Gravity-mapping data from NASA’s Gravity Recovery and Interior Laboratory (Grail) orbiters and the computer simulation of millions of years of lunar cooling have given planetary scientists a better understanding of the variations in the Moon’s gravity that can throw lunar orbiters off course.

Lightweight rocket being prepared for inaugural launch next year

Control moment gyros have stabilized spacecraft for decades

CROWD SOURCING: Planetary Resources, which has been busy developing an initial prototype of its prospective space telescope, the Arkyd-100, is going public with a pitch for so-called crowd-sourcing of its project — i.e., public donations. The group has unveiled a $1 million fund-raising campaign to launch the telescope, set up a user interface system, “cover fulfillment costs for all of the products and services in the pledge levels,” and fund the “immersive” education program the company is promising.

Further hold-ups could result from short-sighted budget cuts

Human travel to Mars with current technology bears significant threat

LAUNCH SURVEY: The U.S. Air Force is surveying industry bidders on their near- and long-term plans to offer national security launch services, as well as what companies see as critical issues in providing this capability, recommendations for changes to Pentagon policy — especially in helping to lower launch costs — and how Defense Department acquisitions could help stabilize the industrial base. Comments are sought by June 21 for the ongoing strategic National Security Space Launch Assessment, according to a May 29 notice in the Federal Register.

With just more than 2 1/2 half years remaining for teams in the Google Lunar X-Prize (GLXP) contest to successfully land on the Moon and claim up to $30 million in prizes, organizers say a group of leading contenders is starting to emerge.