Iran Using Chinese Satellite Imagery
to Target US Forces (Source: Wall Street Journal)
Iran's use of Chinese satellites has alarmed U.S. officials. In a
letter last week to Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, Rep. John
Moolenaar (R-MI), who chairs the House Select Committee on China,
raised concerns that satellites operated by Chinese companies are
providing Iran with imagery it has used to target U.S. and Israeli
forces during the ongoing conflict.
Moolenaar said it appeared one Chinese company, MizarVision, was using
imagery from other sources, including Airbus, to identify U.S. ships
and planes. Airbus denied images from its commercial satellites have
been used by MizarVision. (4/24)
FCC Narrows Spectrum Access for
Different Satellite Services (Source: Space News)
The FCC has dismissed efforts by satellite operators to acquire
additional Mobile Satellite Service (MSS) spectrum for direct-to-device
services. The regulator released a broad decision Thursday aimed at
preserving market certainty for companies already using MSS bands to
connect portable devices, from U.S.-based Globalstar and Iridium's "Big
LEO" spectrum to 2 gigahertz and L-band frequencies.
Several companies, including SpaceX, Kepler Communications and AST
SpaceMobile, sought access to that spectrum, but the FCC concluded
their proposed uses created "significant harmful interference
challenges to incumbent users." FCC Chairman Brendan Carr said the
broad order positions the U.S. to lead the way in deploying
direct-to-device services from space, enabling connectivity for
standard devices beyond the reach of terrestrial cell towers. (4/24)
SpaceX Wins $57 Million Contract for
Satellite Crosslinks Demo (Source: Space News)
SpaceX won a Space Force contract to demonstrate satellite crosslinks.
The $57 million contract announced this week will fund a demonstration
of satellite-to-satellite communications using Link-182, a
radio-frequency data link standard the Space Force has adopted for its
MILNET data relay network. MILNET is a planned constellation of
Starshield communications satellites in low Earth orbit built by
SpaceX.
The contract announcement frames the effort broadly as supporting "U.S.
warfighting capability" but Space Systems Command said last September
that Link-182 would be the required space-to-space communications
protocol for Golden Dome. (4/24)
Pentagon Seeks $2.3 Billion to Expand
Maven AI Platform (Source: Space News)
The Pentagon is asking Congress for $2.3 billion over the next five
years to expand its Maven Smart System AI platform. Maven Smart System,
developed by Palantir, traces its roots to Project Maven, launched in
2017 to accelerate the military's adoption of artificial intelligence.
Initially focused on analyzing drone and surveillance imagery, the
effort has expanded into a broader platform that ingests and processes
data from satellites, radar, and other sensors to identify objects and
potential threats in near real time. (4/24)
Jordan Joins Artemis Accords
(Source: Space News)
Jordan is the latest country to join the Artemis Accords. The country's
ambassador to the U.S. signed the Accords Thursday at NASA
Headquarters, making Jordan the 63rd country to sign overall and the
second this week, after Latvia on Monday. The signing comes as NASA
seeks to use the Accords, which outline best practices for safe and
sustainable space exploration, as a vehicle for coordinating
cooperation in Artemis. (4/24)
Astrobotic Tests Lunar Lander Engine
(Source: Space News)
Astrobotic has successfully tested an advanced rocket engine for use on
its lunar landers and suborbital vehicles. The company said Thursday it
completed a series of tests of Chakram, a rotating-detonation rocket
engine (RDRE), at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center.
The company tested two prototype engines for 470 seconds, including a
single 300-second burn, generating more than 4,000 pounds-force of
thrust. RDRE is a technology that promises higher performance than
traditional engines. Astrobotic says it envisions using the engine on
future versions of its Griffin lunar lander as well as reusable
suborbital vehicles it is developing. (4/24)
China Launches Experimental Satellites
on Long March 2D (Source: Xinhua)
China launched experimental satellites Friday to test direct-to-device
connectivity. A Long March 2D lifted off from the Xichang Satellite
Launch Center at 2:35 a.m. Eastern. The rocket placed into orbit an
unspecified number of test satellites that Chinese media said will test
broadband connectivity from the satellites directly to phones. (4/24)
Russia Launches Classified Payloads on
Angara (Source: Russian Space Web)
Russia launched classified payloads on an Angara rocket Thursday. The
Angara 1.2 rocket launched from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome at 4:29 a.m.
Eastern Thursday. The Russian Ministry of Defense said the launch
carried multiple payloads but did not disclose additional details about
it. (4/24)
NASA Announces Next ISS Crew
(Source: NASA)
NASA has announced its next crew for the International Space Station.
NASA said Thursday Jessica Watkins and Luke Delaney will serve as
commander and pilot, respectively, for the Crew-13 mission on a SpaceX
Crew Dragon. They will be joined by Canadian Space Agency astronaut
Joshua Kutryk and Roscosmos cosmonaut Sergey Teteryatnikov. The flight
will be the first trip to space for all but Watkins, who went to the
ISS on Crew-4 in 2022. Crew-13 is scheduled for launch no earlier than
mid-September. (4/24)
SpaceX Reassigns Droneship to
Transport Starships Between Texas and Florida (Source: Florida
Today)
A SpaceX droneship has made its final trip supporting the Falcon 9. The
company said this week that the ship Just Read the Instructions would
end support for Falcon 9 landings after Tuesday's launch of a GPS 3
satellite. SpaceX said that with the company using only Space Launch
Complex 40 for Falcon 9 launches, it needs only one droneship for
landings, the A Shortfall of Gravitas. Just Read the Instructions ,
which has been used for Falcon landings for a decade, will now support
Starship by transporting vehicles between Florida and SpaceX's Starbase
facility in Texas. (4/24)
Advances in Europe’s Space Logistics (Source:
ESA)
Europe’s in-space logistics roadmap for in-orbit cryogenic propellant
storage and refilling and On-board and shared intelligence completed
multiple phases. A growing role for dual‑use space transportation
applications, supporting both civil and defense needs, will rely on
coordination, interoperability and rapid industrial maturation that are
essential for Europe’s strategic autonomy and in today’s geopolitical
situation.
ESA’s In‑Space Proof‑of‑Concepts initiative continues to move fast,
exploring how development across rendezvous, refueling, intelligence
and space logistics is helping Europe lay the foundations for a future
in‑orbit transportation infrastructure and services. The Future Space
Transportation Spring Session of 2026 brought together a record number
of participants, a sign of the growing momentum in Europe around
reusable launch systems and in‑orbit transportation. (4/24)
Italian Astronaut Says Space is
Platform for Cooperation, Not Competition (Source: Korea Times)
The Embassy of Italy in Korea marked the sixth edition of Italian Space
Day, Wednesday, bringing together government officials, industry
leaders and academic experts from both countries’ space sectors.
Established in 2021, the annual event commemorates the 1964 launch of
the San Marco satellite — Italy’s first satellite, which made it the
world’s third nation to independently send a satellite into orbit — and
aims to promote greater awareness of space activities and Italy’s
contributions to the field. (4/24)
Space is Not 'Arena' of Major-Power
Rivalry, China Will Build Open 'Friend Circle' in Space (Source:
Global Times)
Space is not an "arena" of major-power rivalry, and China will continue
to work with all parties to build an open "friend circle" in space and
advance the common cause of the mankind's exploration of outer space,
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said at a regular
press conference on Friday.
Guo made the remarks in response to a question over how China will
expand more inclusive space cooperation and whether the country will
further open its space sector to international partners given that the
global space race has entered a "Competition 2.0 phase" characterized
by rule-making and alliance-building, as Friday marks the 11th Space
Day of China and the 70th anniversary of China's space programs. (4/24)
Blue Origin Opens Luxembourg Office
for European Coordination (Source: Luxembourg Times)
Blue Origin, the private space launch company owned by Amazon founder
Jeff Bezos, confirmed in June 2025 that it would open its European
supply chain coordination office - its first outside the USA - in
Luxembourg. The plan was to open before the end of the year. But then
everything went silent. In an unexpected twist, the opening of the
European HQ was eventually announced on 15 April 2026, not by the
company but by Luxembourg Economy Minister Lex Delles. (4/23)
New Glenn Setback Adds To Launcher Woes
(Source: Aviation Week)
The squeeze on space launch capacity that has for months been a
headache for military and commercial customers has just become even
more challenging. Blue Origin’s New Glenn rocket has joined the list of
launch vehicles that have encountered technical problems. (4/24)
SpaceX Is Widening Its Competitive
Moat Ahead of a Record IPO (Source: Bloomberg)
SpaceX is no stranger to the stratosphere, and neither is its coming
initial public offering. Investor interest in the IPO, expected this
summer, has been climbing toward a record $2 trillion valuation as more
details emerge about revenue opportunities such as direct-to-cell
service and data centers in space. The offering seems like a bet on
science fiction to generate enough sales from space to support such a
sky-high price tag. After all, this is a company that first launched a
rocket into orbit less than 20 years ago. (4/24)
Elon Musk’s Online Posts About White
Victimhood See an Alarming Rise (Source: Washington Post)
Elon Musk, the world’s richest person, is on the cusp of a
record-setting initial public offering that could soon make him a
trillionaire. But in recent months he’s been increasingly vocal about
something else: rallying White people to stand up for their race.
“Whites are a rapidly dying minority,” Musk wrote in January in a post
that has garnered more than 17 million views and 150,000 likes.
In a February post liked by more than 365,000 accounts, Musk declared
that “there has been unrelenting hate and poisonous propaganda in the
West against anyone White, straight or male over the past decade or
more,” adding, “No more guilt trips. ENOUGH.”
Some observers draw a connection between this rhetoric and the
intellectual milieu associated with the so-called PayPal Mafia—a
network that includes figures like Peter Thiel and David Sacks—noting
that several members have shown political positions over time that
suggest a formative influence from their upbringing and ties to
apartheid-era South Africa. (4/24)
Alabama Awards $500K to
Upgrade Decatur River Dock Used by United Launch Alliance (Source:
WAFF)
The Decatur-Morgan County Port Authority is receiving half a million
dollars from the state to improve a dock on the Tennessee River
primarily used by United Launch Alliance. This is part of a project at
the Mallard-Fox Creek Industrial Park roll-on/roll-off dock. The
improvements include a new tie-off point and an extended walkway to
dock the upcoming arrival of ULA’s second and newest rocket
transportation ship, called SpaceShip. It carries parts to launch sites
across the country. (4/23)
SpaceX’s IPO Will Help Elon Musk
Consolidate Power. Investors Welcome It (Source: Wall Street
Journal)
Tesla’s shareholders already give Elon Musk leeway, entertaining the
billionaire’s whims as he plows money into robots and blessing a $1
trillion pay package that will pay out if he hits long shot targets. He
is poised to have even more sway at his rocket-maker, SpaceX, which is
aiming to go public in June. (4/23)
GomSpace to Establish New Ukrainian
Joint Venture for Sovereign Comms (Source: Via Satellite)
GomSpace, the Danish satellite company, looks to play a key role in
developing sovereign satellite capabilities in Ukraine. It has signed a
deal with its Ukrainian partner Stetman which will see the two
companies establish the UASAT joint venture in Ukraine to jointly
develop the capacity to enable sovereign satellite communication
capabilities for Ukraine for dual‑use purposes. GomSpace announced the
deal, April 22.
The partners plan to launch UASAT’s first satellite in the fall of 2026
to provide operational feedback for subsequent steps in the UASAT
roadmap. The deal was signed at the EU‑Ukraine Business Summit in
Brussels, with representatives from the EU’s Directorate‑General for
Enlargement and the Eastern Neighborhood (DG ENEST), the European
Investment Bank (EIB), and the Ukrainian government in attendance.
(4/24)
Rocket Lab Introduces Next-Generation
Star Tracker Component (Source: Via Satellite)
Rocket Lab has introduced the next-generation of its star tracker
lineup, expanding the company’s component offerings. The new
High-Performance Star Tracker (ST-HP), is designed for longer duration
spacecraft missions. Rocket Lab has flown more than 185 star tracker
units overall; it’s heritage model ST-RT has more than 175 units on
orbit since 2013. It also offers the ST-HV model, designed for more
rapid production, which has more than 14 units on orbit. (4/24)
SDA’s Need for Speed Pushes Startups
for Results (Source: Via Satellite)
In March, the Space Development Agency’s Acting Director Gurpartap “GP”
Sandhoo said the agency was strategically pausing launches until May.
He described technology hurdles, supply chain challenges, and balancing
speed in the decision-making process. “Speed does not alleviate you
from the fact that you still have to do the diligence you need to do,”
Sandhoo said. “You still have to make sure the satellites are working,
and make sure you know you’ve done all the right things.” (4/24)
Astra Targets Golden Dome With Small
Rockets, Says CEO Chris Kemp (Source: Payload)
Skeet shooting only works with a target. The same is true of
interceptor tests. Astra is pitching its small rockets to the Pentagon
as a potential target for Golden Dome interceptor tests, CEO Chris Kemp
said. “We’re going to do target practice. We’re going to make the
clay-pigeon rocket,” Kemp said. “That’s great, because that will drive
scale for us…and allow us to bring our cost down for commercial
customers, and other government customers.” (4/24)
April 23, 2026
House Appropriators Omit Civilian
Federal Pay Raise From 2027 Spending Bill (Source: FNN)
The prospects of a civilian federal pay raise next year are continuing to diminish, after House appropriators made no mention of a pay increase in their 2027 spending legislation. The House Appropriations Committee’s financial services and general government (FSGG) bill for fiscal 2027, which advanced along party lines Wednesday evening, says nothing on funding for a civilian pay raise. Although not yet final, that increases the chances federal employees will miss out on a salary increase next year. (4/22)
Sidus Space Advances its Fortis Next-Generation Command and Data Handling (C&DH) System (Source: Sidus Space)
Sidus Space announced continued advancements to its Fortis Command and Data Handling (C&DH) platform, a modular 3U OpenVPX system designed to support rapid development, configuration flexibility, and long-term scalability across next-generation space and defense missions. (4/23)
DoD Completes $1 Billion Investment in L3Harris Missile Business (Source: Space News)
The Pentagon has completed a $1 billion investment in L3Harris Technologies' missile business. L3Harris said Thursday that the Defense Department had closed the deal, announced in January. The capital will be directed to L3Harris's Missile Solutions unit, a newly consolidated division focused on missile propulsion and related systems, to expand production there. The investment will turn into common equity if L3Harris proceeds with plans to spin off Mission Solutions as a standalone, publicly traded entity in the second half of this year. L3Harris said it will retain roughly 80% ownership of the business. (4/23)
Mason Nominated to Lead NRO (Source: Space News)
The White House has nominated an industry executive to be the next director of the National Reconnaissance Office. The president on Wednesday nominated Roger Mason, chief growth officer at V2X, a publicly traded firm based in Reston, Virginia, that provides logistics and technical services to the Pentagon and intelligence community. Mason previously held senior executive roles at Parsons Corporation and Peraton, both of which have deep ties to national security and intelligence programs. Mason, if confirmed, would succeed Chris Scolese, who has been director of the NRO since 2019. (4/23)
Rocket Lab Electron Launches Japanese Payloads From New Zealand (Source: Space News)
An Electron rocket launched a set of Japanese cubesats Wednesday night. The Electron lifted off from Rocket Lab's Launch Complex 1 in New Zealand at 11:09 p.m. Eastern, deploying eight cubesats sponsored by the Japanese space agency JAXA into sun-synchronous orbits. The cubesats, developed by Japanese companies and universities, are designed to test advanced technologies. The launch was the second of two ordered by JAXA last fall for launching tech demo smallsats prompted by problems with Japan's Epsilon small launcher. The launch came a little more than 24 hours after the suborbital version of Electron, HASTE, launched from Wallops Island, Virginia, on a classified mission. (4/23)
Atmos Space Cargo Raises ~$30 Million for Reentry Missions (Source: Space News)
Atmos Space Cargo raised about $30 million to fly a series of reentry missions. The German-French startup announced its Series A round Wednesday led by European funds Balnord and Expansion Ventures. The funding will go toward three flights of its Phoenix 2 spacecraft, which can carry 100 kilograms of payload for microgravity research and manufacturing, returning it to Earth with an inflatable heat shield. The first mission is planned for the second half of this year. Atmos plans to develop a larger spacecraft, Phoenix 3, with 10 times the payload capacity as Phoenix. 2. The company also announced Atmos Works, a dedicated business unit focused on European government and defense customers. (4/23)
Pakistani Astronauts Train for Mission to China's TSS (Source: Xinhua)
Two Pakistani astronauts will begin training for a flight to China's Tiangong space station. The China Manned Space Agency announced Wednesday that Muhammad Zeeshan Ali and Khurram Daud will come to China soon to begin training, with one of them to fly a short-duration mission to Tiangong. That person will be the first foreign astronaut to go to Tiangong. (4/23)
ESA and EDA Launch Joint Study to Strengthen Europe’s Earth Observation Capabilities (Source: ESA)
Signaling Europe and the European Space Agency’s increasing investment in defense, ESA and the European Defense Agency launch a joint study to identify strategic and technological gaps in Europe’s Earth observation capabilities. According to the agency, the 18-month study will identify critical capability gaps and define technology development priorities up to 2040 to ensure the continent is secure and prepared. (4/22)
Voyager Expands Global Footprint with South Korean Agreement (Source: Voyager)
Voyager Technologies signed an agreement with Yonsei University in South Korea. The strategic cooperation will advance the Voyager Institute for Space, Technology and Advancement (VISTA) science park ecosystem. Voyager and Yonsei University will develop research programs and applications for public and private sector use. This includes reserved research resources, tenant opportunities and cross-border collaboration within the VISTA ecosystem. (4/21)
Leidos, MapLarge Secure Space Force Software Contracts (Source: Space News)
The U.S. Space Force awarded contracts to data analytics firms Leidos and MapLarge to support what the military calls battle management and command and control. The awards this week are the first under a new program called Kronos that develops software tools used by military and intelligence units. The prototype awards are valued at about $1.4 million for Leidos and $500,000 for MapLarge, and will allow the companies to develop software that can process intelligence data and integrate it into operational workflows. (4/23)
SETI Institute Launches Lab to Study Human Dimensions of Finding Life Beyond Earth (Source: Space Daily)
The SETI Institute has announced the launch of the Discovery and Futures Lab, a new interdisciplinary initiative dedicated to understanding the global scientific, philosophical, and societal dimensions of discovering life beyond Earth. The lab's mission is to anticipate and explore humanity's responses to the discovery of life beyond Earth by connecting science with other kinds of research. It unites experts in astrobiology, SETI, social science, ethics, law, communication research, and futures studies to examine implications and guide preparedness. (4/23)
SpaceX and Tesla are on an Inevitable Collision Course (Source: Financial Times)
If rocketmaker SpaceX indeed goes public in June, Elon Musk could be conducting quarterly earnings calls for two companies. But how long until that reverts to one? On Wednesday afternoon, the world’s richest man hosted the first-quarter call for Tesla, his electric-vehicle maker. Sales of automobiles, which grew 16 percent year on year, were hardly discussed. Instead, the company is focused on energy storage, robotaxis and Optimus, its bi-pedal, autonomous humanoid robot.
