Space / Satellites / Launch / Lunar

When the U.S. Space Force recently announced it had awarded nine base contracts for one of its marquee new programs, it opted to disclose only one provider: SpaceX.

Firefly Aerospace has acquired the company that provided the vision navigation software to land its Blue Ghost spacecraft on the Moon.

Victus Haze put the service’s rapid-response space concept to the test, launching and commissioning a satellite in record time.

The call came before sunrise in Mahia, New Zealand. Less than 17 hr. later, Rocket Lab launched a company-built satellite to space with its Electron rocket.

MDA Space says it has agreed to buy RTX’s smallsat-maker Blue Canyon in a deal that would give the Canadian buyer a satellite production foothold in the U.S.

The Pentagon and Congress appear ready to dissolve the Space Development Agency and the Space Rapid Capabilities Office’s specific authorities in 2027.

NASA faces significant challenges in successfully transitioning crewed operations aboard the International Space Station to commercial successors.

Airmedic debuts a certified medical cabin for Learjet 45XRs featuring advanced life-support systems and satellite communications.

OHB says it is looking to raise about €500 million with an eye on expansion and potential acquisitions amid strong demand in Europe for space systems.

Pittsburgh-based Astrobotic unveiled the first in a series of midsize lunar landers, with the aim of flying in the fourth quarter of 2026.

Senate authorizers agreed with their House counterparts to end the Space Development Agency and Space Rapid Capabilities Office as separate entities under the U.S. Space Force.

The European Space Agency has awarded Thales Alenia Space a contract to develop and build the Copernicus Sentinel-1 Next Generation Earth-observation satellite.

Jeff Bezos’ space company expects to repait the New Glenn launchpad and return to flight in six months.

Space Systems Command is now leaning heavily on other transaction authorities to award key contracts, the command’s deputy chief said June 3.

Editors discuss SpaceX's pitch for what will be the biggest IPO ever and what it could mean for the company.

Voyager Technologies disclosed the purchase of Astrobotic Technology to burnish its lunar exploration capabilities.

The U.S. Space Force has awarded SpaceX a $4.16 billion contract to stand up an initial space-based air moving target indication (AMTI) constellation by 2028.

The U.S. Space Force has tapped Blue Origin to support a National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) launch as early as late 2027.

The Space Development Agency appears closer to disassembly than ever before.

Intuitive Machines (IM) is now the prime operator of the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) Camera and Shadow Cam.

The U.S. Space Force has awarded SpaceX a new contract for the Space Data Network Backbone program.

The U.S. Space Force expects to launch two prototype spacecraft next year as it looks toward the next generation of anti-jam satellite communications.

SOCOM plans autonomous test range at NASA’s Stennis Space Center to rehearse missions and test unmanned systems in contested environments.

SpaceX bets on vertical integration and Starship's high launch cadence to enable orbital AI data centers and Mars colonization.

Gurpartap Sandhoo has assumed permanent leadership of the U.S. Space Development Agency and the Space Force’s portfolio acquisition executive for missile warning and tracking.

York Space has agreed to buy space solar-cell technology provider Solestial.

York Space pursues acquisitions, faces classified program cost increases and manages supply-chain delays.

Iridium has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire the Aileron space-based air traffic surveillance system that it hosts on its satellite network.

Intuitive Machines acquires Goonhilly Earth Station to expand its space-to-ground network and support lunar and deep space missions with resilient communications.

Merlin is expanding its autonomous flight platform into the commercial cargo market with the launch of a new product line called Condor.

Aviation Week editors discuss how space control is front and center for the U.S. Space Force, allied services and adversaries.

The U.S. Space Force is assisting an undisclosed partner nation that is interested in launching national security missions from a sovereign spaceport, a recent government notice shows.

Government intel agencies must move faster than ever to satisfy operators’ growing appetite for remote-sensing data.

Rocket Lab has already booked more launches in the first three months of 2026 than in all of 2025, company CEO Peter Beck announced in a May 7 earnings call.

The most consequential of all anticipated aerospace and defense IPOs is that of SpaceX, which will undoubtedly elevate the prospects of other aerospace IPOs.

The U.S. Air Force plans to launch an analysis of alternatives study next year for a New Heavy Bomber aircraft.

Firefly Aerospace has made progress building and testing the major flight components of the future Eclipse medium-lift launch vehicle, CEO Jason Kim says.

The National Reconnaissance Office is bringing additional remote sensing providers into a flexible contracting mechanism.

The National Geospatial Intelligence Agency established its own Rapid Capabilities Office at the beginning of fiscal 2026, the agency’s number two executive said May 3.

Lockheed Martin is joining an existing partnership between Firefly Aerospace and Seagate Space Corp. to explore offshore launch capabilities, a senior company executive announced May 4.

York Space Systems is acquiring All.Space, a UK-based satcom terminal provider, to expand connectivity solutions for the U.S. military and others customers.

