Space and Space Technologies

Satellites, launches, space communications, and space companies and technologies.

113 Articles

China Launches a New Batch of Guowang Satellites Days After Long March 7A Failure

China successfully launched a Long March 12 rocket carrying the twenty-fourth operational batch of satellites for the Guowang constellation, less than a week after the failure of Long March 7A. It also launched a Long March 2C rocket carrying an experimental Emirati Earth-observation satellite, bringing the number of Chinese launches in 2026 to 59.

2026-08-17

Space and Space Technologies

SEOPS Adds Second Mission for Waymaker Rideshare Launch Services on Falcon 9

SEOPS announced the Waymaker-1 mission to launch payloads into a mid-inclination orbit in early 2028, following increased demand for the Waymaker-2 mission planned for a sun-synchronous orbit late the same year. The company is thereby repurposing a mission originally intended for a rideshare launch to geostationary transfer orbit.

2026-08-17

Space and Space Technologies

L3Harris appoints Sam Mehta as CEO after Christopher Kubasik steps down

L3Harris Technologies appointed Sam Mehta as chief executive officer and chairman of its board after Christopher Kubasik stepped down following a board investigation into conduct the company said violated its code of conduct. The change comes as the company reorganizes its businesses and prepares for an expected increase in U.S. spending on missile defense and national security space programs.

2026-08-17

Space and Space Technologies

ULA Appoints Mark Peller as New CEO Amid Vulcan Rocket Challenges

United Launch Alliance has appointed Mark Peller as the company’s president and chief executive officer, effective immediately, succeeding John Elbon, who will retire at the end of the year. The appointment comes as ULA faces a pause in Vulcan launches and financial pressure related to a problem with one of its rocket boosters.

2026-08-17

Space and Space Technologies

Lynk and Omnispace Merge Under the Name Elveo Mobile to Expand Direct-to-Device Connectivity Services

Lynk Global and Omnispace completed their merger after receiving regulatory approvals and launched Elveo Mobile, a company combining Lynk’s direct-to-device connectivity platform with 60 megahertz of S-band spectrum. The company aims to move from limited messaging and alerts to more advanced data services through partnerships with mobile network operators.

2026-08-17

Space and Space Technologies

Satellite Operators Secure Launch Flights Amid a Capacity-Constrained Market

Satellite operators are rushing to reserve launch flights through 2028, despite uncertainty over the schedules of some vehicles, amid capacity constraints and concerns about cuts to rideshare programs. AST SpaceMobile says it has booked enough launches to complete its initial constellation, but the return of New Glenn and the availability of other alternatives remain decisive factors.

2026-08-16

Space and Space Technologies

Two U.S. Defense Agencies Select Three Companies to Study Satellite Deorbiting Services

The Defense Innovation Unit and the U.S. Space Development Agency selected D-Orbit, Firefly Aerospace, and Katalyst Space to study a commercial service for capturing aging, unprepared-for-servicing satellites and removing them from orbit. The agencies will assess technical maturity, schedule, and cost before deciding on an in-orbit demonstration.

2026-08-16

Space and Space Technologies

NASA Prepares to Award Three New Lunar Missions, Including an Orbiter to Replace the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter

NASA intends to award three new task orders under the Commercial Lunar Payload Services program before the end of the year, including two landing missions and an orbital lunar-survey mission that could pave the way for replacing the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter.

2026-08-15

Space and Space Technologies

Wallops Site Prepares for Increase in Launches, Expected to Reach 44 Operations by 2030

NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility is preparing for a major increase in launch frequency, with the number expected to rise from 17 operations in 2025 to 44 in 2030. The increase is prompting companies and local officials to call for improvements to the site’s infrastructure and the surrounding area, from roads and power to housing and services.

2026-08-14

Space and Space Technologies

Blue Origin Plans to Add a Second Launch Pad at Cape Canaveral

Blue Origin has revealed new details about expanding Launch Complex 36 in Florida by adding a second pad dedicated to the larger version of the New Glenn rocket. The company continues rebuilding the existing pad after a rocket exploded during a static-fire test, while preparing to test a new method for assembling the rocket on the pad.

2026-08-14

Space and Space Technologies

Intuitive Machines Wins Contract Worth More Than $600 Million to Build Three Geostationary Orbit Satellites

Intuitive Machines announced that it had secured a contract from an undisclosed customer to build three communications satellites in geostationary orbit, worth more than $600 million over 30 months. The contract strengthens the company’s presence in commercial satellite manufacturing alongside its lunar projects.

2026-08-14

Space and Space Technologies

Bulgaria Advances Project to Establish Space and Defense Innovation Center Near Sofia

The Bulgarian government has approved a draft memorandum of understanding with EnduroSat to develop a space and defense innovation center at Dobroslavtsi Air Base near Sofia. The project is part of Bulgaria’s efforts to build a local space ecosystem encompassing satellite manufacturing and testing and the use of space-observation data.

2026-08-14

Space and Space Technologies

U.S. Space Force Awards Five Companies $60 Million to Test Multi-Vendor Satellite Network

The U.S. Space Force has awarded $60 million to Amazon LEO for Government, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, Rocket Lab, and York Space Systems to test connecting their systems to the Space Data Network, whose core is being provided by SpaceX. The tests aim to develop standardized interfaces and space-based exchange points that reduce reliance on a single provider.

2026-08-13

Space and Space Technologies

U.S. Space Command Expands Presence in Alabama as Headquarters Relocation Advances

More than 100 employees have begun working permanently at Redstone Arsenal, while U.S. Space Command moves toward operating a headquarters split between Alabama and Colorado for years, until a new building dedicated to space operations is completed in 2031.

2026-08-13

Space and Space Technologies

Maritime Satellite Services Revenue Could Reach $3.79 Billion by 2035

Novaspace expects maritime satellite communications services revenue to grow from $2.28 billion in 2025 to $3.79 billion in 2035, driven by the expansion of non-geostationary satellite networks and rising demand for continuous connectivity at sea. The report also projects that the number of vessels equipped with VSAT services will exceed 600,000, as the market shifts toward hybrid architectures combining GEO and NGSO.

2026-08-13

Space and Space Technologies

NASA Data Helps a Commercial Company Plan to Utilize the Moon’s Resources

Lunar Station Corp. uses decades of data from NASA and other space agencies to build models that determine landing sites, vehicle routes, and indicators of lunar water. The MoonHacker platform includes a digital twin for testing vehicles’ exposure to radiation before missions are carried out.

2026-08-12

Space and Space Technologies

Virgin Galactic Delays Resumption of Commercial Flights Until February 2027

Virgin Galactic has postponed the start of commercial flights for its new suborbital spacecraft until February 2027 after multiple small integration issues extended the assembly and testing schedule. The company says it has sufficient liquidity to begin service while preparing to raise ticket prices for upcoming flights.

2026-08-12

Space and Space Technologies

U.S. Space Command Identifies Five Priorities for Preparing for a Potential Space War

U.S. Space Command has placed offensive capabilities and countermeasures against proliferated satellite constellations in low Earth orbit at the top of its needs for fiscal years 2029–2033. The command is calling on the military, industry and government laboratories to develop means of affecting critical nodes within these networks and to enhance space domain awareness and maneuverability.

2026-08-12