Space and astronomy news highlights include discoveries of ancient galaxies, telescope project controversies, orbital drug manufacturing developments, and astrophysics research amid geopolitical tensions.

A gravitational lens has revealed a galaxy existing just 800 million years after the Big Bang, providing unprecedented insights into the early universe and the formation of the first galaxies.

The U.S. is pressuring Argentina and Chile to review Chinese telescope projects in the Andean deserts, with astronomers concerned about research setbacks amid growing U.S.-China rivalry over scientific dominance in the Southern Hemisphere.

Scientists are urging Congress to address the National Science Foundation board dismissal and slowing grant pace, warning that reduced research funding could put the United States at a disadvantage compared to China in crucial scientific advancement.

Blue Origin may require external funding to meet its ambitious launch targets, signaling challenges in the commercial space industry's ability to sustain rapid expansion independently.

Orbital drug manufacturing is emerging as a potential breakthrough sector, with developments suggesting that space-based pharmaceutical production could soon become commercially viable.

Theoretical cosmologist Chanda Prescod-Weinstein explores the intersection of physics and poetry in her latest pop-science book, examining cosmology through cultural and celestial perspectives.

Dark sky photographers competed in the 2026 Milky Way photographer of the year competition, traveling to remote landscapes worldwide to capture images of the galaxy in unprecedented clarity and detail.

Bird-flu, nuclear threats, and asteroid impacts are identified as potential catastrophic risks that could emerge in 2026, with H5N1 bird flu potentially causing a pandemic worse than COVID-19 if it jumps to human populations.