If Tesla increasingly feels like a science project, all the more reason to think its natural home is under one roof with SpaceX, which last year merged with Musk’s social network and AI company xAI. SpaceX is set to list at what could be a near-$2tn valuation. The possibly sidelined electric-vehicle business still generates serious cash flow, even if sales have moderated from historic levels and factories are being retrofitted for robot production. (4/22)
Univity Funds VLEO 5G Demonstrators with $32 Million Raised (Source: Space News)
French startup Univity has raised around $32 million to deploy a pair of 5G demonstrators into very low Earth orbit next year, ahead of plans for at least 1,600 VLEO satellites to help telecom operators extend 5G coverage from space. (4/23)
Ohio is Built for Space (Source: Jobs Ohio)
Whether your space company needs robust education and training, strong R&D, or access to mission-critical partners like the NASA Glenn Research Center, the National Space Intelligence Center (NSIC), and the National Air and Space Intelligence Center (NASIC), Ohio has it all. Our military and federal presence make Ohio a proving ground for space missions, while our world-class workforce, shovel-ready sites, and business-friendly policies ensure you can grow bigger and succeed faster. It’s no wonder space businesses soar in Ohio. (4/22)
Lawmakers Promise to Reject Proposed NASA Cuts—Again (Source: Payload)
Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle said they were committed to boosting NASA’s FY2027 budget, during a hearing on Wednesday. The Trump administration proposed an $18.8B NASA budget—a $5.6B cut from the funding level approved by Congress for FY2026. The topline funding level—and the proposed cuts—largely mirror the administration’s budget request last year for the space agency, which was overwhelmingly rejected by Congress. It sounds like history may repeat itself—at least, if it’s up to bipartisan members of the House Science, Space and Technology Committee. (4/22)
Space Force Awards Contracts to Leidos, MapLarge for ‘Battle Planning’ Software (Source: Space News)
The U.S. Space Force awarded contracts to data analytics firms Leidos and MapLarge to support what the military calls battle management and command and control — the process of understanding what is happening in orbit, deciding what it means and directing a response. (4/22)
Mars or the Moon or AI Musk's Changing Goals for SpaceX (Source: New York Times)
For years, SpaceX’s mission was clear: get humans to Mars. “The most powerful thing we could do is establish a second, self-sustaining civilization outside of Earth,” Elon Musk, SpaceX’s chief executive, told Forbes in 2003, a year after founding the company. “And the only place that’s really feasible is Mars.”
But over the last six months, Mr. Musk has shifted SpaceX’s priorities. Though the tech mogul once forecast that humans would take off for Mars as early as 2024, he has de-emphasized reaching the planet. Instead, SpaceX on Tuesday said it had struck a deal with the artificial intelligence start-up Cursor that could result in its acquiring the young company for $60 billion. And Mr. Musk, 54, has proposed other moonshots that could drive more attention and investment to SpaceX as it prepares for one of the largest-ever initial public offerings.
Among his pronouncements are A.I. data centers that could orbit Earth, moon-based factories and an A.I. chip manufacturing plant. The changing goals have caused whiplash. “It’s a hallucinogenic business plan,” said Ross Gerber, the chief executive of Gerber Kawasaki, an investment firm that owns SpaceX shares. He added that Mr. Musk “has lost his mind” as he tries to drum up excitement for the public offering. (4/22)
Eutelsat Signs New Broadcast Deals in Mexico and Caribbean (Source: Via Satellite)
Eutelsat has announced three new broadcast deals this week in Mexico and the Caribbean. The satellite operator is to partner with Co-op Cable, introducing an expanded direct-to-home (DTH) and connectivity offering across the Caribbean using the Eutelsat 65 West A (E65WA) satellite. Co-op Cable aims to enhance its service portfolio to deliver bundled television and internet services, combining high-quality satellite TV distribution with advanced GEO-based connectivity. (4/22)
SpaceX Launches 24 Starlink Satellites From Vandenberg (Source: Spaceflight Now)
SpaceX launched its 40th Starlink mission of the year when its Falcon 9 rocket took off from Vandenberg Space Force Base Wednesday night. The Starlink 17-14 mission will add another 24 broadband internet satellites to the company’s low Earth orbit constellation, which consists of more than 10,200 spacecraft. (4/23)
The prospects of a civilian federal pay raise next year are continuing to diminish, after House appropriators made no mention of a pay increase in their 2027 spending legislation. The House Appropriations Committee’s financial services and general government (FSGG) bill for fiscal 2027, which advanced along party lines Wednesday evening, says nothing on funding for a civilian pay raise. Although not yet final, that increases the chances federal employees will miss out on a salary increase next year. (4/22)
Sidus Space Advances its Fortis Next-Generation Command and Data Handling (C&DH) System (Source: Sidus Space)
Sidus Space announced continued advancements to its Fortis Command and Data Handling (C&DH) platform, a modular 3U OpenVPX system designed to support rapid development, configuration flexibility, and long-term scalability across next-generation space and defense missions. (4/23)
DoD Completes $1 Billion Investment in L3Harris Missile Business (Source: Space News)
The Pentagon has completed a $1 billion investment in L3Harris Technologies' missile business. L3Harris said Thursday that the Defense Department had closed the deal, announced in January. The capital will be directed to L3Harris's Missile Solutions unit, a newly consolidated division focused on missile propulsion and related systems, to expand production there. The investment will turn into common equity if L3Harris proceeds with plans to spin off Mission Solutions as a standalone, publicly traded entity in the second half of this year. L3Harris said it will retain roughly 80% ownership of the business. (4/23)
Mason Nominated to Lead NRO (Source: Space News)
The White House has nominated an industry executive to be the next director of the National Reconnaissance Office. The president on Wednesday nominated Roger Mason, chief growth officer at V2X, a publicly traded firm based in Reston, Virginia, that provides logistics and technical services to the Pentagon and intelligence community. Mason previously held senior executive roles at Parsons Corporation and Peraton, both of which have deep ties to national security and intelligence programs. Mason, if confirmed, would succeed Chris Scolese, who has been director of the NRO since 2019. (4/23)
Rocket Lab Electron Launches Japanese Payloads From New Zealand (Source: Space News)
An Electron rocket launched a set of Japanese cubesats Wednesday night. The Electron lifted off from Rocket Lab's Launch Complex 1 in New Zealand at 11:09 p.m. Eastern, deploying eight cubesats sponsored by the Japanese space agency JAXA into sun-synchronous orbits. The cubesats, developed by Japanese companies and universities, are designed to test advanced technologies. The launch was the second of two ordered by JAXA last fall for launching tech demo smallsats prompted by problems with Japan's Epsilon small launcher. The launch came a little more than 24 hours after the suborbital version of Electron, HASTE, launched from Wallops Island, Virginia, on a classified mission. (4/23)
Atmos Space Cargo Raises ~$30 Million for Reentry Missions (Source: Space News)
Atmos Space Cargo raised about $30 million to fly a series of reentry missions. The German-French startup announced its Series A round Wednesday led by European funds Balnord and Expansion Ventures. The funding will go toward three flights of its Phoenix 2 spacecraft, which can carry 100 kilograms of payload for microgravity research and manufacturing, returning it to Earth with an inflatable heat shield. The first mission is planned for the second half of this year. Atmos plans to develop a larger spacecraft, Phoenix 3, with 10 times the payload capacity as Phoenix. 2. The company also announced Atmos Works, a dedicated business unit focused on European government and defense customers. (4/23)
Pakistani Astronauts Train for Mission to China's TSS (Source: Xinhua)
Two Pakistani astronauts will begin training for a flight to China's Tiangong space station. The China Manned Space Agency announced Wednesday that Muhammad Zeeshan Ali and Khurram Daud will come to China soon to begin training, with one of them to fly a short-duration mission to Tiangong. That person will be the first foreign astronaut to go to Tiangong. (4/23)
ESA and EDA Launch Joint Study to Strengthen Europe’s Earth Observation Capabilities (Source: ESA)
Signaling Europe and the European Space Agency’s increasing investment in defense, ESA and the European Defense Agency launch a joint study to identify strategic and technological gaps in Europe’s Earth observation capabilities. According to the agency, the 18-month study will identify critical capability gaps and define technology development priorities up to 2040 to ensure the continent is secure and prepared. (4/22)
Voyager Expands Global Footprint with South Korean Agreement (Source: Voyager)
Voyager Technologies signed an agreement with Yonsei University in South Korea. The strategic cooperation will advance the Voyager Institute for Space, Technology and Advancement (VISTA) science park ecosystem. Voyager and Yonsei University will develop research programs and applications for public and private sector use. This includes reserved research resources, tenant opportunities and cross-border collaboration within the VISTA ecosystem. (4/21)
Leidos, MapLarge Secure Space Force Software Contracts (Source: Space News)
The U.S. Space Force awarded contracts to data analytics firms Leidos and MapLarge to support what the military calls battle management and command and control. The awards this week are the first under a new program called Kronos that develops software tools used by military and intelligence units. The prototype awards are valued at about $1.4 million for Leidos and $500,000 for MapLarge, and will allow the companies to develop software that can process intelligence data and integrate it into operational workflows. (4/23)
SETI Institute Launches Lab to Study Human Dimensions of Finding Life Beyond Earth (Source: Space Daily)
The SETI Institute has announced the launch of the Discovery and Futures Lab, a new interdisciplinary initiative dedicated to understanding the global scientific, philosophical, and societal dimensions of discovering life beyond Earth. The lab's mission is to anticipate and explore humanity's responses to the discovery of life beyond Earth by connecting science with other kinds of research. It unites experts in astrobiology, SETI, social science, ethics, law, communication research, and futures studies to examine implications and guide preparedness. (4/23)
SpaceX and Tesla are on an Inevitable Collision Course (Source: Financial Times)
If rocketmaker SpaceX indeed goes public in June, Elon Musk could be conducting quarterly earnings calls for two companies. But how long until that reverts to one? On Wednesday afternoon, the world’s richest man hosted the first-quarter call for Tesla, his electric-vehicle maker. Sales of automobiles, which grew 16 percent year on year, were hardly discussed. Instead, the company is focused on energy storage, robotaxis and Optimus, its bi-pedal, autonomous humanoid robot.
If Tesla increasingly feels like a science project, all the more reason to think its natural home is under one roof with SpaceX, which last year merged with Musk’s social network and AI company xAI. SpaceX is set to list at what could be a near-$2tn valuation. The possibly sidelined electric-vehicle business still generates serious cash flow, even if sales have moderated from historic levels and factories are being retrofitted for robot production. (4/22)
Univity Funds VLEO 5G Demonstrators with $32 Million Raised (Source: Space News)
French startup Univity has raised around $32 million to deploy a pair of 5G demonstrators into very low Earth orbit next year, ahead of plans for at least 1,600 VLEO satellites to help telecom operators extend 5G coverage from space. (4/23)
Ohio is Built for Space (Source: Jobs Ohio)
Whether your space company needs robust education and training, strong R&D, or access to mission-critical partners like the NASA Glenn Research Center, the National Space Intelligence Center (NSIC), and the National Air and Space Intelligence Center (NASIC), Ohio has it all. Our military and federal presence make Ohio a proving ground for space missions, while our world-class workforce, shovel-ready sites, and business-friendly policies ensure you can grow bigger and succeed faster. It’s no wonder space businesses soar in Ohio. (4/22)
Lawmakers Promise to Reject Proposed NASA Cuts—Again (Source: Payload)
Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle said they were committed to boosting NASA’s FY2027 budget, during a hearing on Wednesday. The Trump administration proposed an $18.8B NASA budget—a $5.6B cut from the funding level approved by Congress for FY2026. The topline funding level—and the proposed cuts—largely mirror the administration’s budget request last year for the space agency, which was overwhelmingly rejected by Congress. It sounds like history may repeat itself—at least, if it’s up to bipartisan members of the House Science, Space and Technology Committee. (4/22)
Space Force Awards Contracts to Leidos, MapLarge for ‘Battle Planning’ Software (Source: Space News)
The U.S. Space Force awarded contracts to data analytics firms Leidos and MapLarge to support what the military calls battle management and command and control — the process of understanding what is happening in orbit, deciding what it means and directing a response. (4/22)
Mars or the Moon or AI Musk's Changing Goals for SpaceX (Source: New York Times)
For years, SpaceX’s mission was clear: get humans to Mars. “The most powerful thing we could do is establish a second, self-sustaining civilization outside of Earth,” Elon Musk, SpaceX’s chief executive, told Forbes in 2003, a year after founding the company. “And the only place that’s really feasible is Mars.”
But over the last six months, Mr. Musk has shifted SpaceX’s priorities. Though the tech mogul once forecast that humans would take off for Mars as early as 2024, he has de-emphasized reaching the planet. Instead, SpaceX on Tuesday said it had struck a deal with the artificial intelligence start-up Cursor that could result in its acquiring the young company for $60 billion. And Mr. Musk, 54, has proposed other moonshots that could drive more attention and investment to SpaceX as it prepares for one of the largest-ever initial public offerings.
Among his pronouncements are A.I. data centers that could orbit Earth, moon-based factories and an A.I. chip manufacturing plant. The changing goals have caused whiplash. “It’s a hallucinogenic business plan,” said Ross Gerber, the chief executive of Gerber Kawasaki, an investment firm that owns SpaceX shares. He added that Mr. Musk “has lost his mind” as he tries to drum up excitement for the public offering. (4/22)
Eutelsat Signs New Broadcast Deals in Mexico and Caribbean (Source: Via Satellite)
Eutelsat has announced three new broadcast deals this week in Mexico and the Caribbean. The satellite operator is to partner with Co-op Cable, introducing an expanded direct-to-home (DTH) and connectivity offering across the Caribbean using the Eutelsat 65 West A (E65WA) satellite. Co-op Cable aims to enhance its service portfolio to deliver bundled television and internet services, combining high-quality satellite TV distribution with advanced GEO-based connectivity. (4/22)
SpaceX Launches 24 Starlink Satellites From Vandenberg (Source: Spaceflight Now)
SpaceX launched its 40th Starlink mission of the year when its Falcon 9 rocket took off from Vandenberg Space Force Base Wednesday night. The Starlink 17-14 mission will add another 24 broadband internet satellites to the company’s low Earth orbit constellation, which consists of more than 10,200 spacecraft. (4/23)
April 22, 2026
Blue Origin Eyes BE-3U Thrust
Deficiency In New Glenn Launch Failure (Source: Aviation Week)
Blue Origin says initial data suggests one of two BE-3U upper-stage engines did not deliver sufficient thrust to dispatch the AST SpaceMobile BlueBird 7 satellite to its intended orbit. The power issue occurred on the GS2 upper stage’s second burn, Blue Origin CEO Dave Limp said April 20. The issue has temporarily sidelined New Glenn as the company assesses what caused the malfunction. (4/22)
NASA Sets Early September Launch Date for Roman Space Telescope (Source: Space News)
NASA’s Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope is now scheduled for launch in early September as agency officials hail its early completion despite ongoing budget uncertainty for its science programs. NASA announced at a media event at the Goddard Space Flight Center April 21 that the space telescope had completed final assembly and testing ahead of shipment to the Kennedy Space Center for launch preparations. (4/22)
Northrop Grumman Takes $71 Million Charge on Vulcan Booster Issue (Source: Space News)
Northrop Grumman took a $71 million charge in the first quarter because of an anomaly with one of its solid rocket boosters on a Vulcan launch. The company said in its first quarter earnings announcement Tuesday it took the charge for "the evaluation and implementation of corrective actions for a solid rocket motor anomaly" involving its GEM 63XL booster. That booster is used on the Vulcan rocket, and on a February launch one of the boosters suffered an issue that caused it to shed debris but did not prevent the vehicle from completing its mission. Vulcan remains grounded as an investigation into the anomaly continues. (4/22)
China Backs Orbital Data Center Startup with $8.4 Billion in Credit Lines (Source: Space News)
A Chinese startup has secured billions of dollars in credit lines to work on orbital data centers. Beijing Orbital Twilight Technology Co., Ltd., also known as Orbital Chenguang, announced the completion of a Pre-A1 funding round Monday. The company did not disclose the amount of money raised but said it has obtained strategic credit lines totaling 57.7 billion yuan ($8.4 billion) from 12 major financial institutions.
