Browse the complete archive of aerospace journalism with contextual analysis
Constellr has ordered two new satellites from Space Inventor to enhance its thermal imaging capabilities, aiming to provide higher-resolution data for various applications. The expansion is set to launch in 2028 and will contribute to the company's goal of achieving sub-5-meter resolution for its thermal imagery services.
Kepler Communications has launched its commercial in-orbit optical data relay service, utilizing intersatellite laser links to facilitate high-speed data transfer between spacecraft, with initial customers and future launch plans already secured. This development marks a significant expansion of Kepler's services beyond Internet of Things connectivity.
On August 25, 2026, SpaceX successfully launched its Falcon 9 rocket for the 100th time this year, carrying 29 Starlink satellites into low Earth orbit, while also marking a record-breaking 37th mission for its first stage booster. This achievement highlights the company's progress in reusable launch technology and its plans for future advancements with the next-generation Starship rocket.
On August 24, 2006, the International Astronomical Union (IAU) reclassified Pluto as a dwarf planet, sparking controversy among astronomers and raising questions about the definition of a planet. This decision had significant implications for our understanding of the solar system and the criteria used to classify celestial bodies.
The European Space Agency"s Copernicus Sentinel-1 mission has captured imagery showing a substantial loss of ice at the Petermann Glacier in northwest Greenland, with approximately 29 square miles of ice lost. This event marks the most significant ice loss at the glacier since 2012.
NASA"s Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope is scheduled to launch on August 30, 2026, aboard a SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket from Kennedy Space Center, marking a significant milestone in the study of dark energy, exoplanets, and distant stars. The mission aims to expand our understanding of the universe, leveraging cutting-edge technology and propulsion systems.
On December 15, 2024, a coronal mass ejection (CME) erupted from the sun and was tracked by a record 17 spacecraft, providing valuable insights into the dynamics of these complex solar events. The CME, which had two asymmetric lobes with different velocities, was found to be not strong enough to produce significant aurorae on Earth.
NASA's astronaut training hub is evolving to incorporate commercial space stations, ensuring a seamless transition as private companies like SpaceX and Blue Origin develop their own orbital destinations. This shift will enable astronauts to work effectively on a variety of space stations beyond the International Space Station (ISS), which is expected to operate until 2030.
The Artemis program, a NASA-led initiative, aims to explore the lunar south pole, a harsh and unforgiving environment that poses significant technical challenges. The success of this mission has major implications for the broader aerospace industry and our understanding of the Moon.
SpaceX has successfully launched its 100th mission of the year, deploying 27 Starlink satellites into low Earth orbit aboard a Falcon 9 rocket. This milestone launch marks a significant achievement for the company, highlighting its rapid pace of satellite deployment and advancements in reusable rocket technology.
SpaceX has revised its plans for the upcoming Starship launch, abandoning attempts to catch the upper stage at the launch site and focusing on deploying Starlink satellites to an operational orbit. This adjustment comes as the company prepares for a critical reflight of the Starship vehicle, scheduled for September 15.
Starcloud has raised $250 million to accelerate its plans for an orbital data center constellation, with key investors including Nvidia and SpaceX, marking a significant development in the pursuit of space-based AI computing infrastructure. This investment will support the deployment of satellites in Low Earth Orbit, starting with the launch of the first Starcloud-2 satellite in January.
StarRF, a Chinese radio-frequency intelligence startup, has closed a Pre-A+ funding round to develop a low Earth orbit constellation called Diting, which will detect and geolocate radio-frequency emissions. The funding will support research and development, market expansion, and team building for the company.
On August 21, 2026, SpaceX successfully launched its 100th orbital mission of the year, deploying 29 broadband internet satellites to low Earth orbit as part of its Starlink megaconstellation. This achievement marks a significant milestone for the company and highlights its continued dominance in the global launch market.
Researchers have identified a new population of fading radio galaxies, confirming 12 out of 14 candidates as remnant radio galaxies that have been fading for millions of years, providing valuable insights into the life cycles of galaxies. This discovery sheds light on the final stages of galaxy evolution and the role of supermassive black holes in shaping their destinies.
The astronauts who crewed the historic Artemis II mission will be awarded the Congressional Space Medal of Honor, the highest award given by the US government to astronauts, in recognition of their achievements. This honor acknowledges the significance of the Artemis II mission, which marked the first crewed voyage beyond low Earth orbit since 1972.
Japan has unveiled its Martian Moons eXploration (MMX) spacecraft, which aims to collect samples from Mars' moon Phobos and return them to Earth, marking a first for the Mars system. The mission is set to launch on October 19, 2026, and will provide valuable insights into the nature and origin of Phobos and Deimos.
The White House and Office of Space Commerce have acknowledged the complexity of space governance, leading to the development of adaptive forms of governance, including the COSMOSIS framework, which provides a holistic approach to space law and governance. This shift in approach is expected to have major implications for the broader aerospace industry.
SpaceX has successfully completed a single-engine static fire test with its Ship 41 vehicle, marking a significant milestone in the preparations for Starship's first orbital launch, scheduled to take place in early to mid-September. This test is a crucial step towards the realization of SpaceX's ambitious goals for the Starship program, including supporting up to 30 launches per day.
Chinese commercial launch firm Landspace has successfully landed its Zhuque-3 first stage and plans to reflight the recovered booster within six months, marking a significant milestone in reusable rocket technology. This achievement positions Landspace among the select few entities worldwide capable of landing an orbital-class booster on legs.
The European Space Agency's Mars Express orbiter has successfully captured new footage of the Schiaparelli Crater on Mars, providing valuable insights into one of the planet's largest impact sites. The crater, measuring over 285 miles across, was named after Italian astronomer Giovanni Schiaparelli and offers a unique opportunity for scientists to study the Martian geology.
The European Space Agency (ESA) is gearing up for a pivotal stage of its BepiColombo mission, with the separation of the Mercury Transfer Module scheduled for September 2026, followed by Mercury orbit insertion in November and the deployment of two science orbiters in December. This complex mission aims to unravel the mysteries of Mercury and shed light on the history of the Solar System.
The US government has released a new space transportation policy aiming to increase launch and reentry rates, with a goal of supporting at least 1,000 launches and reentries per year by 2030. This policy shift is expected to have significant implications for the aerospace industry, enabling greater access to space and fostering growth in the sector.
The Golden Dome defense system, a proposed layered defense against ballistic, hypersonic, and cruise missiles, has demonstrated progress in its development, with Gen. Michael Guetlein highlighting its achievements despite criticism and funding concerns. The system"s future remains uncertain due to questions surrounding its next major funding installment.