NASA’s DART mission successfully slams into an asteroid

A NASA spacecraft has intentionally slammed into an asteroid in humanity’s first test of planetary defense. 

https://edition.cnn.com/2022/09/26/world/dart-mission-nasa-scn/index.html

First 'Guardian' in space: NASA astronaut on ISS enters Space Force

The U.S. Space Force has added its first astronaut to its ranks, newly named the "Guardians," during a ceremony held from Earth orbit.

Col. Michael Hopkins, who has served for 27 years in the Air Force, voluntarily transferred to the Space Force, the sixth and newest branch of the U.S. military, on Friday (Dec. 18), while continuing to serve as a NASA astronaut, flight engineer and SpaceX spacecraft commander on board the International Space Station.

https://www.space.com/nasa-astronaut-mike-hopkins-enters-space-force

UN committee adopts Russian draft resolution on no first placement of weapons in space https://tass.com/world/1531169 

Japan unfurls Ikaros solar sail in space Japanese scientists are celebrating...

Japan unfurls Ikaros solar sail in space

Japanese scientists are celebrating the successful deployment of their solar sail, Ikaros. 

Ikaros will demonstrate the principle of using sunlight as a simple and efficient means of propulsion.

The technique has long been touted as a way of moving spacecraft around the Solar System using no chemical fuels.

The mission team will be watching to see if Ikaros produces a measurable acceleration, and how well its systems are able to steer the craft through space. 

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science_and_environment/10293284.stm