Browse the complete archive of aerospace journalism with contextual analysis
SpaceX is set to launch its Starship vehicle on an orbital flight at the end of August, deploying upgraded Starlink V3 satellites into operational orbit. The mission marks a significant step towards achieving full reusability and increasing the company's flight rate.
The US Space Force has awarded contracts to multiple companies, including Rocket Lab and Systems & Technology Research, to develop a satellite network capable of tracking aircraft and missile threats from orbit. This investment aims to enhance the country's ability to detect and respond to airborne threats in a timely and effective manner.
Telesat has been awarded a $1.63 billion contract by Canada's Defence Investment Agency to provide secure communications services across the Arctic region through its Lightspeed satellite network. The contract includes options for two five-year extensions and will utilize a low Earth orbit constellation of 225 satellites.
SpaceX is planning to launch its 14th Starship test flight before the end of August, aiming to deploy payloads into orbit and attempt a novel tower catch of the Ship upper stage. This mission marks a significant step towards the company"s goal of establishing a reusable spacecraft capable of carrying both crew and cargo to the moon, Mars, and other destinations in the solar system.
On August 5, SpaceX launched three AST SpaceMobile BlueBird satellites from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, marking a significant milestone in the development of direct-to-cell satellite technology. The mission aims to expand AST SpaceMobile"s constellation in low Earth orbit and deliver enhanced connectivity services.
Rubicon Space Systems has completed hot-fire testing of its Velox 5-newton ASCENT monopropellant thruster, demonstrating performance beyond design objectives and paving the way for on-orbit operations in 2027. The successful testing campaign marks a significant milestone in the development of this advanced propulsion system.
SpaceX’s Crew Dragon spacecraft, despite having significant life left, is being transitioned out in favor of Starship, causing uncertainty for commercial space stations and affecting NASA’s plans for end-to-end services in Low Earth Orbit. The agency is procuring additional Dragon missions while considering the development of commercial LEO destinations.
The development of satellite propulsion systems is being driven by the military's need for dynamic space operations, with startups and established manufacturers investing in engines for small satellites, including hybrid engines, Hall-effect electric-propulsion systems, and electrospray thrusters. This growth is expected to have significant implications for the broader aerospace industry.
SpaceX has successfully launched the first test flight of its Starfall commercial reentry capsule, marking a significant milestone in the development of microgravity research and manufacturing capabilities. This achievement has major implications for the broader aerospace industry, offering validation and competition for startups in the reentry technology sector.
SpaceX successfully launched its 90th Falcon 9 rocket of the year from Vandenberg Space Force Base, carrying 24 Starlink satellites to low Earth orbit. This mission marks a significant milestone in the company"s efforts to establish a comprehensive broadband internet network.
SpaceX is on track to launch its Crew-13 mission to the International Space Station (ISS) on September 12, carrying four astronauts for a seven-month stay. The mission will include station maintenance, extravehicular activities (EVAs), and science experiments, marking a significant milestone in the ongoing collaboration between NASA, SpaceX, and international partners.
A discarded SpaceX Falcon 9 upper stage is on a collision course with the moon, expected to strike its surface at approximately 2:35 a.m. EDT on August 5, 2026, providing a rare opportunity for observers to potentially witness an ejecta plume rising from the lunar surface. The impact itself will not be visible from Earth due to the angle and distance of the collision.
The Phoenix Mars Lander, launched by NASA on August 4, 2007, successfully touched down on Mars in May 2008 and discovered water-ice and perchlorate, providing valuable insights into the planet"s history and potential for life. The mission"s findings have significant implications for the broader aerospace industry and future Mars exploration.
Researchers have made a significant discovery in the search for extraterrestrial intelligence (SETI), finding that more of the Milky Way galaxy has been surveyed than previously thought, with over 6.1 million stars examined using advanced radio telescopes and simulation techniques. This breakthrough has major implications for the ongoing quest to find life beyond Earth.
AE Industrial Partners has completed the acquisition of L3Harris Technologies" space propulsion, power, and electronics units, resulting in the revival of Rocketdyne as a standalone company focused on launch-vehicle engines and spacecraft propulsion. This development marks a significant shift in the aerospace industry, with implications for various space missions and programs.
Spanish startup Kreios Space will conduct a demonstration of its air-breathing electric propulsion system in very low Earth orbit (VLEO) aboard a Kongsberg NanoAvionics microsatellite bus in 2027, marking a significant milestone in the development of this innovative technology. The mission aims to validate the performance of the propulsion system and capture high-resolution images of the Earth.
A SpaceX Falcon 9 upper stage, launched in January 2025, is expected to crash into the moon on August 5, 2026, creating a crater approximately 89 feet wide. This event presents scientists with a rare chance to study the effects of a spacecraft impact on the lunar surface.
A recent scientific discovery suggests that three of Neptune's moons may have formed from the remnants of ancient icy worlds that were shattered by Triton, Neptune's largest moon. This finding provides new insights into the formation and evolution of the Neptunian system.
A team of astronomers has identified an asteroid with a distinctive three-headed shape, dubbed a "trilobate" asteroid, located in the main asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter. This discovery provides new insights into the formation and evolution of asteroids in our solar system.
Hughes has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection due to a significant decline in its broadband subscriber base, largely attributed to the rise of low Earth orbit (LEO) broadband operators like SpaceX's Starlink constellation. The company's geostationary orbit (GEO) business has struggled to compete with the lower latency and faster speeds offered by LEO providers.
The Federal Communications Commission has approved Xona Space Systems" plan to launch a constellation of over 250 satellites to provide commercial navigation signals, with the first six satellites scheduled to launch in October on a SpaceX rideshare. This development marks a significant milestone in the expansion of satellite-based navigation services.
Airbus Defence and Space and Thales Alenia Space have been awarded a contract to build a replacement military communications satellite for Spain, scheduled for launch in the third quarter of 2030. The new satellite will provide critical communications services for the Spanish military and its allies.
On August 3, 2004, NASA launched the MESSENGER spacecraft, which became the first spacecraft to orbit Mercury, providing unprecedented insights into the planet"s composition and structure. The mission marked a significant milestone in space exploration, shedding light on the mysteries of the innermost planet in our solar system.
The US Air Force has added $11.7 million to a contract with Blue Origin to explore the use of commercial rockets for transporting military supplies, with the goal of developing a point-to-point cargo transport system. This expansion aims to define technical and mission requirements for adapting Blue Origin's systems, including its New Glenn rocket, for this purpose.