Browse the complete archive of aerospace journalism with contextual analysis
The European Space Agency (ESA) is hosting online media briefings to discuss the upcoming solar eclipse on August 12, 2026, which will be visible across large parts of Europe and the North Atlantic. This rare celestial event provides a unique opportunity for scientists to study the Sun and its interaction with Earth.
A recent incident at Cape Canaveral highlights the need for upgrades to US spaceport infrastructure, with NASA and the US Space Force receiving funds to address the issue. The development has significant implications for the aerospace industry, particularly with regards to launch capacity and national security.
The US Space Force has added Relativity Space and Impulse Space to its National Security Space Launch program, expanding the pool of companies eligible to compete for national security launch contracts. This move reflects an evolution in the Space Force's approach to launch services, emphasizing integrated transportation solutions.
The New Horizons spacecraft, launched by NASA, has awakened from a nearly year-long hibernation approximately 6 billion miles away from Earth, beyond Pluto, and is now preparing to transmit collected data and study hydrogen in the outer heliosphere. This significant event marks a new phase in the mission, which aims to expand our understanding of the outer reaches of the solar system.
Skyroot Aerospace is set to attempt its first orbital launch as early as July 12, marking a significant milestone for the Indian space industry. The mission will test the capabilities of the company"s Vikram-1 rocket, which is designed to carry multiple payloads into low Earth orbit.
D-Orbit has signed a launch services contract with Japanese startup ArkEdge Space to provide a series of launches aboard its ION Satellite Carrier, marking a significant step in the company's Asia-Pacific expansion. The agreement will enable ArkEdge Space to access sun-synchronous orbit in 2027 and 2028, supporting its constellation programs.
Orbit Fab has hired a new CEO, Peter Shaper, and raised $25 million in funding to support its satellite refueling business, with plans to demonstrate the technology within the next 18-24 months. This development marks a significant step forward for the company as it aims to provide on-orbit refueling services to the aerospace industry.
Apolink has successfully made contact with its first satellite after launching on SpaceX"s July 7 rideshare mission, marking a crucial step towards demonstrating a novel data relay technology. This achievement has significant implications for the aerospace industry, enabling potential enhancements in satellite communication and operation.
The James Webb Space Telescope has released a stunning image of the galaxy Centaurus A, showcasing its dense field of millions of stars and providing insights into the role of the central black hole in shaping the galaxy's morphology. This achievement marks the telescope's 4th anniversary and demonstrates its capabilities in capturing high-resolution images of distant galaxies.
Jeremy Hansen, the first non-American to reach the moon, is stepping down from active astronaut duty after completing his mission on NASA's Artemis 2, and will serve as a reservist to support Canadian space innovation. This transition marks a significant shift in Hansen's career, with implications for Canada's growing space program.
On July 7, SpaceX launched its Transporter-17 mission from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California, carrying 81 payloads to sun-synchronous orbit, amid concerns about the future of its rideshare program. The mission marks a significant milestone for the company, with implications for the broader aerospace industry.
Belgian company Simera Sense has secured a contract to provide multispectral imagers for a small satellite constellation designed to monitor wildfires, volcanic activity, and other regional priorities in the Canary Islands. The constellation, scheduled to become operational between 2029 and 2031, will offer near-daily coverage of the Spanish archipelago.
NASA's collaborative programs with commercial industry, such as COTS, CCP, CLPS, and HLS, are enabling a human presence on Mars, with missions like ESCAPADE and Commercial Mars Payload Services (CMPS) set to play a crucial role in the planet's economic development. These partnerships are driving innovation and reducing costs, making Mars exploration and settlement more feasible.
China’s Tianwen-2 spacecraft has successfully captured the first photo of Kamo‘oalewa, a small, elusive quasi-moon orbiting the Earth. This achievement marks a significant milestone in China’s asteroid sampling mission and provides valuable insights into the composition and origin of this enigmatic celestial body.
The former head of NASA has expressed concerns about the agency's plans to return astronauts to the moon by 2028, questioning the complexity of the Artemis program's architecture and the suitability of the selected crewed landers. The concerns highlight the challenges and risks associated with the ambitious lunar mission.
On June 30, 2026, NASA astronaut Chris Williams performed a 7-hour and 20-minute spacewalk to replace a wrist joint on the International Space Station's Canadarm2 robotic arm. The successful procedure ensured the continued functionality of the robotic arm, which plays a critical role in the station's operations.
A new study by Chinese scientists suggests that a technique called pre-excavation detonation could be used to deflect or destroy large asteroids on a collision course with Earth, potentially mitigating the risk of asteroid impacts. The method involves creating a deep crater and then exploding a nuclear device, which could be effective against asteroids up to 0.6 miles in size.
The U.S. Space Force has awarded SpaceX two satellite contracts worth nearly $6.5 billion to develop a global military surveillance network and a space-based communications backbone, marking a significant commitment to competition in the industry. This development underscores the U.S. military's shift towards proliferated satellite constellations in low Earth orbit.
Isar Aerospace has signed a contract to develop a launch site in Canada for its Spectrum rocket, with Maritime Launch Services providing the necessary infrastructure, in a deal linked to a submarine sale to the Canadian military. The agreement marks a significant step in Isar Aerospace's expansion plans and highlights the growing importance of international partnerships in the aerospace industry.
Despite a recent setback from a New Glenn pad explosion, Blue Origin is pushing forward with its lunar lander program, having seven Blue Moon vehicles in production, with the first launch scheduled for 2027. The company aims to complete the rebuilding of its launch pad by the end of this year and have a second pad ready by late 2027.
Iridium Communications has finalized its $367 million takeover of Aireon, a venture that provides aircraft tracking services using Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) signals. This move brings Aireon fully in-house ahead of Iridium"s planned sale to Rocket Lab, valued at $8 billion.
On July 6, 2026, a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California, carrying 81 payloads into a Sun-synchronous Earth orbit as part of the Transporter-17 mission. The successful launch demonstrates the capabilities of SpaceX's Smallsat Rideshare Program, which enables multiple small satellites to be launched on a single rocket.
On July 7, 2026, SpaceX launched a Falcon 9 rocket carrying 81 payloads to low Earth orbit as part of its Transporter-17 rideshare program. The mission marked the 17th launch of the program and demonstrated the company's continued capability in launching multiple satellites simultaneously.
Researchers have determined that interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS is between 10 and 12 billion years old, providing valuable insights into the formation and evolution of our galaxy. This discovery sheds light on the comet's origins and its journey through interstellar space.