NASA plans the X‑59 quiet‑supersonic plane’s first supersonic test for early June, targeting speeds up to 1,218 mph at 60,000 ft. The aircraft will climb to 43,000 ft, then 55,000 ft, before reaching Mach 1.6. NASA stresses that a chase plane will mask any quiet thump during this phase.

SpaceX’s Starship V3 completed its inaugural flight but suffered a Super Heavy booster mishap. The booster failed to ignite all engines during a boostback burn, ending in a hard splashdown in the Gulf of America. The FAA has grounded further launches pending a full investigation.

Blue Origin’s New Glenn rocket exploded on the Cape Canaveral pad after a hotfire test, prompting another FAA pause. The agency cleared the vehicle earlier this week, but the incident underscores launch‑pad safety challenges.

Meanwhile, the James Webb Space Telescope spotted a supermassive black hole that may have formed within the first second after the Big Bang, adding a new chapter to early‑universe research. NASA also outlined plans for up to three additional lunar missions before the end of 2026, signaling a steady push toward sustained lunar presence.