Posted by
Cost Estimating NewsBrief: January 30, 2026
AI digital twins aim to protect astronaut mobility on deep space missions
(Space Daily) West Virginia University researchers are developing artificial intelligence tools to help astronauts maintain movement control and overall physical health during long missions in microgravity environments such as space stations, the Moon and future voyages to Mars. Their work centers on building personalized computer models that capture how each astronaut moves and how their muscles are activated, allowing mission planners and crew members to better predict and prevent the degradation that occurs when gravity is removed for extended periods. Read More
NASA has a new acting AI and data chief
(FedScoop) NASA has a new top official for artificial intelligence and data. Kevin Murphy began serving in an acting capacity in both roles Nov. 30, 2025, NASA spokesperson Jennifer Dooren confirmed to FedScoop in an email. He replaces David Salvagnini, who was the agency’s CDO for roughly two-and-a-half years, and CAIO for just over a year-and-a-half. Salvagnini was the agency’s first-ever CAIO. According to Murphy’s LinkedIn, he has been at NASA for over 17 years. He first served as a system architect at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center and has held a series of data-related roles, including chief science data officer. Read More
SDA must be ‘more realistic’ about real risks in pricey satellite Tracking Layer effort: GAO
(Breaking Defense) The Space Development Agency’s (SDA) program to develop a Tracking Layer constellation of missile warning/tracking satellites in low Earth orbit (LEO) is in danger of failing to meet both its own goals and the needs of operators, according to a new report by the Government Accountability Office (GAO). The report, “Missile Warning Satellites: Space Development Agency Should Be More Realistic and Transparent About Risks to Capability Delivery,” was released today, based on a review by the congressional watchdog office of SDA’s Tracking Layer activities between October 2023 and January 2026. Read More
Rocket Lab’s ‘Hungry Hippo’ Neutron fairing arrives at spaceport in Virginia
(Space.com) Rocket Lab’s new “Hungry Hippo” payload fairing has been safely delivered to the company’s integration facilities at the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport (MARS), in Virginia. The novel rocket topper will cap Rocket Lab’s Neutron launch vehicle, which is still currently under development. The company had previously been progressing toward a Q1 2026 debut of the new medium-lift rocket, but a failure in the rocket’s main stage during a recent pressure test has put Neutron on a more uncertain timeline. Read More
ICEAA’s NewsBrief is a collection of articles relevant to the cost estimating and analysis community that is delivered weekly to current ICEAA members. To advertise in NewsBrief, contact iceaa@iceaaonline.org.