The startup appears to represent a commercial node within a broader state-backed effort to develop space-based data center infrastructure. Orbital Chenguang is incubated by the Beijing Astro-future Institute of Space Technology, which has proposed a constellation of orbital data center satellites in sun-synchronous orbits by 2035. (4/22)
Trump Nominates Raytheon Exec to Oversee Space Acquisition (Source: Space News)
President Donald Trump has nominated Erich Hernandez-Baquero, a Raytheon executive, as assistant secretary of the Air Force for space acquisition and integration. If confirmed, Hernandez-Baquero will oversee the US military's procurement and deployment of space systems. (4/21)
FCC Grants AST SpaceMobile Approval for Direct-to-Cell 248 Satellite Constellation (Source: Douglas Messier)
AST SpaceMobile announced that the FCC has granted its application to modify its authorization to launch and operate its SpaceMobile non-geostationary orbit (NGSO) satellite system in low Earth orbit (LEO). The authorization enables AST SpaceMobile to deploy and operate an NGSO constellation of up to 248 satellites to deliver Supplemental Coverage from Space (SCS) directly to unmodified mobile devices across the US. (4/22)
Trump Budget Would Halt TraCSS Work for Space Traffic Management (Source: Space News)
The Commerce Department's budget proposal would halt work on the TraCSS space traffic coordination system. The detailed budget, released Tuesday includes $11 million for the Office of Space Commerce, only a small amount of which would go toward TraCSS. The proposal states that the office will effectively put TraCSS on hold while it considers alternative approaches for running the system. That includes the potential for funding the system through user fees. (4/22)
DoD Provides Some Specifics on $1.5 Trillion FY-27 Budget Request (Source: Space News)
The Pentagon has outlined plans to seek nearly $1.5 trillion in fiscal year 2027, including a major increase in Space Force spending. The $1.45 trillion request for defense for fiscal year 2027 represents a $440.9 billion or a 44% increase from 2026. The U.S. Space Force would see its budget climb to $71.2 billion, more than double the roughly $32 billion enacted for 2026. The service plans to add about 2,800 personnel, while supporting 31 national security space launches and investing $2.2 billion to modernize U.S. launch ranges. Of the $71.2 billion proposed for the Space Force, over $12 billion would come through a budget reconciliation package separate from the standard appropriations process. (4/22)
Pentagon Fiscal ’27 Budget Aims to ‘Operationalize’ Golden Dome (Source: Aerospace America)
The $17.9 billion sought for Golden Dome in fiscal year 2027 would allow the Pentagon to “operationalize” the proposed missile defense shield, according to briefing materials released. This funding would also allow the Pentagon to hire 506 full-time, civilian employees “to support Golden Dome for America and accelerate homeland missile defense development,” according to budget documents released today by the U.S. Defense Department. (4/22)
Space Force Budget Includes $1.8 Billion To Modernize Launch at Vandenberg And Cape Canaveral (Source: Defense Daily)
Part of the Department of the Air Force's $13.6 billion operations and maintenance (O&M) budget in fiscal 2027 for facility improvements--a $7.2 billion increase from last year's appropriation--is to bolster support infrastructure to handle an expected increase in launches. The $13.6 billion includes $7.5 billion in discretionary funding and another $6.1 billion in a future reconciliation bill. (4/22)
Canadian Bill Aims to Spur Space Launches (Source: CBC)
A new bill is intended to encourage the development of Canadian space launches. The Canadian Space Launch Act, introduced Tuesday by Transport Minister Steven MacKinnon, is intended to foster domestic launches in the country. It would create a new regulatory framework for launches and reentries, as well as set financial responsibility and indemnification requirements. (4/22)
Astronauts Join to Promote US Civics and Score Politicians (Source: Wall Street Journal)
More than 100 former astronauts have established a nonpartisan group intended to promote civil responsibility. Astronauts For America, whose members include former NASA astronauts who identify as Democrats, Republicans and independents, says it will develop scorecards to assess politicians on adherence to the rule of law, promoting civil discourse and willingness to work on a bipartisan basis. In an open letter, the former astronauts warned of "a steady erosion of our founding values and principles that weakens our democratic systems" but did not single out any particular politician. (4/22)
Estonians at European Space Agency Help Turn Space Dreams Into Reality (Source: ERR)
A group of Estonians working at a European Space Agency research hub in the Netherlands are helping design, test and launch missions, bringing complex space systems to life. They are part of the team at the European Space Research and Technology Center (ESTEC), the agency's main research hub, where about 3,200 staff develop satellites and missions from concept to launch.
Estonia joined the ESA in 2015. The agency serves as Europe's multinational counterpart to NASA and other countries' national space agencies, with its ESTEC center, located just north of The Hague, focused on satellite design, development and testing. (4/20)
Ukraine’s Cyber Division Infiltrates Russian Military Satellite Comms “Gonets” in Multi-Year Breach (Source: United 24)
Ukrainian cyber specialists reportedly have breached “Gonets,” a Russian low-orbit satellite communications system marketed as Moscow’s answer to Starlink. Specialists have secured highly classified internal documents over a multi-year intelligence operation. The joint CYBINT (Cyber Intelligence) operation was conducted by the 256th Cyber Assault Division, the “Ukrainian Militant” analytical group, and the InformNapalm intelligence community. (4/21)
Musk and Insiders to Retain Voting Control of SpaceX After IPO, Filing Shows (Source: Reuters)
SpaceX plans to cement founder Elon Musk's control after its IPO, granting him and a small group of insiders super-voting shares that will outweigh other investors, according to excerpts of the company's IPO filing. The prospectus, which was confidentially filed this month, provides fresh details of the company’s financials and corporate governance. Upon completion of the offering, Musk will stay on as chief executive officer, chief technical officer, and will serve as chairman of SpaceX’s nine-member board of directors. (4/21)
Number of Launches Expected to Soar From Virginia Spaceport Soon (Source: WAVY)
Seeing a rocket pass by in the predawn sky can be exciting, but seeing one from the Eastern Shore is even better, with the opportunity to do so expected to increase significantly in the years ahead. Rocket Lab recently announced that there would be at least 20 launches from the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport in the years ahead — a big deal for Virginia’s Eastern Shore. Virginia Spaceport Authority CEO and executive director Ted Mercer said the spaceport is ready for the new rapid launch schedule. And they have been practicing how fast they can turn around a launch pad. (4/20)
Space Exploration Without Government (Source: Townhall)
Private spaceflight has a long tradition. And today it clearly dominates over state-led spaceflight. Of the 324 rocket launches worldwide last year, 165 were carried out by SpaceX. This means that a private company conducted more rocket launches than all the countries of the world combined. After SpaceX, in second place, comes the private company of the New Zealander Peter Beck, Rocket Lab. It carried out 21 successful rocket launches, almost three times as many as Europe. And of the roughly 15,000 active satellites in space, 10,000 alone are Starlink satellites.
If, in 100 years, people look back on the history of space exploration and spaceflight, the years from 1960 to 2010—when state-led spaceflight clearly dominated—may be seen as the exception. But for private spaceflight and projects such as asteroid mining or even the settlement of the Moon and Mars to have a future, one crucial condition must be met: it must be possible to acquire—or claim—land on celestial bodies as property. Under the Outer Space Treaty, this is prohibited for states, and it remains unclear whether this prohibition also applies to private individuals. But without private property, no economic system on Earth functions—why should socialism suddenly work in space? (4/21)
An Unhinged Journey Through NASA’s Manic Photo Publishing System (Source: Peta Pixel)
NASA’s historic Artemis II mission delivered many absolutely spectacular photos and inspired a new generation of people to love space exploration. It also provided a fresh opportunity to explore the often confusing, disjointed landscape that is NASA’s photo publishing system. NASA is a great organization full of exceptional people doing incredible work. However, as the Artemis II image onslaught showed, it’s not always as easy as it should be to actually see that important, often beautiful, work.
For example, when the Artemis II crew’s first photos from space were downstreamed to Earth, it was a mad rush to share them. One image ended up on NASA’s excellent Image of the Day page in Full HD resolution. Others wound up on a dedicated webpage, “Artemis II Journey to the Moon,” which is very hard to get to unless you stumble upon a link somewhere else. Then there is, of course, NASA Images, which can be accessed directly from the NASA website homepage through the top nav bar. Eventually, many images also end up on NASA’s Flickr page. (4/20)
Resilient Fungus Might Survive Mars and Space (Source: ASM)
Scientists have long known that fungi are resilient, but a new study suggests that some strains might survive every step of the long, brutal trip to Mars. In a paper published this week, researchers isolated fungal microbes from NASA cleanrooms—facilities used in the assembly, testing and launch of spacecraft—that had persisted after decontamination. When subjected to simulations of the harsh pressure, temperature and radiation conditions of space travel and Mars, asexual reproductive spores called conidia, of the fungus Aspergillus calidoustus, survived. (4/20)
Scientists Found a 'Bathtub Ring' on Mars. Could it be Evidence of an Ancient Red Planet Ocean? (Source: Space.com)
A huge geological structure on Mars resembling a bathtub ring may be evidence of an ocean that once covered a third of the Red Planet's surface, a new study finds. Decades of previous research have suggested that although Mars is now famously the "Red Planet," it once possessed liquid water on its surface. However, it remains uncertain whether that water was limited to lakes and streams, or if there was enough to form long-lasting oceans. Solving this mystery could shed light on whether ancient Mars once hosted life as we know it.
Past missions to Mars have discovered many geological features that resemble shorelines. However, the shorelines are found at varying elevations across the planet. If they were truly signs of a stable ocean, they would ideally all line up at the same elevation in much the same way sea levels are consistent on Earth. (4/20)
ISS National Lab’s Orbital Edge Turns Cambridge Into a Launchpad for Space Innovation (Source: CASIS)
On April 23 in Cambridge, Massachusetts, the ISS National Lab's Orbital Edge Accelerator hosts a networking event connecting founders, venture investors, and industry leaders building space-enabled companies. The event provides an inside look at the 2026 Orbital Edge Accelerator, which offers more than $500,000 per project in private capital, mentorship, and access to space-based testing aboard the ISS National Lab. (4/21)
Zeno Power Completes Final Design Review for Space Nuclear Battery to Power Lunar Missions (Source: Douglas Messier)
Zeno Power announced the successful completion of the Final Design Review (FDR) for its space nuclear battery being developed under NASA’s Harmonia Radioisotope Power System for Artemis Tipping Point program. The milestone confirms the system design meets all performance requirements, delivers 3.5 times the originally specified power output, and advances the program into build and fabrication phases. Zeno and partners will complete a terrestrial demonstration of the system in early 2027, advancing the technology toward flight qualification for lunar missions beginning in 2028. (4/21)
What Christina Koch Said About Leaving Earth Is Hitting People Hard (Source: Men's Journal)
NASA astronaut Christina Koch returned from the historic Artemis II lunar flyby mission with a wealth of new research for scientists to explore — and with a new perspective about life on Earth. One week since the crew’s return to Earth, Koch posted an emotional message on social media — acknowledging the beauty of the simple things in life.
“This moment,” Koch wrote on Instagram. “People often ask if I was scared. My answer is I was aware of the risks. When I left my home for the last time on March 27, I looked around and thought about how much I loved my humble little life. Unexpectedly, a part of me started to miss it terribly for the small chance in the future that could come to be. I know a morning cup of coffee on the porch with your best friend is a simple and universally small thing. But it is also everything.” (4/19)
Blue Origin’s Failure May Hamstring NASA’s Moon Plans (Source: New York Times)
A rocket built by Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin space company appeared to launch perfectly on Sunday, its booster even landing successfully on a barge in the Atlantic Ocean. A few hours later, however, it became clear that all had not gone well. The massive New Glenn rocket had failed in its primary task: putting a commercial satellite into the proper orbit. This is a setback not only for Blue Origin, but also possibly NASA. Although the space agency played no role in Sunday’s mission, it is counting on Blue Origin to support the Artemis moon program. (4/21)
NASA’s New Superalloy (Source: Aerospace America)
The heat inside the combustion chamber of a rocket or turbine engine can create a hellscape for metal components, with temperatures often exceeding 1,000 degrees Celsius. To ensure the injectors, nozzles, preburners, shrouds and turbine blades can withstand the heat, engine designers and builders have long relied on two kinds of superalloy metal mixtures — but neither amounts to a perfect solution. Nickel-based mixtures are relatively cheap but weaken at temperatures over 1,000 C, degrees, whereas superalloys of refractory metals like niobium remain strong above 1,000 C but are up to 100 times more expensive, plus they’re corrosion-prone.
NASA might soon be able to offer a better alternative: GRX-810, a nickel-based superalloy in formulation over the last several years that combines the best attributes of today’s alloys. Early tests indicate the material retains its strength above 1,000 C while also remaining resistant to corrosion. The current phase of testing seeks to address the cost portion of the equation. Since October, researchers have been evaluating a new manufacturing method that, if successful, could expand the use of GRX-810. (3/30)
Mirroring Mango Salad: How ISS Culture Shaped Artemis 2 (Source: Space Review)
During the Artemis 2 missions, the astronauts in Orion made a call to their counterparts on the International Space Station. Deana Weibel explains how the experience of the ISS means the Artemis astronauts are very different from those of the Apollo era. Click here. (4/21)
Big Little Rocket: The N1 Moon Rocket and the Cognitive Dissonance of Spy Satellite Photography (Source: Space Review)
For years, most of the information about the Soviet Union’s N1 rocket came from satellite images. Dwayne Day discusses how new images of the N1 are emerging to provide new insights about the Moon rocket. Click here. (4/21)
Commercial Space Station Developers Make Their Business Case to NASA (Source: Space Review)
Last month, NASA proposed major changes to its program supporting the development of commercial space stations, arguing markets for them have not emerged. Jeff Foust reports from a conference last week where several space station developers made their case there are markets. Click here. (4/21)
When the Orbital Layer is the Kill Chain (Source: Space Review)
Experts have debated the role that artificial intelligence has played in the ongoing conflict with Iran. Bharath Gopalaswamy argues that the debate ignores the enabling role of space capabilities, which bring with them new challenges and vulnerabilities. Click here. (4/21)
SpaceX is Working with Cursor and Has an Option to Buy the Startup for $60 Billion (Source: Tech Crunch)
SpaceX said it has struck a deal with Cursor to develop a next generation “coding and knowledge work AI,” which includes a surprising provision—an option to buy the popular software development platform for $60 billion later this year. Partnering with and potentially purchasing a leader in the hottest AI product category can only be seen in the context of SpaceX’s much-anticipated public offering. Investors seeking more value in the IPO might see its engagement with Cursor as another way to extract value from Elon Musk’s increasingly sprawling tech conglomerate. (4/21)
UK Space Command: Allies Should Assume the US Role in Space Control Will Diminish (Source: Space Intel Report)
The chief of UK Space Command said US allies need to ratchet up their investment in space control on the assumption that US will be reducing its effort. “For many years we have benefited from assured space control, but delivered by the United States,” Maj. Gen. Paul Tedman said. “And of course there is no infinite capacity in the United States to do that, so we need to do better burden-share on that.” (4/21)
NASA's Curiosity Rover Finds Building Blocks of Life on Mars. Scientists Aren't Sure How They Got There (Source: Space.com)
NASA's Curiosity Mars rover has found a diverse mix of organic molecules on Mars, including chemicals widely considered building blocks for the origin of life on Earth. The finding marks the first time a new kind of chemical experiment has been performed on another planet. (4/21)
Spain’s Pangea Propulsion Secures €2 Million From the Catalan Government (Source: European Spaceflight)
The Catalan government has agreed to provide Pangea Propulsion with €2 million in financing to expand its manufacturing and testing capacity. Founded in 2018 as Pangea Aerospace, Pangea Propulsion initially developed a small launch vehicle called Meso, a project it abandoned in 2023 to focus on offering propulsion solutions. In 2025, the company closed a €23 million Series A funding round and secured a €7.27 million grant from the Spanish government’s Ministry of Science, Innovation, and Universities. (4/21)
China Unveils a Massive 5-Meter Composite Module for its Next-Generation Reusable Rocket (Source: Universe Today)
So far, America has remained ahead in the new space race. But its biggest rival is making continual steps to catch up. China announced another step in that direction with the unveiling of its first ever reusable five-meter-wide composite propulsion module, announced in a press release on April 11th.
The module was designed by the China Aerospace and Technology Corporation (CASC), the primary state contractor for the Chinese space program. Specifically, it was developed at the China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology (CALT), which is also known as the First Academy of the CASC. It marks the largest integrated composite structure ever manufactured domestically for China’s aerospace sector. The first prototype was completed in just seven months, from initial design to delivery, underscoring the rapid development timeline. (4/21)
KACST and ispace Sign Strategic Partnership to Collaborate on the Development of Lunar Exploration Technologies in Saudi Arabia, Riyad (Source: Spacewatch Africa)
Japan's ispace announced the signing of a strategic partnership with the King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST), in its capacity as the national laboratory and innovation park in Saudi Arabia, to expand cooperation in the development of lunar exploration technologies and build national capabilities in this field, in line with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030. (4/20)
ESA Contracts Kepler-Led Consortium for the Third Phase of the HydRON Laser Communications Project (Source: Spacewatch Global)
ESA has awarded Kepler €18.6 million to lead the next phase of HydRON, its high-throughput laser communications network for satellite constellations. (4/21)
Blue Origin says initial data suggests one of two BE-3U upper-stage engines did not deliver sufficient thrust to dispatch the AST SpaceMobile BlueBird 7 satellite to its intended orbit. The power issue occurred on the GS2 upper stage’s second burn, Blue Origin CEO Dave Limp said April 20. The issue has temporarily sidelined New Glenn as the company assesses what caused the malfunction. (4/22)
NASA Sets Early September Launch Date for Roman Space Telescope (Source: Space News)
NASA’s Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope is now scheduled for launch in early September as agency officials hail its early completion despite ongoing budget uncertainty for its science programs. NASA announced at a media event at the Goddard Space Flight Center April 21 that the space telescope had completed final assembly and testing ahead of shipment to the Kennedy Space Center for launch preparations. (4/22)
Northrop Grumman Takes $71 Million Charge on Vulcan Booster Issue (Source: Space News)
Northrop Grumman took a $71 million charge in the first quarter because of an anomaly with one of its solid rocket boosters on a Vulcan launch. The company said in its first quarter earnings announcement Tuesday it took the charge for "the evaluation and implementation of corrective actions for a solid rocket motor anomaly" involving its GEM 63XL booster. That booster is used on the Vulcan rocket, and on a February launch one of the boosters suffered an issue that caused it to shed debris but did not prevent the vehicle from completing its mission. Vulcan remains grounded as an investigation into the anomaly continues. (4/22)
China Backs Orbital Data Center Startup with $8.4 Billion in Credit Lines (Source: Space News)
A Chinese startup has secured billions of dollars in credit lines to work on orbital data centers. Beijing Orbital Twilight Technology Co., Ltd., also known as Orbital Chenguang, announced the completion of a Pre-A1 funding round Monday. The company did not disclose the amount of money raised but said it has obtained strategic credit lines totaling 57.7 billion yuan ($8.4 billion) from 12 major financial institutions.
