Browse the complete archive of aerospace journalism with contextual analysis
On July 21, 2026, China"s Orienspace successfully launched the Gravity-1 rocket from a ship at sea, deploying nine satellites into low Earth orbit and demonstrating the capabilities of the world"s most powerful solid-fuel rocket. This achievement marks a significant milestone in China"s space program and has major implications for the global aerospace industry.
Astronomers have discovered that the near-Earth object 1998 SH2, previously thought to be an asteroid, is actually a comet with a faint tail, following a 4.5-year orbit around the Sun. This reclassification has significant implications for planetary defense and our understanding of the solar system.
Vast has established a new division to support national security space projects, hiring Melanie Stricklan as senior vice president of special programs, and plans to develop high-power satellite buses for the U.S. national security enterprise. This move marks a significant expansion into the national security space sector for Vast.
Relativity Space has secured a deal with Space Florida to establish manufacturing and test facilities for its Terran R rocket on the state's Space Coast, with plans to create thousands of jobs and expand infrastructure at Kennedy Space Center and Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. This development marks a significant milestone in the company's efforts to increase production capacity for its medium-lift launch vehicle.
NASA astronaut Victor Glover has proposed starting lunar landings in equatorial regions rather than the south pole due to accessibility and safety concerns, which could impact future Artemis missions. This suggestion comes as NASA plans to send astronauts to the lunar south pole, but is also considering alternative sites.
The United States is engaged in a strategic competition with China, requiring significant investments in research, development, and acquisition of advanced technologies to sustain military operations over time. The nation that can maintain technological superiority and industrial capacity will ultimately prevail.
Orienspace has launched its third Gravity-1 solid rocket from a sea platform near Shanghai, successfully placing nine satellites into orbit. This mission marks the company"s first long-range sea launch and carries significant implications for the broader aerospace industry.
The outgoing head of the US Space Force has warned that a conflict in space could have far-reaching consequences, including the creation of debris fields that render parts of Earth's orbit unusable. The US Space Force is working to prevent such conflicts through international cooperation and has requested a $71 billion budget to deter China's military space capabilities.
SpaceX is set to launch its Starship rocket on July 23 after a previous attempt was scrubbed due to engine issues, marking a critical test flight for the company. The successful completion of this mission is crucial for the development of SpaceX's most powerful rocket to date.
Astronomers have detected an object orbiting a brown dwarf in the CD-35 2722 star system, approximately 73 light-years away, which could be the first exomoon discovered outside of our solar system, but its unusual characteristics are prompting a reevaluation of what constitutes a moon. The finding has significant implications for our understanding of celestial bodies and the formation of planetary systems.
On July 20, 1976, NASA"s Viking 1 lander successfully captured the first-ever photo of the Martian surface, marking a significant milestone in space exploration. This achievement paved the way for future Mars missions and expanded our understanding of the Red Planet.
New Zealand-based startup Zenno Astronautics is relocating to the United States to focus on developing superconducting magnets for spacecraft attitude control and acceleration, with plans to establish a production facility in Los Angeles. This move aims to enable infrastructure development on the moon and between Earth and the moon.
On July 21, SpaceX launched a Northrop Grumman robotic spacecraft from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida, aiming to extend the operational lives of multiple satellites in geostationary orbit by installing propulsion modules. This mission marks a significant advancement in satellite servicing technology, enabling the extension of satellite lifetimes by approximately six years.
Northrop Grumman has taken an additional $91 million charge due to issues with the GEM 63XL motor program for the Vulcan Centaur rocket, with redesigned motors possibly not ready until the end of the year. This development is a significant setback for the program and has major implications for the broader aerospace industry.
The James Webb Space Telescope has made a significant discovery by studying the dwarf galaxy Sextans A, providing insights into the early universe's cosmic factories that filled the universe with stardust. This breakthrough offers a unique glimpse into the chemical conditions of the early universe and the formation of the first stars.
The US Space Force has awarded a contract worth $1.75 billion to L3Harris Technologies and Sierra Space for the production of 36 additional satellites as part of its Golden Dome initiative, aimed at enhancing missile defense capabilities. This expansion will contribute to the system"s goal of providing global stereo coverage of next-generation missile threats.
On July 21, 2024, SpaceX launched 24 Starlink satellites from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California, marking the company"s 85th Falcon 9 launch of the year. The successful launch came after a one-day delay due to a last-second rocket engine abort.
The UK Space Agency and Space Florida have committed a total of $400,000 to support joint research and innovation projects in the space industry, with the goal of fostering collaboration between British and Florida-based aerospace companies. This investment is expected to have significant implications for the development of dual-use technologies and the growth of the global space sector.
deltaVision, a German company specializing in spacecraft components, has raised €10.2 million to expand its production of valves and related equipment, with a focus on enabling in-space refueling. This investment will support the company's work on the Argonaut program with the European Space Agency.
KBR has reorganized its defense technology business to compete for work on the Golden Dome project, a planned multilayered defense system against missile and aerial threats. The company has increased investment in digital engineering, space surveillance, and missile defense capabilities to position itself for potential contracts.
IHI, a Japanese company, is exploring the possibility of incorporating next-generation hyperspectral satellites from Finnish startup Kuva Space into its planned 100-satellite multi-sensor Earth observation constellation. This potential partnership could enhance the constellation's capabilities, providing valuable insights for both security and dual-use applications.
NASA has partnered with SpaceX to equip the Orion spacecraft with Starlink mini laser terminals, enabling high-data transmission between the spacecraft and mission control. This collaboration is scheduled to take place in the second half of 2027 as part of the Artemis III mission.
Scientists have identified a binary star system located in the constellation Gemini, approximately 6,000 light-years from Earth, where both stars appear to have exploded as supernovas, a phenomenon never before observed. This discovery, made using data from NASA's Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope and other observatories, provides valuable insights into the life cycles of binary star systems.
The James Webb Space Telescope has successfully imaged a young galaxy cluster, MACS J0553.4-3342, which is approximately 4.4 billion years old, providing valuable insights into the early universe. This achievement demonstrates the telescope's capabilities and contributes to our understanding of the cosmos.