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The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that mail-in ballots can be counted if they arrive up to five days after election day, ensuring astronauts and other Americans can vote from anywhere. This decision supports absentee voting and protects the civil rights of all citizens, including those in space.
Japanese startup ElevationSpace is advancing its work on a commercial reentry vehicle, signing a memorandum of understanding with Space Cargo Unlimited to study flying its experiment platform on ElevationSpace's vehicles, with a reentry demonstrator scheduled to launch in mid-2027. This development has significant implications for the aerospace industry, particularly in the field of space cargo return.
China has successfully launched its Long March 10B rocket and recovered the first stage using a sea platform equipped with a net capture system, marking a significant step forward in the country"s reusable rocket efforts. This achievement demonstrates China"s capabilities in developing advanced propulsion systems and recovery technologies.
Researchers have successfully detected a faint signal of neutrinos, known as the Diffuse Supernova Neutrino Background (DSNB), using the Super-Kamiokande detector in Japan, providing valuable insights into the remnants of supernova explosions. This breakthrough discovery has significant implications for our understanding of the universe and its most powerful astrophysical events.
The US Interior Department has issued a request for information on concepts for offshore orbital launches, aiming to alleviate congestion at existing spaceports and potentially repurpose existing offshore infrastructure. This move could have significant implications for the aerospace industry, enabling more efficient and flexible launch operations.
The Exploration Company, a German space transportation firm, has established a US entity and opened a Rapid Innovation Lab in Houston to develop its reusable spacecraft, Nyx, and compete for government contracts. The company plans to use Nyx to carry cargo to the International Space Station in 2028, with potential future applications including crewed missions.
A coalition of environmental groups has submitted a petition to the US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) requesting a halt on the processing of licenses for orbital data centers, citing concerns over the potential environmental impacts of these megaconstellations. The petition calls for a comprehensive Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (PEIS) under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) before proceeding with approvals.
Xona has launched the Pulsar Verified program to ensure seamless compatibility between its low-Earth orbit precision navigation and timing (PNT) constellation and a range of receivers and simulation equipment. This initiative is set to bolster the accuracy and security of positioning, navigation, and timing services.
SpaceX"s Starship is expected to launch 100,000 satellites for Orbital and other companies, marking a significant milestone in constellation-level deployment. This endeavor is slated to commence in the second half of 2026, with Starship capable of carrying payloads of around 150 tons to low Earth orbit.
The US Space Force has completed a major reorganization of its acquisition process, creating nine mission-focused portfolios to oversee the development and integration of space capabilities. This new structure aims to improve the efficiency and speed of acquiring critical space systems.
The US Space Force has awarded Pulse Space a $40 million contract to develop laser-based technology for wireless power and data transmission between spacecraft, marking a significant investment in the company's innovative solutions. This contract will support the development of a resilient network of low Earth orbit satellites with high-power lasers.
Wally Funk, a trailblazing female pilot and astronaut, has passed away at the age of 87, leaving behind a legacy of achievements in aviation and space exploration. She made history in 2021 by becoming the oldest person to fly to space aboard a Blue Origin New Shepard vehicle.
A team of astronomers has identified the oldest known quasar, a supermassive black hole-powered object that shines with the light of a trillion suns, dating back to just 670 million years after the Big Bang. This discovery, made possible by the European Space Agency's Euclid space telescope, provides valuable insights into the early universe and the formation of its first massive structures.
SpaceX has filed an application with the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to launch a constellation of 100,000 "Gen3" satellites into low Earth orbit (LEO), significantly expanding its existing Starlink network. This ambitious plan aims to provide global internet coverage and marks a major development in the company"s space-based communications endeavors.
The European Space Agency plans to launch its ExoMars Rosalind Franklin rover in 2028 to search for signs of life on Mars, focusing on clay deposits at the Oxia Planum landing site. The mission aims to provide ground truth for discoveries made from orbit and potentially uncover evidence of past life on the Red Planet.
The US government is exploring the possibility of launching commercial rockets from sea-based launch sites, aiming to increase capacity and flexibility for space launches, but the plan has raised concerns among environmental advocates about potential impacts on coastal ecosystems. The proposal is currently in the information-gathering phase, with the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management seeking input on the feasibility and implications of such operations.
MDA Space has acquired a 70% stake in Collecte Localisation Satellites (CLS), a French Earth data analytics company, for $648 million, expanding its capabilities in the field of Earth observation. The deal is expected to close late this year or early next year, with CNES retaining its 30% stake in CLS.
On July 9, 2026, SpaceX successfully launched its Falcon 9 rocket for a record-breaking 36th time, carrying 29 broadband internet satellites to low Earth orbit as part of the Starlink constellation. This achievement marks a significant milestone in the company's reusable rocket technology and contributes to the expansion of global broadband internet access.
Japanese lunar exploration company ispace has announced a partnership with SpaceX to send larger payloads to the moon using the Starship lander, with the first mission scheduled for no earlier than 2030. This collaboration aims to enhance access to the lunar surface for various customers and marks a significant development in the commercial lunar payload services market.
The passage of a NASA authorization bill is facing potential delays due to disagreements between the House and Senate, despite its importance for funding NASA's programs, including the Artemis mission. The bill's outcome will have significant implications for the future of space exploration and the aerospace industry.
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket has successfully launched for a record-breaking 36th time, carrying 29 Starlink broadband satellites to low Earth orbit, further expanding the company's megaconstellation. This achievement marks a significant milestone in the aerospace industry, demonstrating the reliability and reusability of the Falcon 9 vehicle.
ispace has secured a significant amount of cargo space on SpaceX's Starship for a mission to the moon, aiming to contribute to the development of a sustainable lunar economy. The booking is part of a broader effort to establish a human presence on the lunar surface and leverage its resources.
New research reveals that binary stellar pairings can lead to interacting supernovas, a phenomenon where a shockwave crashes into a pre-existing cocoon of material, potentially solving a long-standing mystery in astrophysics. This discovery highlights the complex dance between stars and their role in shaping the universe.
NASA has awarded Firefly Aerospace a $13 million subcontract to design and manufacture a protective aeroshell for the Skyfall spacecraft, a nuclear-powered interplanetary probe set to launch in 2028. The mission aims to demonstrate the applicability of onboard prospecting instruments and release three helicopters mid-descent to map resources on Mars' surface.