Significant shifts in global space policy, private sector breakthroughs, and the decommissioning of critical orbital assets mark today's space and astronomy news.

The U.S. government has unveiled a new space policy aimed at fostering a 'Golden Age of Space Transportation,' which seeks to dramatically increase the frequency of spacecraft launches and re-entries.

As part of the new U.S. space policy, officials have proposed the development of additional spaceports on federal land to support the projected growth in launch activities.

NASA has officially cancelled its rescue mission for the aging Swift Telescope, confirming that the observatory will soon burn up in the atmosphere due to unresolved technical issues with the intended robotic capture system.

Chinese private aerospace company LandSpace has successfully landed a reusable rocket for the first time, marking a significant milestone that could allow China to compete with SpaceX in low-cost orbital access.

Astronomers have identified the fastest-known star in the Milky Way, which is currently orbiting in extreme proximity to the supermassive black hole Sagittarius A*.

DarkSky International has announced the winning photographs from its 2026 'Capture the Dark' contest, showcasing global efforts to combat light pollution and preserve the night sky.