Military space capabilities played a critical role in the early stages of Operation Epic Fury, according to the Pentagon’s top general. The post Space Was ‘First Mover’ In Iran Conflict, Top General Says appeared first on Payload. Source: https://payloadspace.com/space-was-first-mover-in-iran-conflict-top-general-says/

After only a two months of 2026, this year is already shaping up to be the year of space data centers. In January, SpaceX filed with the FCC for up to 1M satellites (wild). A few days later, Starcloud followed with plans for 88,000 satellites of its own. The

Austria is prepping to launch its first military-commissioned satellite to fight a growing, invisible threat—interference with satellite navigation. The post Austria Commissions its First Military Sat appeared first on Payload. Source: https://payloadspace.com/austria-commissions-its-first-military-sat/

The panels are just 73g per square meter, and are priced around $15 per watt. The post Exclusive: Starpath Unveils New Ultra-Thin Space Solar Panels appeared first on Payload. Source: https://payloadspace.com/exclusive-starpath-unveils-new-ultra-thin-space-solar-panels/

The US path to the Moon shifted pretty significantly on Friday, in what NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman called the “only way forward” for the American lunar program. Hit the gas: Isaacman announced multiple changes to the program, including: Timeline: In light of these structural changes, Isaacman announced a new timeline

Rocket Lab’s Neutron rocket won’t fly until the end of the year, the New Zealand launcher announced Thursday in its 2025 earnings.  The post Neutron’s First Launch Slips to Q4 appeared first on Payload. Source: https://payloadspace.com/neutrons-first-launch-slips-to-q4/

Green energy is all the rage in Europe, and the trend is beginning to reach beyond the stratosphere. The post ISPTech Raises €5.5M to Scale Green Propulsion Tech appeared first on Payload. Source: https://payloadspace.com/isptech-raises-e5-5m-to-scale-green-propulsion-tech/

German engineering just entered the quantum realm. The post Mynaric Demos QKD Comms With COTS Tech appeared first on Payload. Source: https://payloadspace.com/mynaric-demos-qkd-comms-with-cots-tech/

CesiumAstro is the second company this month to rely on M&A to boost AI tech, after SpaceX acquired xAI (both owned by Elon Musk).  The post CesiumAstro Acquires AI Firm Vidrovr appeared first on Payload. Source: https://payloadspace.com/cesiumastro-acquires-ai-firm-vidrovr/

Phantom Space just got a boatload of pre-owned toys to play with. The post Phantom Space Acquires Vector Launch Assets appeared first on Payload. Source: https://payloadspace.com/phantom-space-acquires-vector-launch-assets/

The company today launched NordSpace Ventures, which will make investments in "Canadian space, defense, and dual-use technologies"—starting with Wyvern, an EO company based in Edmonton, AB. The post Canada’s NordSpace Opens VC Arm for Sovereign Space Investments appeared first on Payload. Source: https://payloadspace.com/canadas-nordspace-opens-vc-arm-for-sovereign-space-investments/

The space industry is well into its nine-figure funding era.  The post Intuitive Machines, Seraphim Announce Fundraising Wins appeared first on Payload. Source: https://payloadspace.com/intuitive-machines-seraphim-announce-fundraising-wins/

Orbital data centers are closer to reality than you might think. The post Sophia Space Raises $10M for Build Orbital Data Center Tech appeared first on Payload. Source: https://payloadspace.com/sophia-space-raises-10m-to-build-orbital-data-center-precursor/

LambdaVision is preparing for its post-ISS future.  The post LambdaVision Taps Starlab for Post-ISS Manufacturing Plans appeared first on Payload. Source: https://payloadspace.com/lambdavision-taps-starlab-for-post-iss-manufacturing-plans/

The award is part of the French government’s push to have its businesses help modernize telecom infrastructure in developing countries.  The post Skynopy to Integrate its First Ground Station in Kenya appeared first on Payload. Source: https://payloadspace.com/skynopy-to-integrate-its-first-ground-station-in-kenya/

The company believes it can eventually build, operate, and launch each sat for $2M or less, according to CEO Ido Priel. The post Remondo Unveils Plans for Sub-30 cm Resolution Sat appeared first on Payload. Source: https://payloadspace.com/remondo-unveils-plans-for-sub-30-cm-resolution-sat/

Sceye announced today a platform designed to merge the best of space and ground comms in the stratosphere. The post Exclusive: Sceye Unveils SceyeCELL Antenna appeared first on Payload. Source: https://payloadspace.com/exclusive-sceye-unveils-sceyecell-antenna/

The face of space-based solar power (SBSP) is changing due to surging interest in in-space industry and data centers. While some companies are racing toward these new opportunities, others are sticking with the technology’s original goal of powering life on Earth. The post Orbital Data, Niche Markets Give Space

Finland’s space industry has a lot going for it. The post Inside Finland’s Rapid Rise as a Space Powerhouse appeared first on Payload. Source: https://payloadspace.com/inside-finlands-rapid-rise-as-a-space-powerhouse/

“The most troubling failure…is not hardware. It is decision-making and leadership that, if left unchecked, could create a culture incompatible with human spaceflight,” NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman said during a livestreamed press conference. The post NASA: Agency ‘Failed’ Starliner Astronauts appeared first on Payload. Source: https://payloadspace.com/nasa-agency-failed-starliner-astronauts/

“How do we encourage the government to take the necessary actions to modernize our space infrastructure? That includes physical, policy and regulatory,” Neal said. “I think it will be tough for industry to grow and mature, if we don’t have that.” The post US Chamber Fighting For Licensing, ITAR

The fate of the NASA authorization bill being considered by Congress now could be a make or break moment for the budding space nuclear power sector, according to one company.  The post NASA Authorization Could Kick Start Space Nuclear Power appeared first on Payload. Source: https://payloadspace.com/nasa-authorization-could-kick-start-space-nuclear-power/

TeraWave deep dive. The post Blue Origin’s TeraWave Angle, Economics, and the Starlink / Amazon Leo Comparison appeared first on Payload Pro. The post Blue Origin’s TeraWave Angle, Economics, and the Starlink / Amazon Leo Comparison appeared first on Payload. Source: https://payloadspace.com/blue-origins-terawave-angle-economics-and-the-starlink-amazon-leo-comparison/

Agile Space Industries built a business on, you guessed it, agility—the ability to deliver high-performing propulsion systems on-time, every time. The post Agile Space Industries Closes $17M Series A appeared first on Payload. Source: https://payloadspace.com/agile-space-industries-closes-17m-series-a/

Space businesses continue their burn streak. The post When Space Businesses Should Accelerate Cash Burn, When to Improve appeared first on Payload. Source: https://payloadspace.com/when-space-businesses-should-accelerate-cash-burn-when-to-improve/