Browse the complete archive of aerospace journalism with contextual analysis
The US Space Force has embarked on an acquisition overhaul aimed at accelerating the delivery of satellites and other critical capabilities, with its new acquisition chief at the helm. This initiative seeks to transform the service's acquisition process, ultimately enhancing its operational readiness and responsiveness.
Viasat is expected to announce a contract within weeks to build the first satellites for Equatys, a joint venture with Space42, aiming to provide global direct-to-device services. This development marks a significant step forward in the establishment of a shared satellite constellation for direct-to-device communications.
On September 15, 2026, SpaceX successfully launched a Falcon 9 rocket from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California, deploying a classified national security payload into low Earth orbit. This mission marks the third launch procured by the U.S. Space Force’s Space Systems Command in a month under the National Security Space Launch Phase 3 Lane 1 contract.
SpaceX is set to launch its Starship spacecraft into orbit for the first time on September 22, aiming to deploy 26 Starlink satellites and complete six orbits of Earth. This landmark flight will mark a significant milestone in the development of the Starship program.
SpaceX has successfully launched its second classified mission for the US Space Force in less than a week, utilizing a Falcon 9 rocket that has flown 12 times before. This launch marks a significant milestone in the collaboration between SpaceX and the US Space Force.
The James Webb Space Telescope has revealed a detailed panorama of star formation in the nearby star-forming region IC 348, located 1000 light-years away in the constellation Perseus. This discovery has significant implications for our understanding of how stars and planets form, particularly with the detection of extremely low-mass brown dwarfs that challenge current models of star formation.
The US Air Force and Space Force are pushing to rapidly deploy more weapons and space capabilities in larger quantities, despite ongoing supply chain constraints. This effort aims to enhance national security and stay ahead of emerging threats.
The US Space Force is enhancing its space-based intelligence capabilities through partnerships with the National Reconnaissance Office and commercial imagery providers, leveraging artificial intelligence tools to analyze and interpret data. This development is expected to have significant implications for the broader aerospace industry.
The U.S. Space Force played a direct combat role in the recent conflict with Iran, conducting electromagnetic warfare and providing critical support to U.S. forces. This marks a significant expansion of the service's capabilities and highlights its growing importance in modern warfare.
On September 14, a Vega C rocket launched two Earth observation satellites for the European Space Agency and the European Commission, marking a significant milestone in the agencies" efforts to monitor and understand our planet. The successful launch demonstrates the capabilities of the Vega C rocket and the importance of Earth observation in supporting scientific research and policy decisions.
A recent study has demonstrated a technique to convert carbon dioxide from Mars' atmosphere into methane, which can be used as a rocket fuel, potentially paving the way for more efficient and sustainable Mars missions. This breakthrough could have significant implications for future crewed missions to the Red Planet.
Researchers have successfully utilized satellite data to monitor and track armed conflicts and atrocities worldwide, providing valuable insights and early warnings. This development has significant implications for global conflict research and humanitarian efforts.
The Curiosity rover has identified broad, shallow pits on Mars, unlike any previously discovered surface features, with researchers utilizing multiple instruments to collect data on the mysterious formations. The discovery has significant implications for the understanding of Mars' geological history and the potential for future research.
The Soviet Union successfully launched the Zond 5 spacecraft on September 15, 1968, which carried the first animals to travel around the moon and return to Earth, marking a significant achievement in space exploration. The mission's success may have influenced NASA's decision to launch Apollo 8, a historic manned mission to the moon.
SES and Elveo Mobile have announced plans to establish a satellite factory in Europe, which will produce satellites for direct-to-device (D2D) services as part of a low Earth orbit (LEO) constellation. This collaboration marks a significant development in the expansion of D2D satellite capabilities in the region.
HawkEye 360, a leading provider of radio-frequency sensing technology, has established a European subsidiary to cater to the growing demand for sovereign capabilities in the region. This move is part of the company's strategic expansion into the European market, where it will collaborate with major industry players such as Leonardo and ERA.
The European Space Agency (ESA) has launched the FLEX Earth Explorer satellite and the Copernicus Sentinel-3C satellite on a Vega-C rocket, marking a significant milestone in Europe"s environmental monitoring capabilities. The dual launch, which occurred on September 15 at 03:21 CEST, will enable the collection of valuable data on photosynthetic activity and strengthen Europe"s ability to monitor the environment.
British startup Shield Space has successfully completed the critical design review for its Broadsword mission, a 2027 demonstration of satellite-inspection capabilities using a Cubesat. This milestone brings the company closer to providing defense customers with in-orbit satellite inspection capabilities.
Executives from three European companies have defended their planned merger, aiming to combine their space businesses and strengthen their position in the industry. The move comes despite increased government funding, which the companies believe will not hinder their joint venture's success.
The European Space Agency (ESA) has launched the FLEX and Copernicus Sentinel-3C satellites on a Vega-C rocket to study Earth"s vegetation, oceans, and atmospheric changes, marking a significant milestone in Europe"s Earth Observation Programmes. The launch, which occurred on September 15, 2026, at 03:21:00Z from Europe"s Spaceport in French Guiana, will provide valuable data for monitoring plant health, ocean conditions, and atmospheric changes.
The European Space Agency (ESA) and its partners are preparing to launch the Vega-C rocket with the Sentinel-3C and FLEX spacecraft to monitor ocean and plant health, providing critical data for environmental studies. The launch, scheduled for September 14, 2026, will mark a significant milestone in the development of Earth observation capabilities.
The European Space Agency launched two Earth-observing satellites, FLEX and Sentinel-3C, into low Earth orbit on a Vega C rocket from French Guiana, marking a significant milestone in the agency's Earth observation program. The satellites will provide valuable data on vegetation fluorescence and continue the Sentinel-3 line of Earth-observation satellites.
SpaceX successfully launched three O3b mPOWER satellites to medium Earth orbit on its 700th Falcon mission, marking a significant milestone for the company. The launch, which occurred on September 13, 2026, at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, demonstrates SpaceX"s continued capability in delivering complex satellite constellations to orbit.
The US Air Force has successfully deployed space-control weapons in orbit, as announced by Secretary Troy Meink, marking a significant development in the country's military satellite programs. This deployment is part of a broader effort to enhance missile defense and long-range targeting capabilities.