A delay in one European Space Agency mission is creating an opportunity for an earlier, and more capable, launch for another ESA spacecraft. The post ESA’s Comet Interceptor mission moves up launch appeared first on SpaceNews. Source: https://spacenews.com/esas-comet-interceptor-mission-moves-up-launch/

If you stayed in a hotel last night, there’s a good chance you saw that familiar placard in the bathroom: “Help save the planet — hang your towel and we won’t wash it.” At a recent panel, I asked the audience how many had seen that sign. Most hands

Boulder-based startup plans 2026 demonstrations tied to space domain awareness The post ThinkOrbital raises seed funding to advance X-ray space inspection appeared first on SpaceNews. Source: https://spacenews.com/thinkorbital-raises-seed-funding-to-advance-x-ray-space-inspection/

SpaceX’s 2026 IPO plans were an early Christmas present for space investors who were already bullish about the year ahead. The move helps push the industry further into the mainstream investment and public consciousness. It also paves the way for others to go public in a capital-intensive business. Despite

The global security environment is becoming more volatile, not less. The war in Ukraine grinds on. China is increasingly assertive in the Indo-Pacific. The Middle East remains unstable. North Korea continues to test missiles and challenge regional stability. Together, these dynamics are straining the international system in ways not seen

From civil science and exploration missions to national security, there are many space activities to look forward to in 2026. There will be at least three missions heading to the moon, Vast’s Haven-1 is scheduled to launch as the first prospective commercial low Earth orbit (LEO) destination. But perhaps

Funding backs expansion of “virtual constellation” that aggregates imagery from commercial operators The post SkyFi raises $12.7 million to scale satellite data marketplace appeared first on SpaceNews. Source: https://spacenews.com/skyfi-raises-12-7-million-to-scale-satellite-data-marketplace/

China conducted a pair of Long March rocket launches Tuesday, kicking off what is likely to be a record-breaking year for the country. The post China’s first launches of 2026 send Yaogan spacecraft into unusual orbit, loft Guowang satellites  appeared first on SpaceNews. Source: https://spacenews.com/chinas-first-launches-of-2026-send-yaogan-spacecraft-into-unusual-orbit-loft-guowang-satellites/

Firefly Aerospace says it will upgrade its Alpha launch vehicle, making changes intended to improve the reliability of a rocket that has experienced several failures. The post Firefly to upgrade Alpha rocket to improve reliability appeared first on SpaceNews. Source: https://spacenews.com/firefly-to-upgrade-alpha-rocket-to-improve-reliability/

MILAN — The European Space Agency and Luxembourg’s ClearSpace announced Jan. 12 a new collaboration on an in-orbit servicing and active debris removal mission called PRELUDE, one that will involve two small spacecraft designed to test close-proximity operations and could eventually enable satellite life extension, repair and removal in orbit.

Deal tied to planned IPO aims to expand solid rocket motor capacity The post Pentagon commits $1 billion to L3Harris missile unit as ‘anchor investor’ appeared first on SpaceNews. Source: https://spacenews.com/pentagon-commits-1-billion-to-l3harris-missile-unit-as-anchor-investor/

A widespread demand for nuclear power has led some to call this period a “nuclear renaissance,” one that will continue to build momentum in 2026. This growing need is being driven by two primary use cases: small modular nuclear reactors for cloud infrastructure and terrestrial data center needs, and nuclear

Behind the rhetoric about competition and innovation, not everyone is convinced SDA’s approach is a win-win The post Space Force wants competition. Satellite makers want stability. appeared first on SpaceNews. Source: https://spacenews.com/space-force-wants-competition-satellite-makers-want-stability/

IRVINE, Calif. & LOS ANGELES, Calif. — January 13, 2026 — Turion Space Corp. (“Turion”), a space infrastructure company that builds and operates mission-grade spacecraft and space operations software, today […] The post Turion Space Corp. Acquires Tychee Research Group to Accelerate Autonomous Space Operations and Mission Engineering appeared first on SpaceNews. Source:

Lunar night survival becomes an imperative “Surviving the lunar night has crossed a critical threshold: what was once a ‘nice-to-have’ is now the imperative for any serious lunar mission. We’re seeing this ‘survive, operate, thrive’ progression play out in real time: we’ve proven we can land repeatedly, now

Michigan-based supplier cites rising government and commercial demand amid tight smallsat supply chain The post Orbion delivers 33 electric thrusters to York Space for U.S. military constellation appeared first on SpaceNews. Source: https://spacenews.com/orbion-delivers-33-electric-thrusters-to-york-space-for-u-s-military-constellation/

Belgian manufacturer to support early rollout as U.S. commercial PNT startup builds in-house production The post Aerospacelab to build eight satellites for Xona’s navigation constellation appeared first on SpaceNews. Source: https://spacenews.com/aerospacelab-to-build-eight-satellites-for-xonas-navigation-constellation/

Eutelsat has ordered the remaining 340 satellites needed to replenish its OneWeb satellite constellation from Airbus Defence and Space. The post Eutelsat orders 340 additional satellites to replenish OneWeb constellation appeared first on SpaceNews. Source: https://spacenews.com/eutelsat-orders-340-additional-satellites-to-replenish-oneweb-constellation/

Turin, Italy — Jan. 11, 2026 — The 12U CubeSat LIDE (LIve DEmonstration) has successfully completed its first months of on-orbit operations following its launch July 23, 2025, aboard a […] The post Tyvak International’s LIDE satellite completes initial on-orbit 5G tests appeared first on SpaceNews. Source: https://spacenews.com/tyvak-internationals-lide-satellite-completes-initial-on-orbit-5g-tests/

For several years, the space-based geospatial intelligence industry has been chasing a logical vision for AI: use it to make our existing systems faster and smarter. Train models to detect objects. Automate change detection. Speed up analysis. These capabilities have delivered operational benefits. But they’ve also kept us focused

Shortly after space week in October, investment firm JP Morgan announced a $10 billion investment plan targeting industries critical for United States national security. In addition to things like nanomaterials, autonomous robotics and solar power, the announcement also focused on funding spacecraft and space launches. JP Morgan’s emphasis on

The problem of overcrowding orbits and increasing space debris has never been more urgent. International organizations, policy makers, regulators, space operators and researchers are recognizing how critical this issue is […] The post This year must bring greater collaboration against orbital congestion appeared first on SpaceNews. Source: https://spacenews.com/this-year-must-bring-greater-collaboration-against-orbital-congestion/

It took a year, but the Jared Isaacman era at NASA finally started. Sworn in Dec. 17, the new administrator spoke at a NASA town hall the next day to […] The post Applied lessons for NASA’s science programs appeared first on SpaceNews. Source: https://spacenews.com/applied-lessons-for-nasas-science-programs/

NASA has provided a long-awaited update on plans for the Artemis 2 launch, including a Jan. 17 rollout of the launch vehicle to the pad. The post NASA outlines path to Artemis 2 launch appeared first on SpaceNews. Source: https://spacenews.com/nasa-outlines-path-to-artemis-2-launch/

China has submitted filings to the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) for two massive non-geostationary satellite networks. The filings suggest China's ambition to develop next-generation megaconstellations. These networks could potentially include almost 200,000 satellites. Original: China files ITU paperwork for megaconstellations totaling nearly 200,000 satellites China has