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On June 24, 2026, SpaceX successfully launched 24 Starlink V2 Mini satellites into orbit from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California, marking the seventh of eight launches planned from the site in June. This mission continues the expansion of SpaceX's Starlink network, a constellation of satellites designed to provide global internet connectivity.
The European Space Agency's Euclid space telescope has successfully captured the largest and most detailed image of the Milky Way galaxy's center, containing over 60 million stars and 51 known planetary systems. This achievement is expected to significantly contribute to our understanding of the galaxy and its many planetary systems.
The European Space Agency's Euclid mission has successfully imaged the center of the Milky Way galaxy with unprecedented detail, revealing over 60 million stars in a single photograph. This achievement marks a significant milestone in the study of our galaxy and will aid in the discovery of exoplanets.
The increasing demand for electricity from AI data centers, combined with the vulnerability of the electric grid to space weather, poses a significant risk to modern society, with potential economic losses estimated in the trillions of dollars. The SOLAR-1 satellite is being developed to provide early warnings for incoming solar disturbances, which could help mitigate these risks.
Vast has signed partnerships with several companies and organizations to conduct microgravity research and manufacturing on its Haven space stations, aiming to continue scientific discovery after the retirement of the International Space Station. This collaboration will enable various projects, including the production of artificial retinas in space.
York Space Systems has successfully demonstrated two-way ultra-high-frequency (UHF) communications from low Earth orbit using its Dragoon satellite, marking a significant technical milestone for the company and the U.S. Space Force. This achievement has major implications for the development of tactical communications services in support of mobile users.
Vantor has selected BAE Systems to build its next-generation high-resolution imaging satellites, known as Vantage, which are expected to enter service before the end of the decade. The new satellites will enhance Vantor's current fleet of electro-optical imaging satellites, providing improved capabilities for Earth observation and monitoring.
On June 24, SpaceX will launch 24 additional Starlink satellites into low Earth orbit (LEO) aboard a Falcon 9 rocket, marking the 25th flight for the particular booster and further expanding the existing megaconstellation of nearly 10,700 active units. This launch is scheduled to take place at 11:19 p.m. EDT from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California.
Researchers using the James Webb Space Telescope have found clues about the origins of interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS, which was discovered on July 1, 2025, and passed by Earth at a safe distance. The discovery provides new insights into the chemical composition of comets from outside our solar system.
The European Space Agency (ESA) is pursuing greater independence in space exploration due to changes in global partnerships and cancelled missions, highlighting the need for Europe to secure its own scientific, economic, and strategic interests. This shift reflects a broader trend of evolving alliances and priorities in the international space community.
The Artemis 2 mission, launched on April 1, marks a significant shift in astronaut culture and NASA objectives, prioritizing collaboration and sustainability over competition and national security imperatives. This change in approach reflects a broader transformation in the aerospace industry, with a focus on establishing a permanent human presence on the Moon and eventually sending humans to Mars.
The Hubble Space Telescope has successfully detected ultraviolet light from galaxy MXDFz4.4, which existed 1.4 billion years after the Big Bang, providing valuable insights into the universe's early formation and evolution. This discovery sheds new light on the Epoch of Reionization, a critical period in the universe's history.
On June 23, SpaceX launched the first test flight of its Starfall reentry capsule from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station"s Space Launch Complex 40, marking a significant step in the development of in-space manufacturing and point-to-point cargo delivery capabilities. The mission was notable for its secrecy, with limited information released by the company.
A new trade association has been launched to represent the interests of non-geostationary satellite orbit (NGSO) operators, with notable members including Amazon, Globalstar, Iridium, and Telesat, but absent is industry giant SpaceX. The association aims to advocate for updated licensing processes and efficient spectrum access for its members.
A report by NASA's inspector general highlights the agency's launch infrastructure is nearing capacity due to an increasing number of launches, with projections indicating a significant rise in launch activity from 2025 to 2030. This growth poses challenges for spaceports, including Kennedy Space Center and Wallops Flight Facility, which require upgrades to support the expanding demand.
The U.S. Space Force has awarded Boeing a contract worth up to $2 billion to design, develop, produce, and test two next-generation military communications satellites, set to operate in geostationary orbit by 2035. This contract marks a significant development in the enhancement of the Mobile User Objective System (MUOS), a critical communications network for the U.S. military.
Ubotica Technologies, an Irish company specializing in artificial intelligence for spacecraft, has raised $11 million to scale up its maritime-intelligence platform, Live Maritime Intelligence (LMI), which utilizes Orbital AI to analyze data and provide decision-grade intelligence. This investment will enable Ubotica to bring LMI to market at a larger scale.
Sophia Space has selected the Apex bus for its inaugural orbital computing node, set to demonstrate the Thermal Integrated LEO Edge (TILE) compute module in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) by 2027. This collaboration marks a significant step forward in the development of edge computing capabilities in space.
Loft Orbital is partnering with NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory to test artificial intelligence models on spacecraft, aiming to automate the process of identifying and monitoring features of interest on Earth. The project seeks to enable rapid follow-up observations of events like wildfires or marine pollution using AI-driven tip-and-cue processes.
Satellogic has partnered with SynMax to develop artificial intelligence-powered intelligence products using its upcoming Merlin satellite constellation, aiming to provide continuous global monitoring at high resolution. This collaboration reflects a trend in the geospatial intelligence industry towards higher-value intelligence products.
NASA and Boeing are committed to launching the Starliner-1 mission, a crucial step towards crewed certification, despite encountering multiple anomalies during the Crew Flight Test mission and facing an unclear timeline. The success of this mission is vital for the future of the CST-100 Starliner program and its role in serving the International Space Station.
On June 23, SpaceX launched its new Starfall return capsule atop a Falcon 9 rocket, demonstrating controlled flight and survival through Earth's atmosphere in a test mission. The successful launch marks a significant milestone for the company, with potential implications for future spacecraft design and reentry technology.
The ZWO Seestar S30 Pro, a smart telescope weighing 3.6 lbs, has impressed an astrophotography expert with its portability and image quality, making it an ideal choice for travel. This telescope's performance challenges traditional notions of what is possible in a compact, battery-powered design.
A recurring nova explosion in the star system T Coronae Borealis is expected to occur as early as February 2024 or June 25, 2026, potentially making it visible to the naked eye and rivaling the brightness of Polaris, the North Star. This rare event will provide a unique opportunity for scientists to study the thermonuclear explosion and its effects on the surrounding space.