新华社莫斯科8月20日电（记者刘恺）俄罗斯科学院医学生物学课题研究所20日发布消息说，俄罗斯"联 盟-2.1b"运载火箭当晚从位于哈萨克斯坦境内的拜科努尔航天发射场升空，将俄"Bion-M"2号生物科学 实验卫星送入预定轨道。 据俄罗斯媒体报道，"Bion-M"2号生物卫星被送入距地表370至380公里、倾角较大的高纬度轨道，该轨 道的宇宙辐射水平比国际空间站所在轨道高出约三分之一，地磁环境也存在差异。此次飞行计划持续30 天，科学家希望借此研究该轨道的生物安全性，为相关载人太空飞行奠定基础。 "Bion"系列卫星是俄罗斯自主研发的用于生物研究的航天器。2013年，"Bion-M"系列的第一颗卫星成功 发射，将小鼠、蒙古沙鼠、壁虎、蜗牛和植物等送入太空。（完） 据介绍，该卫星载有75只小鼠和约1500只果蝇，以及细胞培养物、金盏花等植物、植物种子、真菌、地 衣、谷物、豆类和经济作物样本等。 ...

Core Points - Chinese scientists successfully detected a laser signal reflected from a 10-centimeter diameter retroreflector on the Moon, marking a significant achievement in space exploration [1][4] - This accomplishment makes China the fourth country to complete such measurements, following France, Germany, and the United States [4] - The new generation of lunar retroreflectors offers higher precision compared to previous models, despite being more challenging to observe due to their smaller size and weaker signals [6][8] Group 1 - The laser echoes were received from a set of retroreflectors installed on the lunar surface, which serve as reference points for measuring distances in space [3] - The measurement process involves sending laser pulses from ground observation stations to the retroreflectors and calculating the time taken for the pulses to return [3] - The difficulty of detecting such a small target from a distance of approximately 380,000 kilometers is likened to finding a grain of sand on an aircraft carrier's deck [8] Group 2 - The "Tianqin Project" aims to continuously collect data from the retroreflectors to accumulate high-precision Earth-Moon distance measurements [10] - This data will be used for research on gravitational forces, the evolution of the Earth-Moon system, and will lay the groundwork for future gravitational wave detection in space [10]

Core Points - The National Space Administration has distributed nine batches of lunar research samples totaling 125.42 grams, including 2.18 grams from the Chang'e 5 mission for seven institutions from six other countries [1] - Over 150 research results have been published by domestic and international scientists based on the lunar samples from the Chang'e 5 and Chang'e 6 missions [1] - The National Space Administration approved international borrowing applications for lunar samples from seven institutions in six countries, including France, Germany, Japan, Pakistan, the UK, and the USA [1]

Core Points - The Chinese lunar exploration program announced the issuance of the ninth batch of lunar research samples, with a total of 30,881.8 mg distributed to 25 research institutions [1] - The review meeting for the sample borrowing applications was held in July 2025, and the applications were approved by the National Space Administration [1] Group 1: Sample Distribution - A total of 67 applications were approved, corresponding to 32 responsible users [1] - The samples were sourced from various missions, including Chang'e 5 and Chang'e 6, with specific sample codes and quantities listed for each institution [2][3][4] - Notable allocations include 3,000 mg to Donghua University and 2,500 mg to Tongji University, among others [2][3][4] Group 2: Research Institutions - Institutions such as Macau University of Science and Technology, Chengdu University of Technology, and Harbin Institute of Technology received samples for their research [2][3][4] - The distribution includes a variety of sample types, with specific codes indicating their origin and intended research use [2][3][4]

Group 1 - NASA is expected to see approximately 20% of its workforce, around 3,870 employees, leave the agency, reducing the total number of employees to about 14,000 [1] - A letter titled "Voyager Declaration" from hundreds of current and former employees warns that the layoffs could jeopardize mission safety and execution efficiency [1] - The agency emphasizes that safety remains its top priority while striving for organizational efficiency and maintaining capabilities for key missions, including lunar and Mars exploration [1] Group 2 - The Trump administration has left the NASA leadership position vacant for over six months, with the temporary appointment of Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy following the withdrawal of Jared Isaacman’s nomination [2] - NASA has faced significant challenges due to budget cuts, leading to personnel reductions and an aging workforce, with 40% of scientists and engineers over the age of 55 [2] - The agency experiences a 6% annual employee turnover rate, primarily due to retirements, and faces competition from private space companies for skilled talent [2] Group 3 - The Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) is facing unprecedented budget constraints in 2024, leading to layoffs, hiring freezes, and spending cuts [3] - JPL had to conduct layoffs affecting about 8% of its workforce due to funding losses in the Mars Sample Return project, impacting 532 full-time employees and at least 100 contractors [3] - NASA has canceled the VIPER lunar rover mission, which had already incurred over $400 million in expenses, as part of its budgetary measures [3] Group 4 - NASA's largest expenditure area is deep space exploration, with a budget request of $7.618 billion for fiscal year 2025, focusing on lunar and Mars missions [4] - The Mars Sample Return mission faces risks of being halted due to severe budget overruns and delays, with estimated costs ranging from $8 billion to $11 billion [4] - An independent review group has indicated that the original Mars Sample Return plan is unfeasible and has urged NASA to keep the total cost below $5.3 billion to protect other scientific missions [4]

