July 24, 2026

SpaceX Is Turning Away Falcon Customers in Major Bet on Starship (Source: Bloomberg)
SpaceX has started to turn away satellite operators seeking dedicated rides to orbit aboard its staple Falcon 9 rocket beyond 2028, people familiar with the matter said, underscoring the massive bet Elon Musk is making on its unproven Starship. Musk’s rocket, satellite and artificial intelligence juggernaut has also stopped building some non-reusable components for the Falcon family, such as the rocket’s massive upper stage, said one of the people. (7/24)

US Aerospace/Defense Contractors Confront Europe's Drive for Local Control (Source: Reuters)
As U.S. defense companies descended on Britain's Farnborough Airshow this week hoping to tap Europe's military spending boom, they encountered increased concern among customers about reliance on American ​suppliers. European governments are demanding greater control over defense equipment, more local production and a bigger share of industrial benefits. In response, U.S. ‌arms makers are expanding manufacturing in Europe, forming joint ventures and offering more tailored products. (7/24)

House NDAA Rejects Civilian Workforce Cuts, Anti-Union Proposals (Source: FNN)
The House narrowly passed its version of the fiscal 2027 defense policy bill on Wednesday evening despite strong Democratic opposition over the bill’s massive price tag, the war with Iran and a provision that would expand military partnership between the United States and Israel.

While the $1.15 trillion defense bill backs President Donald Trump’s request to raise all service members’ pay by 5 to 7%, it does not mention a pay raise for DoD civilians in fiscal 2027. While civilian pay is addressed outside the annual defense authorization process, some Democrats argued that House lawmakers missed an opportunity to provide a pay increase for the department’s civilian workforce. (7/23)

Florida Economy Surpasses Australia's (Source: Fox Business)
New data from the Florida Chamber of Commerce shows the Sunshine State's $1.8 trillion economy has climbed to No. 14 globally, according to the Florida Chamber Foundation. The chamber says the ranking demonstrates the state's emphasis on lower taxes, streamlined regulations and free enterprise.

Last week, the chamber announced Florida had climbed to No. 14 among the world's largest economies by gross domestic product (GDP). The state's economy reached $1.8 trillion after growing 6.3% over the past year, surpassing Australia and Mexico, according to the chamber. Florida now ranks behind South Korea at No. 13 and would need roughly 2% additional growth to surpass it and about 21% more growth to overtake Canada, which ranks No. 10. (7/23)

Rivers of Magma Once Bubbled Beneath Crust of Mars (Source: Guardian)
Mars once had rivers of magma bubbling beneath its crust, new research suggests. The surprise find makes it more probable that Mars could have supported life and widens the selection of rocky planets that may once have been habitable. Researchers at the University of Oxford studied data gathered by NASA’s Insight Lander, which recorded seismic waves caused by meteorite impacts and Martian quakes. They used the seismic data to analyze a mysterious boundary 15 miles below the surface of Mars. Their findings showed that the most likely cause for this boundary was molten rock pooling deep underground and stretching sideways for hundreds or even thousands of miles. (7/23)

SpaceX Plans Texas Data Center Expansion (Source: Reuters)
SpaceX is preparing for at least one new large-scale data center in Texas, ​according to people ‌familiar with the matter. The expansion would significantly increase the company's AI computing capacity beyond ​its existing Memphis-area hub, where it ​operates two data centers with about ⁠1 gigawatt of compute capacity. SpaceX has explored several potential data center ​sites in Texas in recent months, aiming for a Texas expansion on a similar or larger scale than its ​existing Memphis-area ​facilities. (7/22)

Congress Seeks Details on NASA Workforce Plan (Source: Politico)
Lawmakers wanted more information on NASA’s plans to convert a chunk of its contractor-heavy workforce into full-time government employees. Isaacman has said the move will save NASA overhead costs and bring core functions in-house. As of May, NASA has approved the “hiring of 3,664 contractor positions to civil servant roles,” according to a document NASA sent in response to questions from the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice and Science. The move will generate $140 million in annual savings. (7/23)

Sidus Space Appoints Chief Financial Officer (Source: Sidus Space)
Sidus Space, Inc. (NASDAQ: SIDU) announced the appointment of Alan Khalili as Chief Financial Officer, effective July 27. Mr. Khalili brings more than two decades of executive financial leadership across the space, satellite, and technology sectors, spanning publicly traded and high growth companies. (7/24)

Council on Foreign Relations visits Cape Canaveral Spaceport to Discuss the Future of Launch (Source: USSF)
 On June 26, 2026, the Council on Foreign Relations visited Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. Members of the CFR met with Space Force Col. Brian Chatman, commander of Space Launch Delta 45, to discuss the scale of Space Coast operations, spaceport logistics and ways to ensure Cape Canaveral Space Force Station remains the “Premier Gateway to Space.”

The CFR is a nonpartisan, United States-based think tank with its headquarters in New York City. The council focuses on international affairs and their relation to U.S. interests. Members discuss these global challenges with government officials and scholars to advocate for policy changes that are better postured to address international and national issues. (7/23)

From Farnborough to Florida (Source: Florida High Tech Corridor)
Florida’s innovation ecosystem and the Florida High Tech Corridor Region are having a standout week at the 2026 Farnborough International Airshow in England, one of the world’s premier aerospace and technology events. Leading a business development mission to the United Kingdom, Florida officials are showcasing the state’s strengths in aerospace, aviation, advanced manufacturing and space commerce while highlighting new investment opportunities. Click here. (7/23)

Space Florida and Seraphim Showcase Second Investment Readiness Cohort at Farnborough (Source: Space Florida)
Space Florida and Seraphim Space, the world's leading SpaceTech investment group, today announced the second cohort of their Investment Readiness Program at the Farnborough International Airshow. Building on the successful launch of the program in 2025, the announcement adds to the momentum behind the new Space Florida-UK Memorandum of Understanding, signed by Governor Ron DeSantis. The growing collaboration between the two regions continues to strengthen innovation, investment, and commercial growth across the space sector. (7/23)

NASA Programs Feel Effects of Workforce Reductions (Source: Space News)
More than two dozen major NASA projects say they’ve been affected by the loss of roughly a fifth of the agency’s civil servant workforce over the past year. The impact signals operational strain across program execution and delivery timelines, as multiple initiatives contend with reduced staffing capacity. (7/23)

Space Is Coming for Silicon (Source: Via Satellite)
Orbital data centers are now taking shape enough to have brand names. SpaceX has put Starmind on the map, with Elon Musk describing it as an AI satellite megaconstellation that could eventually operate as “orbital data centers” at enormous scale. While that is the headline, the footnote is more interesting. Reuters reported that SpaceX has warned investors its orbital AI compute plans remain technically complex, unproven, exposed to the harsh space environment, and may not become commercially viable.

That contradiction is the real story. The public pitch is simple: AI needs power, space has sunlight, vacuum is cold, and launch costs are falling. It is a good slide. It is also incomplete. Physics does not care that the renderings look clean. A hyperscale cloud in orbit still has to survive radiation, thermal cycling, launch vibration, orbital debris, limited servicing, short technology refresh cycles, and a communications architecture that does not turn every workload into an expensive round trip. (7/23)

Thales Space Division Reports Growing Sales and Profit Despite $174.5M Cost of Cancellation of Two Satellites for SES (Source: Space Intel Report)
Thales’ space business—run largely through Thales Alenia Space and Telespazio—posted continued recovery in the three months ended June 30, with both sales and profit increasing. The improvement held even after a customer cancellation of two geostationary-orbit telecommunications satellites, costing €174.5M for Thales’ accounts. Satellite fleet operator SES in May cancelled the IS-41 and IS44 satellites, both designed with Thales Alenia Space’s SpaceInspire software-defined platform, in May. (7/23)

Frequency Electronics Reports Increased Demand From Proliferated Satellite Programs (Source: Via Satellite)
Frequency Electronics reports $18 million in recent contract wins, including an $11 million award from an undisclosed major aerospace prime contractor to support a proliferated satellite program. Under the contract, Frequency Electronics will provide on-board precision frequency-generation systems. The company also secured $7 million in follow-on production contracts for both space oscillators and non-space U.S. government programs. (7/23)

Intel Authorization Act Proposes Limiting Commercial EO Access (Source: Payload)
A proposed provision in the US Intel Authorization Act would treat commercial Earth Observation (EO) data access as a controlled privilege rather than a right, seeking to limit what Earth-observation satellite operators can publicly share. The measure frames data dissemination as something the government should govern for security reasons. (7/23)

Vulcan Centaur Swapped Out Again: NASA Goes with SpaceX Falcon Heavy Rocket for Launch of Space Weather Mission (Source: Space.com)
NASA is shaking things up for its next mission to research the sun. The six satellites of NASA's Sun Radio Interferometer Space Experiment (SunRISE) mission are poised to launch to Earth orbit soon, to serve as an early warning system for incoming solar storms. They were originally slated to lift off on a United Launch Alliance (ULA) Vulcan Centaur rocket but have now been assigned a SpaceX Falcon Heavy, according to a NASA mission update.

SunRISE will fly to space as part of a rideshare mission sponsored by the U.S. Space Force's (USSF's) Space Systems Command (SSC). Though it's not stated specifically in the NASA release, that may be a hint as to why the mission's rocket was changed. On its most recent launch, USSF-87, Vulcan experienced an anomaly in one of its solid rocket boosters — the second such incident to occur during the rocket's four launches to date. (7/23)

Canadian Consul General Visits Vandenberg to Strengthen U.S.- Canada Space Partnerships (Source: USSF)
Sylvie Bédard, Canada’s Consul General in Los Angeles, visited Vandenberg Space Force Base July 16 and 17 to observe the installation’s launch operations and reinforce the U.S.-Canada commitment to advancing security and cooperation in the space domain. Bédard met with Space Launch Delta 30 leadership to learn how Vandenberg supports national security, civil and commercial space launches. (7/22)

Louisiana State Senator Addresses Space X, Blue Origin Rumors (Source: KATC)
For months, speculation has circulated about a space exploration company coming to Vermilion Parish. State Sen. Bob Hensgens addressed those rumors directly with parish residents at a meeting, though no questions were taken from the public during or after the meeting. "I hold no details of a possible SpaceX or Blue Origin purchase of property in Vermilion Parish," Hensgens said. He said the parish's access to the Intracoastal Waterway, which provides direct access to the Gulf Coast, is a factor that makes the possibility appear real. (7/22)

New Mexico County Adopts Data Center Moratorium as Residents Protest Spaceport Proposal (Source: SourceNM)
This week, another New Mexico county commission unanimously approved a data center moratorium. The Sierra County Commission met in Truth or Consequences Tuesday to vote on a resolution opposing the development of large-scale data centers within the confines of the county. By the end of the roughly three-hour meeting, commissioners had amended the item into an 18-month moratorium on data centers.

This week’s vote in Sierra County, which follows similar approvals in Santa Fe and Socorro counties, came as residents scrutinized a proposal from a Canadian company to build a data center and solar array at Spaceport America. In a statement Tuesday, Spaceport spokesperson Charlie Hurley said leaders at Spaceport were not in talks with other data center developers and had not signed a lease, construction agreement or development agreement with Green Data. (7/22)

South Australia Signs MoU with Space Florida to Expand Launch and Spaceport Cooperation (Source: Space and Defense)
The South Australian Government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Space Florida aimed at increasing international cooperation and engagement in the space sector, with a focus on spaceport development and launch-related activity. The agreement, entered into through the South Australian Space Industry Centre (SASIC), was announced at the 19th Australian Space Forum in Adelaide. It sets out a framework for collaboration across areas including spaceport development, space trade, economic opportunity, research and development, and workforce development. (7/23)

A Talent Race ISRO Can't Lose (Source: Deccan Herald)
More than 100 scientists are reported to have resigned or taken voluntary retirement from ISRO. India is entering the most ambitious phase of its space program just as its institutional core is being thinned by an exodus of experience. Since the space sector was opened to private participation in 2020, startups such as Skyroot Aerospace, Agnikul Cosmos, Pixxel, Bellatrix Aerospace, Dhruva Space, and Digantara have transformed India’s aerospace landscape. They offer higher salaries, stock options, quicker career progression, and a faster, less bureaucratic work environment. For technically ambitious scientists, the attraction is obvious. (7/22)

USRA Boosts Transatlantic Space Research Collaboration with Leicester Presence (Source: USRA)
The Universities Space Research Association, an organisation dedicated to international co-operation on space and advanced aeronautics research, is to establish a new corporate entity at Space Park Leicester. The news was announced at the Farnborough International Airshow. The University of Leicester's £100 million science and innovation park will host the USRA's UK presence, supporting the space economy across Europe and strengthening transatlantic space collaboration. (7/22)

July 23, 2026

British Business Bank to Develop a £100 Million Aerospace Supply Chain Fund with the UK Government (Source: Aerospace Global News)
The British Business Bank has announced that it has made a firm proposal to the UK Government to set up a  £100m aerospace supply chain fund to support UK suppliers and strengthen manufacturing capability across the sector. The proposed fund will help strengthen the aerospace supply chain, giving high-potential UK suppliers the capital they need to scale, invest and compete. The fund has been specifically designed to bring together public and private sector investment to support this strategically important sector of the UK economy. (7/20)

UK Government to Invest £62M More to Boost National Space Sector (Source: Via Satellite)
The U.K. government is to invest a further 62 million pounds ($83.4 million) to help boost the space sector in the country. This funding will support new satellite communications systems and space innovation projects, helping turn early-stage ideas into commercial products, with the aim of strengthening the UK’s ability to monitor and protect assets in orbit, and build a more resilient domestic space sector.

