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SpaceNews

Varda to collaborate with United Therapeutics on microgravity drug research

Varda Space Industries has signed its first major agreement with a pharmaceutical company to develop improved drugs in microgravity. The post Varda to collaborate with United Therapeutics on microgravity drug research appeared first on SpaceNews. Source: https://spacenews.com/varda-to-collaborate-with-united-therapeutics-on-microgravity-drug-research/

Payload Space

Exobiosphere, Voyager Partner on ISS Mission

Exobiosphere has designed an Orbital High-Throughput Screening Device—an automated mini lab that fits into standard mid-deck lockers, aboard crewed or uncrewed space stations.  The post Exobiosphere, Voyager Partner on ISS Mission appeared first on Payload. Source: https://payloadspace.com/exobiosphere-voyager-partner-on-iss-mission/

Spaceflight Now

SpaceX targets May 19 for debut of Starship Version 3, Launch Pad 2

The mission will test a host of changes made to both the launch vehicle and the launch infrastructure as SpaceX prepares to support the Artemis 3 mission in 2027. Source: https://spaceflightnow.com/2026/05/12/spacex-targets-may-19-for-debut-of-starship-super-heavy-version-3-launch-pad-2/

SpaceNews

FCC approves SpaceX spectrum deal with $2.4 billion escrow condition

SpaceX has the FCC’s blessing to buy EchoStar spectrum to improve direct-to-device services in the United States, subject to a $2.4 billion escrow tied to disputes over the seller’s abandoned terrestrial 5G network buildout. Source: https://spacenews.com/fcc-approves-spacex-spectrum-deal-with-2-4-billion-escrow-condition/

Via Satellite

Networks Business Propels Revenue Growth for SES, Operator Cancels 2 GEO Sats

SES’s latest results are broadly in line with analyst expectations and show the business in good shape with the Networks side of SES’s business increasingly influential. With financial results on […] The post Networks Business Propels Revenue Growth for SES, Operator Cancels 2 GEO Sats appeared first on Via

SpaceNews

Congressional Budget Office estimates $1.2 trillion price tag for Golden Dome

The estimate is over 20 years; space-based interceptors would account for most of the cost Source: https://spacenews.com/congressional-budget-office-estimates-1-2-trillion-price-tag-for-golden-dome/

Via Satellite

TrustPoint Receives $4M SpaceWERX Tactical Funding for Independent PNT System

SpaceWERX has awarded TrustPoint a $4 million Tactical Funding Increase (TACFI) contract, which will fund the buildout of four satellites and four ground stations for a full end-to-end demonstration of […] The post TrustPoint Receives $4M SpaceWERX Tactical Funding for Independent PNT System appeared first on Via Satellite. Source: https://www.

Via Satellite

AST SpaceMobile Confirms Target for 45 BlueBirds This Year, Despite Blue Origin Launch Failure

AST SpaceMobile still expects to have 45 BlueBird satellites in orbit this year despite the recent failure on a Blue Origin launch. CEO Abel Avellan told investors on Monday that […] The post AST SpaceMobile Confirms Target for 45 BlueBirds This Year, Despite Blue Origin Launch Failure  appeared first on Via

SatNews

FCC Approves Landmark Spectrum Sharing and Direct-to-Device Frameworks

On May 1, 2026, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) released a comprehensive Report and Order (FCC 26-26) aimed at modernizing spectrum sharing for satellite broadband. The ruling, championed by FCC […] Source: https://satnews.com/2026/05/12/fcc-approves-landmark-spectrum-sharing-and-direct-to-device-frameworks/

SpaceNews

Quantum Space to build spacecraft in Tulsa

Quantum Space announced May 12 it will build the company’s highly maneuverable spacecraft in Tulsa, Oklahoma, home to the company’s new chief executive. Source: https://spacenews.com/quantum-space-to-build-spacecraft-in-tulsa/

Payload Space

NASA’s Launch Director Pick Turns Political

Brian Hughes, who will serve as NASA’s first senior launch operations director, was the space agency’s chief of staff from May to December, departing the agency once Administrator Jared Isaacman took over.  The post NASA’s Launch Director Pick Turns Political appeared first on Payload. Source: https://payloadspace.