The startup appears to represent a commercial node within a broader state-backed effort to develop space-based data center infrastructure. Orbital Chenguang is incubated by the Beijing Astro-future Institute of Space Technology, which has proposed a constellation of orbital data center satellites in sun-synchronous orbits by 2035. (4/22)
Trump Nominates Raytheon Exec to Oversee Space Acquisition (Source: Space News)
President Donald Trump has nominated Erich Hernandez-Baquero, a Raytheon executive, as assistant secretary of the Air Force for space acquisition and integration. If confirmed, Hernandez-Baquero will oversee the US military's procurement and deployment of space systems. (4/21)
FCC Grants AST SpaceMobile Approval for Direct-to-Cell 248 Satellite Constellation (Source: Douglas Messier)
AST SpaceMobile announced that the FCC has granted its application to modify its authorization to launch and operate its SpaceMobile non-geostationary orbit (NGSO) satellite system in low Earth orbit (LEO). The authorization enables AST SpaceMobile to deploy and operate an NGSO constellation of up to 248 satellites to deliver Supplemental Coverage from Space (SCS) directly to unmodified mobile devices across the US. (4/22)
Trump Budget Would Halt TraCSS Work for Space Traffic Management (Source: Space News)
The Commerce Department's budget proposal would halt work on the TraCSS space traffic coordination system. The detailed budget, released Tuesday includes $11 million for the Office of Space Commerce, only a small amount of which would go toward TraCSS. The proposal states that the office will effectively put TraCSS on hold while it considers alternative approaches for running the system. That includes the potential for funding the system through user fees. (4/22)
DoD Provides Some Specifics on $1.5 Trillion FY-27 Budget Request (Source: Space News)
The Pentagon has outlined plans to seek nearly $1.5 trillion in fiscal year 2027, including a major increase in Space Force spending. The $1.45 trillion request for defense for fiscal year 2027 represents a $440.9 billion or a 44% increase from 2026. The U.S. Space Force would see its budget climb to $71.2 billion, more than double the roughly $32 billion enacted for 2026. The service plans to add about 2,800 personnel, while supporting 31 national security space launches and investing $2.2 billion to modernize U.S. launch ranges. Of the $71.2 billion proposed for the Space Force, over $12 billion would come through a budget reconciliation package separate from the standard appropriations process. (4/22)
Pentagon Fiscal ’27 Budget Aims to ‘Operationalize’ Golden Dome (Source: Aerospace America)
The $17.9 billion sought for Golden Dome in fiscal year 2027 would allow the Pentagon to “operationalize” the proposed missile defense shield, according to briefing materials released. This funding would also allow the Pentagon to hire 506 full-time, civilian employees “to support Golden Dome for America and accelerate homeland missile defense development,” according to budget documents released today by the U.S. Defense Department. (4/22)
Space Force Budget Includes $1.8 Billion To Modernize Launch at Vandenberg And Cape Canaveral (Source: Defense Daily)
Part of the Department of the Air Force's $13.6 billion operations and maintenance (O&M) budget in fiscal 2027 for facility improvements--a $7.2 billion increase from last year's appropriation--is to bolster support infrastructure to handle an expected increase in launches. The $13.6 billion includes $7.5 billion in discretionary funding and another $6.1 billion in a future reconciliation bill. (4/22)
Canadian Bill Aims to Spur Space Launches (Source: CBC)
A new bill is intended to encourage the development of Canadian space launches. The Canadian Space Launch Act, introduced Tuesday by Transport Minister Steven MacKinnon, is intended to foster domestic launches in the country. It would create a new regulatory framework for launches and reentries, as well as set financial responsibility and indemnification requirements. (4/22)
Astronauts Join to Promote US Civics and Score Politicians (Source: Wall Street Journal)
More than 100 former astronauts have established a nonpartisan group intended to promote civil responsibility. Astronauts For America, whose members include former NASA astronauts who identify as Democrats, Republicans and independents, says it will develop scorecards to assess politicians on adherence to the rule of law, promoting civil discourse and willingness to work on a bipartisan basis. In an open letter, the former astronauts warned of "a steady erosion of our founding values and principles that weakens our democratic systems" but did not single out any particular politician. (4/22)
Estonians at European Space Agency Help Turn Space Dreams Into Reality (Source: ERR)
A group of Estonians working at a European Space Agency research hub in the Netherlands are helping design, test and launch missions, bringing complex space systems to life. They are part of the team at the European Space Research and Technology Center (ESTEC), the agency's main research hub, where about 3,200 staff develop satellites and missions from concept to launch.
Estonia joined the ESA in 2015. The agency serves as Europe's multinational counterpart to NASA and other countries' national space agencies, with its ESTEC center, located just north of The Hague, focused on satellite design, development and testing. (4/20)
Ukraine’s Cyber Division Infiltrates Russian Military Satellite Comms “Gonets” in Multi-Year Breach (Source: United 24)
Ukrainian cyber specialists reportedly have breached “Gonets,” a Russian low-orbit satellite communications system marketed as Moscow’s answer to Starlink. Specialists have secured highly classified internal documents over a multi-year intelligence operation. The joint CYBINT (Cyber Intelligence) operation was conducted by the 256th Cyber Assault Division, the “Ukrainian Militant” analytical group, and the InformNapalm intelligence community. (4/21)
Musk and Insiders to Retain Voting Control of SpaceX After IPO, Filing Shows (Source: Reuters)
SpaceX plans to cement founder Elon Musk's control after its IPO, granting him and a small group of insiders super-voting shares that will outweigh other investors, according to excerpts of the company's IPO filing. The prospectus, which was confidentially filed this month, provides fresh details of the company’s financials and corporate governance. Upon completion of the offering, Musk will stay on as chief executive officer, chief technical officer, and will serve as chairman of SpaceX’s nine-member board of directors. (4/21)
Number of Launches Expected to Soar From Virginia Spaceport Soon (Source: WAVY)
Seeing a rocket pass by in the predawn sky can be exciting, but seeing one from the Eastern Shore is even better, with the opportunity to do so expected to increase significantly in the years ahead. Rocket Lab recently announced that there would be at least 20 launches from the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport in the years ahead — a big deal for Virginia’s Eastern Shore. Virginia Spaceport Authority CEO and executive director Ted Mercer said the spaceport is ready for the new rapid launch schedule. And they have been practicing how fast they can turn around a launch pad. (4/20)
Space Exploration Without Government (Source: Townhall)
Private spaceflight has a long tradition. And today it clearly dominates over state-led spaceflight. Of the 324 rocket launches worldwide last year, 165 were carried out by SpaceX. This means that a private company conducted more rocket launches than all the countries of the world combined. After SpaceX, in second place, comes the private company of the New Zealander Peter Beck, Rocket Lab. It carried out 21 successful rocket launches, almost three times as many as Europe. And of the roughly 15,000 active satellites in space, 10,000 alone are Starlink satellites.
If, in 100 years, people look back on the history of space exploration and spaceflight, the years from 1960 to 2010—when state-led spaceflight clearly dominated—may be seen as the exception. But for private spaceflight and projects such as asteroid mining or even the settlement of the Moon and Mars to have a future, one crucial condition must be met: it must be possible to acquire—or claim—land on celestial bodies as property. Under the Outer Space Treaty, this is prohibited for states, and it remains unclear whether this prohibition also applies to private individuals. But without private property, no economic system on Earth functions—why should socialism suddenly work in space? (4/21)
An Unhinged Journey Through NASA’s Manic Photo Publishing System (Source: Peta Pixel)
NASA’s historic Artemis II mission delivered many absolutely spectacular photos and inspired a new generation of people to love space exploration. It also provided a fresh opportunity to explore the often confusing, disjointed landscape that is NASA’s photo publishing system. NASA is a great organization full of exceptional people doing incredible work. However, as the Artemis II image onslaught showed, it’s not always as easy as it should be to actually see that important, often beautiful, work.
For example, when the Artemis II crew’s first photos from space were downstreamed to Earth, it was a mad rush to share them. One image ended up on NASA’s excellent Image of the Day page in Full HD resolution. Others wound up on a dedicated webpage, “Artemis II Journey to the Moon,” which is very hard to get to unless you stumble upon a link somewhere else. Then there is, of course, NASA Images, which can be accessed directly from the NASA website homepage through the top nav bar. Eventually, many images also end up on NASA’s Flickr page. (4/20)
Resilient Fungus Might Survive Mars and Space (Source: ASM)
Scientists have long known that fungi are resilient, but a new study suggests that some strains might survive every step of the long, brutal trip to Mars. In a paper published this week, researchers isolated fungal microbes from NASA cleanrooms—facilities used in the assembly, testing and launch of spacecraft—that had persisted after decontamination. When subjected to simulations of the harsh pressure, temperature and radiation conditions of space travel and Mars, asexual reproductive spores called conidia, of the fungus Aspergillus calidoustus, survived. (4/20)
Scientists Found a 'Bathtub Ring' on Mars. Could it be Evidence of an Ancient Red Planet Ocean? (Source: Space.com)
A huge geological structure on Mars resembling a bathtub ring may be evidence of an ocean that once covered a third of the Red Planet's surface, a new study finds. Decades of previous research have suggested that although Mars is now famously the "Red Planet," it once possessed liquid water on its surface. However, it remains uncertain whether that water was limited to lakes and streams, or if there was enough to form long-lasting oceans. Solving this mystery could shed light on whether ancient Mars once hosted life as we know it.
Past missions to Mars have discovered many geological features that resemble shorelines. However, the shorelines are found at varying elevations across the planet. If they were truly signs of a stable ocean, they would ideally all line up at the same elevation in much the same way sea levels are consistent on Earth. (4/20)
ISS National Lab’s Orbital Edge Turns Cambridge Into a Launchpad for Space Innovation (Source: CASIS)
On April 23 in Cambridge, Massachusetts, the ISS National Lab's Orbital Edge Accelerator hosts a networking event connecting founders, venture investors, and industry leaders building space-enabled companies. The event provides an inside look at the 2026 Orbital Edge Accelerator, which offers more than $500,000 per project in private capital, mentorship, and access to space-based testing aboard the ISS National Lab. (4/21)
Zeno Power Completes Final Design Review for Space Nuclear Battery to Power Lunar Missions (Source: Douglas Messier)
Zeno Power announced the successful completion of the Final Design Review (FDR) for its space nuclear battery being developed under NASA’s Harmonia Radioisotope Power System for Artemis Tipping Point program. The milestone confirms the system design meets all performance requirements, delivers 3.5 times the originally specified power output, and advances the program into build and fabrication phases. Zeno and partners will complete a terrestrial demonstration of the system in early 2027, advancing the technology toward flight qualification for lunar missions beginning in 2028. (4/21)
What Christina Koch Said About Leaving Earth Is Hitting People Hard (Source: Men's Journal)
NASA astronaut Christina Koch returned from the historic Artemis II lunar flyby mission with a wealth of new research for scientists to explore — and with a new perspective about life on Earth. One week since the crew’s return to Earth, Koch posted an emotional message on social media — acknowledging the beauty of the simple things in life.
“This moment,” Koch wrote on Instagram. “People often ask if I was scared. My answer is I was aware of the risks. When I left my home for the last time on March 27, I looked around and thought about how much I loved my humble little life. Unexpectedly, a part of me started to miss it terribly for the small chance in the future that could come to be. I know a morning cup of coffee on the porch with your best friend is a simple and universally small thing. But it is also everything.” (4/19)
Blue Origin’s Failure May Hamstring NASA’s Moon Plans (Source: New York Times)
A rocket built by Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin space company appeared to launch perfectly on Sunday, its booster even landing successfully on a barge in the Atlantic Ocean. A few hours later, however, it became clear that all had not gone well. The massive New Glenn rocket had failed in its primary task: putting a commercial satellite into the proper orbit. This is a setback not only for Blue Origin, but also possibly NASA. Although the space agency played no role in Sunday’s mission, it is counting on Blue Origin to support the Artemis moon program. (4/21)
NASA’s New Superalloy (Source: Aerospace America)
The heat inside the combustion chamber of a rocket or turbine engine can create a hellscape for metal components, with temperatures often exceeding 1,000 degrees Celsius. To ensure the injectors, nozzles, preburners, shrouds and turbine blades can withstand the heat, engine designers and builders have long relied on two kinds of superalloy metal mixtures — but neither amounts to a perfect solution. Nickel-based mixtures are relatively cheap but weaken at temperatures over 1,000 C, degrees, whereas superalloys of refractory metals like niobium remain strong above 1,000 C but are up to 100 times more expensive, plus they’re corrosion-prone.
NASA might soon be able to offer a better alternative: GRX-810, a nickel-based superalloy in formulation over the last several years that combines the best attributes of today’s alloys. Early tests indicate the material retains its strength above 1,000 C while also remaining resistant to corrosion. The current phase of testing seeks to address the cost portion of the equation. Since October, researchers have been evaluating a new manufacturing method that, if successful, could expand the use of GRX-810. (3/30)
Mirroring Mango Salad: How ISS Culture Shaped Artemis 2 (Source: Space Review)
During the Artemis 2 missions, the astronauts in Orion made a call to their counterparts on the International Space Station. Deana Weibel explains how the experience of the ISS means the Artemis astronauts are very different from those of the Apollo era. Click here. (4/21)
Big Little Rocket: The N1 Moon Rocket and the Cognitive Dissonance of Spy Satellite Photography (Source: Space Review)
For years, most of the information about the Soviet Union’s N1 rocket came from satellite images. Dwayne Day discusses how new images of the N1 are emerging to provide new insights about the Moon rocket. Click here. (4/21)
Commercial Space Station Developers Make Their Business Case to NASA (Source: Space Review)
Last month, NASA proposed major changes to its program supporting the development of commercial space stations, arguing markets for them have not emerged. Jeff Foust reports from a conference last week where several space station developers made their case there are markets. Click here. (4/21)
When the Orbital Layer is the Kill Chain (Source: Space Review)
Experts have debated the role that artificial intelligence has played in the ongoing conflict with Iran. Bharath Gopalaswamy argues that the debate ignores the enabling role of space capabilities, which bring with them new challenges and vulnerabilities. Click here. (4/21)
SpaceX is Working with Cursor and Has an Option to Buy the Startup for $60 Billion (Source: Tech Crunch)
SpaceX said it has struck a deal with Cursor to develop a next generation “coding and knowledge work AI,” which includes a surprising provision—an option to buy the popular software development platform for $60 billion later this year. Partnering with and potentially purchasing a leader in the hottest AI product category can only be seen in the context of SpaceX’s much-anticipated public offering. Investors seeking more value in the IPO might see its engagement with Cursor as another way to extract value from Elon Musk’s increasingly sprawling tech conglomerate. (4/21)
UK Space Command: Allies Should Assume the US Role in Space Control Will Diminish (Source: Space Intel Report)
The chief of UK Space Command said US allies need to ratchet up their investment in space control on the assumption that US will be reducing its effort. “For many years we have benefited from assured space control, but delivered by the United States,” Maj. Gen. Paul Tedman said. “And of course there is no infinite capacity in the United States to do that, so we need to do better burden-share on that.” (4/21)
NASA's Curiosity Rover Finds Building Blocks of Life on Mars. Scientists Aren't Sure How They Got There (Source: Space.com)
NASA's Curiosity Mars rover has found a diverse mix of organic molecules on Mars, including chemicals widely considered building blocks for the origin of life on Earth. The finding marks the first time a new kind of chemical experiment has been performed on another planet. (4/21)
Spain’s Pangea Propulsion Secures €2 Million From the Catalan Government (Source: European Spaceflight)
The Catalan government has agreed to provide Pangea Propulsion with €2 million in financing to expand its manufacturing and testing capacity. Founded in 2018 as Pangea Aerospace, Pangea Propulsion initially developed a small launch vehicle called Meso, a project it abandoned in 2023 to focus on offering propulsion solutions. In 2025, the company closed a €23 million Series A funding round and secured a €7.27 million grant from the Spanish government’s Ministry of Science, Innovation, and Universities. (4/21)
China Unveils a Massive 5-Meter Composite Module for its Next-Generation Reusable Rocket (Source: Universe Today)
So far, America has remained ahead in the new space race. But its biggest rival is making continual steps to catch up. China announced another step in that direction with the unveiling of its first ever reusable five-meter-wide composite propulsion module, announced in a press release on April 11th.
The module was designed by the China Aerospace and Technology Corporation (CASC), the primary state contractor for the Chinese space program. Specifically, it was developed at the China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology (CALT), which is also known as the First Academy of the CASC. It marks the largest integrated composite structure ever manufactured domestically for China’s aerospace sector. The first prototype was completed in just seven months, from initial design to delivery, underscoring the rapid development timeline. (4/21)
KACST and ispace Sign Strategic Partnership to Collaborate on the Development of Lunar Exploration Technologies in Saudi Arabia, Riyad (Source: Spacewatch Africa)
Japan's ispace announced the signing of a strategic partnership with the King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST), in its capacity as the national laboratory and innovation park in Saudi Arabia, to expand cooperation in the development of lunar exploration technologies and build national capabilities in this field, in line with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030. (4/20)
ESA Contracts Kepler-Led Consortium for the Third Phase of the HydRON Laser Communications Project (Source: Spacewatch Global)
ESA has awarded Kepler €18.6 million to lead the next phase of HydRON, its high-throughput laser communications network for satellite constellations. (4/21)
April 21, 2026
Artemis Spacesuit Development Risks
Further Delays (Source: Space News)
Spacesuits needed for Artemis lunar missions may not be ready in time, NASA's inspector general warned Monday. The report by the agency's Office of Inspector General noted that work on the Artemis lunar spacesuit by Axiom Space was already more than a year behind schedule.
