Browse the complete archive of aerospace journalism with contextual analysis
A recent scientific discovery has found that human sewage can be used as a fertilizer to provide necessary nutrients for growing crops in the lunar and Martian regolith, which lacks accessible nutrients. This breakthrough could have significant implications for future long-term missions to the Moon and Mars.
Space One, a Japanese startup, is attempting to launch its Kairos rocket for the third time after two previous failures, aiming to deliver a payload to sun-synchronous orbit and establish itself as a major player in the small-satellite launch industry. The success of this mission is crucial for the company"s plans to increase its launch frequency to 20 missions per year by the end of the decade.
British startup Mutable Tactics has raised $2.1 million in pre-seed funding to develop artificial intelligence (AI) software for autonomous military drones, enabling them to operate effectively in environments without satellite connectivity. This investment will accelerate the company's software development and expansion of its engineering team.
Mutable Tactics, a British startup, has raised $2.1 million in pre-seed funding to develop an AI software that enables autonomous military drones to operate without satellite navigation and communications. The technology has significant implications for the aerospace industry, particularly in environments where space connectivity is limited or denied.
NASA has successfully repaired the helium pressurization system in the upper stage of the Space Launch System (SLS), ensuring the Artemis 2 mission remains on track for a potential April launch. The repair involved fixing a quick-disconnect fitting and replacing batteries in various components of the SLS.
After a decline in 2022, space-focused special purpose acquisition companies (SPACs) are making a comeback, with Raphael Roettgen raising over $200 million to take a private space company public, signaling a potential shift in the aerospace industry's financing landscape. This resurgence is marked by significant investments and mergers, including iRocket's agreement to merge with a SPAC backed by former U.S. Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross.
The successful return of SpaceX Crew 11 astronauts after a medical emergency on the International Space Station (ISS) underscores the need for reliable space rescue capabilities, particularly as space agencies plan missions beyond Low Earth Orbit (LEO). This event marks the first emergency rescue of a crew from space and demonstrates the critical role of rescue missions in ensuring the safety of astronauts.
Blue Origin plans to launch a network of 5,280 Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites and 128 Medium Earth Orbit (MEO) satellites to deliver global broadband internet with speeds of up to 6 Tbps. The project, expected to start deploying operational satellites in 2027, will utilize higher-frequency spectrum than its rivals and raises questions about launch capacity and required technology.
A recent Soyuz rocket launch from Site 31 at Baikonur Cosmodrome, Russia's sole active pad for crewed missions to the International Space Station (ISS), resulted in damage that is currently being assessed and repaired. The prompt initiation of repair work ensures minimal disruption to future crewed launches to the ISS.
The James Webb Space Telescope has successfully imaged the spiral galaxy NGC 5134, located 65 million light-years away in the constellation Virgo, revealing intricate details of its structure and composition. This observation provides valuable insights into the formation and evolution of galaxies.
NASA has announced significant changes to its Artemis program, shifting the mission objectives for several upcoming flights, including a crewed lunar landing now scheduled for Artemis 4. The revamped program aims to return humans to the moon by the late 2020s.
PLD Space has raised €180 million in a Series C funding round led by Mitsubishi Electric, which will support the production of its Miura 5 launch vehicle, marking a significant milestone for the European space industry. This investment enables PLD Space to move forward with its plans for serial production and conduct missions from various locations, including a developing spaceport in Oman.
On March 3, 2026, SpaceX successfully launched 29 broadband internet satellites into low Earth orbit as part of its Starlink 10-40 mission, marking the 600th satellite launched by the company in 2026. The launch, which took place from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, is a significant milestone for SpaceX and the broader aerospace industry.
A team of astronomers has successfully captured a high-quality image of the spiral galaxy NGC 941, located approximately 55 million light-years away from Earth, using the Subaru Telescope in Maunkea, Hawai"i. The image reveals NGC 941 as a bright blue spiral with prominent central dark lanes of cosmic dust, providing valuable insights into the structure and composition of this intermediate spiral galaxy.
Redwire has unveiled a new solar array product called ELSA, designed to provide high performance while minimizing mass for mass-produced satellites, offering 50% more power per unit of volume than existing arrays. This development has significant implications for the aerospace industry, particularly in the context of increasing demand for efficient and cost-effective satellite technology.
Despite an influx of private capital, the space industry's long-term value still relies heavily on government funding, with effective government relations serving as a key competitive differentiator. The sector's growth and development are closely tied to government support, particularly in terms of national security and exploration programs.
The increasing number of satellite communications constellations is competing for a limited resource: spectrum, which is essential for both communications and weather forecasting, prompting concerns about radio frequency interference and its potential impact on meteorological services. Regulatory agencies are now grappling with the challenge of allocating spectrum to meet the demands of various stakeholders.
A team of astronomers has discovered a rare quadruple star system, designated as TIC 120362137, which is the tightest 3+1-star system yet found, and could provide valuable insights into stellar formation and long-term orbital stability. This discovery was made possible by NASA's Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) spacecraft.
Deutsche Telekom plans to launch Europe's first direct-to-smartphone services using upgraded Starlink satellites by 2028, aiming to bring high-speed connectivity to remote areas. This development is part of a broader effort to expand mobile satellite services and improve global communication infrastructure.
The US and Israeli forces recently conducted a coordinated campaign against Iran, with cyber and space operations playing a crucial role in disrupting the enemy's capabilities. The campaign, which involved over 100 aircraft and targeted more than 1,000 targets in the first 24 hours, highlights the increasing importance of non-kinetic effects in modern warfare.
SpaceX has launched a new space situational awareness (SSA) service called Stargaze, which utilizes data from star tracker cameras on its Starlink satellites to track objects in low Earth orbit (LEO), providing up to 30 million observations per day. This service will be offered free of charge to other satellite operators, potentially disrupting the SSA industry.
The development of space-based data centers is being held back by the lack of a standardized supply chain, rather than technical limitations, highlighting the need for industry-wide standardization to enable scalable and sustainable growth. This shift in focus from hardware capabilities to logistical challenges underscores the evolving nature of the aerospace industry.
The US Space Force has reopened a $1.4 billion program to develop mobile ground stations for tracking and commanding satellites, initially awarded to a single contractor, in order to explore alternative solutions and leverage commercial technology. This decision aims to enhance the capabilities of the Space Force's satellite communications and command systems.
SpaceX launched two Falcon 9 missions from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California and Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida, deploying 54 Starlink satellites into low Earth orbit and increasing the total count of Starlink satellites in orbit to over 9,900. The successful launches mark a significant milestone for SpaceX, demonstrating its capabilities in simultaneous launch operations.