SatNews

Satellite and the Upcoming Spectrum Auction

The satellite distribution landscape is undergoing a significant transition as the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) proceeds with mandates to auction the remaining Upper C-band spectrum by mid-2027. Under the One […] Source: https://satnews.com/2026/05/12/satellite-and-the-upcoming-spectrum-auction/

SatNews

ExoMars 2028 Structural Models Arrive in Cannes for Environmental Testing

On May 12, 2026, Thales Alenia Space announced a major milestone for the ExoMars 2028 mission with the successful integration of the structural models in Turin and their subsequent transfer […] Source: https://satnews.com/2026/05/12/exomars-2028-structural-models-arrive-in-cannes-for-environmental-testing/

SatNews

Consumer NPU Boom Accelerates Autonomous Satellite Processing

With 1.5 billion smartphones shipped in 2025 featuring Neural Processing Units (NPUs) capable of up to 100 TOPS (Trillions of Operations Per Second), the economies of scale from the mobile […] Source: https://satnews.com/2026/05/12/consumer-npu-boom-accelerates-autonomous-satellite-processing/

SpaceNews

Space Force awards TrustPoint $4 million for LEO navigation demonstration

The startup is developing C-band system as alternative to GPS Source: https://spacenews.com/space-force-awards-trustpoint-4-million-for-leo-navigation-demonstration/

Payload Space

Fenix Space Flies Tow-Launch Prototype

Fenix Space is one step closer to leaving the world behind. The post Fenix Space Flies Tow-Launch Prototype appeared first on Payload. Source: https://payloadspace.com/fenix-space-flies-tow-launch-prototype/

Payload Space

Star Catcher Closes $65M Series A

B Capital led the round, which was co-led by Shield Capital and Cerberus Ventures. The post Star Catcher Closes $65M Series A appeared first on Payload. Source: https://payloadspace.com/star-catcher-closes-65m-series-a/

SpaceNews

Transcelestial tests space-to-ground laser communications technologies

Transcelestial has advanced its work to provide space-to-ground optical communications with a test of laser transmissions from a satellite to ground stations. Source: https://spacenews.com/transcelestial-tests-space-to-ground-laser-communications-technologies/

SpaceNews

Space is having its internet moment. Investors should act accordingly.

In the 1990s, the internet stopped being a novelty and started to resemble what it is today. The release of the Mosaic browser in 1993 made the web usable for ordinary people. Amazon listed on Nasdaq in 1997. And by 2000, Cisco briefly became the most valuable company in the

SatNews

Northrop Grumman Unveils LR-450 Positioning System for Diverse Space Missions

On Monday, May 11, 2026, Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC) announced the official release of the LR-450, a compact and lightweight positioning and navigation system designed to support a wide […] Source: https://satnews.com/2026/05/11/northrop-grumman-unveils-lr-450-positioning-system-for-diverse-space-missions/

SpaceNews

NASA retaining six-month ISS missions

NASA plans to continue exchanging International Space Station crews about every six months after considering longer stays. The post NASA retaining six-month ISS missions appeared first on SpaceNews. Source: https://spacenews.com/nasa-retaining-six-month-iss-missions/

Via Satellite

Hughes Posts Decline in Broadband Subscribers and Service Revenue in Q1 2026

Hughes Network Systems continues to report lower satellite broadband subscribers, citing competition from satellite competitors and other technologies.  Hughes reported broadband subscribers on Monday as part of EchoStar’s first quarter […] The post Hughes Posts Decline in Broadband Subscribers and Service Revenue in Q1 2026 appeared first on Via Satellite.

Via Satellite

Vitesse Systems and Accelint Become Part of New Defense Tech Company Lyntris

Vitesse Systems has combined with Accelint to form a new defense tech company called Lyntris, focused on the connected battlefield.  Both companies have been under the ownership of Trive Capital […] The post Vitesse Systems and Accelint Become Part of New Defense Tech Company Lyntris appeared first on Via Satellite. Source:

Spaceflight Now

Live coverage: SpaceX to launch intelligence-gathering satellites for the National Reconnaissance Office

The NROL-72 mission will be the 13th to date supporting what the NRO calls its “proliferated architecture” satellite constellation. Liftoff of SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket from pad 4E at Vandenberg Space Force Base is scheduled for 7:13:50 p.m. PDT (10:13:50 p.m. EDT / 0213:

SatNews

Space42 Taps Skylo for Standards-Based Direct-to-Device Services via Thuraya-4

On May 11, 2026, Abu Dhabi-based Space42 and Silicon Valley’s Skylo Technologies announced a strategic partnership to launch standards-based direct-to-device (D2D) connectivity. The service will be delivered via the Thuraya-4 […] Source: https://satnews.com/2026/05/11/space42-taps-skylo-for-standards-based-direct-to-device-services-via-thuraya-4/