Recent appointments, promotions and honors in the aviation and aerospace industry.

U.S. Space and defense officials say an acquisition coordination office is being established, focused on cislunar operations.

Lunar terrain vehicle developer Lunar Outpost is prioritizing the design of a “sporty” lighter weight utility rover over its larger Eagle vehicle.

The U.S. Space Force has identified the 12 companies currently on contract to develop space-based interceptors ahead of a planned 2028 demonstration.

The Blue Origin New Glenn’s AST SpaceMobile deployment mishap has ramifications beyond the satellite services provider.

News In Brief

The U.S. Space Force has awarded its first prototype contracts in support of the Kronos program.

One of the U.S. Space Force’s main acquisition offices could soon undergo a significant revamp.

The U.S. Space Force on April 20 announced it is canceling its long-delayed GPS ground control system after lengthy speculation on its future.

Readers write about U.S. Navy trainers, Boeing 737-7 and -10 certification delays, and the X-59. Plus: Behind the Scenes at the Space Symposium.

The U.S. Space Force is exploring options to still use the Vulcan rocket heavy-lift launch vehicle for less-complex missions.

Amazon has agreed to acquire Globalstar following rival SpaceX’s purchase of EchoStar spectrum in the intensifying battle to offer LEO broadband services.

The U.S. Space Force’s senior acquisition official is telling industry to prepare for significant satellite production contracts should the fiscal 2027 budget request.

The flagship GPS upgrade in the U.S. Space Force's domain is years late, billions of dollars over budget and still not operational.

The U.S. Space Force has picked 14 vendors to build space domain awareness satellites over the next decade for a new constellation in geosynchronous orbit.

France boosts defense spending to strengthen air defense, munitions, drones and space capabilities amid shifting global dynamics.

The U.S. Space Development Agency has tapped remote sensing company Capella to build two spacecraft and demonstrate advanced tactical satellite communications capabilities.

As Chief of Space Operations Gen. Chance Saltzman prepares for the end of his time leading the U.S. Space Force, he is looking 15 years into the future and 232 years into the past.

Plans to offer contracts for a commercial space station are on hold again as NASA pitches a government-owned module.

Rocket Lab says it has received regulatory approval from the German government to acquire optical communications provider Mynaric.

The U.S. Space Force has awarded SpaceX two additional missions on behalf of the Space Development Agency (SDA) to launch no earlier than late fiscal 2027.

Intuitive Machines is working to repurpose the solar electric power and propulsion element (PPE) spacecraft bus of NASA’s paused lunar-orbiting Gateway space station for the agency’s Mars mission.

SpaceX launched the 16th Transporter rideshare mission on March 30, carrying 119 small satellite payloads to orbit for government and commercial customers.

The agency wants commercial companies to take on a larger role in its Artemis lunar exploration initiative.

An industry advocacy organization told Congress its members were “concerned and confused” by the latest pivot in NASA’s post-ISS plans.

The U.S. Air Force will soon launch the next “giant leap” in testing for a cruise missile program.

The U.S. Space Force is shifting a GPS III launch from United Launch Alliance (ULA) Vulcan rockets to the SpaceX Falcon fleet for the fourth time.

The company, which has 33 satellites in space, aims to deploy 107 more through this year and next.

The U.S. Space Force has laid out how it plans to divide most of its mission areas under the Pentagon’s new portfolio acquisition executive (PAE) system.

SpaceX has bought Maryland-based Hexagon Masterworks Inc.

Jon Rambeau will become Karman Space & Defense's CEO on March 23, when current CEO Tony Koblinski steps aside while remaining a director on the board.

National ambitions may hinder consolidation in the LEO constellation communications market.

Anduril is expanding its space domain awareness portfolio with plans to acquire commercial provider ExoAnalytic Solutions.

AeroVironment is cutting its sales and earnings outlook after the Pentagon terminated the Satellite Commercial Communications Augmentation Resource program.

Readers write about the FARA cancellation, crewed space exploration, the late Robert Liebeck and the world’s largest eVTOL air taxi.

The next-generation single-aisle aircraft Airbus is considering for program launch by 2029 may rely on avionics technology derived from its current offering.

Intuitive Machines has secured another deal with L3Harris Technologies to support programs for the U.S. Space Development Agency.

NASA safety panel flags risks in Artemis missions and ISS transition as the workforce shrinks to 1960s levels.

Rocket Lab says a manufacturing fault caused the failure of a Neutron rocket Stage 1 tank in January and has now pushed the inaugural flight for the launcher to late this year.

Phantom Space, a would-be small rocket launch provider, has bought key assets and intellectual property from Vector Launch, another would-be provider.

Andorra Aviation Academy, located in Andorra la Vella in the Pyrenees, is launching flight operations with the acquisition of an Elixir aircraft with delivery set for mid-2026.

