Short Takes – 8-6-25

Blue Origin and five other companies study how orbital transfer vehicles can aid NASA. GeekWire.com article. Pull quote: ““With the increasing maturity of commercial space delivery capabilities, we’re asking companies to demonstrate how they can meet NASA’s need for multi-spacecraft and multi-orbit delivery to difficult-to-reach orbits beyond current launch service offerings,” Joe Dant, orbital transfer vehicle strategic initiative owner for the Launch Services Program at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, said in a news release. “This will increase unique science capability and lower the agency’s overall mission costs.””

Interlune will team up with Astrolab to send a camera to the moon for helium-3 survey. GeekWire.com article. Pull quote: “Interlune is betting that lunar helium-3, which is produced when charged particles from the sun hit moon dirt, will become a cheaper source — and a source of revenue for the startup. The multispectral camera that Interlune has developed in partnership with NASA’s Ames Research Center will be used to estimate helium-3 quantities and concentration around Griffin’s landing site, without having to bring samples back to Earth.”

Elon Musk and X notch court win against California deepfake law. Politico.com article. Pull quote: “The first law would have blocked online platforms from hosting deceptive, AI-generated content related to an election in the run-up to the vote. It came amid heightened concerns about the rapid advancement and accessibility of artificial intelligence, allowing everyday users to quickly create more realistic images and videos, and the potential political impacts.”

NASA selects shuttle orbiter to move to Houston. SpaceNews.com article. Pull quote: “The budget reconciliation bill states that at least $5 million of the $85 million for the vehicle transfer would be used for moving the vehicle. A July 24 report by the Congressional Research Service (CRS) stated that the cost to move Discovery would be $50-55 million, while an unnamed private company “with experience in moving large vehicles” offered an initial estimate of $8 million.”