlink Group 12-25 – SpaceX Cape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA

Thursday, March 20th:

  • Falcon 9 Block 5 | NROL-57 – SpaceX Vandenberg SFB, CA, USA

  • Spectrum | Maiden Flight – Isar Aerospace Andøya Spaceport, Norway

Friday, March 21st:

  • Ceres-1 | Unknown Payload – Galactic Energy Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, China

Saturday, March 22nd:

  • Falcon 9 Block 5 | Starlink Group 11-7 – SpaceX Vandenberg SFB, CA, USA

Monday, March 24th:

  • Falcon 9 Block 5 | NROL-69 – SpaceX Cape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA

And that’s it for this week. Stay curious! 😊 

Juan and the team at The Space Race