If the suit's development follows average timelines for recent spaceflight programs, the report concluded the suit may not be ready until 2031, three years later than the current schedule for the first crewed Artemis lunar landing. The conclusion contrasts with claims by Axiom and NASA that spacesuit development is going well, with an in-space test planned in 2027. Administrator Jared Isaacman said he was confident the suit would be ready for the Artemis 4 lunar landing mission in 2028. (4/21)
FAA Grounds New Glenn After Upper Stage Mishap (Source: BBC)
Blue Origin's newest rocket has been grounded after the FAA ordered an investigation into a "mishap" involving the failed launch of a satellite. Blue Origin's chief executive Dave Limp said the failure was caused by a lack of "sufficient thrust" in an engine. The FAA is requiring Blue Origin to conduct a mishap investigation. The FAA will oversee the Blue Origin-led investigation, be involved in every step of the process and approve Blue Origin's final report, including any corrective actions. (4/21)
SpaceX Launches Final GPS III Satellite for the U.S. Space Force (Source: Spaceflight Now)
The U.S. Space Force launched its final Global Positioning System (GPS) III satellite into medium Earth orbit in the predawn hours of Tuesday aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. Liftoff was from LC-40 at the Cape Canaveral Spaceport. (4/21)
DoD Ends Troubled RTX GPS Program (Source: Space News)
The Pentagon has officially ended a program to develop a next-generation GPS ground system after extensive overruns. The Defense Department said Monday it has formally terminated the Next Generation Operational Control System, or OCX, ending a 15-year effort to modernize the ground system for GPS. OCX was intended to replace the current GPS ground system, known as the Architecture Evolution Plan, as well as the separate system used for launch, anomaly response and satellite disposal.
Officials concluded the system could not deliver the required capabilities on a timeline or at a level of risk acceptable to support the modernization of the GPS constellation. The program, led by RTX, was awarded in 2010 and had accumulated costs of about $6.27 billion as of January 2026, including government testing and program support expenses. The Space Force recently awarded Lockheed Martin a $105 million contract to continue upgrading the existing Architecture Evolution Plan system as an alternative to OCX. (4/21)
Canada's NordSpace to Develop VLEO Satellite for Canada's Military (Source: Space News)
Canadian startup NordSpace has won funding from the Canadian military to study a very low Earth orbit (VLEO) satellite. The company announced a one-year contract Tuesday worth around $183,000 from Canada's Department of National Defence to advance conceptual technologies toward hardware tests. The company said the study will advance technologies that are critical for a proposed VLEO constellation called Kestrel that it aims to begin deploying from 2028 to provide low-latency, 10-centimeter spatial resolution imaging. (4/21)
Japan's H3 Could Fly Again in Summer After December Failure (Source: Kyodo)
Japan's H3 rocket could return to flight in June. The Japanese space agency JAXA is considering a launch of the rocket in June with a test payload designed to collect data on the vehicle. The H3 has been grounded since a launch failure in December linked to structural flaws in the rocket's payload adapter. (4/21)
Russian Cargo Craft Departs ISS (Source: NASA)
A Progress cargo spacecraft undocked from the ISS on Monday. The Progress MS-32 spacecraft, called Progress 93 by NASA, undocked from the station's Zvezda module for a planned destructive reentry. The spacecraft arrived at the station in September with about three tons of cargo. A new Progress mission, Progress MS-34, is scheduled to launch to the station this weekend. (4/21)
China Ramps Up Satellite Manufacture (Source: Space News)
China is ramping up its ability to mass-manufacture satellites to support constellations. Chinese space industry outlet Hello Space has identified at least 55 satellite factories in China, with 36 already in operation. According to the analysis, this provides a total production capacity of 4,050 satellites per year from the already operational facilities, with a projected additional capacity of 3,310 satellites from the future factories.
This is in part to help meet the requirements of the Guowang and Qianfan megaconstellations, which are planned to comprise a total of 28,000 satellites, as well as future proposed systems. However, the number of satellites actually reaching orbit is far lower than that capacity, thanks to launch constraints and the still-maturing commercial viability of large satellite constellations. (4/20)
Russia Launches Military Payload on Soyuz Rocket (Source: Russian Space Web)
A Soyuz rocket launched a Russian military payload. The Soyuz-2.1b rocket lifted off from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome Thursday at 7:17 p.m. Eastern carrying a classified mission for the Russian Ministry of Defense. By Saturday, the U.S. Space Force had tracked 10 objects from the launch in two sets of inclinations, suggesting a plane-change maneuver by the rocket's Volga upper stage during the flight. (4/20)
China Extends Astronaut Stay on TSS (Source: Space News)
Chinese astronauts currently on the Tiangong space station will spend an extra month there. The three astronauts, who arrived at the station in late October on the Shenzhou-21 spacecraft for a six-month stay, will now return by late May. That is linked to a switch in spacecraft for their return: Shenzhou-21 was used by the astronauts who arrived on Shenzhou-20 after that spacecraft suffered damage from a micrometeoroid or orbital debris impact. China launched the uncrewed Shenzhou-22 spacecraft in late November that will be used by the current crew. (4/20)
NASA Switches Off Voyager 1 Instrument as Power Levels Decline (Source: NASA)
NASA has turned off an instrument on Voyager 1 as that spacecraft's power levels decline. NASA announced Friday it turned off the Low-energy Charged Particles (LECP) experiment to conserve power after an unexpected dip in power readings on the spacecraft in late February during a routine maneuver. The version of LECP on Voyager 2 was turned off last year. The two Voyager spacecraft use radioisotope thermoelectric generators to produce power, and those power levels are dropping as the plutonium in them decays. (4/20)
NASA Switches Off Swift Instrument as Orbit Decays (Source: NASA)
NASA announced Friday it turned off the Burst Alert Telescope instrument on its Swift gamma-ray observatory spacecraft to conserve power as that spacecraft's low Earth orbit decays. NASA is modifying operations of the spacecraft to reduce drag, buying time for the launch of a reboost mission being developed by Katalyst Space slated for as soon as June. (4/20)
Artemis III Moon Rocket Rolls Out of Factory Onto Barge (Source: Boeing)
Boeing rolled the top four-fifths of the Artemis III core stage from New Orleans and loaded it for barge shipment to Kennedy Space Center. It will travel without the engine section so engines can be installed at Kennedy, which speeds up production. (4/20)
Moon Base Essentials Include Transportation, Surface Power (Source: Aerospace America)
Reliable transportation, persistent communication relays and surface power are among the technologies and capabilities needed for NASA’s planned moon base to succeed, an industry panel told attendees at Space Symposium. The first phase, which spans through 2028, calls for conducting nearly monthly launches of robotic spacecraft to the lunar surface to begin testing early versions of the instrumentation and equipment required for “permanent habitation,” said Carlos Garcia-Galan, NASA’s moon base program manager, in on-stage remarks before the panel. (4/20)
This Giant Telescope Could Discover Habitable Exoplanets and Secrets of Our Universe — If it Gets its Funding (Source: Space.com)
The Giant Magellan Telescope project is gearing up for a crucial 12–24 months, with their final design phase underway as the team behind the project seek further funding to make the dream of the 25.4-meter (83 feet) multi-mirror telescope a reality. (4/20)
ESA Taps Kepler to Lead Next Stage of HydRON Optical Program (Source: Via Satellite)
The European Space Agency has selected Toronto-based Kepler Communications as prime contractor for HydRON Element 3, the third part of a sovereign optical communications constellation. HydRON, short for High-throughput Optical Network, is a sovereign European data transport layer. Kepler was tapped to lead the first stage of the program in October 2024 with a $39 million contract to demonstrate a ten-satellite data transport system in LEO. (4/17)
What’s This Fast-Moving Wave of Darkness Creeping Across Mars? (Source: Scientific American)
Volcanic ash is creeping across the surface of Mars with startling speed. A side-by-side comparison with views of the same patch recorded by NASA’s Viking orbiters in 1976 reveals a striking spread of that dark coloration. Visible changes to the Martian surface are more often marked by millions of years, not by dozens of them. This wouldn’t be the first time observers have witnessed strange waves of darkness spreading on Mars. (4/17)
Space Force Sets Up ‘Cislunar Coordination’ Office to Focus Beyond Earth Orbit (Source: Space News)
The U.S. Space Force is setting up a dedicated acquisition office focused on cislunar space, the region between Earth and the moon, as it begins to more formally assess requirements beyond traditional Earth orbit. Officials say civil-military overlap with NASA will grow as lunar activity accelerates. The new group will be led by Jamie Stearns, who has been serving as the head of the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) Vehicle’s Directorate space control shop at Kirtland Air Force Base in New Mexico. (4/20)
Vast and Cedars-Sinai Partner on Microgravity Science and Crew Health (Source: Spacewatch Global)
Vast announced a strategic collaboration with Cedars-Sinai, one of the nation’s premier academic health systems and a pioneer in regenerative medicine and biomedical research. Cedars-Sinai has established the Center for Space Medicine Research to advance space medicine. The center has sent several experiments to space to study how microgravity influences cell biology and human physiology. It also is advancing the use of microgravity to manufacture unique biomaterials in space for translational use on Earth.
Vast and Cedars-Sinai will work together on a broad range of initiatives, including collaborative research and development in areas including stem cell and organoid research and biomanufacturing technology demonstrations in microgravity, with applications in regenerative medicine, longevity, and disease modeling. Additional collaboration areas include astronaut medical support, space-based research, and joint education and outreach initiatives. (4/20)
Rheinmetall Signs MoU with the Norwegian Municipality of Andøy to Establish a Satellite Test Center in Andøya (Source: Rheinmetall)
Andøy Municipality and Rheinmetall Nordic AS have agreed to enable the establishment of the Rheinmetall Integrated Process Facility (RhIPF) at Prærien Business Park. The planned facility is intended to serve as a satellite test center and will represent a significant contribution to the growing space and defense industry cluster at Andøya. The project remains subject to a final investment decision by Rheinmetall AG. Rheinmetall retains exclusive rights to a designated area in Andøy. (4/17)
Amazon Leo Satellite Internet Comes to Professional Golf (Source: Amazon)
The DP World Tour has partnered with Amazon Leo to bring fast, reliable satellite internet to its golf tournaments around the world—a first in professional sports. The Tour hosts 42 tournaments across 25 countries and five continents each year, many in remote or rural locations where traditional internet infrastructure is limited or non-existent. (4/20)
AI and Robotics Will Aid, Not End, Human Space Exploration (Source: The Hill)
The new technologies of AI and robotics will take over tasks that involve pattern optimization and matching. Humans will still retain tasks that require creativity, emotional intelligence and determining why actions need to be undertaken.
What does that mean for a lunar base? An AI data center on the moon would have several functions, including controlling robot rovers to map terrain and prospect for resources; processing imagery and sensor readings on site and transmitting the results back to Earth; maintaining the base’s systems, especially life support, and predicting equipment failures before they occur; monitoring astronauts’ health and maintaining situational awareness around the base, especially detecting incoming space debris.
Robots, working in partnership with the astronauts, will perform manual labor that doesn’t require human ingenuity. Exploration teams will likely include at least one humanoid robot along with the astronauts. The humans at the lunar base, relieved of the drudgery of maintaining the facility, will be free to explore the moon, uncover its secrets and exploit its resources. (4/19)
Largest-Ever 3D Map of the Universe Shows 47 Million Galaxies (Source: Life Science)
The image is from the largest high-resolution 3D map of the universe ever created. The Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument (DESI), which is mounted on the Nicholas U. Mayall 4-meter Telescope at Kitt Peak National Observatory in Arizona, uses 5,000 robotic fiber-optic sensors to capture light from distant celestial objects. Each tiny point in the image represents a galaxy mapped by DESI. The galaxies aren't randomly distributed; instead, they form in filaments and clusters known as the cosmic web. Between these luminous strands of galaxies are vast empty regions known as voids, where few stars or galaxies exist. (4/18)
Japanese Gundam Robot Heading to ISS (Source: Japan Times)
A spherical robot resembling Haro, a character from the popular Mobile Suit Gundam anime, is set to go to work on the ISS. Space Entry Co., a Japanese robotics company, planned the project and commissioned th design from the creator of Haro. It will be launched from the US to Japan's Kibo module on the ISS.
The aluminum robot, measuring 21 centimeters in diameter, moves through the microgravity environment by blowing air through fans. It is equipped with a camera and microphone to facilitate communication between astronauts and personnel on Earth. (4/20)
SpaceX Notches Landing Milestone After Sunday Starlink Launch From Florida (Source: Space.com)
At SpaceX, what has gone up has now successfully come down 600 times. The company marked its 600th successful landing with the recovery of the first-stage booster that put a new batch of Starlink satellites into low Earth orbit on Sunday. (4/20)
France, Poland Boost Defence Ties with Military Satellite Project (Source: Reuters)
France and Poland will build a telecommunications satellite for the Polish military, the companies involved in the project said on Monday, as Paris and Warsaw strengthen their economic and defence ties. Thales Alenia Space, Airbus Defence and Space, and Poland's RADMOR will jointly develop a satellite in geostationary orbit, which will support military communications for Poland's armed forces. (4/20)
The Vera C. Rubin Observatory has Discovered 11,000 New Asteroids, and It's Barely Even Started! (Source: Universe Today)
The Vera C. Rubin Observatory was built with an ambitious purpose in mind. As part of its 10-year Legacy Survey of Space and Time (LSST), the Rubin Observatory will gather about 30 petabytes of data. This will include creating an inventory of the Solar System, transient objects (such as supernovae and variable stars), and mapping the Milky Way. Using preliminary data gathered by the Observatory, scientists have already discovered 11,000 new asteroids in the Solar System. These results were confirmed by the International Astronomical Union's Minor Planet Center (IAU-MPC). (4/19)
More Work Needed to Streamline EU Space Act; Hold the Line on 2028-34 Defense & Space Budget (Source: Space Intel Report)
European Defense and Space Commissioner Andrius Kubilius said more modification was needed for the proposed EU Space Act and urged the EU Parliament to hold the line on the Commission’s proposed defense and space budget for 2028-2024. Kublius said he would accept, in principle, a parliamentary proposal that an industry board be created to actively take part in the Space Act’s evolution. (4/20)
Six New Isolated Millisecond Pulsars Discovered with FAST (Source: Phys.org)
Using the Five-hundred-meter Aperture Spherical radio Telescope (FAST), Chinese astronomers have inspected two nearby galactic globular clusters, namely NGC 6517 and NGC 7078. The study resulted in the discovery of six new millisecond pulsars in these clusters, which are isolated and faint. (4/20)
Hunt For Ancient Ocean Features On Mars Reveals Red Planet’s Equivalent Of A Continental Shelf (Source: IFL Science)
Since the first close-up observations of Mars, the ground of the Red Planet has revealed evidence of rivers, lakes, and more. The whole northern hemisphere of Mars is at a lower elevation, showing fewer craters than the southern. This suggested an ancient ocean, but the evidence for a shore was a bit muddled. New research drops that approach completely and finds a better way to showcase evidence of this bygone body of water.
The possible Martian ocean shorelines appeared to have wildly different elevations, with variations of kilometers. On top of that, on Earth, the location of shorelines changes significantly, some by tens of meters per year. The researchers ask behind the new study asked themselves if shorelines are the best topographic signature of an ocean. They came up with something better. (4/15)
NASA Welcomes Latvia as Newest Artemis Accords Signatory (Source: NASA)
The Republic of Latvia signed the Artemis Accords Monday during a ceremony hosted by NASA at the agency’s headquarters in Washington, becoming the 62nd nation to commit to responsible space exploration for all humanity. (4/20)
Spacesuits needed for Artemis lunar missions may not be ready in time, NASA's inspector general warned Monday. The report by the agency's Office of Inspector General noted that work on the Artemis lunar spacesuit by Axiom Space was already more than a year behind schedule.
If the suit's development follows average timelines for recent spaceflight programs, the report concluded the suit may not be ready until 2031, three years later than the current schedule for the first crewed Artemis lunar landing. The conclusion contrasts with claims by Axiom and NASA that spacesuit development is going well, with an in-space test planned in 2027. Administrator Jared Isaacman said he was confident the suit would be ready for the Artemis 4 lunar landing mission in 2028. (4/21)
FAA Grounds New Glenn After Upper Stage Mishap (Source: BBC)
Blue Origin's newest rocket has been grounded after the FAA ordered an investigation into a "mishap" involving the failed launch of a satellite. Blue Origin's chief executive Dave Limp said the failure was caused by a lack of "sufficient thrust" in an engine. The FAA is requiring Blue Origin to conduct a mishap investigation. The FAA will oversee the Blue Origin-led investigation, be involved in every step of the process and approve Blue Origin's final report, including any corrective actions. (4/21)
SpaceX Launches Final GPS III Satellite for the U.S. Space Force (Source: Spaceflight Now)
The U.S. Space Force launched its final Global Positioning System (GPS) III satellite into medium Earth orbit in the predawn hours of Tuesday aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. Liftoff was from LC-40 at the Cape Canaveral Spaceport. (4/21)
DoD Ends Troubled RTX GPS Program (Source: Space News)
The Pentagon has officially ended a program to develop a next-generation GPS ground system after extensive overruns. The Defense Department said Monday it has formally terminated the Next Generation Operational Control System, or OCX, ending a 15-year effort to modernize the ground system for GPS. OCX was intended to replace the current GPS ground system, known as the Architecture Evolution Plan, as well as the separate system used for launch, anomaly response and satellite disposal.
