NASA and USGS Collaborate on Off-World Resource Exploration Technologies; US Restores Satellite Imagery Access for Ukraine

The International Space Station (ISS), weighing approximately 400 tonnes, was assembled in orbit, 400 km above Earth, through over 40 missions due to its size exceeding any single rocket's capacity. NASA and the USGS recently convened government, industry, and international partners to discuss technologies for detecting and developing resources on the Moon, planets, and asteroids. The workshop, attended by over 300 participants, focused on subsurface imaging sensors and cost-effective operational platforms to support the expanding space economy. Scientific studies will aid in identifying resources and answering fundamental science questions. This event was the third in the Planetary Subsurface Exploration for Science and Resources series.Meanwhile, the U.S. government has reinstated satellite imagery support for Ukraine, reversing a prior suspension. The National Geospatial Intelligence Agency (NGA) confirmed that Ukraine has regained access to the Global Enhanced GEOINT Delivery system (GEGD), a key intelligence-gathering tool since the 2022 Russian invasion. This system, developed by Maxar Intelligence, aggregates satellite imagery from commercial providers. Broader U.S. military aid and intelligence sharing with Ukraine have also resumed following diplomatic discussions.