Posted: Sun, Nov 30 8:59 AM ET (1359 GMT)
The only launch pad capable of supporting Progress and Soyuz spacecraft launches to the International Space Station was damaged in the latest launch to the ISS Thursday. A Soyuz-2.1a rocket lifted off from Site 31/6 at Baikonur at 4:27 am EST (0927 GMT) and put the Soyuz MS-28 spacecraft into orbit. That spacecraft, carrying Roscosmos cosmonauts Sergey Kud-Sverchkov and Sergey Mikaev and NASA astronaut Chris Williams, docked with the ISS a little more than three hours later. While the launch itself took place without incident, the pad itself was damaged, with a service platform in the base falling into the flame trench below. Roscosmos acknowledged the pad was damaged but said it could be repaired quickly. Others, though, said repairing the service platform could take up to two years, and that there are no other launch pads in service now that could host Soyuz and Progress launches. NASA said it was aware of the incident but referred questions to Roscosmos.

Related Links:

•  SpaceNews article
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•  SpacePolicyOnline.com article
•  TASS article

Posted: Sun, Nov 30 8:50 AM ET (1350 GMT)
The European Space Agency secured more than 22 billion euros ($25.5 billion) for the next three years from its member states. ESA concluded its two-day ministerial conference Thursday in Bremen, Germany, with its 23 member states and several associated states agreeing to provide nearly 22.1 billion euros over three years, about 99% of the agency's proposal. The funding included support for European Resilience from Space, a program to develop imaging, navigation and communications systems for security applications. Countries also provided additional funding for the European Launcher Challenge, supporting European launch startups. However, funding for ESA human and robotic exploration programs fell short of goals.

Related Links:

•  SpaceNews article
•  AFP article
•  Reuters article
•  Politico article
•  ESA press release

Space Force selects companies to develop space-based interceptor prototypes
Posted: Sun, Nov 30 8:40 AM ET (1340 GMT)
The Space Force has selected several companies to work on space-based interceptor prototypes for Golden Dome. Space Systems Command said Tuesday issued multiple awards...

Next Starliner mission to carry only cargo
Posted: Sun, Nov 30 8:38 AM ET (1338 GMT)
The next Boeing Starliner mission to the International Space Station will carry cargo, not astronauts, under a modified NASA contract. NASA announced Monday that the...

China launches replacement Shenzhou spacecraft
Posted: Sun, Nov 30 8:34 AM ET (1334 GMT)
China sent a replacement Shenzhou spacecraft to the Tiangong space station. A Long March 2F rocket lifted off at 11:11 pm EST Monday (0411...