Officials concluded the system could not deliver the required capabilities on a timeline or at a level of risk acceptable to support the modernization of the GPS constellation. The program, led by RTX, was awarded in 2010 and had accumulated costs of about $6.27 billion as of January 2026, including government testing and program support expenses. The Space Force recently awarded Lockheed Martin a $105 million contract to continue upgrading the existing Architecture Evolution Plan system as an alternative to OCX. (4/21)
Canada's NordSpace to Develop VLEO Satellite for Canada's Military (Source: Space News)
Canadian startup NordSpace has won funding from the Canadian military to study a very low Earth orbit (VLEO) satellite. The company announced a one-year contract Tuesday worth around $183,000 from Canada's Department of National Defence to advance conceptual technologies toward hardware tests. The company said the study will advance technologies that are critical for a proposed VLEO constellation called Kestrel that it aims to begin deploying from 2028 to provide low-latency, 10-centimeter spatial resolution imaging. (4/21)
Japan's H3 Could Fly Again in Summer After December Failure (Source: Kyodo)
Japan's H3 rocket could return to flight in June. The Japanese space agency JAXA is considering a launch of the rocket in June with a test payload designed to collect data on the vehicle. The H3 has been grounded since a launch failure in December linked to structural flaws in the rocket's payload adapter. (4/21)
Russian Cargo Craft Departs ISS (Source: NASA)
A Progress cargo spacecraft undocked from the ISS on Monday. The Progress MS-32 spacecraft, called Progress 93 by NASA, undocked from the station's Zvezda module for a planned destructive reentry. The spacecraft arrived at the station in September with about three tons of cargo. A new Progress mission, Progress MS-34, is scheduled to launch to the station this weekend. (4/21)
China Ramps Up Satellite Manufacture (Source: Space News)
China is ramping up its ability to mass-manufacture satellites to support constellations. Chinese space industry outlet Hello Space has identified at least 55 satellite factories in China, with 36 already in operation. According to the analysis, this provides a total production capacity of 4,050 satellites per year from the already operational facilities, with a projected additional capacity of 3,310 satellites from the future factories.
This is in part to help meet the requirements of the Guowang and Qianfan megaconstellations, which are planned to comprise a total of 28,000 satellites, as well as future proposed systems. However, the number of satellites actually reaching orbit is far lower than that capacity, thanks to launch constraints and the still-maturing commercial viability of large satellite constellations. (4/20)
Russia Launches Military Payload on Soyuz Rocket (Source: Russian Space Web)
A Soyuz rocket launched a Russian military payload. The Soyuz-2.1b rocket lifted off from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome Thursday at 7:17 p.m. Eastern carrying a classified mission for the Russian Ministry of Defense. By Saturday, the U.S. Space Force had tracked 10 objects from the launch in two sets of inclinations, suggesting a plane-change maneuver by the rocket's Volga upper stage during the flight. (4/20)
China Extends Astronaut Stay on TSS (Source: Space News)
Chinese astronauts currently on the Tiangong space station will spend an extra month there. The three astronauts, who arrived at the station in late October on the Shenzhou-21 spacecraft for a six-month stay, will now return by late May. That is linked to a switch in spacecraft for their return: Shenzhou-21 was used by the astronauts who arrived on Shenzhou-20 after that spacecraft suffered damage from a micrometeoroid or orbital debris impact. China launched the uncrewed Shenzhou-22 spacecraft in late November that will be used by the current crew. (4/20)
NASA Switches Off Voyager 1 Instrument as Power Levels Decline (Source: NASA)
NASA has turned off an instrument on Voyager 1 as that spacecraft's power levels decline. NASA announced Friday it turned off the Low-energy Charged Particles (LECP) experiment to conserve power after an unexpected dip in power readings on the spacecraft in late February during a routine maneuver. The version of LECP on Voyager 2 was turned off last year. The two Voyager spacecraft use radioisotope thermoelectric generators to produce power, and those power levels are dropping as the plutonium in them decays. (4/20)
NASA Switches Off Swift Instrument as Orbit Decays (Source: NASA)
NASA announced Friday it turned off the Burst Alert Telescope instrument on its Swift gamma-ray observatory spacecraft to conserve power as that spacecraft's low Earth orbit decays. NASA is modifying operations of the spacecraft to reduce drag, buying time for the launch of a reboost mission being developed by Katalyst Space slated for as soon as June. (4/20)
Artemis III Moon Rocket Rolls Out of Factory Onto Barge (Source: Boeing)
Boeing rolled the top four-fifths of the Artemis III core stage from New Orleans and loaded it for barge shipment to Kennedy Space Center. It will travel without the engine section so engines can be installed at Kennedy, which speeds up production. (4/20)
Moon Base Essentials Include Transportation, Surface Power (Source: Aerospace America)
Reliable transportation, persistent communication relays and surface power are among the technologies and capabilities needed for NASA’s planned moon base to succeed, an industry panel told attendees at Space Symposium. The first phase, which spans through 2028, calls for conducting nearly monthly launches of robotic spacecraft to the lunar surface to begin testing early versions of the instrumentation and equipment required for “permanent habitation,” said Carlos Garcia-Galan, NASA’s moon base program manager, in on-stage remarks before the panel. (4/20)
This Giant Telescope Could Discover Habitable Exoplanets and Secrets of Our Universe — If it Gets its Funding (Source: Space.com)
The Giant Magellan Telescope project is gearing up for a crucial 12–24 months, with their final design phase underway as the team behind the project seek further funding to make the dream of the 25.4-meter (83 feet) multi-mirror telescope a reality. (4/20)
ESA Taps Kepler to Lead Next Stage of HydRON Optical Program (Source: Via Satellite)
The European Space Agency has selected Toronto-based Kepler Communications as prime contractor for HydRON Element 3, the third part of a sovereign optical communications constellation. HydRON, short for High-throughput Optical Network, is a sovereign European data transport layer. Kepler was tapped to lead the first stage of the program in October 2024 with a $39 million contract to demonstrate a ten-satellite data transport system in LEO. (4/17)
What’s This Fast-Moving Wave of Darkness Creeping Across Mars? (Source: Scientific American)
Volcanic ash is creeping across the surface of Mars with startling speed. A side-by-side comparison with views of the same patch recorded by NASA’s Viking orbiters in 1976 reveals a striking spread of that dark coloration. Visible changes to the Martian surface are more often marked by millions of years, not by dozens of them. This wouldn’t be the first time observers have witnessed strange waves of darkness spreading on Mars. (4/17)
Space Force Sets Up ‘Cislunar Coordination’ Office to Focus Beyond Earth Orbit (Source: Space News)
The U.S. Space Force is setting up a dedicated acquisition office focused on cislunar space, the region between Earth and the moon, as it begins to more formally assess requirements beyond traditional Earth orbit. Officials say civil-military overlap with NASA will grow as lunar activity accelerates. The new group will be led by Jamie Stearns, who has been serving as the head of the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) Vehicle’s Directorate space control shop at Kirtland Air Force Base in New Mexico. (4/20)
Vast and Cedars-Sinai Partner on Microgravity Science and Crew Health (Source: Spacewatch Global)
Vast announced a strategic collaboration with Cedars-Sinai, one of the nation’s premier academic health systems and a pioneer in regenerative medicine and biomedical research. Cedars-Sinai has established the Center for Space Medicine Research to advance space medicine. The center has sent several experiments to space to study how microgravity influences cell biology and human physiology. It also is advancing the use of microgravity to manufacture unique biomaterials in space for translational use on Earth.
Vast and Cedars-Sinai will work together on a broad range of initiatives, including collaborative research and development in areas including stem cell and organoid research and biomanufacturing technology demonstrations in microgravity, with applications in regenerative medicine, longevity, and disease modeling. Additional collaboration areas include astronaut medical support, space-based research, and joint education and outreach initiatives. (4/20)
Rheinmetall Signs MoU with the Norwegian Municipality of Andøy to Establish a Satellite Test Center in Andøya (Source: Rheinmetall)
Andøy Municipality and Rheinmetall Nordic AS have agreed to enable the establishment of the Rheinmetall Integrated Process Facility (RhIPF) at Prærien Business Park. The planned facility is intended to serve as a satellite test center and will represent a significant contribution to the growing space and defense industry cluster at Andøya. The project remains subject to a final investment decision by Rheinmetall AG. Rheinmetall retains exclusive rights to a designated area in Andøy. (4/17)
Amazon Leo Satellite Internet Comes to Professional Golf (Source: Amazon)
The DP World Tour has partnered with Amazon Leo to bring fast, reliable satellite internet to its golf tournaments around the world—a first in professional sports. The Tour hosts 42 tournaments across 25 countries and five continents each year, many in remote or rural locations where traditional internet infrastructure is limited or non-existent. (4/20)
AI and Robotics Will Aid, Not End, Human Space Exploration (Source: The Hill)
The new technologies of AI and robotics will take over tasks that involve pattern optimization and matching. Humans will still retain tasks that require creativity, emotional intelligence and determining why actions need to be undertaken.
What does that mean for a lunar base? An AI data center on the moon would have several functions, including controlling robot rovers to map terrain and prospect for resources; processing imagery and sensor readings on site and transmitting the results back to Earth; maintaining the base’s systems, especially life support, and predicting equipment failures before they occur; monitoring astronauts’ health and maintaining situational awareness around the base, especially detecting incoming space debris.
Robots, working in partnership with the astronauts, will perform manual labor that doesn’t require human ingenuity. Exploration teams will likely include at least one humanoid robot along with the astronauts. The humans at the lunar base, relieved of the drudgery of maintaining the facility, will be free to explore the moon, uncover its secrets and exploit its resources. (4/19)
Largest-Ever 3D Map of the Universe Shows 47 Million Galaxies (Source: Life Science)
The image is from the largest high-resolution 3D map of the universe ever created. The Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument (DESI), which is mounted on the Nicholas U. Mayall 4-meter Telescope at Kitt Peak National Observatory in Arizona, uses 5,000 robotic fiber-optic sensors to capture light from distant celestial objects. Each tiny point in the image represents a galaxy mapped by DESI. The galaxies aren't randomly distributed; instead, they form in filaments and clusters known as the cosmic web. Between these luminous strands of galaxies are vast empty regions known as voids, where few stars or galaxies exist. (4/18)
Japanese Gundam Robot Heading to ISS (Source: Japan Times)
A spherical robot resembling Haro, a character from the popular Mobile Suit Gundam anime, is set to go to work on the ISS. Space Entry Co., a Japanese robotics company, planned the project and commissioned th design from the creator of Haro. It will be launched from the US to Japan's Kibo module on the ISS.
The aluminum robot, measuring 21 centimeters in diameter, moves through the microgravity environment by blowing air through fans. It is equipped with a camera and microphone to facilitate communication between astronauts and personnel on Earth. (4/20)
SpaceX Notches Landing Milestone After Sunday Starlink Launch From Florida (Source: Space.com)
At SpaceX, what has gone up has now successfully come down 600 times. The company marked its 600th successful landing with the recovery of the first-stage booster that put a new batch of Starlink satellites into low Earth orbit on Sunday. (4/20)
France, Poland Boost Defence Ties with Military Satellite Project (Source: Reuters)
France and Poland will build a telecommunications satellite for the Polish military, the companies involved in the project said on Monday, as Paris and Warsaw strengthen their economic and defence ties. Thales Alenia Space, Airbus Defence and Space, and Poland's RADMOR will jointly develop a satellite in geostationary orbit, which will support military communications for Poland's armed forces. (4/20)
The Vera C. Rubin Observatory has Discovered 11,000 New Asteroids, and It's Barely Even Started! (Source: Universe Today)
The Vera C. Rubin Observatory was built with an ambitious purpose in mind. As part of its 10-year Legacy Survey of Space and Time (LSST), the Rubin Observatory will gather about 30 petabytes of data. This will include creating an inventory of the Solar System, transient objects (such as supernovae and variable stars), and mapping the Milky Way. Using preliminary data gathered by the Observatory, scientists have already discovered 11,000 new asteroids in the Solar System. These results were confirmed by the International Astronomical Union's Minor Planet Center (IAU-MPC). (4/19)
More Work Needed to Streamline EU Space Act; Hold the Line on 2028-34 Defense & Space Budget (Source: Space Intel Report)
European Defense and Space Commissioner Andrius Kubilius said more modification was needed for the proposed EU Space Act and urged the EU Parliament to hold the line on the Commission’s proposed defense and space budget for 2028-2024. Kublius said he would accept, in principle, a parliamentary proposal that an industry board be created to actively take part in the Space Act’s evolution. (4/20)
Six New Isolated Millisecond Pulsars Discovered with FAST (Source: Phys.org)
Using the Five-hundred-meter Aperture Spherical radio Telescope (FAST), Chinese astronomers have inspected two nearby galactic globular clusters, namely NGC 6517 and NGC 7078. The study resulted in the discovery of six new millisecond pulsars in these clusters, which are isolated and faint. (4/20)
Hunt For Ancient Ocean Features On Mars Reveals Red Planet’s Equivalent Of A Continental Shelf (Source: IFL Science)
Since the first close-up observations of Mars, the ground of the Red Planet has revealed evidence of rivers, lakes, and more. The whole northern hemisphere of Mars is at a lower elevation, showing fewer craters than the southern. This suggested an ancient ocean, but the evidence for a shore was a bit muddled. New research drops that approach completely and finds a better way to showcase evidence of this bygone body of water.
The possible Martian ocean shorelines appeared to have wildly different elevations, with variations of kilometers. On top of that, on Earth, the location of shorelines changes significantly, some by tens of meters per year. The researchers ask behind the new study asked themselves if shorelines are the best topographic signature of an ocean. They came up with something better. (4/15)
NASA Welcomes Latvia as Newest Artemis Accords Signatory (Source: NASA)
The Republic of Latvia signed the Artemis Accords Monday during a ceremony hosted by NASA at the agency’s headquarters in Washington, becoming the 62nd nation to commit to responsible space exploration for all humanity. (4/20)
April 20, 2026
Delta Air Lines Ditched Starlink For
This: Inside Amazon Leo's Secret Weapon For Ultra-Fast Inflight WiFi (Source:
Simple Flying)
Delta Air Lines’ decision to pivot away from Starlink and align itself with Amazon’s Leo satellite network represents one of the most consequential connectivity shifts in modern commercial aviation. For years, airlines have searched for a solution that could balance speed, reliability, ease of installation, and long-term scalability, often forced to compromise on at least one of those variables as passenger expectations steadily increased and onboard connectivity became less of a novelty and more of a baseline requirement.
Against that backdrop, Delta Air Lines’ move signals a belief that the next generation of inflight WiFi will not simply be faster, but fundamentally more integrated into the airline’s broader digital and operational ecosystem. The partnership also reflects a deeper shift in how airlines view connectivity itself, no longer treating it as a standalone passenger amenity but instead as a core layer of operational and commercial infrastructure that touches everything from flight planning to inflight entertainment. (4/19)
These Blazing Blue Explosions May be Born When a Compact Dead Star Slams Into a Wolf-Rayet Star (Source: Phys.org)
Luminous fast blue optical transients (LFBOTs) are extremely bright explosions whose brightness peaks within a week and fades to half its peak value in the following week. Their peak brightness is typically greater than 1043 erg per second at optical wavelengths. This is comparable with that of superluminous supernovae, which take a few weeks to months to peak and are generally 10 to 100 times brighter than normal supernovae.
Researchers compared simulated LFBOT environmental conditions with those of other well-studied explosions in astrophysics, including various types of supernovae, long gamma-ray bursts, and superluminous supernovae. They found that host galaxies are actively forming stars showing signs of recent activity. However, they are less extreme than galaxies hosting superluminous supernovae and more active than those hosting many supernovae.
Chemically, they are less enriched in heavy elements than supernovae host galaxies, but are more metal-rich than hosts of long gamma-ray bursts or superluminous supernovae. Interestingly, unlike many stellar explosions that occur in bright, star-forming regions, a significant fraction of LFBOTs were found to occur far from these regions, sometimes in the faint outskirts of their galaxies. (4/19)
Space Development Agency Poised to Integrate with Space Force (Source: Space News)
The Space Development Agency is set to be integrated into the US Space Force as part of a broader reorganization of the service's acquisition offices. The SDA was established to quickly deploy a satellite network in low-Earth orbit for the military. (4/15)
Air Force Launches Competition for AMTI Satellite Program (Source: Breaking Defense)
The US Air Force has started a competition to develop satellites for airborne moving target indication, with Secretary Troy Meink confirming that a base contract has been awarded and operational contracts will follow. The Space Force's 2027 budget request includes $7 billion for AMTI systems, highlighting the technology's maturity and potential. (4/15)
Space Force Looks to Personnel Growth to Boost Integrated Testing Approach (Source: Aerospace America)
U.S. Space Force officials said their effort to integrate testing processes relies on growing the service’s workforce, as planned in the fiscal year 2027 funding request. The White House’s budget proposal, released April 3, seeks $70.1 billion for the Space Force — a dramatic increase from the roughly $40 billion the service received in fiscal 2026. The budget requests growth in the Space Force’s personnel spending as well as its research, development, test and evaluation funding.
The traditional Pentagon testing process puts new equipment through developmental testing first to verify it meets technical requirements. Then it’s moved to operational testing, where users can incorporate it into their work before fielding. But within the Space Force, “we’re streamlining how our test system is, melding the old developmental and operational test silos into an integrated test concept,” said Gen. Chance Saltzman. (4/20)
Musk Threatens to Withhold Starlink Service From Australia (Source: Financial Review)
The satellite and space exploration company founded by Elon Musk has warned it could avoid Australia when deploying its satellite-based mobile network coverage if it is forced to bid in an auction to buy crucial spectrum. SpaceX, which operates the Starlink satellite network, has asked the government to allocate it vital wireless frequencies to build out its satellite network, rather than put it up for tender. (4/20)
Space Force Weighs Vulcan Flights Without Solid Boosters (Source: Space News)
The U.S. Space Force is exploring whether it can resume flights of United Launch Alliance’s Vulcan rocket without using the solid rocket boosters now under investigation, a workaround that could allow some missions to proceed even as the vehicle remains grounded for national security launches. Two recent Vulcan launches suffered apparent SRB burn-through problems, though the did not cause launch failures. (4/19)
Sidus Space Announces Pricing of $58.5 Million in Common Stock (Source: Sidus Space)
Sidus Space announced the pricing of a best-efforts registered direct offering of 13,453,700 shares of its Class A common stock at an offering price of $4.35 per share for gross proceeds of approximately $58.5 million. The Company intends to use the net proceeds from the offering for working capital and general corporate purposes. (4/19)
Beijing Set to launch Satellite Town as China's Aerospace Industry Grows (Source: Reuters)
The core area of Beijing's Satellite Town, designed as a hub for satellite manufacturers and operators, will be completed in the second half of 2026, state-owned media Beijing Daily reported. Gao Yibin, head of the Strategic Research Department at Future Aerospace, said with the acceleration of launch approvals, the localization of components and the continued injection of capital by industrial funds, China's trillion-yuan commercial space market is moving towards standardization and scale.
