Short Takes – 8-9-25

Industry supports NASA plans to accelerate work on lunar nuclear reactors. SpaceNews.com article. Pull quote: ““It really is a big challenge, especially when we’re looking at all of the workforce, all of the supply chains,” said Gilbert. He backed plans in the directive to select two companies for at least initial work on the reactors to promote competition and provide some backup should one falter.”

Rocket Lab on “green light” schedule to make first Neutron launch in 2025. SpaceNews.com article. Pull quote: “Also nearly complete is the Neutron launch pad, Launch Complex 3, at Wallops Island, Virginia. Rocket Lab will hold a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the facility on Aug. 28. “Launch Complex 3 is set to be a hugely important national asset,” he said, citing bottlenecks at other major launch sites. “It shows how important launch site diversity really is.””

How flossing a mouse’s teeth could lead to a new kind of vaccine. ScienceNews.org article. Pull quote: “If floss vaccines prove effective, it could provide a painless, needle-free way to vaccinate, Gill says. And if people are comfortable with flossing their teeth with a vaccine on their own, “it has the potential to be self-administrable.””

Trump Order Gives Political Appointees Review of Scientific Grants. MedPageToday.com article. Pull quote: “Until those actions are implemented, agencies cannot issue any new funding opportunity announcements "without prior approval from the senior appointee," according to the order. It also instructs the OMB director to make changes that would "require all discretionary grants to permit termination for convenience."”

CDC Buildings Hit by Gunfire. ‘MedPageToday.com article. Pull quote: “Both Emory University and Emory University Hospital, as well as the CDC, were placed on lockdown. The officer who was killed had been responding to the incident, according to reportsopens in a new tab or window. The shooter is dead, according to Atlanta Police, but it is not clear if that is the result of law enforcement fire or a self-inflicted gunshot.”

Phase 2 of the LunaRecycle Challenge. Federal Register NASA notice. Summary: “Phase 2 registration opens August 11, 2025, and will remain open until January 22, 2026 (4 p.m. Eastern). No further requests for registration will be accepted after this timeframe. Other important dates, including deadlines for key deliverables from the Teams, are listed on the Challenge website: https://lunarecycle.ua.edu/​.”

EO 14329: Addressing Threats to the United States by the Government of the Russian Federation. Federal Register.

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