The funds announced Monday includes 42 million pounds ($56.5 million) to develop new British satellite communications technologies and 20 million pounds ($26.9 million) to support space innovation projects across industry and universities. (7/23)

FCC Votes to Adopt New Licensing Process for Satellites (Source: Aerospace America)
The Federal Communications Commission voted unanimously to overhaul its satellite licensing process, despite a request to postpone the vote by U.S. House space policy leaders. The FCC on July 1 published the Space Modernization Order outlining the changes, which include establishing “a licensing assembly line” to process applications for satellite licenses, potentially in batches as opposed to separate approvals for each satellite in a large constellation. The order is among several planned overhauls to U.S. space licensing that were prompted by various 2025 White House executive orders. (7/22)

FIU Study Challenges Leading Explanation for Why Galaxies Stop Forming Stars (Source: FIU)
Understanding why galaxies stop forming stars is one of the biggest questions in galaxy evolution because it helps scientists explain how galaxies change over billions of years.
FIU research found galaxy mergers are neither necessary nor sufficient to stop galaxies from forming new stars — a process astronomers call quenching. Instead, the findings suggest slower internal processes play a much larger role than galaxy mergers in shutting down star formation. This suggests most galaxies don’t “die” in spectacular cosmic pileups after all. (7/21)

BAE, Trimble to Help Develop Space Force GPS Receiver (Source: ExecutiveBiz)
The US Space Force has awarded BAE Systems and Trimble agreements to develop the Maritime and Aviation Receiver Card, a next-generation military GPS receiver. The first phase involves advancing requirements and design work, while the second will focus on prototyping and integration. The receiver aims to enhance positioning, navigation and timing in contested environments, building on the Military GPS User Equipment Increment 1 program. (7/21)
 
Northrop Grumman Satellite Servicer Reaches Orbit (Source: Via Satellite)
The Mission Robotics Vehicle, developed by Northrop Grumman in partnership with NASA and the Naval Research Laboratory, has reached orbit to provide advanced refueling and life-extension services for satellites. Equipped with robotic arms, the MRV is designed to set a new standard for in-orbit servicing and lay the groundwork for future satellite repairs, inspections and assembly. (7/21)

NASA’s Isaacman Isn’t Asking the GOP for More Money (Source: Politico)
NASA wants to return to the moon and go even further, but the new agency head said he’s got the cash to get there. NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman spoke to an influential group of House Republicans on Wednesday — but he didn’t make a pitch for more money when he walked through his agency’s ambitious plans for space. “I’m not here asking for money,” Isaacman told GOP members during the weekly Republican Study Committee lunch, according to five people who were in the room. RSC Chair August Pfluger (R-TX) also confirmed Isaacman’s comments while leaving the meeting Wednesday. (7/22)

Another Trillion-Plus Pentagon Budget Authorization Passed by Republican-Led House (Source: NPR)
House Republicans passed $1.1 trillion in funding for the military on Wednesday, in a final flurry of activity before leaving Washington for a more than month-long recess. The funding, an annual military policy bill called the National Defense Authorization Act, or NDAA, passed by a vote of 216 to 212, with six Democrats joining Republicans to support the bill. It now heads to the Senate, where it faces an uncertain path forward.

The bill — typically advanced with broad bipartisan majorities — has become a largely party-line effort this year. Republicans call the bill "a generational investment in America's national defense" that "builds the fighting force of the future by prioritizing innovation, lethality, and readiness." (7/22)

Electra Picks Ohio for $850M Aircraft Plant (Source: WLWT)
Electra, an advanced air mobility company, will build an $850 million aircraft manufacturing plant in Springfield, Ohio. The facility, expected to create 1,975 jobs, will produce the EL9 Ultra Short aircraft. The project is expected to be supported by state and local incentives tied to job creation and workforce development. The Ohio Tax Credit Authority will consider a proposed Job Creation Tax Credit at a future meeting. (7/22)

Rocket Lab Wins $266M From Space Force for Alaska Suborbital Launches (Source: Tech Times)
Rocket Lab has secured a $266 million contract from the Space Force for 12 suborbital launches from the Pacific Spaceport Complex in Alaska, with options for six more by 2028. This contract, the largest in Rocket Lab's history, leverages the unique geographic advantages of the Alaska spaceport, which can access a wide range of orbital inclinations without fuel-wasting maneuvers. The contract likely involves the Hypersonic Accelerator Suborbital Test Electron, a variant of Rocket Lab's Electron rocket, and is independent of Neutron development. (7/22)

Iridium Reports 4% Revenue Growth in Q2 Amid Rocket Lab Acquisition Deal (Source: Via Satellite)
Iridium grew revenue and subscribers in the second quarter, while the company is in the midst of a deal to be acquired by Rocket Lab. The satellite operator reported $225.2 million in Q2 revenue, up 4% year-over-year. Commercial revenue of $133.7 million was up 4% from the same time last year, with Commercial IoT data delivering a 9% increase in billable subscribers. Iridium noted that increases in commercial services were partially offset by a decrease in commercial broadband revenue. (7/22)

Launch of 500 U.S. Space Force Satellites Planned By End Of 2027 (Source: Defense Daily)
By the end of next year, U.S. Space Force (USSF) is planning a multi-fold increase in the service's launches and its number of orbiting satellites. Military officials announced they were tripling the maximum value of one of the service’s National Security Space Launch contracts to $17 billion. It seems as though $5.6 billion wasn’t enough. (7/22)

China's Shijian-31 Surveys Entire GEO Belt From Custom Orbit (Source: KeepTrack)
Shijian-31, launched by China in June, is flying a non-standard orbit that gives it a sweeping vantage point across the geostationary belt rather than parking at a single longitude. Analysts tracking the satellite say the geometry lets it pass by multiple GEO slots over time instead of the fixed-position monitoring typical of most Chinese inspector satellites. This matters for anyone watching China’s GEO surveillance buildup. A satellite that can survey the entire belt from one bus, rather than requiring multiple assets at fixed slots, changes the math on how many spacecraft China needs to keep tabs on US and allied GEO assets. (7/23)

Musk Says Tesla And SpaceX ‘Can’t Talk About’ Merging On Earnings Call (Source: Forbes)
Musk, in response to a question from Wells Fargo analyst Colin Langan about a possible merger between Tesla and SpaceX, said: “We can’t talk about, you know, combining companies and that kind of thing on an earnings call—it has got to be done with the appropriate process.” There is “more and more overlap” between Tesla and SpaceX, Musk said, referencing Starlink’s integration into Cybertrucks—and later inclusion in all Tesla vehicles, according to Musk—and TeraFab, a proposed AI chip manufacturing venture between Tesla, SpaceX and xAI, which is now a SpaceX subsidiary. (7/22)

ONERA Selects Belgium's AMOS to Build French Space Surveillance Telescope (Source: European Spaceflight)
Belgium’s AMOS has been selected by the French aerospace research agency ONERA to build PROVIDENCE, a 2.5-metre ground-based telescope that will provide detailed images of satellites in low Earth orbit for the French Air and Space Force. The telescope is expected to enter service in early 2029. (7/22)

Extra $11 Billion to Fund Huge Leap in Space Force Launches (Source: Breaking Defense)
The Space Force’s move to increase the contract ceiling for less complex, less critical launches by $11.4 billion will cover an additional 110 launches, raising the total number of expected missions to 170 over the next decade. The Space Force on July 17 announced the tripling of its original $5.6 billion ceiling for the National Security Space Launch Phase 3 Lane 1 program, bringing the total to $17 billion. The indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity (ID/IQ) contract has a five-year base plus a five-year option between 2025 and 2034. (7/22)

Next Space Force Chief Throws Cold Water on the Idea of Space Privateers (Source: Ars Technica)
In the early years of the United States, when the nascent US Navy was still getting its sea legs, several presidents used privateers to capture or destroy enemy warships when armed naval vessels were unable to do so. President John Adams was one of the most vigorous proponents of commissioning private vessels for national ends. His administration issued letters of marque and reprisal during the so-called “Quasi-War” with France in the final years of the 18th century. These letters created the legal distinction between privateering and piracy.

Fast forward to today. Privateering is now prohibited under international law, and although it remains enshrined in the Constitution, the US government hasn’t used the practice since the War of 1812. Still, some present-day lawmakers want to bring it back. Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) and Rep. Tim Burchett (R-TN) authored a bill last year seeking to allow privateering in the fight against drug cartels. Lee and Burchett introduced a separate bill earlier this month calling for the government to use letters of marque and reprisal for cyber warfare.

Sen Jack Reed (D-RI) asked Lt. Gen. Doug Schiess, the nominee for the next Chief of Space Operations, about it. “There are definitely different mission areas where having commercial leasing, different ways to do that, makes sense,” Schiess said. “Satellite communications, space domain awareness, things like that. But I also agree when it is a weapon system or a capability that would be able to harm another person’s equipment, their assets, or even people, that needs to be completely owned by the Space Force and needs to be controlled.” (7/22)

Saltzman: No Avoiding the War Zone in Space (Source: Space.com)
"If a conflict extends into space, none of us will be able to avoid the war zone. Unlike a combat zone in the air, land or sea, we will not be able to steer clear," Gen. Chance Saltzman said in his remarks at the conference, published by the Space Force. "Whether we want to be in the combat zone or not, orbital mechanics will put all of our space capabilities into the space war zone." (7/22)

Vast Establishes Division for National Security Projects (Source: Space News)
Vast, the commercial space station and spacecraft developer, has established a dedicated division focused on work in national security space. The new unit is intended to support and execute national security-oriented projects alongside the company’s commercial space station and spacecraft efforts. (7/22)

UK Scraps the Department in Charge of UKSA (Source: Payload)
As the UK touted its aerospace achievements at the Farnborough Air Show, new Prime Minister Andy Burnham saw the perfect opportunity to scrap the department responsible. Burnham, who took office Monday, announced that the Department for Science, Innovation, and Technology (DSIT)—which housed the UK Space Agency (UKSA) after a shakeup last year—is no longer. DSIT will be replaced by the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade; the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport; and the Cabinet Office. Officials from UKSA declined to comment on the reorganization. (7/22)

Breaking Down the $686 Billion Space Economy (Source: Payload)
The Space Foundation’s latest reporting breaks down the global space economy at $686B and outlines its growth trajectory. The update provides a consolidated view of the sector’s scale and direction, useful for benchmarking investment plans and capacity across space segments. Government space spending hit $141B across 53 budgets, up 7.4% YoY. The US accounted for 57% of the total, but the real movement came from allies building domestic capabilities—Canada more than doubled its spending to $612M, and the UK, France, and South Korea each grew their space budgets more than 40%.

Commercial activity reached $544.3B, or 79% of the space economy—almost quadruple what all 53 governments spent combined. PNT services generated about 41% of the total commercial revenue and, with ground equipment, account for more than three-quarters. Upstream commercial sectors are far smaller, but moving much faster, by revenue: Satellite manufacturing is up 67.2%; Launch is up 49.4%; and In-space servicing and SSA are both up 42.9%. (7/22)

MDA Space UK Selected by OHB to Provide Advanced Lunar Landing Sensors for ESA’s Argonaut Mission (Source: MDA)
MDA Space has received a Pre-Authorization to Proceed (PATP) contract from OHB System AG (OHB), a leading European space systems provider, to deliver critical lunar landing sensors for the European Space Agency's (ESA) Argonaut spacecraft. The Argonaut program, led by ESA, represents Europe’s first independent lunar landing capability. (7/21)

Space Force Orders 36 More Golden Dome Missile-Tracking Satellites, for $1.75 Billion (Source: Space.com)
The U.S. Space Force is adding three dozen spacecraft to its growing constellation designed to detect and track incoming missiles from orbit. The Space Development Agency (SDA) announced the agreements, worth a combined $1.75 billion, on July 14, naming L3Harris Technologies and Sierra Space as the recipients.

Each company will provide 18 Accelerated Missile Defense Tranche 3 (AMDT3) spacecraft, for a total of 36 satellites that will grow the SDA Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture's Tranche 3 Tracking Layer constellation, part of the Trump Administration's Golden Dome initiative. All 36 are expected to be ready for launch by the end of 2028, according to an SDA statement. (7/21)

Relativity to Expand Terran R Production in Florida with $134 Million Incentive (Source: Space News)
Relativity Space will expand production of its Terran R rocket in Florida. The company and Space Florida announced a deal Tuesday where the state will help finance development of a new rocket production facility in Florida along with upgrades to test and launch infrastructure at Cape Canaveral. The state will provide up to $134 million toward those projects. Relativity said the Florida factory would be in addition to its existing facility in Long Beach, California. The medium-lift rocket remains in development and the company has not announced a date for its first launch from Cape Canaveral. (7/22)

Northrop Grumman Takes Hits From Flawed Solid Motors for Vulcan (Source: Space News)
Northrop Grumman is taking another charge related to the redesign of the solid rocket motor it produces for United Launch Alliance's Vulcan Centaur. The company said Tuesday as part of its second quarter financial results that it took a $91 million unfavorable adjustment to its earnings at completion on its GEM 63XL motor program, after reporting a $71 million unfavorable adjustment in the first quarter.

