Reuters Science News Summary

The rover has now ⁠traveled 26.09 miles (41.99 km), just shy of the official marathon distance of 26.22 miles (42.2 km), ​and, according to Perseverance mission manager Robert Hogg, it will exceed that distance ⁠likely in the next month. SpaceX's upgraded Starship V3 ready for debut launch ahead of IPO SpaceX is poised ⁠this ​week to conduct the 12th uncrewed test flight of its next-generation Starship rocket, the first of a newly upgraded vehicle seen as critical to Elon Musk's ⁠efforts to satisfy investors and push deeper into space.

Following is a summary of current science news ​briefs.

Helsing and OHB join forces on ​space-based reconnaissance venture

Artificial intelligence defence ‌firm Helsing ​and German space company OHB said on Tuesday they had established a joint venture to develop a space-based ‌tactical surveillance, reconnaissance and targeting system, underscoring Europe's push to strengthen military capabilities in orbit. The move comes as European governments accelerate investment in space-enabled defence after Russia's invasion of Ukraine highlighted ‌the importance of real-time targeting and battlefield awareness.

NASA's Perseverance Rover is ready to ‌complete a Martian marathon

For NASA's Perseverance Rover, life on Mars has been a marathon, not a sprint. For more than five years, the six-wheeled robotic explorer has been steadily traversing the Martian surface seeking ⁠signs ​of ancient life, ⁠studying its geology and climate, and collecting rock samples for possible return to Earth. The rover has now ⁠traveled 26.09 miles (41.99 km), just shy of the official marathon distance of 26.22 miles (42.2 km), ​and, according to Perseverance mission manager Robert Hogg, it will exceed that distance ⁠likely in the next month.

SpaceX's upgraded Starship V3 ready for debut launch ahead of IPO

SpaceX is poised ⁠this ​week to conduct the 12th uncrewed test flight of its next-generation Starship rocket, the first of a newly upgraded vehicle seen as critical to Elon Musk's ⁠efforts to satisfy investors and push deeper into space. The debut flight of the Starship V3, ⁠outfitted with new ⁠features designed to support future missions to the moon and Mars, poses a key test for both the vehicle itself and ‌investor confidence ‌ahead of an initial public offering for SpaceX ​expected next month.