Payload Space

A collection of 283 posts

Payload Space

Report: How to Better Deter Russia in Orbit

While China is making all the headlines in Space Race 2.0, a DC think tank is cautioning policy makers not to forget about the threat posed by Russia in orbit. The post Report: How to Better Deter Russia in Orbit appeared first on Payload. Source: https://payloadspace.com/report-how-to-better-deter-russia-in-orbit/

Payload Space

HEO Buys Satellogic’s In-Orbit Sat

Why build a new satellite, when you can buy one already in orbit?  The post HEO Buys Satellogic’s In-Orbit Sat appeared first on Payload. Source: https://payloadspace.com/heo-buys-satellogics-in-orbit-sat/

Payload Space

Varda, Stratolaunch to Launch Pentagon Hypersonics

Last week, the Pentagon announced that it had awarded two contracts to Varda Space Industries and Stratolaunch as providers for Task Area 3 of the Multi-Service Advanced Capability Hypersonic Test Bed (MACH-TB) program, which focuses on reusable flight concepts for hypersonic missile tests.  The post Varda, Stratolaunch to Launch Pentagon

Payload Space

Payload Field Guide: Commercial LEO Destination

As the ISS nears its retirement date at the end of the decade, companies are vying to build its commercial successor under NASA’s Commercial LEO Destination (CLD) program. The post Payload Field Guide: Commercial LEO Destination appeared first on Payload. Source: https://payloadspace.com/payload-field-guide-commercial-leo-destination/

Payload Space

ESA Pours €73M into SWISSto12’s HummingSat Program

Surprise, surprise: SWISSto12 plans to use the new funds to increase its production capacity. The post ESA Pours €73M into SWISSto12’s HummingSat Program appeared first on Payload. Source: https://payloadspace.com/esa-pours-e73m-into-swissto12s-hummingsat-program/

Payload Space

Open Cosmos Launches First Telecom Sats

The launch marks Open Cosmos’ entrance into the world of satcom. The post Open Cosmos Launches First Telecom Sats appeared first on Payload. Source: https://payloadspace.com/open-cosmos-launches-first-telecom-sats/

Payload Space

Colorado Springs Opposes Lawsuit to Keep Space Command HQ

It’s time for the tug of war over the location of US Space Command headquarters to end for the sake of America’s military space mission, according to multiple Colorado Springs, CO-based groups. The post Colorado Springs Opposes Lawsuit to Keep Space Command HQ appeared first on Payload. Source:

Payload Space

D-Orbit Raises $53M to Fund Acquisition Efforts

D-Orbit is about to go on a shopping spree. The post D-Orbit Raises $53M to Fund Acquisition Efforts appeared first on Payload. Source: https://payloadspace.com/d-orbit-raises-53m-to-fund-acquisition-efforts/

Payload Space

Starfish Wins SDA Deorbit-As-A-Service Contract

Starfish says this marks the first contracted mission for end-of-life satellite disposal services, in comparison to typical missions that treat disposal as a one-off or a demo.  The post Starfish Wins SDA Deorbit-As-A-Service Contract appeared first on Payload. Source: https://payloadspace.com/starfish-wins-sda-deorbit-as-a-service-contract/

Payload Space

Loft Orbital Wins €50M Contract to Build French SAR Sat

The demo is part of France’s DESIR program, which is intended to widen the pool of EO capabilities available to the French defense sector. The post Loft Orbital Wins €50M Contract to Build French SAR Sat appeared first on Payload. Source: https://payloadspace.com/loft-orbital-wins-e50m-contract-to-build-french-sar-sat/

Payload Space

Vast Delays Haven-1 Launch to 2027

Haven-1, which was expected to launch in 2026, will now launch no earlier than Q1 2027—and it could be significantly longer before the station gets its first crew. The post Vast Delays Haven-1 Launch to 2027 appeared first on Payload. Source: https://payloadspace.com/vast-delays-haven-1-launch-to-2027/

Payload Space

Canada Rocket Company Emerges from Stealth

Canada Rocket Company announced a $6.2M CDN ($4.5M) seed round, and unveiled plans to create sovereign light- and medium-lift launch capabilities for Canada. The post Canada Rocket Company Emerges from Stealth appeared first on Payload. Source: https://payloadspace.com/canada-rocket-company-emerges-from-stealth/

Payload Space

Samara Closes $10M Seed Round

The satellite bus builder is expecting to validate its tech in orbit imminently. The post Samara Closes $10M Seed Round appeared first on Payload. Source: https://payloadspace.com/samara-closes-10m-seed-round/