The motor suffered what ULA called a "significant performance anomaly" on a February launch, leading to changes in the design of the booster. Northrop said it expects to begin delivering the redesigned motors by the end of the year. Vulcan has not launched since that February mission, although the Space Force said this spring it was considering revamping its launch manifest to bring forward missions that could use Vulcan without any solid rocket boosters. (7/22)

Glover: First Artemis Human Lunar Landing Should Target Non-Polar Region (Source: Space News)
An Artemis 2 astronaut says NASA should reconsider plans to immediately go to the south polar region of the moon on the first crewed Artemis landings. Speaking at a conference Tuesday, Victor Glover said the first landings should target more familiar regions of the moon, like those closer to the equator used on the Apollo missions, citing safety concerns and less challenging terrain and lighting conditions there.

Landing in equatorial regions, he said, could allow NASA to gain experience with landers and "work our way to the south pole" on later missions. NASA officials said at the meeting that they continue to target the south polar regions for the Artemis 4 and 5 missions, scheduled for 2028, but added that exact landing sites would be determined only after better understanding the capabilities of the landers under development. (7/22)

China's Orienspace Launches Nine Satellites From Ship (Source: Space News)
A Chinese commercial rocket placed nine satellites in orbit after launching from a ship. Orienspace's Gravity-1 rocket lifted off at 10:54 p.m. Eastern Tuesday from a ship offshore from Shanghai. The launch carried nine payloads including six Dongpo satellites for the Huantian optical and radar imaging constellation. This was the third launch of the solid-fuel Gravity-1 rocket as Orienspace works on Gravity-2, a liquid-fuel reusable rocket set to make its debut late this year. (7/22)

SpaceX Launches Wednesday Starlink Mission From California (Source: Spaceflight Now)
SpaceX launched more Starlink satellites a day after a last-second abort. A Falcon 9 lifted off from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California on Wednesday, putting 24 satellites into orbit. The launch came 24 hours after the vehicle aborted a liftoff immediately after igniting its Merlin engines. SpaceX did not disclose the issue that caused the scrub. (7/22)

South Korea's Innospace Plans Orbital Launch in November (Source: Innospace)
South Korean launch startup Innospace expects to make another orbital launch attempt in November. The company said Wednesday it expects to fly its Hanbit-Nano rocket from the Alcântara Space Center in Brazil in November, 11 months after the rocket's inaugural flight there failed shortly after liftoff. That will come after the launch of a suborbital rocket, Sebit, from Alcântara on Aug. 19. Innospace developed Sebit to provide testing and technology demonstration services. (7/22)

1960s Fighter Jet Could Crack Open Small Payload Launch Market (Source: Simply Wall Street)
Starfighters Space is a U.S.-based aerospace company focused on launch services for space payloads, aerospace testing, and defense research. In the past, the company generated revenue from pilot training and in-flight testing. But now, they’re moving to something far more ambitious.

Starfighters Space owns a fleet of supersonic F-104 aircraft (they call Starfighters) and plans to use them as a reusable first stage for space launches. That means they don’t have to build entire multi-stage rockets from scratch like other space launch companies do, easily getting around the massive development price tags that often come with such endeavors. That initiative is called STARLAUNCH, and management believes it could become the company's biggest long-term revenue driver. STARLAUNCH, however, is still in development. (7/7)

July 22, 2026

Australian Space Agency Outlines New Strategic Direction for Industry Growth (Source: SpaceQ)
The Australian Space Agency has released an updated framework titled the Statement on Space. Minister Tim Ayres and Assistant Minister Andrew Charlton introduced the document at the ongoing Australian Space Forum, detailing a government vision aimed at securing national capability and boosting industrial participation in the global market.

The strategy arrives as the domestic sector looks to expand beyond its current base of 275 small and medium enterprises, which generated $4.6 billion Australian (about $4.5 billion Cdn) in 2021. Since it’s 2026, it seems odd the government does not have updated financial figures of the impact the space sector has on the Australian economy. (7/21)

Western Range Supports its 50th Launch of the Year (Source: USSF)
Vandenberg Space Force Base Guardians and Airmen supported the launch of a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket carrying the Starlink 17-39 mission to low-Earth orbit Tuesday, July 21, 2026, at 7:49 a.m. from Space Launch Complex 4 East (SLC-4). Today's mission marks the 50th launch supported from Vandenberg Space Force Base for 2026 from the U.S. Space Force’s West Coast Spaceport and Test Range at Vandenberg Space Force Base.

Every launch approved by the Vandenberg Space Force Base range is designated by the federal government to advance economic growth, strengthen national security, and achieve critical national space objectives — reinforcing the Central Coast’s role as a global gateway to space. (7/21)

Poland Joins Mission to Free Europe From Starlink Dependence (Source: TVP World)
Polish Interior Minister Marcin Kierwiński and EU Commissioner for Defense and Space Andrius Kubilius signed an agreement in Warsaw on Tuesday, making Poland one of six key contributors behind the €10.6 billion IRIS2 project. IRIS2 is an EU-backed satellite network designed to provide secure, encrypted communications under European control for governments, emergency responders and critical infrastructure. 

The project reflects Europe’s growing determination to safeguard critical communications following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and amid geopolitical tensions with the Donald Trump administration in the US. Concerns have also grown over dependence on privately owned satellite services after Musk suggested earlier this year that he could restrict Starlink access to Ukraine. (7/21)

ESA Seeks Novel Concepts for a Fast Asteroid Reconnaissance Mission (Source: ESA)
NASA's DART mission proved that a spacecraft can alter an asteroid's trajectory. But it also taught us something equally important: to do so efficiently, you first need to understand your target. That makes reconnaissance the essential first step in any deflection effort – and right now, even the fastest mission ESA can mount takes several years from the start of construction to launch.

ESA is preparing to set a new benchmark for rapid asteroid reconnaissance with RAMSES, which will rendezvous with asteroid Apophis just 3.5 years after the start of construction. Yet even this pace could, in a real-world scenario, mean missing the window to reach a threatening asteroid in time. So ESA is launching a new SysNova challenge calling for novel and advanced concepts for a fast asteroid reconnaissance mission, open now on the Open Space Innovation Platform (OSIP). (7/22)

Space Force Could Cap Launch Support Without Extra Funding (Source: Air and Space Forces)
Chief of Space Operations Gen. B. Chance Saltzman is warning lawmakers that the Space Force may eventually have to limit the number of launches it can support each year without additional resources to manage surging demand at its spaceports.

Demand for rides to space for both commercial and military payloads has risen dramatically in recent years, and the Space Force is responsible for facilitating the bulk of U.S. launch operations at its two coastal ranges, which together supported 180 missions in 2025. Annual launch rates at the two ranges are projected to grow to more than 700 over the next five to 10 years, and leaders say more funding is essential to further prepare its spaceport infrastructure for that higher throughput. (7/21)

Auxilium Biotechnologies Prints Kidney and Liver Tissues in Orbit (Source: Douglas Messier)
Auxilium Biotechnologies has announced a major milestone in space biomanufacturing with the successful bioprinting of kidney and liver tissues aboard the International Space Station (ISS), marking the first time either tissue type has been manufactured in space. Auxilium’s bioprinted biological tissues and nerve repair implants returned to earth on Mission AXLM-3 that flew on NASA’s SpaceX CRS-34 and splashed down off the California coast on June 17th, 2026, at 5:11 am Pacific.

During the mission, Auxilium’s AMP-1 orbital bioprinter successfully manufactured kidney, liver, and cartilage tissues while also producing 28 nerve repair implants. The achievement represents the first demonstration of kidney tissue manufacturing in space, the first demonstration of liver tissue manufacturing in space, and the first mission to manufacture three distinct tissue types during a single spaceflight. The production of multiple tissue types and clinically relevant nerve repair implants represents the first demonstration of a scalable, multi-product biomanufacturing platform in space. (7/21)

Raytheon Leads $423M USSF Radar Modernization Effort (Source: ExecutiveBiz)
The US Space Force has awarded contracts totaling $423.4 million to Raytheon, SciTec Innovations and WildStar to modernize six legacy ground-based radar systems. Raytheon received $309.5 million, SciTec $93.7 million and WildStar $20.2 million. The project aims to enhance battlespace situational awareness by improving radar tracking, range and object classification. (7/20)

NASA’s Nuclear Mars Mission to Cost Over $2 Billion (Source: Politico)
NASA administrator Jared Isaacman’s ambitious plans to build a nuclear-powered spacecraft and fly it to Mars will cost over $2 billion, the agency confirmed this week. The new cost estimate for the mission, dubbed Space Reactor-1 Freedom, comes as the agency juggles a number of high-profile missions — including returning humans to the Moon and building a lunar outpost — all while operating under what is expected to be a flat budget.

“Early cost estimates are approximately $2.1 billion, and NASA will continue refining that figure through the acquisition process,” the agency confirmed. The agency plans to spend $640 million in fiscal 2026, $890 million in 2027, $415 million in 2028, and $180 million in 2029 on the program, according to a document sent to Congress and viewed by POLITICO. NASA will pull that money from the agency’s exploration account and from funding it received through the party-line reconciliation bill passed last year. (7/21)

Space Lasers to Beam 4K Video for Artemis III (Source: Space.com)
NASA is partnering with SpaceX to equip the Artemis III Orion spacecraft with Starlink laser communications terminals. The upgrade is intended to support high-definition—reported as 4K—video transmission and enable higher-throughput, data-heavy mission downlinks during the Artemis III timeframe. (7/21)

SpaceX Launches Tuesday Starlink Mission From California (Source: Spaceflight Now)
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched two dozen Starlink V2 Mini broadband internet satellites to its massive low Earth orbit constellation on Tuesday, a day after liftoff was scrubbed Monday by a rare abort during engine ignition. (7/21)

NASA is Flying Planes Into Wildfires to Try and Figure Out How They Make Their Own Thunderstorms (Source: Independent)
NASA says it’s planning to fly planes into dangerous wildfire-generated storms this summer to help improve forecasting – and potentially save lives. Major wildfires across the U.S. West have produced clouds that can shoot choking smoke high into Earth’s atmosphere, generate thousands of fire-causing lightning strikes in a matter of just hours, and even spawn destructive, whirling firenadoes. These clouds and their impacts complicate firefighting efforts and threaten Americans living near the fire and those thousands of miles away. (7/21)

SpaceX Snaps 7-Day Losing Streak, Sets Earnings Date That Triggers First Big Share Unlock (Source: CNBC)
SpaceX’s stock gained 3% on Tuesday, snapping a seven-day losing streak after setting its maiden earnings report, which coincides with a major share lock-up expiration. The contractor announced Aug. 4 as its debut earnings report after its record initial public offering. The date also triggers the company’s unique lock-up period, which allows insiders to begin selling shares earlier than the typical 180-day period.

SpaceX took a staggered approach, allowing insiders to sell portions of their stock at earlier intervals to prevent massive selling and price volatility. The first earnings report paves the way for investors to sell 20% of their eligible locked-up stock, a total of up to 911.5 million shares, on the second full trading day immediately following the first earnings release date, Aug. 6. An additional 10% could be freed up if the stock closes at least 30% above the IPO price for five of the ten trading days heading into the report. (7/21)

New Zealand's Zenno Astronautics to Relocate to the United States (Source: Space News)
Zenno Astronautics, a New Zealand-founded space company pioneering superconducting technologies for space, today announced its intent to redomicile to the United States. While maintaining its presence in New Zealand, the company is establishing its headquarters in Los Angeles as part of its long-term strategy to expand its presence in the world's largest aerospace and defense market and evaluate future investments in manufacturing, testing and operational infrastructure. (7/21)

FCC Eyes Wi-Fi and Bluetooth Bands for Satellites (Source: Payload)
The FCC announced last week that it will consider a proposal on Aug. 6 to allow unlicensed Part 15 wireless devices to communicate directly with satellites. More than $40B has moved through D2D spectrum deals since 2024, from SpaceX’s $19.6B EchoStar spectrum purchase to the Amazon-Globalstar and Rocket Lab-Iridium acquisitions. The new FCC proposal would open more than 225 MHz of unlicensed spectrum—over three times what SpaceX bought—for free.

