Donald Trump is revoking federal fuel economy standards set by the Biden administration, easing fuel efficiency requirements for gasoline-powered cars. This decision lowers the required fuel efficiency to 34 miles per gallon by 2031 instead of 50 miles per gallon.
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent warned that the current shutdown is already causing the economy to shrink by almost half. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy noted that due to increasing absenteeism among unpaid air traffic controllers, the number of flights could significantly decrease.
US Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy announced the possible closure of the country's airspace due to deteriorating aviation safety as a result of the second government shutdown. More than 3.2 million passengers faced flight delays and cancellations, and the American tourism industry has already suffered losses of more than $4 billion.
Flights are massively delayed at US airports due to a shortage of air traffic controllers, who have been working without pay for the second month. In total, more than 4,000 flights have been delayed and more than 500 canceled.
SpaceX successfully launched its 11th Starship rocket from Texas, which landed in the Indian Ocean. This is the last flight before the test launch of a new version of the rocket, designed for missions to the Moon and Mars.
NASA's VIPER rover will search for volatile resources, such as ice, on the Moon's surface, collecting data for future exploration. Blue Origin will deliver VIPER to the Moon in late 2027 using its Blue Moon MK1 lander.
NASA's Perseverance rover has found rocks in a dry riverbed on the Red Planet that may contain signs of ancient microscopic life. The rover's instruments detected carbon-based compounds and surface stains, which are often associated with microbial life on Earth.
Sean Duffy, NASA's acting administrator, will announce accelerated plans to build a nuclear reactor on the Moon. This comes amid the agency's budget cuts and the US's desire to outpace China and Russia in space exploration.
After Elon Musk's departure from DOGE, Trump's ministers will have more power over the budget and personnel. Tension in the government has been growing due to Musk's powers and criticism of his decisions.