Payload Space

CesiumAstro Secures $200M Government Financing

In its push to double down on its national security and defense clientele, spacecom firm CesiumAstro has secured $200M in government financing. The post CesiumAstro Secures $200M Government Financing appeared first on Payload. Source: https://payloadspace.com/cesiumastro-secures-200m-government-financing/

Payload Space

Aule Space Raises $2M to Build Life Extension Jet Packs

Satellites don’t have many options when they run out of fuel, but a wave of startups are attempting to crack refueling on orbit. Aule Space is taking a straightforward approach: jetpacks. The post Aule Space Raises $2M to Build Life Extension Jet Packs appeared first on Payload. Source: https:

Payload Space

Atomic-6 Space Armor to Fly in October With Portal

It’s rare for space operators to cross their fingers, hoping their sat will get hit with a piece of space debris. But that’s exactly what Atomic-6 CEO Trevor Smith is doing.  The post Atomic-6 Space Armor to Fly in October With Portal appeared first on Payload. Source: https:

Payload Space

SkyFi Secures $12.7M Series A

There’s no shortage of EO imagery these days, and SkyFi wants to make sure customers can access that data as easily as clicking “add to cart.” The post SkyFi Secures $12.7M Series A appeared first on Payload. Source: https://payloadspace.com/skyfi-secures-12-7m-series-a/

Payload Space

NASA Reaffirms Commitment to Lunar Nuclear Power This Decade

To keep the lights on through the night, NASA is exploring putting a nuclear fission reactor on the Moon’s surface. The idea has been around for years, but the agency appointed new executive leadership for the Fission Surface Power Project last year—and committed to seeing it through. The

Payload Space

Op-ed: Mars Sample Return May Be Canceled, But the Legal Questions It Leaves Behind Continue

With Mars Sample Return canceled, the question is no longer how to bring samples home—but how far existing space law can stretch before its gaps become consequential. The post Op-ed: Mars Sample Return May Be Canceled, But the Legal Questions It Leaves Behind Continue appeared first on Payload. Source:

Payload Space

Exclusive: Orbital Paradigm Emerges as the Lone Survivor of Failed PSLV Launch

Despite ISRO's PSLV failing during launch, Orbital Paradigm's KID reentry vehicle survived long enough to transmit valuable data. The post Exclusive: Orbital Paradigm Emerges as the Lone Survivor of Failed PSLV Launch appeared first on Payload. Source: https://payloadspace.com/exclusive-orbital-paradigm-emerges-as-the-lone-survivor-of-failed-pslv-launch/

Payload Space

Quantum Imaging Startup Diffraqtion Emerges from Stealth

Diffraqtion is looking to see farther in space, and to understand its environment faster. The MA-based startup emerged from stealth today with a $4.2M pre-seed round. The post Quantum Imaging Startup Diffraqtion Emerges from Stealth appeared first on Payload. Source: https://payloadspace.com/quantum-imaging-startup-diffraqtion-emerges-from-stealth/

Payload Space

Portuguese Firm Buys Two EO Sats for $18M from Satellogic

This morning, Satellogic ($SATL) announced that it is building two satellites for a Portuguese engineering firm, the Centre of Engineering and Product Development (CEiiA, to use its Portuguese acronym). CEiiA paid $18M for a speedy delivery on its new tech. The post Portuguese Firm Buys Two EO Sats for $18M

Payload Space

GRU Space Opens Bookings for Planned Lunar Hotel

Aspiring lunar tourists can place a $1M deposit to reserve a spot in the company’s planned lunar hotel, which aims to open its airlocks in 2032. The post GRU Space Opens Bookings for Planned Lunar Hotel appeared first on Payload. Source: https://payloadspace.com/gru-space-opens-bookings-for-planned-lunar-hotel/

Payload Space

L3Harris Sells Majority of Propulsion Business to AEI for $845M

In the first major transaction of 2026, L3Harris Technologies ($LHX) is shedding the bulk of its propulsion business—and Rocketdyne is so back. The post L3Harris Sells Majority of Propulsion Business to AEI for $845M appeared first on Payload. Source: https://payloadspace.com/l3harris-sells-majority-of-propulsion-business-to-aei-for-845m/

Payload Space

2025 Orbital Launch Attempts by Country

Around the world, rockets attempted to lift off 329 times—with 321 of these attempts reaching orbit or near orbit—according to data compiled by astronomer Jonathan McDowell. The post 2025 Orbital Launch Attempts by Country appeared first on Payload. Source: https://payloadspace.com/2025-orbital-launch-attempts-by-country/