The spectrum the FCC wants to open was never anyone’s to sell. Part 15 governs devices that operate without a license—think Wi-Fi routers, Bluetooth speakers, garage door openers, and smart meters. Rather than applying for spectrum rights, these devices simply comply with technical limitations. (7/21)

Spectrum and RFA One, Two Bavarian Launchers Neck and Neck (Source: AeroSpatium)
Which small European private launcher will be the first to reach orbit? Isar Aerospace, with the second flight of its Spectrum, and Rocket Factory Augsburg (RFA), with the inaugural flight of its RFA One, are both aiming for the beginning of August. Of the five startups selected last year by the ESA for its European Launcher Challenge , one – Orbex – has gone out of business, and two are preparing to launch from Kourou at the end of this year or next (PLD Space and MaiaSpace). But the other two Bavarian companies, Isar Aerospace and Rocket Factory Augsburg (Germany), both intend to reach orbit next month, launching from Northern Europe. (7/13)

Making Progress: Relativity’s Terran R, Rocket Lab’s Neutron, and PLD Space’s Miura 5 (Source: NSF)
Three companies developing new orbital rockets — Relativity Space, Rocket Lab, and PLD Space — announced key testing milestones for vehicles targeted for debut flights later in 2026. Click here. (7/20)

Vikram-1: A Success for India’s Entire Space Ecosystem (Source: Space Review)
On Saturday, Indian startup Skyroot Aerospace successfully reached orbit on the first flight of its Vikram-1 rocket. Ajey Lele says this is a milestone not just for the company but the emerging Indian commercial space field. Click here. (7/21)
 
Getting to Yes—or No (Source: Space Review)
The US commercial space industry has pushed for years for a “mission authorization” system to approve novel space activities. Jeff Foust reports on the latest attempt to develop such a system, and how it could also become an avenue to block such efforts. Click here. (7/21)
 
The Arsenal’s New Owners (Source: Space Review)
The space industrial base is undergoing major changes with new players and new investment. Bharath Gopalaswamy and Daniel Dant argue that those companies would also benefit from reforms on how the government communicates its demand for space systems. Click here. (7/21)
 
Superstar in the Smithsonian: the FARRAH Satellite (Source: Space Review)
Among the new exhibits in the National Air and Space Museum is a half-scale model of a formerly top-secret signals intelligence satellite from the Cold War known as FARRAH. Dwayne Day discusses the history of that program. Click here. (7/21)

SpaceX Limits Future Commercial Rideshare Bookings Past 2028 Amid Severe Manifest Saturation (Source: SatNews)
Small satellite operators and mission integrators confirmed that SpaceX has stopped accepting new commercial launch bookings for both its Sun-Synchronous Orbit (SSO) Transporter series and mid-inclination Bandwagon missions beyond late 2028. The unexpected capacity freeze has triggered industry-wide logistical concerns as capital-constrained startups confront a sudden bottleneck to space access.

The sudden suspension of future commercial rideshare slots stems from a broader reallocation of internal launch infrastructure. Industry analysts report that SpaceX is increasingly prioritizing its internal Falcon 9 and Starship launch capacity to accelerate the deployment of the next-generation Starlink constellation.

Since the program’s inception in 2020, SpaceX’s sub-$300,000 baseline price point for standard CubeSat slots completely transformed NewSpace business models, rendering legacy, dedicated small-lift launch vehicles economically non-viable. The halt on new bookings past 2028 leaves a massive supply vacuum in the market. Startups that have raised capital based on ultra-cheap, highly predictable Transporter flight cadences must now face significantly higher launch costs or prolonged deployment delays, altering the economic baseline for emerging remote sensing and communications constellations. (7/20)

UK Misses Deadline to Award Contract for Space Debris Removal Mission (Source: European Spaceflight)
The UK Space Agency has missed a deadline to award a £75.6 million contract for the country’s first mission to capture and remove dead satellites from low Earth orbit. A call for Phase 3 of the mission’s development was published in July 2025, with the contract initially expected to be awarded by 30 March 2026. However, in its final annual report as an independent entity, published on 14 July, UKSA admitted that the contract award had been delayed. The agency is now targeting summer 2026 but has not explained the reason for the delay or provided a more precise timetable.

The Active Debris Removal (ADR) mission is expected to capture and remove two defunct UK-licensed satellites from low Earth orbit by the end of 2028. Neither satellite was designed to be removed from orbit, demonstrating the capture of unprepared, uncooperative objects in an increasingly congested orbital environment. In the initial call for tenders, the agency estimated the total value of Phase 3 at £63 million before VAT, or £75.6 million including VAT. However, separate spending-control records published by DSIT, the department that now oversees the UK Space Agency, show that £83.93 million excluding VAT was approved for the Phase 3 mission in June 2025. (7/20)

A SpaceX Rocket is About to Crash Onto the Moon (Source: Scientific American)
Astronomers are gearing up for a unique moon observation event: a stray piece of a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket is on track to hit the lunar surface on August 5. The collision and its aftermath, which may be visible from Earth- and space-based telescopes, present an opportunity for some singular science. The crash could reveal new information about what happens in the immediate aftermath of an impact on the lunar surface and offer insights into the hazards of errant space junk to the moon. (7/20)

July 21, 2026

US Looks to Speed Supersonic Planes to Market (Source: Reuters)
The U.S. Federal Aviation ‌Administration said it was working to help industry deploy air taxis, supersonic airplanes, boost space launches and expand drone operations as it embraces next-generation aviation. Deputy FAA Administrator Chris Rocheleau told Reuters in an interview at the Farnborough Airshow the agency is moving to address ​issues with certification and regulations.

In June, the FAA proposed the first of two ​rules needed to lift a ban imposed in 1973 on supersonic air transport ​over land. ⁠The agency plans to propose a second rule to define acceptable noise thresholds for takeoff, landing, and supersonic cruise flight and finalize both by mid-2027. "We think the rules are old and outdated," Rocheleau said. The era ⁠of regular ​commercial supersonic flights ended in 2003 when Concorde, flown by ​Air France and British Airways, was retired after 27 years of service. (7/21)

50 Years After Viking 1's Historic Mars Landing, NASA is Looking to the Red Planet's Skies (Source: Space.com)
Half a century after first putting hardware down on Mars, NASA is looking to explore the Red Planet's skies. If all goes according to plan: Skyfall, which will send three Ingenuity-like choppers to Mars on a nuclear-powered rocket. "Equipped with a suite of scientific instruments, these aerial scouts will map hidden ice deposits and analyze weather patterns," NASA officials wrote in a description of Skyfall. "The mission will also demonstrate how aerial vehicles can generate wide terrain and subsurface maps to identify safe and resource-rich destinations for future American astronauts venturing to Mars." (7/20)

Midland Development Board Approves AST SpaceMobile Deal for 1,600 Jobs (Source: Midland Reporter-Telegram)
Midland Development Corporation board members have approved what could be one of the largest economic development agreements in the organization’s history. At a special meeting, board members unanimously approved a resolution authorizing an economic development agreement between the MDC and AST & Science, whose subsidiary AST SpaceMobile manufactures satellites near Midland International Air and Space Port.

Under the agreement, AST will lease a 23.107-acre tract owned by the city of Midland near its present location at the Spaceport Business Park at the northeast corner of the intersection of La Force Boulevard and Business Interstate-20. AST plans to construct a 400,000-square-foot building for satellite manufacturing and production on the acreage. As part of the agreement, AST also agrees to create 1,600 full-time jobs with a payroll of $128 million by the end of 2036 and invest $100 million in facilities and equipment by the end of 2034.

If the facility is fully built out, the agreement would mean $1.466 billion in annual regional economic output and expand Midland’s gross domestic product by 1.8%. It would also support 4,000 additional jobs across the region. AST arrived in Midland in 2018 under an agreement to create 162 jobs and make $14.25 million in capital investments in exchange for MDC incentives. Last year, the two entities approved a new agreement for AST to create 50 new jobs and make $3 million in capital investments. The agreement just approved does not replace either agreement, Harris said. (7/20)

Russia Launches Second Batch of Broadband Constellation Satellites (Source: TASS)
Russia launched a second batch of satellites for a communications constellation Sunday. Bureau 1440 launched 16 satellites for the Rassvet constellation, reportedly at about 5 p.m. Eastern Sunday on a Soyuz-2.1b rocket from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome. A first set of 16 satellites launched in late March. The constellation is intended to provide communications services using 5G protocols. (7/21)

Space Florida to Replicate Israel Collaboration with UK Joint R&D Grant Program (Sources: Space News, SPACErePORT)
Space Florida and the U.K. Space Agency will provide funding for joint space projects. The organizations announced Monday they will provide a combined $400,000 for joint research, innovation and commercialization projects. To be eligible, projects must involve at least one Florida-based aerospace company or organization, include an international partner and demonstrate clear commercialization potential. The organizations plan to start accepting applications this fall for funding in 2027. This is similar to a joint annual Florida/Israel program that has funded millions in aerospace R&D collaborations. (7/21)

Atmosphere Detected Around Rocky Exoplanet (Source: Scientific American)
Astronomers have detected an atmosphere around a rocky exoplanet, raising hopes it could support life. In a paper published last week, astronomers said they detected helium escaping from the atmosphere of LHS 1140b, a "super Earth" exoplanet about 5.6 times the mass of the Earth orbiting a red dwarf star 49 light-years away. The detection of helium is evidence that the planet has a denser atmosphere of other gases, including water vapor. Astronomers said the planet is the only one found to date that is similar in size to Earth, orbits in its star's habitable zone and has an atmosphere, all critical criteria for supporting life. [Scientific American]

KBR Turns Focus to Golden Dome (Source: Space News)
Engineering and defense contractor KBR is positioning to compete for work on the Golden Dome missile defense system. The Houston-based company announced Tuesday it assigned two executives to lead the effort and said it is increasing internal investment in modeling, simulation, prototyping and secure facilities that could be used to test and integrate components developed for the sprawling defense architecture. Golden Dome is expected to combine satellites and other systems supplied by multiple companies. KBR said it is targeting the engineering and integration work needed to connect those systems across the military services, combatant commands and federal agencies. (7/21)

Germany's deltaVision Raises $11 Million to Produce Propulsion Components (Source: Space News)
German component supplier deltaVision has raised funding to expand production of valves and related components. The Munich-based company announced Tuesday it raised 10.2 million euros ($11.6 million) from several venture capital funds and private investors. It will use the company to scale up production of valves and related propulsion components to 5,000 units a year. This is the first outside funding the company has raised since it was founded in 2022. It has plans to develop technologies for in-space refueling of spacecraft, offering what it calls a "modular, interoperable technology stack." (7/21)

Japan's IHA and Finland's Kuva Space Plan Hyperspectral Constellation (Source: Space News)
Japan's IHI is considering adding next-generation hyperspectral satellites from Finnish startup Kuva Space to an Earth observation constellation. The companies announced a memorandum of understanding Tuesday to explore building and operating Kuva's Hyperfield-2 satellites in Japan, including potentially manufacturing them in the country. About 20 Hyperfield-2 satellites would be enough to provide daily coverage of about 20 million square kilometers across Japan, neighboring countries and surrounding ocean areas. The Kuva satellites would be part of a multi-sensor sovereign Earth observation constellation IHI is developing with about 100 satellites. (7/21)

Relativity Space Expands on Florida’s Space Coast (Source: EDC of FSC)
Relativity Space has committed to expanding its operations on the Space Coast, bringing substantial capital investments and creating thousands of high-skill, high-wage jobs for Floridians. Details of the expansion, announced by Gov. Ron DeSantis at the Farnborough Air Show, were not shared. (7/20)

Italy's ORiS Raises €4.5 Million for Laser Power Beaming in Space (Source: Space News)
Italian startup ORiS has raised funding to demonstrate wireless power-beaming technology using lasers. The company said Tuesday it raised 4.5 million euros in a pre-seed funding round from several investors and also won a 500,000 euro grant from an Italian regional program for startups. ORiS is developing technology to transfer power from one satellite to another using lasers, with plans to test the technology in space on two missions next year. OriS has already demonstrated the technology on the ground using lasers to transmit power to drones. (7/21)

Midland Business Leaders Launch Aerospace Venture for Texas' Permian Basin (Source: MRT)
Two business leaders are teaming up in an effort to turn the Permian Basin into what they call the “Space Basin.” Midland business and investment leader P. Lourcey Sams and aerospace development strategist Oscar S. Garcia have formed Permian Aerospace Development LLC, a joint venture platform dedicated to developing the aviation, aerospace and space industries in the Permian Basin.

Garcia said turning the Permian Basin into the “Space Basin” would create jobs, attract investment and broaden the tax base. “Texas, with its optimal land and airspace, should have inland launch and reentry abilities,” Garcia said. “Texas should have access to the Permian Basin.” In those efforts, he said, Midland has emerged as the optimal Texas location and the center of the universe for Permian Basin aerospace. (7/21)

Redwire Expanding Huntsville Facility with $8.5 Million Incentives, Adding 150 Jobs (Source; Fox 54)
Aerospace and defense company Redwire Corp. announced Monday it is expanding its Huntsville facility, a move expected to create about 150 new high-skilled jobs. The company announced the 164,000-square-foot expansion during the Farnborough International Airshow. Redwire said the expanded campus will increase production of its Stalker unmanned aircraft systems, Octopus gimbal payloads, advanced energy solutions and space capabilities supporting defense, exploration and national security efforts.

