The Launchpad
Happy Friday space fans!

It's Friday and we have lots of stories for your daily read, starting with a new executive order signed by President Trump aimed at accelerating U.S. commercial space activity by slashing what are described as regulatory delays and expanding the nation's launch infrastructure. The order, "Enabling Competition in the Commercial Space Industry," directs multiple federal agencies to streamline launch licensing, fast-track spaceport construction and better support emerging in-space industries.

Other headlines for today include a new way of looking at dark matter, NASA's PUNCH mission reaching its orbital location and James Webb Space Telescope seeing 300 mysteriously bright objects. We have all that and more for your daily read. 

It's also Friday so as we head into the weekend we have your weekly staff recommendations of "what we're reading/playing/watching." You'll find those suggestions from our team at the bottom of your newsletter. 


Thanks for exploring with us. 
Keep looking up, 
Kenna 

Content Manager, Space.com 
Trump signs executive order to boost commercial space
Trump signs executive order to boost commercial space
"This reckless order puts people and wildlife at risk from private companies launching giant rockets that often explode and wreak devastation on surrounding areas,"
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What if we've been thinking about dark matter wrong
What if we've been thinking about dark matter wrong
"I think it's natural to take a break and wonder whether we are fundamentally thinking about this in the wrong way."
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Spaceflight
Blue Origin pitches 'Mars Telecommunications Orbiter'
Blue Origin pitches 'Mars Telecommunications Orbiter'
Blue Origin hopes the spacecraft will lift off in 2028.
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Space lawyer explains NASA's moon nuclear reactor
Space lawyer explains NASA's moon nuclear reactor
The new race is to build on the moon, and doing so hinges on power.
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Science & Astronomy
JWST uncovers 300 mysteriously luminous objects
JWST uncovers 300 mysteriously luminous objects
The discovery could challenge current ideas about how galaxies formed in the early universe.
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NASA's sun-studying mission 'PUNCH' settles into orbit
NASA's sun-studying mission 'PUNCH' settles into orbit
"The planet gets in the way from the point of view of any one spacecraft, so we had to spread them around the planet to look everywhere all at once."
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Technology
Space Force's deep space radar tracks satellites
Space Force's deep space radar tracks satellites
DARC is designed to track multiple small moving objects in geosynchronous orbit -- all around the globe, 24 hours a day.
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Search for Life
TRAPPIST-1d isn't Earth-like planet scientists wanted
TRAPPIST-1d isn't Earth-like planet scientists wanted
"At this point, we can rule out TRAPPIST-1d from a list of potential Earth twins or cousins."
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Today in Space
On this day: Aug. 15, 1977: 'Wow!' mystery signal
On this day: Aug. 15, 1977: 'Wow!' mystery signal
To this day this is one of the strongest pieces of evidence that we are not alone in the universe.
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Image of day: Milky Way & zodiacal light glow in Chile
Image of day: Milky Way & zodiacal light glow in Chile
The unique zodiacal light phenomenon made an x-shape in the night sky for stargazers.
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Editor's Note
What we're reading/playing/watching

It's Friday, which means it's time to kick back, recharge and dive into something stellar. Whether you're looking to unwind with a mind-bending sci-fi series or lose yourself in a video game, we've got you covered. Here's what the Space.com team is enjoying this weekend: our latest recs to inspire, entertain, and fuel your curiosity about the universe. 
 
 
Monisha Ravisetti, Astronomy Channel Editor: "The Alters is a game that I haven't sunk my teeth too deeply into yet, but the setting, concept and visuals are really stunning. It's like a time management/story game but also an exploration sci-fi adventure!"

Anthony Wood, Skywatching Writer: "I'm watching Alien: Earth (obviously) and reading Shogun by James Clavell. I've also started Yakuza 0 on Switch 2, so a healthy mix of Xenomorphs, samurai and organized crime." 

Vanessa Jewell, Social Media Manager: "I just finished 'The Maidens' by the same author who wrote the 'Silent Patient' and really like it!"