The Beijing Satellite Town will provide the support to develop the aerospace industry by fostering industrial clustering and enabling talent, capital and technology to flow efficiently. (4/17)
SpaceX Won A Mars Mission That Might Get Canceled (Source: Payload)
NASA may have selected SpaceX Falcon Heavy on Thursday to launch a rover to Mars, but the launch is far from a sure thing. SpaceX is tasked to fly the ESA Rosalind Franklin rover as soon as late 2028, for a reported $175.7M. But the White House’s FY2027 budget request also suggests canceling NASA’s participation in the Mars mission. What comes next is anyone’s guess. (4/19)
Rhea Space Activity Raises $6 Million to Develop GPS-Free Spacecraft Navigation (Source: Rhea Space Activity)
Rhea Space Activity (RSA), a leader in deep space GPS-denied navigation with the optical software “AutoNav,” announced the close of its ~$6 million Series A round to accelerate its growth and respond to demand for its GPS-independent navigation software from the U.S. and allied partner military/intelligence customers. (4/17)
AST SpaceMobile BlueBird 7 Satellite, Insured for $30M, is a Total Loss After Too-Low Drop-Off by New Glenn (Source: Space Intel Report)
Satellite direct-to-device startup AST SpaceMobile’s BlueBird 7 satellite will be deorbited following its release into unsurvivable low orbit following an anomaly on Blue Origin’s New Glenn 3 mission upper stage, AST said Nov. 19. The satellite, intended to be dropped off into a 460 x 460 kilometer orbit inclined 49.4 degrees relative to the equator, was separated at a 154 x 494 kilometers, inclined 36.1 degrees. (4/19)
NASA Visits Paso Robles to Discuss Spaceport Partnership (Source: Paso Robles Daily News)
Officials from the City of Paso Robles met with representatives from NASA Ames Research Center and the NASA Ames Strategic Partnership Office during a recent visit focused on the Paso Robles Spaceport and Technology Corridor initiative. During the meeting, NASA staff provided an overview of partnership programs and discussed the potential for a future collaboration agreement with city leaders.
The delegation noted Paso Robles’ workforce development efforts, including K–12 Career Technical Education programs and pathways to higher education through Cuesta College and California Polytechnic State University. Officials said the programs support growth in the aerospace sector. The visit included a tour of the municipal airport and an on-site rocket engine test facility. Micro-propulsion systems are being tested at the facility in support of the Artemis program. (4/19)
Delta Air Lines’ decision to pivot away from Starlink and align itself with Amazon’s Leo satellite network represents one of the most consequential connectivity shifts in modern commercial aviation. For years, airlines have searched for a solution that could balance speed, reliability, ease of installation, and long-term scalability, often forced to compromise on at least one of those variables as passenger expectations steadily increased and onboard connectivity became less of a novelty and more of a baseline requirement.
Against that backdrop, Delta Air Lines’ move signals a belief that the next generation of inflight WiFi will not simply be faster, but fundamentally more integrated into the airline’s broader digital and operational ecosystem. The partnership also reflects a deeper shift in how airlines view connectivity itself, no longer treating it as a standalone passenger amenity but instead as a core layer of operational and commercial infrastructure that touches everything from flight planning to inflight entertainment. (4/19)
These Blazing Blue Explosions May be Born When a Compact Dead Star Slams Into a Wolf-Rayet Star (Source: Phys.org)
Luminous fast blue optical transients (LFBOTs) are extremely bright explosions whose brightness peaks within a week and fades to half its peak value in the following week. Their peak brightness is typically greater than 1043 erg per second at optical wavelengths. This is comparable with that of superluminous supernovae, which take a few weeks to months to peak and are generally 10 to 100 times brighter than normal supernovae.
Researchers compared simulated LFBOT environmental conditions with those of other well-studied explosions in astrophysics, including various types of supernovae, long gamma-ray bursts, and superluminous supernovae. They found that host galaxies are actively forming stars showing signs of recent activity. However, they are less extreme than galaxies hosting superluminous supernovae and more active than those hosting many supernovae.
Chemically, they are less enriched in heavy elements than supernovae host galaxies, but are more metal-rich than hosts of long gamma-ray bursts or superluminous supernovae. Interestingly, unlike many stellar explosions that occur in bright, star-forming regions, a significant fraction of LFBOTs were found to occur far from these regions, sometimes in the faint outskirts of their galaxies. (4/19)
Space Development Agency Poised to Integrate with Space Force (Source: Space News)
The Space Development Agency is set to be integrated into the US Space Force as part of a broader reorganization of the service's acquisition offices. The SDA was established to quickly deploy a satellite network in low-Earth orbit for the military. (4/15)
Air Force Launches Competition for AMTI Satellite Program (Source: Breaking Defense)
The US Air Force has started a competition to develop satellites for airborne moving target indication, with Secretary Troy Meink confirming that a base contract has been awarded and operational contracts will follow. The Space Force's 2027 budget request includes $7 billion for AMTI systems, highlighting the technology's maturity and potential. (4/15)
Space Force Looks to Personnel Growth to Boost Integrated Testing Approach (Source: Aerospace America)
U.S. Space Force officials said their effort to integrate testing processes relies on growing the service’s workforce, as planned in the fiscal year 2027 funding request. The White House’s budget proposal, released April 3, seeks $70.1 billion for the Space Force — a dramatic increase from the roughly $40 billion the service received in fiscal 2026. The budget requests growth in the Space Force’s personnel spending as well as its research, development, test and evaluation funding.
The traditional Pentagon testing process puts new equipment through developmental testing first to verify it meets technical requirements. Then it’s moved to operational testing, where users can incorporate it into their work before fielding. But within the Space Force, “we’re streamlining how our test system is, melding the old developmental and operational test silos into an integrated test concept,” said Gen. Chance Saltzman. (4/20)
Musk Threatens to Withhold Starlink Service From Australia (Source: Financial Review)
The satellite and space exploration company founded by Elon Musk has warned it could avoid Australia when deploying its satellite-based mobile network coverage if it is forced to bid in an auction to buy crucial spectrum. SpaceX, which operates the Starlink satellite network, has asked the government to allocate it vital wireless frequencies to build out its satellite network, rather than put it up for tender. (4/20)
Space Force Weighs Vulcan Flights Without Solid Boosters (Source: Space News)
The U.S. Space Force is exploring whether it can resume flights of United Launch Alliance’s Vulcan rocket without using the solid rocket boosters now under investigation, a workaround that could allow some missions to proceed even as the vehicle remains grounded for national security launches. Two recent Vulcan launches suffered apparent SRB burn-through problems, though the did not cause launch failures. (4/19)
Sidus Space Announces Pricing of $58.5 Million in Common Stock (Source: Sidus Space)
Sidus Space announced the pricing of a best-efforts registered direct offering of 13,453,700 shares of its Class A common stock at an offering price of $4.35 per share for gross proceeds of approximately $58.5 million. The Company intends to use the net proceeds from the offering for working capital and general corporate purposes. (4/19)
Beijing Set to launch Satellite Town as China's Aerospace Industry Grows (Source: Reuters)
The core area of Beijing's Satellite Town, designed as a hub for satellite manufacturers and operators, will be completed in the second half of 2026, state-owned media Beijing Daily reported. Gao Yibin, head of the Strategic Research Department at Future Aerospace, said with the acceleration of launch approvals, the localization of components and the continued injection of capital by industrial funds, China's trillion-yuan commercial space market is moving towards standardization and scale.
The Beijing Satellite Town will provide the support to develop the aerospace industry by fostering industrial clustering and enabling talent, capital and technology to flow efficiently. (4/17)
SpaceX Won A Mars Mission That Might Get Canceled (Source: Payload)
NASA may have selected SpaceX Falcon Heavy on Thursday to launch a rover to Mars, but the launch is far from a sure thing. SpaceX is tasked to fly the ESA Rosalind Franklin rover as soon as late 2028, for a reported $175.7M. But the White House’s FY2027 budget request also suggests canceling NASA’s participation in the Mars mission. What comes next is anyone’s guess. (4/19)
Rhea Space Activity Raises $6 Million to Develop GPS-Free Spacecraft Navigation (Source: Rhea Space Activity)
Rhea Space Activity (RSA), a leader in deep space GPS-denied navigation with the optical software “AutoNav,” announced the close of its ~$6 million Series A round to accelerate its growth and respond to demand for its GPS-independent navigation software from the U.S. and allied partner military/intelligence customers. (4/17)
AST SpaceMobile BlueBird 7 Satellite, Insured for $30M, is a Total Loss After Too-Low Drop-Off by New Glenn (Source: Space Intel Report)
Satellite direct-to-device startup AST SpaceMobile’s BlueBird 7 satellite will be deorbited following its release into unsurvivable low orbit following an anomaly on Blue Origin’s New Glenn 3 mission upper stage, AST said Nov. 19. The satellite, intended to be dropped off into a 460 x 460 kilometer orbit inclined 49.4 degrees relative to the equator, was separated at a 154 x 494 kilometers, inclined 36.1 degrees. (4/19)
NASA Visits Paso Robles to Discuss Spaceport Partnership (Source: Paso Robles Daily News)
Officials from the City of Paso Robles met with representatives from NASA Ames Research Center and the NASA Ames Strategic Partnership Office during a recent visit focused on the Paso Robles Spaceport and Technology Corridor initiative. During the meeting, NASA staff provided an overview of partnership programs and discussed the potential for a future collaboration agreement with city leaders.
The delegation noted Paso Robles’ workforce development efforts, including K–12 Career Technical Education programs and pathways to higher education through Cuesta College and California Polytechnic State University. Officials said the programs support growth in the aerospace sector. The visit included a tour of the municipal airport and an on-site rocket engine test facility. Micro-propulsion systems are being tested at the facility in support of the Artemis program. (4/19)
April 19, 2026
Pentagon Disturbed as Its Fleet of
Drones Is Left Bobbing in the Ocean When Starlink Fails (Source:
Futurism)
Two dozen unmanned surface vessels — autonomous boat drones, basically — were left floating in the Pacific ocean after a massive outage of SpaceX’s Starlink internet service left them adrift. That event, first reported by Reuters, left the experimental robots disconnected and bobbing in the ocean for nearly an hour off the coast of California.
It was one of several Pentagon experiments disrupted by the Starlink blackout, according to Reuters. That global outage left millions of Starlink customers in the dark back in August of 2025, dealing a blow to the company’s image as an always-on satellite internet provider. While service was eventually restored, the incident left customers frustrated and analysts concerned. (4/17)
Third New Glenn Launch Suffers Upper Stage Malfunction, Succeeds with First Stage Landing (Source: Space News)
Blue Origin’s third New Glenn launch on Sunday was a partial success. After a successful liftoff, the first stage landed safely on the company's drone ship downrange. However, the mission suffered a malfunction of its second stage, stranding its payload in an “off-nominal” orbit and dealing the company a setback as it seeks to increase its flight rate. (4/19)
Report Accuses Trump of Illegally Cutting NASA Funding (Source: Douglas Messier)
A new minority staff report, Mission Aborted: How NASA Illegally Implemented the President’s Budget Request Without Congressional Approval, accuses the Trump Administration of implementing cuts proposed in the president’s fiscal year (FY) 2026 budget request without required Congressional approval.
“Without authorization or direction from Congress, and in violation of the basic separation-of-powers framework set forth by the Constitution, NASA put into effect an executive branch proposal as if it were the law of the land. The consequences of that decision – for the agency, its workforce, and American leadership in science and space – were adverse to the agency’s mission,” the report said.
Under the Constitution, the president submits a budget proposal to Congress, which then passes it with suggested changes. The president must sign the budget into law before any action is taken to implement it. (4/18)
SpaceX Settles Lawsuit Accusing California Agency of Retaliation (Source: Reuters)
SpaceX has agreed to settle a lawsuit in U.S. federal court that alleged a California agency illegally cracked down on the company's rocket launches in the state in retaliation for Musk’s political views. SpaceX and the California Coastal Commission on Friday asked U.S. District Judge Stanley Blumenfeld in Los Angeles to dismiss the lawsuit.
The terms of the settlement have not yet been publicly disclosed. SpaceX and the commission asked Blumenfeld to retain power to enforce the agreement, including any future disputes over its provisions. (4/19)
Two dozen unmanned surface vessels — autonomous boat drones, basically — were left floating in the Pacific ocean after a massive outage of SpaceX’s Starlink internet service left them adrift. That event, first reported by Reuters, left the experimental robots disconnected and bobbing in the ocean for nearly an hour off the coast of California.
It was one of several Pentagon experiments disrupted by the Starlink blackout, according to Reuters. That global outage left millions of Starlink customers in the dark back in August of 2025, dealing a blow to the company’s image as an always-on satellite internet provider. While service was eventually restored, the incident left customers frustrated and analysts concerned. (4/17)
Third New Glenn Launch Suffers Upper Stage Malfunction, Succeeds with First Stage Landing (Source: Space News)
Blue Origin’s third New Glenn launch on Sunday was a partial success. After a successful liftoff, the first stage landed safely on the company's drone ship downrange. However, the mission suffered a malfunction of its second stage, stranding its payload in an “off-nominal” orbit and dealing the company a setback as it seeks to increase its flight rate. (4/19)
Report Accuses Trump of Illegally Cutting NASA Funding (Source: Douglas Messier)
A new minority staff report, Mission Aborted: How NASA Illegally Implemented the President’s Budget Request Without Congressional Approval, accuses the Trump Administration of implementing cuts proposed in the president’s fiscal year (FY) 2026 budget request without required Congressional approval.
“Without authorization or direction from Congress, and in violation of the basic separation-of-powers framework set forth by the Constitution, NASA put into effect an executive branch proposal as if it were the law of the land. The consequences of that decision – for the agency, its workforce, and American leadership in science and space – were adverse to the agency’s mission,” the report said.
Under the Constitution, the president submits a budget proposal to Congress, which then passes it with suggested changes. The president must sign the budget into law before any action is taken to implement it. (4/18)
SpaceX Settles Lawsuit Accusing California Agency of Retaliation (Source: Reuters)
SpaceX has agreed to settle a lawsuit in U.S. federal court that alleged a California agency illegally cracked down on the company's rocket launches in the state in retaliation for Musk’s political views. SpaceX and the California Coastal Commission on Friday asked U.S. District Judge Stanley Blumenfeld in Los Angeles to dismiss the lawsuit.
The terms of the settlement have not yet been publicly disclosed. SpaceX and the commission asked Blumenfeld to retain power to enforce the agreement, including any future disputes over its provisions. (4/19)
April 18, 2026
Put Science Back in the Driver’s Seat (Source:
Space News)
Lately, dedicated science missions have been made to take a back seat at NASA, where they're left to "hitchhike" on the back of commercial missions, wrote Casey Dreier, chief of space policy at The Planetary Society. "If this is to be a true golden age of science and discovery, NASA can’t rely on serendipity; the agency must make active investments in dedicated science projects that address the highest priority questions facing humanity," Dreier wrote.
"Without a dedicated science program, without intentionality, without actively attempting to answer the big questions, future breakthroughs in space science are a function of serendipity," Dreier wrote. "Hitchhiking, after all, rarely takes you exactly where you need to go." (4/18)
The Space Sector Prepares to Blast Off (Source: Kiplinger)
There are plenty of reasons to think that future business prospects, new technology and geopolitical shifts will propel the industry to new heights. The renewed optimism of satellite CEOs was clear when I attended SatShow 2026 in Washington, D.C. The mood was in stark contrast to the last few years, when SpaceX’s disruptive force and other business woes were driving the conversations. SpaceX is still disrupting things as a de facto monopoly, but the entire industry is growing fast and there’s more room for other players to benefit. (4/18)
Lockheed Martin Nabs $105M Ground System Contract to Support Next-Gen GPS (Source: Breaking Defense)
Lockheed Martin’s new contract worth up to $105 million for modernizing the ground control system for GPS satellites covers not just the birds on orbit today, but also early operations for the future GPS IIIF variants. Under the agreement, the company will support launch, early orbit, and disposal operations for GPS IIIF space vehicles,” the announcement elaborated. (4/17)
Rocket Lab Defeats Investor Lawsuit Over Delayed Neutron Launch (Source: Bloomberg)
Rocket Lab USA and top executives routed allegations they misled investors about the testing and debut timeline for its reusable Neutron rocket before a 2025 short-seller report. The court again found the lawsuit’s theory of securities fraud by Rocket Lab CEO Sir Peter Beck and Chief Financial Officer Adam Spice “simply does not make much sense.” Judge George H. Wu finalized an earlier tentative ruling, tossing the proposed class action with prejudice Thursday. (4/17)
America’s Next Moon Mission Depends on Elon Musk, for Better or Worse (Source: Mother Jones)
Elon Musk has long been in an on-again, off-again relationship with the moon. Though just last year he called it “a distraction”—saying his focus was shifting exclusively to Mars—he now seems to be rekindling things with our natural satellite. And regardless of his own feelings about the moon, NASA is paying him to get us there again.
NASA has always relied on partnerships with private companies, but the number of unique contractors has dropped by 38 percent between 2021 and 2024 as contracts with SpaceX ballooned. According to a Washington Post investigation, Musk’s company has received nearly $15 billion from the agency all told, with contract values doubling at the inception of Artemis. (4/17)
Antitrust Authority Approves Creation of Rheinmetall-OHB Satellite Joint Venture (Source: European Spaceflight)
The Federal Cartel Office (Bundeskartellamt), Germany’s independent competition authority, has approved a new joint venture between Rheinmetall and OHB. In a 16 April announcement, the Bundeskartellamt explained that the new subsidiary will be used to bid for a German armed forces public procurement contract.