Construction is expected to be completed by late 2027. The expansion includes about $8.5 million in state and local economic development incentives, according to officials. Headquartered in Jacksonville, Florida, Redwire currently employs about 1,400 people across North America and Europe. (7/20)

China and Russia: Attacking Starlink (Source: National Review)
Humanity’s ability to exploit space, especially (for now) in near-Earth orbit, is rapidly increasing. And where one country gains an advantage, there will be others looking to neutralize that lead. China and Russia are working on a joint plan to “kill” Starlink. A cache of recently unearthed documents contains previously undisclosed details about the growing military cooperation between Russia and China.

The documents date from 2023, and, along with much else, they make a nonsense of China’s claims to be some sort of neutral in the Russo-Ukrainian war, claims that few ought to believe anyway. The length of the war, and the impact of sanctions on Russia, has worked very well for China, forcing Moscow into a position of dependency on Beijing.

Given China’s long-term geopolitical ambitions, securing a huge, resource-rich quasi-vassal is a valuable prize. And for the much longer term, China has some territorial issues in Russia’s far east, which Beijing still regards as unsettled business. Additionally, while China will dislike the way that the Russian invasion of Ukraine is triggering the rearmament of NATO, it won’t be too sad to see that Western support for Ukraine is coming at a considerable cost in money, matériel, and distraction. Russia can also offer China something else: battlefield experience. (7/19)

Could Space Become Korea’s Next Powerhouse Industry After Chips? (Source: JoongAng Ilbo)
Space has become much more of a national priority. On July 3, the fifth National Space Committee convened at Gyeongsang National University in Jinju, South Gyeongsang. President Lee Jae Myung attended as committee chair, while the Korea AeroSpace Administration (KASA) unveiled a national strategy to foster the industry as a future growth engine.

Hanwha Group Vice Chairman Kim Dong-kwan and senior executives from Hyundai Motor and Samsung Electronics also attended the meeting. The committee itself was elevated in January 2024 when its chairmanship was transferred from the prime minister to the president, and KASA was officially launched four months later, in May that year. (7/20)

Port Canaveral’s Exploration Tower Could Inspire New Space Age (Source: Orlando Sentinel)
The Canaveral Port Authority is weighing the future of the landmark overlooking Port Canaveral. It should choose a future that transforms Exploration Tower into the front door to America’s Space Coast. Nearly 10 million cruise passengers begin or end their vacations at Port Canaveral each year, making it the world’s busiest cruise port. Among them are hundreds of thousands of families sailing aboard three Disney cruise ships, all homeported there. Their journeys illustrate how a Central Florida vacation often begins at Walt Disney World and continues to the Space Coast.

The future of Orlando and the Space Coast is increasingly interconnected. Visitors arrive through Orlando, experience Disney, sail from Port Canaveral, watch rocket launches and return home with impressions of the entire region. Exploration Tower can become the place where those experiences come together. Yet millions never realize that, just minutes away, they are standing beside one of the world’s greatest concentrations of space activity. Public and private investment continues to reshape the Space Coast and few regions in America are experiencing this level of sustained growth.

What is missing is a place that brings these experiences together. Exploration Tower can become that place — a welcoming orientation center where visitors discover not only the history of Port Canaveral but also why Central Florida is becoming a global center for maritime commerce, national security, commercial spaceflight, tourism, innovation and future lunar exploration. Imagine families arriving from Orlando before boarding a Disney cruise. Instead of waiting to embark, they could explore exhibits explaining why rockets launch here, how the U.S. Space Force enables access to space, how commercial companies are opening the pathway to the moon, and why the Space Coast is becoming the center of a growing off-Earth economy. (7/19)

The Best Human Landing System is the One That Can Beat China to the Moon (Source: The Hll)
The SpaceX Starship Human Landing System will need at least 15 Starship launches to get it to the moon — one for a fuel depot, another 13 to send Starship fuel tankers to top off the depot, and one for the human landing system to refuel at the depot before going to the moon. The Blue Origin Blue Moon MK2 lunar lander will be less complex. It will need three New Glenn launches to get it to the moon, which will include the lander and two transfer stages.

For both human landing systems to become operational, the companies will have to achieve at least a daily launch cadence with the Starship and New Glenn respectively. Thus far, only SpaceX has been able to achieve this with the Falcon 9. Both companies have enormous challenges establishing such a tempo for rocket launches.

The problem is that NASA has been given two tasks concerning the moon that may be in conflict. One is to build a lunar base for large, complex landers such as Starship and Blue Moon, which will move large amounts of astronauts and material to the lunar surface. The second is to beat the Chinese back to the moon, for which maybe something smaller, like the Apollo-era lunar module, would be best suited. Unfortunately, such a small, light lunar lander does not exist. NASA is relying on its larger, complex human landing systems to fulfill both of its mandates, build the lunar base and beat the Chinese back to the moon. (7/19)

After Skyroot, More Private Firms Aim to Take Commercial Dreams to the Sky (Source: Times of India)
India’s private space industry is set to accelerate its activity after Skyroot created history with its Vikram-1 maiden mission...a feat no private launch company globally  has matched. Agnikul Cosmos too is planning to launch within a year, carrying paying customer satellites and attempting to land the rocket's lower state on a sea barge. (7/20)

Sweden Readies First SAR Satellite Launch, Eyes More Spacecraft (Source: Aviation Week)
Sweden aims to launch its first Iceye synthetic aperture radar before year-end as part of an accelerated push to field what is expected to be a growing fleet with Earth observation capabilities, the Swedish Armed Forces' space chief says. Sweden initially planned to field Earth observation capabilities in the 2030 timeframe, but pushed that up four years given the “severe security situation,” says Rear Adm. Anders Sundeman. (7/19)

China's Space Crew Assesses Emergency Choices, Emotions in Long-Stay Study (Source: Xinhua)
China's Shenzhou-23 space station crew has completed emergency decision-making assessments and tests on emotional states, as part of a broader effort to study how long-duration spaceflights affect behavior. The trio, including one female member from the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, have been aboard the Tiangong space station for nearly two months. One of them will stay in orbit for one year to conduct China's first space human research program and collect data on the longer-term flight of astronauts.

In a recent weekly video released by the China Manned Space Agency on Sunday, the crew members were seen wearing sensors and VR headsets for brainwave monitoring. The tests are among more than 100 science and application projects underway aboard the station. Besides space medicine, the crew has also installed a radiation biology exposure device and an external camera on one of the space station's lab modules, and has conducted cargo tests of measurement instruments. According to the agency, a new type of energy storage battery will be tested in orbit, with results expected to support future upgrades to the space station. (7/20)

Astronomers Outraged After Regulators Approve ‘Space Mirror’ Permit (Source: Physics World)
Astronomers have raised concerns over a decision by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to permit the launch of a private satellite that can reflect sunlight onto the Earth’s surface after dark. Astronomers, however, fear that the mirror, and the several thousand that could follow it, will negatively impact both optical and radio astronomy.

The proposal by the Californian company Reflect Orbital involves putting a mirror-carrying-satellite – Eärendil-1 – into low-Earth orbit. Reflect Orbital aims to use the craft to test technology intended to deliver sunlight to solar farms after sunset, thus expanding the production of solar power at a time of peak demand for electricity. In orbit, the satellite will unfold an 18 x 18 m aluminumized Mylar reflector that can deliver a roughly 5 km circular spot of light to the ground with about the brightness of a full Moon. (7/17)

Korea AeroSpace Administration Unveils K-Space Vision (Source: Business Korea)
The Korea AeroSpace Administration of the Republic of Korea is accelerating the establishment of a global cooperation system by presenting a blueprint for national space policy in Toulouse, France, the heart of the European space industry.

The Korea AeroSpace Administration announced that it will attend the ‘2026 Europe-Korea Conference on Science and Technology (EKC 2026)’, held for two days starting on July 20 local time in Toulouse, France, to present the policy direction for aerospace in the Republic of Korea. Toulouse is a hub city densely packed with the Airbus headquarters and European aerospace industry infrastructure, making it an optimal location to concretize a development model for domestic aerospace clusters.

Administrator of the Korea AeroSpace Administration Oh Tae-seog will serve as the keynote speaker at the opening ceremony on July 20, the first day of the event, and will deliver a lecture under the theme of ‘Direction of Korea’s Space Policy’. Administrator Oh plans to explain the ‘Republic of Korea Aerospace Industry Fostering Strategy’ confirmed at the 5th National Space Committee, and share with European experts the vision of leaping into one of the world’s top five aerospace powers by 2045. (7/20)

July 20, 2026

GSA Plans AI-Supported Point-to-Point Spaceflight Simulations (Source: GSA)
A spaceport-to-spaceport working group of the Global Spaceport Alliance now plans to develop high-fidelity digital simulations of point-to-point spaceflight missions across international airspace, to allow a comprehensive evaluation of requirements for regulatory coordination, airspace integration, contingency management, infrastructure readiness, and operational performance. Initial reference corridors will include flights between the US and the UK, Australia, and Japan. They will allow the development of technical and policy roadmaps to achieve routine high-speed flight operations. (7/20)

How Hard is it to Build Orbital Data Centers, Actually? (Source: Ars Technica)
The physics of orbital data centers are, to put it mildly, challenging. This subject has sparked a broad debate about the near-term viability of this technology, both in terms of feasibility and whether it’s all hype now that SpaceX is a publicly traded company. Iridium Communications chief executive Matt Desch, a long-time, level-headed satellite industry executive, was asked during an earnings call earlier this year what he thought about the concept.

“It’s a hot, hot area right now of discussion, mainly because of Starlink’s announcement and some others,” Desch said. “It looks like a problem that can be solved in space… (But) there’s massive technical challenges to overcome. ... It’s a really, really long-term opportunity at best, and I wonder if all the discussion isn’t for other reasons than maybe just solving an immediate problem.”

The satellites’ on-board computing power will generate significant heat, requiring a large radiator. To get all of this mass into orbit, you need a super heavy lift rocket. SpaceX likely plans for each satellite to last five to seven years before being moved into a heliocentric disposal orbit or burning up in Earth’s atmosphere. Assuming a five-year lifetime, putting the 1-million satellite constellation into orbit and then replenishing it over time would require thousands of launches per year. (7/15)

China's LegendSpace Plans AI-Supported Rocket Engine Development (Source: Space News)
A six-month-old Chinese startup aiming to use artificial intelligence to compress rocket engine development cycles has raised $29.5 million. LegendSpace announced last week it raised 200 million yuan in angel funding from several investors. The funding will be used by the company to put multiple liquid rocket engines with various levels of thrust through testing, upgrade its research platform for AI simulation and metal additive manufacturing capabilities, and make plans for large-scale production. The round comes amid a surge of momentum in China's commercial space industry, with new reusable rockets reaching the pad, a wave of launch and satellite firms pressing towards IPOs and clear support in the country's 15th Five Year Plan, approved in March. (7/20)

Mauritius Signs Artemis Accords (Source: Space News)
The Artemis Accords reached 70 countries on Friday with the island nation of Mauritius. An official with the country's Ministry of Tertiary Education, Science and Research signed the Accords in an event there attended by State Department officials. Mauritius is the 11th country so far this year to sign the Accords, which outline best practices in space exploration. NASA also plans to use the Artemis Accords to coordinate international collaboration on its lunar base and related efforts. (7/20)

India's ISRO Remains Months Away From Next PSLV Launch (Source: PTI)
As an Indian company reaches space, India's space agency is still up to two months away from returning to flight. At a press conference after the Vikram-1 launch Saturday, ISRO Chairman V. Narayanan said his agency had seven launches planned this financial year, which runs through next March. The first of those will be within the next two months, he said. ISRO has not conducted a launch since the failed flight of a PSLV rocket in January, the second consecutive failure of that vehicle. (7/20)

Next Ariane 6 Goes GEO (Source: Arianespace)
The next Ariane 6 launch will be its first mission to geostationary orbit. Arianespace said Monday it is targeting Aug. 27 for an Ariane 62 launch carrying the MTG-I2 weather satellite for Eumetsat. This will be the ninth launch of the Ariane 6 overall but the first to send a payload to GEO after previous launches carried satellites to low and medium Earth orbits. This will also be the fourth Ariane 6 launch of the year, with Arianespace previously projecting seven to eight launches of the vehicle this year. (7/20)

SpaceX Offers Terrestrial Data Center Services to Pentagon (Source: Wall Street Journal)
SpaceX is in talks with the Pentagon to provide the military access to terrestrial data centers. The discussions would cover Defense Department use of SpaceX computing capacity in its existing data centers and would be worth up to several billion dollars. There was no indication the talks involved access to SpaceX's future orbital data centers. (7/20)

Intuitive Machines and Texas A&M Engineering Experiment Station Announce Successful Migration of the Nation’s Largest Lunar Dataset (Source: Intuitive Machines)
Intuitive Machines and the Texas A&M Engineering Experiment Station (“TEES”) today announced the successful migration of the nation’s largest lunar dataset to Texas A&M’s high-performance data infrastructure. The operational deployment secures long-term access to more than 1.8 petabytes of critical lunar surface imagery and topographic data, preserving the foundational digital infrastructure required for future cislunar operations.

