Reading view

Northrop Grumman partners with Apex on space-based interceptors for Golden Dome

The Los Angeles-based startup manufactures standardized satellite buses designed to be produced more quickly and at lower cost than traditional government spacecraft

The post Northrop Grumman partners with Apex on space-based interceptors for Golden Dome appeared first on SpaceNews.

  •  

Spaceport facility bonds are now law – and they fundamentally change space infrastructure finance

F9 launch 2026 Feb 7

After more than three decades in public and project finance, I have learned that real inflection points in infrastructure development rarely announce themselves loudly. They usually arrive embedded in financing […]

The post Spaceport facility bonds are now law – and they fundamentally change space infrastructure finance appeared first on SpaceNews.

  •  

China conducts surprise launch of Long March 12B, delivers Qianfan satellites on debut flight

China conducted the maiden launch of its reusable Long March 12B rocket Monday, providing no advance warning and delivering operational payloads to orbit.

The post China conducts surprise launch of Long March 12B, delivers Qianfan satellites on debut flight appeared first on SpaceNews.

  •  

China launches test direct-to-device satellites for multiple projects

China capped a busy month of launches by sending four new satellite internet test satellites into orbit with a workhorse hypergolic rocket.

The post China launches test direct-to-device satellites for multiple projects appeared first on SpaceNews.

  •  

FAA documents outline SpaceX plans for Starfall reentry vehicles

Starfall

Federal Aviation Administration documents have provided new details about a SpaceX project to develop and test reentry vehicles that could be used to support in-space manufacturing projects.

The post FAA documents outline SpaceX plans for Starfall reentry vehicles appeared first on SpaceNews.

  •  

Space Force’s commercial gatekeeper offers a playbook for startups seeking defense business

COMSO chief Col. Tim Trimailo says transparency, patience and a clear military value proposition matter as much as technical innovation

The post Space Force’s commercial gatekeeper offers a playbook for startups seeking defense business appeared first on SpaceNews.

  •  

Bellatrix and TelePIX plan 2028 air-breathing VLEO imaging demonstration

South Korean optical payload developer TelePIX and Indian propulsion specialist Bellatrix Aerospace have teamed up on a very low Earth orbit geospatial demonstration mission slated for 2028.

The post Bellatrix and TelePIX plan 2028 air-breathing VLEO imaging demonstration appeared first on SpaceNews.

  •  

Spatial data has become a weapon of war in the US-Iran war

Wind sweeps dust across across southeastern Iran in January 2025. Credit: NASA Earth Observatory image by Michala Garrison

We are in the geospatial era of warfare in which information derived from satellites is as strategically critical as territorial control. The progressive dissolution of the distinction between the civil […]

The post Spatial data has become a weapon of war in the US-Iran war appeared first on SpaceNews.

  •  

China’s latest batch of new and reusable rockets are close to launch

A number of new Chinese state-led and commercial rockets are set for debuts and fresh first stage recovery attempts in the coming weeks and months.

The post China’s latest batch of new and reusable rockets are close to launch appeared first on SpaceNews.

  •  

Observable Space raises $90 million and wins Space Force contract for optical systems

Observable Space telescope

Observable Space, a company that develops optical systems for laser communications and space domain awareness, has raised $90 million and secured a U.S. Space Force contract.

The post Observable Space raises $90 million and wins Space Force contract for optical systems appeared first on SpaceNews.

  •  

Setting up a permanent lunar presence needs investment in biology

A concept for a later phase of NASA’s proposed lunar base. Credit: NASA

In December 1972, Gene Cernan and Harrison Schmitt spent 75 hours on the lunar surface during Apollo 17. They drove a rover, conducted three spacewalks and collected samples across the […]

The post Setting up a permanent lunar presence needs investment in biology appeared first on SpaceNews.

  •  

Revolv Space enters in-orbit servicing market with Infinite Orbits deal

In late 2025, Revolv Space broadened its portfolio with the release of MARA, a radiation-tolerant SADA developed for satellites with weights between 300 and 1000 kilograms, tailored to the needs of low Earth orbit constellations. Credit: Revolv Space

WARSAW, Poland — The Italian-Dutch company Revolv Space has announced that French in-orbit services provider Infinite Orbits has selected its Solar Array Drive Assemblies (SADAs), the devices used to manage […]

The post Revolv Space enters in-orbit servicing market with Infinite Orbits deal appeared first on SpaceNews.

  •  

Germany pushes European military space command initiative

Maj. Gen. Wolfgang Ohl, deputy director general for the Armed Forces Directorate of the German Federal Ministry of Defence, gives the opening keynote at the 2026 SmallSat Europe conference. Credit: SmallSat Europe

AMSTERDAM — A senior German military official said Europe needs a coordinated approach to military space operations and proposed the creation of a European Space Component Command hosted by Germany […]

The post Germany pushes European military space command initiative appeared first on SpaceNews.

  •  

CEO Series: Lux Aeterna’s Brian Taylor on what’s next for on-orbit servicing

In this episode of Space Minds, David Ariosto talks with Lux Aeterna CEO Brian Taylor about the problems with disposable satellites and the use for on-orbit servicing. Sponsored by Arcfield […]

The post CEO Series: Lux Aeterna’s Brian Taylor on what’s next for on-orbit servicing appeared first on SpaceNews.

  •  
❌