In September 2025, the German government announced that it had committed €35 billion in spending for space-related defence projects by 2030. At the time, Defence Minister Boris Pistorius explained that, as part of the package, the country planned to “build new satellite constellations for early warning, reconnaissance, and communications.” (4/18)
Artemis 2's Heat Shield Seems to Have Aced its Trial by Fire (Source: Space.com)
Artemis 2's return to Earth went a lot more smoothly than some folks had feared. The heat shield on Artemis 2's Orion capsule, which the crew named "Integrity," was the topic of considerable discussion in the lead-up to the mission's April 10 splashdown — for several years before that, in fact.
After a great deal of analysis and discussion, NASA decided to stick with the same heat shield design for Artemis 2, a decision that drew objections from some in the spaceflight community. The agency did tweak the mission's reentry trajectory, however, bringing Integrity into the atmosphere at a steeper angle so that it spent less time in the extreme temperature regimes that scarred Artemis 1's Orion so markedly.
This adjustment apparently did the trick, for Integrity's heat shield survived its trial by fire in good shape, according to Artemis 2 commander Reid Wiseman. He and his crewmates — NASA astronauts Victor Glover and Christina Koch and the Canadian Space Agency's Jeremy Hansen — inspected Integrity shortly after the capsule's April 10 splashdown. And the vehicle passed that eye test, according to Wiseman. (4/17)
Rocket Lab Unveils New Electric Propulsion Satellite Thruster to Meet Constellation Demand (Source: Rocket Lab)
Rocket Lab introduced a new electric satellite thruster designed for high-volume production to meet the growing demand for reliable satellite propulsion across commercial and national security constellations. Rocket Lab’s in-house designed and manufactured electric propulsion system, named Gauss, features a Hall Thruster, Power Processing Unit and a Propellant Management Assembly. (4/14)
NorthStar to Go Public with SPAC Viking Acquisition Corp. (Source: Space Intel Report)
Space-based space situational awareness company NorthStar Earth & Space of Canada will be going public via a merger with special-purpose acquisition company (SPAC) Viking Acquisition Corp. 1, which in October began trading on the New York Stock Exchange after an IPO generating gross proceeds $230 million. As of April 16, Viking’s market capitalization was $314.2 million. In an April 17 statement, NorthStar said the transaction has secured $30 million in commitments from investors. (4/17)
NASA Selects Voyager for Seventh Private Mission to Space Station (Source: NASA)
NASA and Voyager Technologies have signed an order for the seventh private astronaut mission to the International Space Station, targeted to launch no earlier than 2028 from Florida. This is the company’s first selection for a private astronaut mission to the orbiting laboratory, underscoring NASA’s ongoing investment in fostering a commercial space economy and expanding opportunities for private industry in low Earth orbit. (4/15)
Blue Origin is Set for its Next New Glenn Launch Sunday (Source: Spaceflight Now)
Blue Origin announced Thursday it scheduled the NG-3 mission for Sunday at 6:45 a.m. Eastern, at the opening of a two-hour window. That announcement came several hours after a static-fire test of the New Glenn booster, which previously flew in November. The payload for NG-3 is a BlueBird direct-to-device communications satellite for AST SpaceMobile. (4/17)
ESA and Canada Sign Agreement on the Exchange of Classified Information (Source: ESA)
The European Space Agency (ESA) and Canada have signed a General Security of Information Agreement (GSOIA), which will establish a legally binding framework for the exchange of classified information. The GSOIA will ensure that both parties uphold the highest standards of security while enabling the secure exchange of sensitive information entrusted to authorized institutions and industrial partners. It provides a robust foundation for cooperation in areas where the protection of classified information is essential. (4/16)
Colorado Springs Still Vital to Military Space Industry, Leaders Say, Even After Space Command Move (Source; KRCC)
When talking about the future of the space industry in Colorado Springs, a group of defense contractors and a retired four-star general did not take long to mention the upcoming move of the U.S. Space Command headquarters to Alabama. “It is the elephant in the room,” said retired Air Force Gen. and former Vice Chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff John Hyten.
Nevertheless, the group speaking to reporters at this week’s Space Symposium at the Broadmoor sought to reassure residents: Colorado Springs remains the country’s central hub for military space operations. “U.S. SpaceCom may be leaving Colorado to Huntsville, but what is not leaving is all of the operational units that support U.S. Space Command,” said Art Louriero, Chair of the Colorado Aerospace and Defense Council and Director of Space Defense Solutions at military tech firm L3Harris. (4/6)
Sens. Warren and Blumenthal Investigate NLRB Decision to Drop Charges Against SpaceX for Retaliatory Firings (Source: CNBC)
Sens. Elizabeth Warren, D-MA, and Richard Blumenthal, D-CT., initiated an investigation into the National Labor Relations Board on Wednesday concerning the agency’s decision to drop charges against Elon Musk’s SpaceX over retaliatory firings. SpaceX is reportedly seeking to go public in June and eyeing a $2 trillion valuation.
Under the Biden administration, the NLRB had charged the aerospace and defense firm with illegally firing employees in retaliation for criticism of Musk in an open letter in which they alleged sexist conduct on his part, and a wider culture of sexual harassment at SpaceX. The NLRB dismissed those charges citing jurisdictional issues in February.
Warren and Blumenthal have demanded information and records from the NLRB according to correspondence first obtained by CNBC, seeking to determine if the agency dropped the charges based on “political considerations rather than the facts at hand,” effectively bowing to the wishes of Musk, who spent around $300 million to propel President Trump back to the White House. (4/16)
Our Nation’s Space Nuclear Policy Needs All Three Of Its Legs (Source: Forbes)
Combined with NASA’s recently announced plan to send the nuclear electric-propelled SR-1 Freedom mission to Mars by December 2028, the new policy guidance - which follows on the heels of the Trump Administration’s Executive Order ("Ensuring American Space Superiority," December 2025) - represents a genuine inflection point for space nuclear capability.
It also contains a significant strategic omission. The thing that’s missing is nuclear thermal propulsion (NTP). Unlike electric propulsion, which features high efficiency but very low thrust levels (thus very long journeys to destinations such as the Moon or Mars), NTP is high-thrust and high efficiency - or more accurately, high "specific impulse," in rocket terms. (4/16)
Potential Space Florida Deal for 'Project Jaguar' Could be First to Use New Spaceport PABs (Source: Bond Buyer)
A planned Space Florida conduit financing for an obligor code-named "Project Jaguar" appears to be the first deal in the works that would use a financing tool authorized by last year's One Big Beautiful Bill Act: Tax-exempt private activity bonds for spaceport projects.
Oklahoma Aerospace Enters New Era with Spaceport Rebrand (Source: OSIDA)
Oklahoma Space Industry Development Authority outlines a major step forward for aerospace development in Western Oklahoma, highlighted by a dual rebranding effort and state-level merger. OSIDA announced a refreshed identity alongside the renaming of the Clinton-Sherman Industrial Airpark. The facility in Burns Flat will now be known as Infinity One Oklahoma Spaceport.
According to OSIDA, the changes are part of a strategic merger with the Oklahoma Department of Aerospace and Aeronautics, designed to strengthen Oklahoma’s position in the global aerospace market. (4/16)
India Catalogs Rocket Part Reentries for Debris Mitigation (Source: The Tribune)
By the end of December 2025, 36 rocket bodies have re-entered the Earth’s atmosphere, Indian Space Situational Awareness Report (ISSAR) 2025 released by Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) said. No small satellite launch vehicle (SSLV) rocket bodies remained in orbit by the end of last year. This proves that ISRO manages spent rocket debris to avert any mishap. (4/16)
Lately, dedicated science missions have been made to take a back seat at NASA, where they're left to "hitchhike" on the back of commercial missions, wrote Casey Dreier, chief of space policy at The Planetary Society. "If this is to be a true golden age of science and discovery, NASA can’t rely on serendipity; the agency must make active investments in dedicated science projects that address the highest priority questions facing humanity," Dreier wrote.
"Without a dedicated science program, without intentionality, without actively attempting to answer the big questions, future breakthroughs in space science are a function of serendipity," Dreier wrote. "Hitchhiking, after all, rarely takes you exactly where you need to go." (4/18)
The Space Sector Prepares to Blast Off (Source: Kiplinger)
There are plenty of reasons to think that future business prospects, new technology and geopolitical shifts will propel the industry to new heights. The renewed optimism of satellite CEOs was clear when I attended SatShow 2026 in Washington, D.C. The mood was in stark contrast to the last few years, when SpaceX’s disruptive force and other business woes were driving the conversations. SpaceX is still disrupting things as a de facto monopoly, but the entire industry is growing fast and there’s more room for other players to benefit. (4/18)
Lockheed Martin Nabs $105M Ground System Contract to Support Next-Gen GPS (Source: Breaking Defense)
Lockheed Martin’s new contract worth up to $105 million for modernizing the ground control system for GPS satellites covers not just the birds on orbit today, but also early operations for the future GPS IIIF variants. Under the agreement, the company will support launch, early orbit, and disposal operations for GPS IIIF space vehicles,” the announcement elaborated. (4/17)
Rocket Lab Defeats Investor Lawsuit Over Delayed Neutron Launch (Source: Bloomberg)
Rocket Lab USA and top executives routed allegations they misled investors about the testing and debut timeline for its reusable Neutron rocket before a 2025 short-seller report. The court again found the lawsuit’s theory of securities fraud by Rocket Lab CEO Sir Peter Beck and Chief Financial Officer Adam Spice “simply does not make much sense.” Judge George H. Wu finalized an earlier tentative ruling, tossing the proposed class action with prejudice Thursday. (4/17)
America’s Next Moon Mission Depends on Elon Musk, for Better or Worse (Source: Mother Jones)
Elon Musk has long been in an on-again, off-again relationship with the moon. Though just last year he called it “a distraction”—saying his focus was shifting exclusively to Mars—he now seems to be rekindling things with our natural satellite. And regardless of his own feelings about the moon, NASA is paying him to get us there again.
NASA has always relied on partnerships with private companies, but the number of unique contractors has dropped by 38 percent between 2021 and 2024 as contracts with SpaceX ballooned. According to a Washington Post investigation, Musk’s company has received nearly $15 billion from the agency all told, with contract values doubling at the inception of Artemis. (4/17)
Antitrust Authority Approves Creation of Rheinmetall-OHB Satellite Joint Venture (Source: European Spaceflight)
The Federal Cartel Office (Bundeskartellamt), Germany’s independent competition authority, has approved a new joint venture between Rheinmetall and OHB. In a 16 April announcement, the Bundeskartellamt explained that the new subsidiary will be used to bid for a German armed forces public procurement contract.
In September 2025, the German government announced that it had committed €35 billion in spending for space-related defence projects by 2030. At the time, Defence Minister Boris Pistorius explained that, as part of the package, the country planned to “build new satellite constellations for early warning, reconnaissance, and communications.” (4/18)
Artemis 2's Heat Shield Seems to Have Aced its Trial by Fire (Source: Space.com)
Artemis 2's return to Earth went a lot more smoothly than some folks had feared. The heat shield on Artemis 2's Orion capsule, which the crew named "Integrity," was the topic of considerable discussion in the lead-up to the mission's April 10 splashdown — for several years before that, in fact.
After a great deal of analysis and discussion, NASA decided to stick with the same heat shield design for Artemis 2, a decision that drew objections from some in the spaceflight community. The agency did tweak the mission's reentry trajectory, however, bringing Integrity into the atmosphere at a steeper angle so that it spent less time in the extreme temperature regimes that scarred Artemis 1's Orion so markedly.
This adjustment apparently did the trick, for Integrity's heat shield survived its trial by fire in good shape, according to Artemis 2 commander Reid Wiseman. He and his crewmates — NASA astronauts Victor Glover and Christina Koch and the Canadian Space Agency's Jeremy Hansen — inspected Integrity shortly after the capsule's April 10 splashdown. And the vehicle passed that eye test, according to Wiseman. (4/17)
Rocket Lab Unveils New Electric Propulsion Satellite Thruster to Meet Constellation Demand (Source: Rocket Lab)
Rocket Lab introduced a new electric satellite thruster designed for high-volume production to meet the growing demand for reliable satellite propulsion across commercial and national security constellations. Rocket Lab’s in-house designed and manufactured electric propulsion system, named Gauss, features a Hall Thruster, Power Processing Unit and a Propellant Management Assembly. (4/14)
NorthStar to Go Public with SPAC Viking Acquisition Corp. (Source: Space Intel Report)
Space-based space situational awareness company NorthStar Earth & Space of Canada will be going public via a merger with special-purpose acquisition company (SPAC) Viking Acquisition Corp. 1, which in October began trading on the New York Stock Exchange after an IPO generating gross proceeds $230 million. As of April 16, Viking’s market capitalization was $314.2 million. In an April 17 statement, NorthStar said the transaction has secured $30 million in commitments from investors. (4/17)
NASA Selects Voyager for Seventh Private Mission to Space Station (Source: NASA)
NASA and Voyager Technologies have signed an order for the seventh private astronaut mission to the International Space Station, targeted to launch no earlier than 2028 from Florida. This is the company’s first selection for a private astronaut mission to the orbiting laboratory, underscoring NASA’s ongoing investment in fostering a commercial space economy and expanding opportunities for private industry in low Earth orbit. (4/15)
Blue Origin is Set for its Next New Glenn Launch Sunday (Source: Spaceflight Now)
Blue Origin announced Thursday it scheduled the NG-3 mission for Sunday at 6:45 a.m. Eastern, at the opening of a two-hour window. That announcement came several hours after a static-fire test of the New Glenn booster, which previously flew in November. The payload for NG-3 is a BlueBird direct-to-device communications satellite for AST SpaceMobile. (4/17)
ESA and Canada Sign Agreement on the Exchange of Classified Information (Source: ESA)
The European Space Agency (ESA) and Canada have signed a General Security of Information Agreement (GSOIA), which will establish a legally binding framework for the exchange of classified information. The GSOIA will ensure that both parties uphold the highest standards of security while enabling the secure exchange of sensitive information entrusted to authorized institutions and industrial partners. It provides a robust foundation for cooperation in areas where the protection of classified information is essential. (4/16)
Colorado Springs Still Vital to Military Space Industry, Leaders Say, Even After Space Command Move (Source; KRCC)
When talking about the future of the space industry in Colorado Springs, a group of defense contractors and a retired four-star general did not take long to mention the upcoming move of the U.S. Space Command headquarters to Alabama. “It is the elephant in the room,” said retired Air Force Gen. and former Vice Chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff John Hyten.
Nevertheless, the group speaking to reporters at this week’s Space Symposium at the Broadmoor sought to reassure residents: Colorado Springs remains the country’s central hub for military space operations. “U.S. SpaceCom may be leaving Colorado to Huntsville, but what is not leaving is all of the operational units that support U.S. Space Command,” said Art Louriero, Chair of the Colorado Aerospace and Defense Council and Director of Space Defense Solutions at military tech firm L3Harris. (4/6)
Sens. Warren and Blumenthal Investigate NLRB Decision to Drop Charges Against SpaceX for Retaliatory Firings (Source: CNBC)
Sens. Elizabeth Warren, D-MA, and Richard Blumenthal, D-CT., initiated an investigation into the National Labor Relations Board on Wednesday concerning the agency’s decision to drop charges against Elon Musk’s SpaceX over retaliatory firings. SpaceX is reportedly seeking to go public in June and eyeing a $2 trillion valuation.
Under the Biden administration, the NLRB had charged the aerospace and defense firm with illegally firing employees in retaliation for criticism of Musk in an open letter in which they alleged sexist conduct on his part, and a wider culture of sexual harassment at SpaceX. The NLRB dismissed those charges citing jurisdictional issues in February.
Warren and Blumenthal have demanded information and records from the NLRB according to correspondence first obtained by CNBC, seeking to determine if the agency dropped the charges based on “political considerations rather than the facts at hand,” effectively bowing to the wishes of Musk, who spent around $300 million to propel President Trump back to the White House. (4/16)
Our Nation’s Space Nuclear Policy Needs All Three Of Its Legs (Source: Forbes)
Combined with NASA’s recently announced plan to send the nuclear electric-propelled SR-1 Freedom mission to Mars by December 2028, the new policy guidance - which follows on the heels of the Trump Administration’s Executive Order ("Ensuring American Space Superiority," December 2025) - represents a genuine inflection point for space nuclear capability.
It also contains a significant strategic omission. The thing that’s missing is nuclear thermal propulsion (NTP). Unlike electric propulsion, which features high efficiency but very low thrust levels (thus very long journeys to destinations such as the Moon or Mars), NTP is high-thrust and high efficiency - or more accurately, high "specific impulse," in rocket terms. (4/16)
Potential Space Florida Deal for 'Project Jaguar' Could be First to Use New Spaceport PABs (Source: Bond Buyer)
A planned Space Florida conduit financing for an obligor code-named "Project Jaguar" appears to be the first deal in the works that would use a financing tool authorized by last year's One Big Beautiful Bill Act: Tax-exempt private activity bonds for spaceport projects.
Oklahoma Aerospace Enters New Era with Spaceport Rebrand (Source: OSIDA)
Oklahoma Space Industry Development Authority outlines a major step forward for aerospace development in Western Oklahoma, highlighted by a dual rebranding effort and state-level merger. OSIDA announced a refreshed identity alongside the renaming of the Clinton-Sherman Industrial Airpark. The facility in Burns Flat will now be known as Infinity One Oklahoma Spaceport.
According to OSIDA, the changes are part of a strategic merger with the Oklahoma Department of Aerospace and Aeronautics, designed to strengthen Oklahoma’s position in the global aerospace market. (4/16)
India Catalogs Rocket Part Reentries for Debris Mitigation (Source: The Tribune)
By the end of December 2025, 36 rocket bodies have re-entered the Earth’s atmosphere, Indian Space Situational Awareness Report (ISSAR) 2025 released by Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) said. No small satellite launch vehicle (SSLV) rocket bodies remained in orbit by the end of last year. This proves that ISRO manages spent rocket debris to avert any mishap. (4/16)
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