Intuitive Machines is the prime contractor for the operation of NASA’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter Camera (“LROC”) and NASA’s Shadowcam instruments. Together, the data sets represent approximately 67% of NASA’s total planetary data holdings. By protecting and scaling access to this vital dataset, the partnership provides the lunar intelligence required for civil, academic, and commercial partners to map, navigate, and land on the Moon. (7/17)

Voyager and Penn State to Advance Pennsylvania’s Space Economy (Source: Voyager)
Voyager Technologies signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Pennsylvania State University, expanding the Voyager Institute for Space, Technology and Advancement (VISTA) ecosystem. The collaboration will develop joint research programs and applications across in-space research and manufacturing and national security, fusing commercial innovation with defense mission expertise.

Under the MOU, Voyager and Penn State will pursue shared programs and seek external funding to support further technological development. The agreement provides reserved research resources, tenant opportunities and collaboration within the VISTA ecosystem. (7/15)

Pennsylvania Chamber and Keystone Space Collaborative Announce Strategic Affiliation to Advance Space Economy (Source: PA Chamber)
he Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry (PA Chamber) and Keystone Space Collaborative (Keystone Space) today announced they are forming a strategic affiliation to advance Pennsylvania’s leadership in the growing space economy, including the formation of a first-of-its-kind Tri-State Space Council in partnership with the Ohio Chamber of Commerce and West Virginia Chamber of Commerce. The announcement was made at the 2026 Pennsylvania Defense and Innovation Summit hosted by U.S. Senator Dave McCormick at the U.S. Army War College in Carlisle.

The strategic affiliation strengthens Pennsylvania’s ability to compete in the rapidly growing space economy by pairing Keystone Space’s industry expertise with the PA Chamber’s leading statewide advocacy and business leadership network. Keystone Space will retain independent governance over its strategic priorities, programs, branding, and identity. (7/17)

Connect Everyone Coalition Calls on Lawmakers to Support Regulatory Certainty for Space Innovators (Source: Connect Everyone Coalition)
A broad alliance including business voices, consumer advocates, education experts and rural advocates called on lawmakers to support the satellite licensing modernizations included in the Satellite and Telecommunications (SAT) Streamlining Act.

The Connect Everyone Coalition (CEC) and a number of its member organizations wrote to leadership and members of the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation and the U.S. House Committee on Energy and Commerce, discussing how establishing clear deadlines or “shotclocks” for satellite licensing procedures is an essential step to “reduce delays, create more predictable review timelines and enable faster rollout of next-generation satellite networks.​” (7/16)

FCC Chair Proposes to Expand Direct-to-Device Satellite Broadband Connectivity to Unlicensed Wireless Devices (Source: FCC)
FCC Chairman Brendan Carr proposed a new proceeding to explore new avenues to allow innovative unlicensed wireless devices to communicate directly with satellites.  With the transformative wave of investment and innovation in recent years around direct-to-device (“D2D”) services, this proceeding will look at the more than 225 megahertz of unlicensed spectrum to potentially support the capacity requirements and complement other bands for D2D services.  The proposal would also clarify that using equipment authorized under the FCC’s part 15 rules for unlicensed wireless devices is permitted within FCC-authorized spacecraft. (7/15)

Satellite Industry Association Statement Commending FCC on its Plans to Expand Direct-to-Device Satellite Connectivity (Source: SIA)
The Satellite Industry Association releases the following statement regarding the release by the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) titled, “Chairman Carr Proposes to Expand Direct-to-Device (D2D) Satellite Broadband Connectivity to Unlicensed Wireless Devices”. (7/17)

Venus Aerospace Strengthens Leadership Team to Mature RDRE Propulsion System, Scale Operations (Source: Venus Aerospace)
Venus Aerospace announced eight leadership additions, new hires and internal promotions spanning government, product and operations. The moves follow the company's $91 million Series B, announced last week. Venus flew the world's first high-thrust RDRE in May 2025. Venus' RDRE architecture is designed for the range, efficiency and manufacturability that defense and space customers need as legacy systems struggle to keep pace with production timelines and supply chain constraints.

The leadership additions announced today are built to carry that architecture toward deployment: product leadership to mature engineering into a full propulsion system, government relationships to navigate policy, procurement and to engage the end users who will fly and operate this technology, and operational depth to build the organization Venus needs as it moves toward that goal. (7/16)

July 19, 2026

Q-CTRL Eyes Multiple Markets for Quantum Navigation System (Source: AIN)
Quantum computing and sensing company Q-CTRL is looking to be in “every Airbus aircraft” with what it describes as a world-leading alternative navigation solution. Ironstone Opal—its “un-jammable, unspoofable, undetectable quantum navigation system”—is also of particular relevance to defense platforms, with technological readiness levels currently being advanced alongside partner and investor Lockheed Martin. (7/19)

Inside Japan's Super-Close Asteroid Flyby (Source: Space.com)
Japan's Hayabusa2 spacecraft returned spectacular images of a near-Earth asteroid following a super-close flyby on July 5, but heated debate was needed before teams signed off on the daring attempt. In the end, the flyby was so close as to be at the very edge of what the aging spacecraft was designed to conduct.

When images of the asteroid Torifune arrived on the morning of July 6 Japan time, Makoto Yoshikawa and his team at the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) got two surprises at once. Torifune turned out to be a contact binary, in which two chunks of rock have come together under gravity, and the returned images were also larger than hoped. (7/19)

Astronauts Marooned On Moon Could Be Abandoned Under Current NASA Plan (Source: Forbes)
NASA’s working masterplan for the upcoming lunar landings has a massive fundamental flaw that could prove fatal to the first American astronauts set to touch down on the Moon in 2028, say experts at the NASA Office of Inspector General. “While NASA is taking steps to prevent catastrophic events from occurring during the Artemis [Moon] missions, at some point in the future, astronauts will likely encounter a life-threatening emergency in space.”

But under NASA’s landing blueprints now in place, they warn, “Ultimately, should the astronauts encounter a life-threatening emergency in space or on the lunar surface, NASA does not have the capability to rescue the stranded crew.” (7/19)

Spaceport America Data Center Proposal Sparks Curiosity (Source: Albuquerque Journal)
Since New Mexico Tech and developer Green Data paused a proposed solar-powered data center in Socorro earlier this summer, residents in neighboring Sierra County have turned their attention to another Green Data collaboration — this time, with Spaceport America. The spaceport, a taxpayer-funded project that completed construction in 2006, sits on 18,000 acres of state land under a long-term lease with the State Land Office.

It is governed by the New Mexico Spaceport Authority, a state agency with a governing board chaired by state Economic Development Secretary Rob Black. After the release of public documents online by Sierra County resident Wil Troup, Spaceport America confirmed that it has held ongoing discussions on a possible project with Green Data since 2021. (7/18)

India’s Space Program Became a Foreign Policy Instrument (Source: Sunday Guardian)
Before India’s first private orbital rocket had fully entered the historical record, foreign customers had already bought seats on it; after its successful flight, that small fact has become a signal. Thus the satellite slips out of the laboratory and into the chancery. India’s space program is no longer only science, nor only commerce, but foreign policy in one ascending flame. (7/18)

It's Over for International Researchers In the US (Source: Times of India)
The new 4-year policy for F-1 students that the Donald Trump administration finalized on Thursday led to major confusion among academics as experts questioned how PhD students are supposed to complete their course in four years. International students from now on will have a four-year visa validity. They will have to seek an extension for their visa from the State Department and the USCIS will grant the extension after another round of screening, background checks, fraud reviews etc. Andreas Karch, a professor at the University of Texas-Austin, said it' impossible to finish PhD in 4 years. “How hard will it be to get an extension? Will any foreigner still come to the US for a science or engineering PhD?” (7/17)

China Finds Potential Asteroid Fragments in Lunar Samples (Source: Space Daily)
Researchers studying dust and rock returned from the far side of the Moon by China’s Chang’e-6 mission reported seven tiny fragments whose chemistry points not to the Moon itself, but to a rare, water-rich class of asteroid material. If the interpretation holds, the grains are the first confirmed CI-like chondrite relics identified in lunar samples. The reported fragments are microscopic relics, interpreted through mineral chemistry and isotopes. (7/17)

Space Force Can’t Figure Out What Personnel it Needs for its Missions (Source: Defense One)
One-quarter of the jobs Space Force leaders say they need went unfilled in fiscal 2025, partly because the young service lacks a solid way to track and use troops, civilian workers, and contractors, the Government Accountability Office found. “The Space Force has not established a process or guidance to consistently and accurately determine its personnel needs to accomplish its missions. Relatedly, although it has estimated the number of contractor personnel supporting it, the Space Force does not have a process or guidance to accurately measure the number of contractor personnel and the nature of work they perform.” (7/16)

Space Force Triples Launch Contract Ceiling Amid Rising Demand (Sources: Space News, Defense Daily)
The U.S. Space Force has more than tripled the ceiling of a major national security launch contract to $17 billion as the military prepares for a sharp increase in satellite missions. Space Systems Command (SSC) has increased the ceiling of Phase 3, Lane 1 National Security Space Launch (NSSL) contracts by $11.4 billion to $17 billion. The funding would go to future task orders for rockets by ULA, SpaceX, Stoke Space, Rocket Lab, Impulse Space, and Relativity Space. (7/18)

South Korea Urged to Learn from Japan's Space Strategy (Source: Chosun)
The South Korean government has recently unveiled a series of blueprints to foster space as a future growth engine. Oh Tae-seog, head of the Korea AeroSpace Administration, announced the "Space and Aerospace Industry Development Strategy" earlier this month, stating that the nation aims to secure communication sovereignty by establishing a Korean low-orbit satellite communication network (K-Starlink) using hundreds of satellites by 2035. The timeline for a lunar landing has also been moved up from 2032 to 2030, with a goal to expand South Korea’s share of the global space market from the current 0.7% to 3%. (7/19)

July 18, 2026

Monday Targeted for Re-Try of 13th Starship Test Flight (Source: Teslarati)
SpaceX has announced a new target date for the thirteenth test flight of Starship: Monday, July 20, with the launch window opening at 6:45 p.m ET/5:45 p.m. CT. This is the first rescheduling attempt of Starship’s 13th test flight. It was set to launch last night, but SpaceX scrubbed the launch attempt. (7/17)

‘Asteroid’ Tracked Since 1998 Made an Unexplained Orbital Shift—Now Astronomers Say It’s Something Far More Mysterious (Source: The Debrief)
Last summer, astronomers were observing the near approach of a space object believed to be an asteroid that had been tracked since its discovery in 1998. However, in a surprising development, the object failed to appear where it was predicted to be after decades of observations. Now, a team of researchers reports in a new study that this mysterious orbital body is no asteroid at all, but instead may be an elusive class of space objects that scientists are still working to fully understand.

1998 SH2 was likely steered off course as a result of jets of gas escaping from beneath the object’s surface—a phenomenon known as weak cometary outgassing—meaning that the suspected asteroid is actually probably a type of comet. (7/16)

Space Force Welcomes First Part-Time Guardians (Source: FNN)
The Space Force welcomed its first part-time troops on Wednesday, bringing in 18 Air Force Reservists as the service rolls out a more flexible personnel model designed to help recruit and retain experienced staff. The Space Force is the first military branch to let troops move between full-time and part-time work without transferring to the National Guard or Reserves, instead keeping both under a single chain of command.

The new approach will test how far military service can go to accommodate members’ needs without compromising critical national security missions. Part-timers will serve in a new status dubbed “nonsustained duty” — an option that allows them to hold a private-sector job or care for ailing family, for instance. (7/17)

Beyond Reach Labs Raises $10M Seed, Moves to NYC (Source: Payload)
Beyond Reach Labs, a startup building hardware to help satellite operators deploy large solar arrays, announced a $10M seed round to meet an expected massive wave of incoming demand. Beyond Reach was founded in 2023 to commercialize a technology that has its roots in a NASA grant intended to support large scale space structures. They have narrowed their focus—at least in the short term—on solar arrays.

Today’s solar-array tech faces an upper limit, according to officials at Beyond Reach: larger arrays make the spacecraft more susceptible to vibrations as the craft maneuvers and passes through wild temperature swings. But making arrays more rigid—to avoid vibrations—often means increasing the spacecraft’s weight, threatening the bottom line. Beyond Reach’s remedy is a patented solar array deployer that can stretch 100 m long, and flat pack into a typical launch fairing, thus solving the SWaP conundrum. (7/17)

Terraforming Mars May be More Realistic Than Once Thought (Source: Science Daily)
Scientists say new technologies have reopened the debate over whether Mars could someday be terraformed, turning a once impossible idea into a serious research topic. Before anyone tries to reshape the Red Planet, though, researchers say we must understand the risks, including what might be lost if Mars already harbors its own forms of life.

Potentially dramatic reductions in launch costs from SpaceX's Starship, along with breakthroughs in synthetic biology and climate modeling, have shifted the discussion. Rather than asking whether terraforming violates the laws of physics, researchers believe the more important questions are whether humanity should pursue it and what the safest path would look like. (7/17)

China’s Reusable Rocket Breakthrough Demands a Private Space Response (Source: National eview)
China’s achievement should be qualified: This wasn’t its first attempt at launching a reusable orbital booster, and it hasn’t reused the booster yet. Still, this development demands serious attention and reflection from our side. History shows that when the United States faces a technological challenge from a rival, the fastest path to American dominance is unleashing private ingenuity backed by smart government demand signals, not recreating Soviet-style central planning or slow bureaucratic programs.