Core Points - NASA plans to lay off at least 2,145 senior employees, offering options for early retirement and buyouts [1] - The layoffs are part of a broader trend of personnel and budget cuts under the Trump administration, which will result in the cancellation of several scientific projects [1] Summary by Category Company Actions - NASA is implementing significant workforce reductions, specifically targeting senior-level staff with a plan to cut over 2,000 positions [1] - The agency is providing options for affected employees, including early retirement and buyout packages [1] Industry Impact - The layoffs and budget cuts at NASA are indicative of a larger trend affecting the aerospace and scientific research sectors, potentially leading to the cancellation of numerous scientific projects [1]

Core Points - NASA is facing a significant loss of talent due to budget cuts proposed by the Trump administration, with over 2,000 senior employees preparing to leave the agency [1] - Among those leaving, approximately 875 hold management or professional positions at the highest levels of government [1] - More than 1,800 employees involved in scientific and human spaceflight missions are among the majority of the 2,694 civil servants who have agreed to leave NASA [1]

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the significant funding cuts proposed for NASA, which threaten the agency's ability to explore extraterrestrial life and maintain its technological advancements in space science [1][2][3]. Funding Cuts and Implications - NASA is facing a nearly 25% budget cut in the proposed 2026 budget, which would reduce its funding to levels comparable to 1961, as described by the Planetary Society as a "catastrophic event" [1][3]. - The budget cuts will severely impact NASA's ability to fulfill its current responsibilities, including maintaining the International Space Station and monitoring potential Earth-threatening asteroids [2]. Impact on Scientific Missions - The Science Mission Directorate, responsible for significant projects like the Hubble and James Webb Space Telescopes, faces nearly a 50% budget reduction, jeopardizing future discoveries related to extraterrestrial life [3][4]. - The "Habitable Worlds Observatory," a major project aimed at searching for extraterrestrial life, has seen its budget slashed by 80%, from $17 million in 2024 to just $3 million in 2026 [3][4]. Loss of Core Technology and Expertise - If the budget cuts are enacted, one-third of NASA's high-tech workforce could lose their jobs, resulting in a significant loss of core technological expertise accumulated over decades [5]. - The potential loss of experienced personnel may hinder NASA's ability to launch and operate deep-space missions, affecting the agency's long-term capabilities in space exploration [5].

Group 1 - The core viewpoint of the article is that the Russian Academy of Sciences has announced new national projects in the field of space exploration, with funding to begin this year [1][4][6] - The projects aim to maintain Russia's position as one of the top three space powers globally, focusing on areas such as astronomy, planetary research, and biomedical projects [4][7] - Significant projects include the deployment of the world's first 10-meter cooled telescope for terahertz radiation observation and the launch of various space telescopes for studying cosmic phenomena [4][5][6] Group 2 - The Russian space program includes comprehensive missions to Venus, Mars, and the Moon, with specific goals such as searching for signs of life and analyzing lunar soil [5][6] - The funding for lunar exploration will begin this year, with estimates suggesting over 1 trillion rubles will be allocated in the next three years and approximately 4.5 trillion rubles by 2036 [6][7] - The new national projects are currently in the final approval stage by the government, with expectations for rapid implementation following presidential approval [7][8]

Core Insights - The Deep Space Exploration Laboratory, established through collaboration between the National Space Administration, Anhui Province, and the University of Science and Technology of China, has been operational for three years, focusing on innovative technologies for space exploration [1][2][3] Group 1: Laboratory Achievements - The laboratory has developed a lunar regolith in-situ 3D printing system, enabling the construction of lunar base components using local materials, which is crucial for the International Lunar Research Station [2] - Significant technological advancements have been made, including the Tian Duo 1 and 2 lunar communication test satellites, which are conducting multiple in-orbit technology trials [1][2] Group 2: Research and Collaboration - The laboratory is home to a team of high-profile scientists, including seven academicians and over fifty core personnel, focusing on key technological challenges and promoting innovation in space exploration [2][3] - It has established partnerships with 64 international research institutions, enhancing global collaboration in deep space exploration [2] Group 3: Operational Framework - The laboratory operates under a new governance model that grants it substantial autonomy, fostering a conducive environment for innovation through a unique funding management and talent incentive system [3] - It aims to contribute to China's goal of becoming a space power, showcasing rapid advancements and innovative capabilities in the field of deep space exploration [3]