Browse the complete archive of aerospace journalism with contextual analysis
NASA has revealed the crew for the upcoming Artemis 3 mission, consisting of three NASA astronauts and one ESA astronaut, who will embark on a significant spaceflight next year. The crew, led by Randy Bresnik, includes experienced astronauts as well as those making their first spaceflight, marking an important milestone in the Artemis program.
Finnish company Iceye has raised $1.16 billion in funding to scale up its synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellite constellation, with plans to increase satellite production and expand its partnerships. This significant investment will enable Iceye to further develop its SAR technology and enhance its capabilities in Earth imaging.
Isar Aerospace has raised €270 million to support its global expansion and production of the Spectrum small launch vehicle, with plans to launch between June 15 and 21. This funding will enable the company to increase its presence in the global launch market and target low Earth orbit missions.
China has shortlisted four commercial rocket companies to launch its new low-cost cargo spacecraft, Qingzhou, to the Tiangong space station in January 2027. The Qingzhou spacecraft will provide a cost-effective solution for transporting supplies to the space station, with an uplink cargo capacity of at least 1,800 kg and a downlink capacity of at least 2,600 kg.
The European Commission is investing in in-orbit services, including rendezvous and docking, to support the development of a scalable orbital economy, with the expectation that these services will become a commodity. This investment aims to foster growth in the space economy by enabling new opportunities for satellite operations and maintenance.
The House Armed Services Committee has authorized $415 million for the Next-Generation Overhead Persistent Infrared Polar program, despite the Pentagon's plans to cancel it due to newer missile-warning architectures. This decision ensures the continuation of a critical space-based missile warning system.
The Federal Communications Commission has granted Amazon a waiver to miss its July 30 deadline for deploying half of its planned 3,232 broadband satellites, but the company will face a temporary loss of spectrum priority. This decision allows Amazon to continue its satellite deployment plans while giving rivals like SpaceX more leverage in orbit.
A team of researchers has proposed a novel approach to protect the Earth from powerful solar storms by deploying a fleet of spacecraft to strengthen the planet's magnetosphere, potentially reducing the intensity of geomagnetic storms by more than half. This innovative concept, known as StormWall, could have significant implications for the aerospace industry and global communication systems.
Prada and Axiom Space have unveiled a next-generation liquid cooling and ventilation garment designed to provide comfort and temperature control for astronauts on NASA's Artemis lunar missions. The innovative garment will be worn under the AxEMU spacesuit to enhance astronaut safety and performance.
The number of privately held space companies valued at $1 billion or more has surged to 30, with two-thirds achieving this status since 2025, reflecting growing investor confidence in the commercial prospects of the space industry. This shift indicates a broader expansion of the industry beyond traditional launch and satellite businesses.
Quantum Space, a developer of maneuverable spacecraft for national security missions, will merge with special purpose acquisition company Inflection Point Acquisition Corp. VI in a deal that includes a $300 million investment, allowing the company to ramp up production of its Ranger spacecraft. The merger is expected to have significant implications for the broader aerospace industry.
The UK government and Vast have partnered to send John McFall, a former Paralympic athlete, to the Haven-1 space station in low Earth orbit, marking a significant step towards expanding access to space for people with disabilities. This mission aims to conduct research on physiology, prosthetics, and movement in space, with potential benefits for millions of people on Earth.
SpaceX has successfully launched a Falcon 9 rocket carrying 29 Starlink satellites into low Earth orbit, marking the 35th time the first stage booster has been used. This achievement sets a new record for rocket reuse and highlights SpaceX"s continued advancements in space technology.
The European Space Agency (ESA) has signed an agreement with Vast to implement a private astronaut mission to the International Space Station on behalf of the Czech Republic, with Aleš Svoboda set to become the country's first astronaut in space. The mission, planned for 2027, aims to strengthen the Czech Republic's industrial and technological base through a commercial partnership between ESA and Vast.
Axiom Space has revealed the design of its Liquid Cooling and Ventilation Garment (LCVG) for the AxEMU spacesuit, developed in partnership with Prada, which will be used for the Artemis 4 mission in 2028. The new suit features a more integrated design and improved cooling efficiency, marking a significant milestone in the development of spacesuits for future lunar missions.
Commercial space-based intelligence providers, such as BlackSky, are leveraging high-frequency imagery and AI-enabled analytics to revolutionize border monitoring, providing tactical clarity and decision advantages for authorities. This development has significant implications for the broader aerospace industry and global security.
NewOrbit Space, a UK-based startup, has raised $18.5 million in Series A funding to develop and launch satellites into very low Earth orbit (VLEO), with plans to provide commercial services starting in 2028. This investment will support the company's efforts to establish Europe's largest dedicated VLEO production facility and develop proprietary technologies for satellite design and propulsion.
OQ Technology is partnering with Telefonica Germany to test direct-to-smartphone satellite connectivity using cellular spectrum in 2027, aiming to provide seamless connectivity beyond terrestrial coverage. This demonstration will utilize S-band and C-band frequencies and marks a significant step towards expanding global communication capabilities.
SpaceX has successfully launched its Falcon 9 rocket on a record-breaking 35th flight, carrying a batch of 29 Starlink satellites to low Earth orbit. The mission marks a significant milestone for the company, demonstrating the reliability and reusability of its launch vehicles.
The Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC) is disrupting the Small Magellanic Cloud (SMC) through gravitational tidal forces, triggering bursts of star formation and causing stars to move en masse outwards from the core. This phenomenon has significant implications for our understanding of galaxy interactions and evolution.
A recent event in Washington, D.C. brought together industry leaders to discuss the growing field of on-orbit computing and its potential applications, highlighting the importance of orbital data centers and the role of AI in determining what computing stays on Earth and what is handled in space. The event explored the opportunities and challenges in space-based data infrastructure, with significant implications for the broader aerospace industry.
NASA is exploring the possibility of reboosting the Hubble Space Telescope to extend its operational lifespan, contingent upon reducing costs, following a similar attempt with the Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory using the Link spacecraft. The success of this endeavor could have significant implications for the broader aerospace industry.
On Saturday night, SpaceX is set to launch a combination of 21 Starlink satellites and 2 Starshield satellites into low Earth orbit from Vandenberg Space Force Base, utilizing its Falcon 9 rocket. This mission marks an interesting mix of commercial and governmental space technology deployment.
Italian ground segment operator Leaf Space has unveiled a new space connectivity service called TreeNet, aiming to simplify space communications by treating individual satellites as nodes in an interconnected network. The service is expected to reach full commercial phase by the end of 2027, with partnerships established for testing and a target production capability of at least 100 nodes per year.