China’s success, achieved via state-owned enterprises like China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation, should not prompt the U.S. to double down on slow and expensive government hardware. It should encourage the opposite and accelerate the model that already works: a private-sector led overhaul of America’s space program.

That must include expanding commercial partnerships and streamlining the regulatory processes involved in launches, as well as streamlining licensing, which would cut reusable rocket launch and landing approval timelines from months to weeks with predictable, risk-based rules that are modeled on successful SpaceX iterations. Additionally, NASA and Pentagon spending should be shifted from cost-plus to fixed-price milestone contracts for crew, cargo, and lunar logistics, to repeat the Commercial Crew model that built SpaceX at scale. (7/18)

APL Installing Electronics, Readying to Add Insulation on NASA’s Dragonfly Spacecraft (Source: Aerospace America)
Technicians at Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory in Maryland are installing electronics inside NASA’s Dragonfly rotorcraft in preparation for its 2028 launch toward Titan. “We just finished the spacecraft structure qualification here,” said Simmie Berman, APL’s thermal-mechanical subsystem lead for Dragonfly, on the broadcast. This consisted of tests of “the entire structure” to verify that Dragonfly will be able to withstand the stress of launch, landing on Titan and flying on another planetary body.

The spacecraft is slated to reach Titan in 2035 and spend at least three years traversing the Saturnian moon via a series of short flights resembling leapfrog hops. No spacecraft has visited this icy body — which features liquid methane rain, sand dunes and slushy bodies of water — since 2005. The European Space Agency’s Huygens probe was not designed to operate on Titan’s surface, instead sending back atmosphere data during its descent and surface photos shortly after touching down. (7/16)

Skyroot Aerospace Achieves India’s First Private Orbital Launch (Source: Douglas Messier)
India has joined the growing club of countries with a private orbital launch capability after startup Skyroot Aerospace successfully flew its Vikram-1 rocket. The rocket took off at 2:36 a.m. ET from the Satish Dhawan Space Center in Sriharikota, carrying six research payloads.

Vikram-1 is 22 meters tall and has a diameter of 1.7 meters. The rocket is built of carbon composite and features a 3D printed engine. Vikram-1 is designed to place 350 kilograms into low Earth orbit (LEO). Skyroot named the mission Aagaman, which means arrival in Sanskrit. Skyroot is also developing the more powerful Vikram-II launch vehicle capable of placing 900 kilograms into LEO. (7/18)

British Taxpayers Lose Millions on Rival to Starlink (Source: Telegraph)
British taxpayers have lost more than £340m after an investment in a rival to Elon Musk’s Starlink turned sour. The UK’s £517m investment in Eutelsat OneWeb, the satellite business, slumped by two thirds, government accounts reveal. Originally championed as a taxpayer investment by Dominic Cummings, OneWeb is struggling against rivals such as Starlink, owned by Mr Musk’s SpaceX.

Ministers last year put a further £143m into the company, but its value has since fallen further. Boris Johnson’s government agreed to invest £374m in OneWeb in 2020, to rescue the UK-headquartered satellite provider from bankruptcy. However, it took longer to launch its commercial services than Starlink, and in 2022 was merged with the French satellite company Eutelsat, which is state-backed. (7/18)

China is SpaceX’s Biggest Long-Term Competitive Threat (Source: Investing.com)
SpaceX’s biggest long-term competitive threat is China, even though the U.S. rocket company retains a commanding lead in reusable launch technology and satellite operations, Bernstein said in a research note. The brokerage said China’s recent successful landing of the first-stage booster from its Long March 10B rocket marked a significant milestone that arrived around six months earlier than it had expected, highlighting the country’s accelerating progress in space launch capabilities.

Bernstein said China remains well behind SpaceX, noting the Long March 10 has yet to demonstrate booster reuse, while SpaceX has been reusing Falcon 9 boosters for nearly a decade and completed 165 launches last year. China will need to prove rapid relaunch capabilities and develop high-rate manufacturing before it can match SpaceX’s launch cadence, the brokerage said. (7/18)

The War on ‘Woke Science’ Comes for Space Research (Source: The Verge)
The Trump administration is waging a culture war on science, and the latest salvo is in the form of a dry, bureaucratic proposal from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) that could threaten the future of US science as we know it. The proposal would give political appointees unprecedented control over grant funding, the method through which scientists receive federal money to perform groundbreaking space research such as the search for evidence of organic compounds on Mars or the discovery of some of the earliest galaxies in the universe.

A typical proposed rule from the OMB garners less than 100 public comments. This rule has netted over 500,000 comments, the large majority of which appear to be negative, including a response from respected nonprofit The Planetary Society, which has criticized everything from the proposal’s rules around publication to its move away from peer review to its chilling effect on scientists in every field. “Nearly every proposed aspect of these rule changes has some deleterious or negative consequence for the practice of science,” said Casey Dreier, chief of space policy at The Planetary Society. (7/17)

Women Astronauts’ Chances for Space Flight (Source: PBS)
From the dawn of NASA’s space program in 1958, an astronaut prerequisite was to be a graduate of the test pilot school of the U.S. military, which didn’t permit its female pilots to attend. All military test pilots were men, so that was the immediate barrier to any woman reaching outer space. It was not until NASA began recruiting scientists and doctors as astronauts for the Shuttle program in the 1970s that women would be considered for the job, just like men. Simultaneous, in the mid-1970s the U.S. military began accepting women into test pilot schools of the Navy and Air Force.

According to the astronaut directory of the site Orbital Radar, which tracks all things space-related, more than 580 people have flown in space, and approximately 90 have been women. For the first time in its 66-year history, NASA’s new class of astronaut candidates has more women than men. The 10-person cohort that began training in September 2025 has six women and four men. (7/17)

The U.S. Wants to Turn Abandoned Oil Rigs Into Spaceports (Source: Vice)
The U.S. government sounds like it took a huge bong rip and dared ask the question no one really cared to ask or even wanted answered: What if America’s abandoned offshore oil rigs became rocket launch pads? The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management recently requested public feedback on whether inactive oil and gas platforms in federal waters could be repurposed for commercial space launches, spacecraft re-entry, and recovery operations.

No official policy has been proposed yet, and there’s no clear indication that plans of any kind are moving forward, but the simple act of requesting public feedback reflects the acknowledgment of a growing need to quickly expand the country’s roster of rocket launch sites as the commercial space industry rapidly expands. (7/18)

I’m Proud of my Utterly Insignificant Association with NASA (Source: The Spectator)
Even though my career has been almost entirely in front of the camera, rather than behind it, I’ve long been obsessed with film equipment. How, then, can I resist a party in LA for Cine Gear, a trade show for new film kit? It’s a good place for the ‘creatives’ to meet the technical guys. The director Dan Trachtenberg is there, and we handle the latest Cooke glass.

Cooke has been making lenses in Leicester since 1893, and they are still the best cine lenses in the world. I bought my set of Cooke Speed Panchros in the 1980s, when nobody wanted them because they were ‘slow’, but now they are back in fashion. They have a warmth and softness that modern lenses strive to emulate because their coatings involved radio-active elements that are not permitted in manufacture now. But Cooke glass and Cine Gear’s cameras can’t compete with NASA’s new Nancy Grace Roman Telescope. Click here. (7/18)

Will Russia’s Answer to the Falcon 9 Rocket Ever Take Flight? (Source: Ars Technica)
Everyone seems to be launching and landing rockets these days. Last week, China joined the club of countries that have launched an orbital mission and brought its booster safely back to Earth, which is just the beginning of public and private ventures in that country aggressively pushing into rocket reuse. Also in Asia, Japan’s space agency has been conducting hop tests, and Honda recently performed vertical reuse tests.

In the United States, of course, SpaceX launches and lands reusable rockets every few days. Blue Origin, although its New Glenn booster is temporarily grounded, has also demonstrated the ability to both land and re-launch a large orbital booster. Other US companies, including Stoke Space, Rocket Lab, and Relativity Space, are all making credible progress toward partially or fully reusable rockets.

So what about Russia, which boasts a storied history of spaceflight and conducted the world’s first orbital launch nearly seven decades ago? There was some news this week from Russian space officials, but it does not exactly bolster confidence. Nearly six years have now passed since the state-backed Russian space corporation, Roscosmos, unveiled plans to develop a reusable rocket called “Amur-LNG.” Amur was intended to have a reusable first stage, methane-powered engines, and be capable of delivering 10.5 metric tons to low-Earth orbit in reusable mode. Dmitry Baranov, Roscosmos’ Deputy Director General for Rocket Programs, said the current focus is on developing a “demonstrator” for the first stage of the rocket. (7/17)

Google-Backed Satellites for Wildfire Detection Launch as Smoke Chokes US, Canada (Source: Ars Technica)
As smoke from hundreds of burning wildfires spread across Canada and the United States, the first three operational satellites in the Google-backed FireSat program successfully launched into orbit. The satellites will begin providing wildfire detection capable of spotting even small fires in the United States, Australia, and Europe before the end of the year.

The launch of the microsatellites aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California on July 7, 2026 marks a transition to “initial operational capability” for the FireSat constellation managed by the nonprofit Earth Fire Alliance. After a three-month testing period, the three satellites will begin actively providing data to fire agencies while covering every fire-prone region on Earth at least twice per day. (7/17)

The Pentagon’s Space Development Agency Hasn’t Moved as Fast as Anyone Would Like (Source: Ars Technica)
The Space Development Agency was established in 2019 to help speed up the deployment of US military space systems by sidestepping the Pentagon’s traditional sluggish bureaucracy. Seven years later, SDA is finally launching its first batches of operational satellites, just as the Pentagon plans to shutter the semi-autonomous agency and fold it back into the Space Force’s procurement pipeline, newly reorganized under several program acquisition executives in a bid to streamline weapons buying.

SDA’s fate is not a surprise, and lawmakers in both houses of Congress have backed the agency’s closure in drafts of this year’s National Defense Authorization Act. SDA’s strategy was to cast a wide net across the US space industry, using satellites and sensors developed by many companies. Launches of SDA’s new satellites were supposed to occur at a cadence of about once per month. Much of SDA’s mission will continue under a different banner within the US Space Force.

Thursday’s launch was the second SDA launch of York’s data transport satellites, and the third for Tranche 1 overall. Seven more launches will complete Tranche with 63 additional data transport satellites and 28 missile tracking satellites manufactured by Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, and L3Harris. None of the Tranche 1 tracking satellites have launched yet. Sandhoo said the schedule for the next series of SDA satellites is “still constrained” by the availability of optical communication terminals, the laser transmitters and receivers needed to connect the transport and tracking satellites into one integrated mesh network. (7/17)

NASA Ends Draper Lunar Lander Effort (Source: Space News)
NASA and Draper have terminated plans for a lunar lander mission following significant delays in development of the spacecraft. The cancellation marks a setback for the program’s timeline and underscores continuing schedule risk in lunar surface systems procurement. (7/17)

AST SpaceMobile Discloses Delays to Launch Campaign, Explores Vertical Integration (Source: Via Satellite)
AST SpaceMobile has pushed back the expected timing of its launch campaign to early 2027, the company disclosed this week. The company also launched a share sale to raise $1 billion, mentioning it may consider vertical integration in launch. The company needs 45 to 60 BlueBird satellites in orbit to provide continuous service in key markets including the United States, Europe, Japan, leadership told investors in May.

In addition, AST SpaceMobile announced a share sale to raise up to $1 billion, indicating it could look to pursue vertical integration in launch. The capital raise could potentially fund “partnerships and/or acquisitions to further vertically integrate its business and mitigate risks associated with third-party launch providers,” the filing said.

It also disclosed “advanced discussions” with Japanese company Rakuten about a joint venture related to the Japanese Low-Earth Orbit (LEO) program J-LEO to build a sovereign direct-to-device (D2D) constellation in Japan. The Japanese government is awarding Rakuten 148 billion ​yen (nearly $1 billion) to build a satellite communications network. (7/16)

BosonQ Psi Federal (BQP) Wins SpaceWERX Funding to Advance Quantum-Assisted AI for Space Domain Awareness (Source: Via Satellite)
BosonQ Psi Federal LLC (BQP) has secured SpaceWERX funding to advance the company’s quantum-assisted AI platform to improve space domain awareness (SDA). This is the company’s first federal contract. The award is part of the SpaceWERX Open Topic Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program. Under the award announced Friday,  BQP will develop and validate a new software application designed to improve the speed and accuracy of identifying unknown objects and behaviors in space.

Its software platform, Physics-Constrained Quantum-Assisted Machine Learning (PC-QAML), combines physics-based modeling with quantum-inspired computational techniques to perform AI inference. It is designed to run directly on directly on space-qualified processors rather than cloud computing or GPUs. (7/17)

Arianespace CEO Urges the EU to Procure Large Blocks of Ariane 6 Flights (Source: European Spaceflight)
Arianespace CEO David Cavaillolès has called on either the European Commission or the German government to place block orders for 10 to 20 Ariane 6 launches, arguing that such a commitment would transform how the company approaches its supply chain. Cavaillolès made the comments amid a broader discussion of rising demand for military satellite launches.

He pointed specifically to a September 2025 speech by German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius in which he announced €35 billion in spending on space-related defense projects as a “turning point” for launch demand. However, he cautioned that the political decisions needed to enable European launch providers to meet that demand would have to come quickly, warning that waiting until 2027 or 2028 would be too late. (7/17)

Sky Perfect JSAT and ispace Sign MoU to Collaborate on Lunar Exploration (Source: Via Satellite)
Sky Perfect JSAT is linking up with ispace in a new MoU in the area of lunar exploration. The two companies will exchange technical information and conduct system compatibility studies with the aim of establishing communications between JSAT Space Line ground stations and ‘ULTRA’, ispace’s next-generation lunar lander planned for Mission 3, currently targeted for launch in 2028. The collaboration will also explore the feasibility of demonstration activities between the spacecraft and ground stations. The two companies announced the MoU, July 16.

ispace is seeking to expand its options for ground station services and mission support capabilities. ispace will explore the feasibility of leveraging JSAT Space Line’s ground station infrastructure to support communications for future lunar exploration missions. The study will also examine the potential use of the service as a backup to the European Space Operations Centre (ESOC) ground station network operated by the European Space Agency (ESA). (7/17)

SDA backs ‘Golden Dome’ Missile-Warning/Tracking with $1.75B in New Agreements; Includes $7.1M for Protective Glass for Solar Cells (Source: Space News)
The U.S. Space Development Agency awarded two agreements totaling $1.75 billion for additional space vehicles supporting missile warning, missile tracking and missile defense. Separately, the Pentagon awarded $7.1 million to Martin Materials Solutions to expand U.S. manufacturing of space-qualified cover glass used to protect satellite solar-cell power systems. (7/18)

A Century of Aerospace and Defense Growth Places Dayton Near the Top in New Ranking (Source: Dayton Daily News)
Long before Dayton was ranked among the nation’s best places for aerospace and defense manufacturing, the region spent decades building the ingredients for that success — military research, engineering talent, advanced manufacturing and a network of companies drawn to Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. Now, a new national site-selection study says that ecosystem has made Dayton the third-strongest city in America for defense and aerospace manufacturing. The region has an array of strengths that are tough to match, with the presence of Air Force planners and decision-makers at Wright-Patterson Air Base, a cadre of contractors and manufacturers drawn to that Air Force presence, as well as universities like the University of Dayton and Wright State University. (7/16)

Aerospace and Defense Industry Undergoing Major Shift in US Regions (Source: National Defense)
The report ranked the 387 most competitive U.S. metropolitan regions for aerospace and defense manufacturing, analyzing public and private data from over 120 categories, including demographics, workforce and engineering talent, research and development and defense support assets, core infrastructure, business and regulatory environment and livability. According to the report, Wichita, Kansas is the top metropolitan area for aerospace and defense investment, scoring a 92.18 on the report’s rubric. Ogden, Utah; Dayton-Kettering-Beavercreek, Ohio; Salt Lake City-Murray, Utah; and Huntsville, Alabama rounded out the top five, respectively.

Nationwide, industry employment has grown about 11% since 2021, compared with roughly 4% for manufacturing overall, underscoring the sector's continued workforce expansion. Weekly job postings nearly doubled between January 2025 and May 2026, reflecting rapidly growing demand for engineers, technicians, skilled trades workers, and security-cleared personnel. 76% of companies in the sector say engineering jobs are both the most needed and the hardest to fill, and skilled manufacturing roles face similar challenges. About one-quarter of the industry's workforce is age 55 or older, indicating a significant potential labor gap over the coming decade.

Editor's Note: Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville (basically the Space Coast) was ranked at #6 among the top 10. No other Florida region made the top 10. (7/16)

Ecuador and Peru Discuss Space Collaboration (Source: Forbes)
The space industry continues to generate discussion. Last Monday, the Ecuador: Space, Business & Diplomacy event took place, focusing on the opportunities the country has in this sector. “The space economy is not a matter of the future, it is a matter of the present.” The phrase belongs to the Peruvian ambassador to Ecuador, José Eduardo Zevallos, who was one of the guests at the Ecuador: Space, Business & Diplomacy meeting, which took place last Monday in Quito.

The diplomat pointed out that this industry represents an opportunity for countries like Ecuador and Peru. For Zevallos, the key lies in reaching an agreement among the states and countries that wish to participate in this economy. The meeting was organized by Global Diplomacy, the Embassy of Peru in Ecuador, and the Ecuador Space Society. (7/14)

Stoke Second Stage Makes for an Unusual Fully Reusable Rocket (Source: Rich Nicholls)
Stoke Space rebuilt the launch pad that carried John Glenn to orbit in 1962, and its first rocket flies from it later this year. Nova's second stage carries 24 thrust chambers ringed around a regeneratively cooled metallic heat shield, a design that removes the need for thermal tiles entirely. The rocket lifts 3,000 kg to low Earth orbit with both stages recovered, and 7,000 kg when expended, against a target of cutting launch cost by a factor of 20

Stoke gives up more than half of every payload to bring its hardware home, and that only pays back if the same rocket flies many times over. The heat shield is what allows it: metal, self-cooling, and free of the tile-by-tile inspection that slowed every reusable vehicle before it. The payload Stoke gives up on the first flight, it earns back on the tenth. (7/15)

Don't Lose Sleep Over Reports Of 260 Starlink Satellites Deorbiting (Source: Engadget)
SpaceX recently submitted the semi-annual report for its satellite constellation to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), revealing that it deorbited 260 Starlink satellites over the course of six months. From December 2025 until May 2026, it brought down 176 first-generation Starlink satellites and 84 of its bigger second-generation ones.

While 260 sounds like a lot, it's not unusual for the company to deorbit that many within a six-month period. It wasn't even the largest number of satellites it deorbited within a similar timeframe. In 2024, SpaceX identified a common issue in a small population of version-one satellites that could increase the probability of failure. It deorbited 406 satellites in response to that finding and followed that up with nearly 500 satellites from December 2024 to May 2025. (7/16)

Scientists Discover Atmosphere Around Potentially Habitable Planet for First Time (Source: Independent)
Scientists have discovered an atmosphere around LHS 1140 b, a rocky exoplanet in its star's “habitable zone.” This marks the first time an atmosphere has been detected on a potentially habitable, Earth-like planet. The discovery was made by observing escaping helium from the planet's upper atmosphere using a telescope in Chile. The presence of an atmosphere is considered essential for a planet to potentially support extraterrestrial life. Researchers plan to use the James Webb Space Telescope to confirm the atmosphere's stability and see if there is water in the atmosphere. (7/17)

Several Space Stocks Aren't Soaring Lately (Source: Space News)
It’s been about one month since SpaceX’s IPO... But how's that been going for the other publicly traded space stocks the last couple of weeks? The short answer is: not great. Intuitive Machines, York Space Systems, Redwire, Firefly, Rocket Lab and Voyager are all down about 25% or more in the past month. AST Space Mobile, Planet and MDA, which recently announced it would acquire French data analytics company CLS, are all down more than 10%. Yes, there are a few winners as well, Iridium, which is being acquired by Rocket Lab, and Viasat are both up during that time period. But broadly it’s been a rough month. (7/15)

GOES-19 Satellite is Down at a Bad Time (Source: WRAL)
The GOES-19 weather satellite is down at a critical time for meteorologists across the U.S. According to NOAA: “Engineers report GOES-19 is in a Safehold. They are working to recover the satellite and will share a recovery timeline when available. Engineers are investigating the suspected source of anomaly is the satellite/instrument.” The good news is that GOES-16 is already operational and in orbit. The bad news is that it can take extended periods of time (up to weeks) to move the satellite into proper positioning.

GOES-18 is another backup that is already transmitting data but the coverage is limited. JPSS satellites are not geostationary, but they provide high-resolution snapshots that can be useful in detecting tropical anomalies and current wildfire smoke coverage. (7/16)

Most Canadians Don’t Know We Can’t Launch a Rocket or Satellite From Our Own Soil (Source: David Coletto Substack)
There are some things Canadians simply assume about their country. We assume we can patrol our own Arctic. We assume we can defend our borders. And, as it turns out, most of us assume that a country with its own space agency, a world-class aerospace sector, and an astronaut who flew around the Moon can launch a satellite from Canadian soil. But in reality we can’t. That disconnect showed up in a new survey my firm Abacus Data conducted for Maritime Launch Services, the Nova Scotia company developing Canada’s first commercial spaceport. (7/16)

Space Force Taps True Anomaly for Kronos Integration (Source: Military & Aerospace Electronics)
The US Space Force has chosen True Anomaly to provide capabilities for the Kronos Family of Systems, a program to enhance space command, control and battle management. Mosaic will support target pairing and asset orchestration, using AI to analyze interactions among assets and offer decision-support information. (7/17)

Florida Members Introduce Space Ready 2.0 Act in House and Senate (Source: Rep. Haridopolos)
Congressman Mike Haridopolos (R-FL), chairman of the Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics, and Senator Ashley Moody (R-FL) introduced the Space Ready 2.0 Act to modernize the roads, utilities, and other critical infrastructure that support NASA's missions and America's growing space industry. The bill would launch a pilot program allowing NASA to partner with public and private entities to improve shared infrastructure at NASA centers.

It aims to modernize critical infrastructure, including roads, utilities, pipelines, and other shared facilities, to support growing government and commercial space operations. It requires cost estimates, project timelines, annual reports to Congress, and clear cost-sharing agreements. Unused private contributions would be refunded or redirected to eligible projects. The program would sunset on December 31, 2031. (7/15)

Orbital “Tow Truck” Could Tackle Space Debris Problem (Source: CASIS)
New technology from Kall Morris Inc (KMI), tested through the ISS National Laboratory, may offer a solution. The startup used the ISS to successfully demonstrate its REACCH system—an orbital “tow truck” designed to safely capture and maneuver unprepared objects in space. The technology supports applications ranging from satellite servicing and orbital mobility to debris management.

REACCH, short for Responsive Engaging Arms for Captive Care and Handling, uses tentacle-like arms with gecko-inspired adhesive pads to capture objects of various shapes, sizes, and materials. REACCH does not need to wrap around an object but merely attach to it and push, allowing the system to move objects much larger than itself. (7/16)
 
AST SpaceMobile Defers Commercial Direct-to-Device Timeline to Early 2027 (Source: SatNews)
AST SpaceMobile announced in a regulatory filing that it has rescheduled its commercial Direct-to-Device (D2D) service launch to early 2027. The revision shifts the Texas-based operator’s target away from its previous late-2026 commercial timeline. Despite schedule changes, the company is continuing to manufacture and deploy its “Block 2” BlueBird satellite configuration designed to deliver continuous space-based cellular broadband. (7/16)

York Space Readies 21 Satellites for US Space Development Agency Launch (Source: Defense Post)
York Space Systems has completed a second batch of 21 satellites for the US Space Development Agency (SDA), with the spacecraft scheduled for launch aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. Built at York’s US production facilities, the satellites are designed to expand the SDA’s low Earth orbit communications network and provide secure tactical data links for US and allied forces. York said the production lot reflects investments in manufacturing capacity intended to support higher-volume spacecraft production for national security programs. (7/17)

ESA Selects Ariane 6 to Launch Deep Space CubeSat (Source: European Spaceflight)
The European Space Agency has awarded a contract to launch its solar storm-monitoring CubeSat on an Ariane 6 rocket. Scheduled for launch in early 2027, the Henon CubeSat will be flown as a secondary passenger alongside ESA’s PLATO telescope, which will be tasked with finding Earth-like exoplanets. According to the agency’s 16 July press release, a feasibility study was first conducted with Arianespace to confirm that CubeSats could be safely accommodated as secondary payloads aboard an Ariane 6 flight. (7/16)

Astronomers Discover Landslides on Pluto Large Enough to Bury Entire Cities on Earth (Source: Space.com)
The aftermath of landslides have been found in images of Pluto's surface taken when the New Horizons mission flew past the dwarf planet in 2015. The landslides are evidence that the icy world is still active, albeit on geological timescales. Images taken by New Horizons' LORRI (Long-Range Reconnaissance Imager) instrument, which was capable of detecting surface features as small as 984 feet, provided evidence for six landslides that have taken place down the inner walls of three craters on the western edge of Sputnik Planitia. (7/16)

NASA Mars Plans Hit Budget Wall (Source: Politico)
Mars researchers are warning congressional appropriators that without an increase to NASA’s budget, a new flagship program could imperil other science efforts. NASA administrator Jared Isaacman announced a mission earlier this year to send three helicopters to Mars aboard a nuclear-powered spacecraft. The mission, dubbed “SkyFall,” aims to launch in late 2028 and investigate the geology and climate history of Mars.

Scientists are excited about the unprecedented mission. But they warn NASA’s science budget is already strapped for cash, and there isn’t enough to go around. Adding a new project to NASA’s flat budget could compel the agency to “prematurely terminate active missions,” according to a letter shared with POLITICO that was sent to appropriators this week by the Mars Exploration Program Analysis Group, a community-based forum that provides input on Mars missions.  (7/17)