USSF halts Vulcan launches amid anomaly review, weighs options for GPS III satellite deployment.

The Space Development Agency has awarded AST SpaceMobile a $30 million contract to demonstrate tactical satcom capabilities using commercial spacecraft.

Recent appointments, promotions and honors in the aviation and aerospace industry.

Iraqi startup carrier Basra Airlines shares exclusive details with Aviation Week about its maintenance plans.

The U.S. Air Force is now planning for its first missile pad test launch of its next intercontinental ballistic missile next year.

The U.S. Space Systems Command is looking for companies that could provide refueling services in geostationary orbit to spacecraft configured for such operations.

“We would be foolish if we didn’t take advantage of commercial space capabilities,” a Space Force official says.

The U.S. Space Force is working to advance its protected tactical satellite communication (satcom) efforts with boosted prototypes.

The U.S. Air Force is interested in low-risk options for space-based air moving target indicator satellites to inform a future acquisition strategy.

The Pentagon has called for a new generation of sensor and tracker systems to guide a future constellation of space-based interceptors into incoming missiles.

Rising security concerns and the drive for space autonomy may ward off the expected consolidation among launch service providers.

The GAO challenges SDA’s rapid satellite deployment, citing risks in missile tracking and ground readiness, while SDA defends its fast-track approach.

Military satellite startup York Space Systems became a public traded company Jan. 29 after an initial public offering of stock on the New York Stock Exchange.

The Space Development Agency wants to install terminals on aircraft, connecting them to the low-Earth-orbit Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture.

The DOD is following a strict schedule to deploy an initial Golden Dome for America capability in just more than two years and an expanded architecture by 2035.

The Space Force is breaking ground with commercial partners and intelligence agencies to deliver the moving target indication data to fight and win tomorrow’s wars.

Recent appointments, promotions and honors in the aviation and aerospace industry.

The U.S. Space Force could receive a “significant part” of a future $1.5 trillion defense budget as proposed by President Donald Trump.

As it surges ahead with ambitious objectives and constrained budgets, NASA faces five top challenges, a new report from the Office of Inspector General says.

Mitsubishi Corp. has increased its investment in the Starlab Space commercial space station joint venture.

Launch Technical Workforce Solutions has acquired JMC Aviation to boost recruiting capabilities and global footprint.

AE Industrial Partners will buy a majority stake in the RL-10 upper-stage rocket and space nuclear propulsion businesses from L3Harris for $507 million.

The Japanese Ministry of Defense (JMD) is to fund development of a privately operated synthetic aperture radar satellite constellation.

As 2025 draws to an end, the Resilient-GPS program “doesn’t have a future fate,” one contractor says.

Rocket Lab is making its missile defense development debut as the SDA awarded the company one of four contracts for the next phase of its Tracking Layer

Readers write about icing conditions for vertical-takeoff-and-landing vehicles, emergency evacuation procedures, and U.S. military acquisition history.

A NASA safety panel is set to recommend that the agency reexamine the mission objectives of the crewed Artemis III Moon landing mission.

The White House issued a new executive order framing its near-term plans and policy ambitions for the space domain on Dec. 18.

Service leaders say the U.S. is at a critical moment to keep ahead of adversaries in space tech development.

Northrop is supplying an extra, classified payload to be integrated onto the U.S. Space Force’s next-generation overhead persistent infrared polar-based sats.

Officials says the Department of the Air Force is moving quickly to award multiple competitive contracts for space-based moving target indication assets.

The U.S. Space Force will lead the acquisition and development of a new surveillance satellite constellation.

A market survey shows the U.S. Air Force is close to launching development of a new version of the Lockheed Martin C-130J for the arctic mission.

The F-47, low-cost missiles, space superiority and more—listen in as editors break down the key developments of 2025 in the defense world.

Starfighters Space is planning an initial public offering of shares to try to raise $40 million gross.

The ability to refuel satellites in orbit will be crucial to future U.S. military space operations, but the Pentagon needs more testbeds.

The U.S. Space Force will not award a second contract to build a future missile warning and tracking constellation in medium Earth orbit until fiscal 2027.

Australia will begin in-country production of Lockheed Martin’s Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (GMLRS) missiles as a new production line opens.

The U.S. Space Force expects to release a solicitation for the next batch of new launch providers under the National Security Space Launch (NSSL) program this month

Recent appointments, promotions and honors in the aviation and aerospace industry.

Shield AI announced tests of its Hivemind autonomy software for use on spacecraft, calling autonomy in space a natural extension of the air domain.

Korean Air’s Aerospace Division and Hyundai Rotem have launched a joint program to develop a 35-ton-class reusable methane rocket engine for launch vehicles.

The U.S. Space Force says its ability to outpace threats in orbit hinges on whether it can revamp how it organizes, buys and fields capabilities.

The U.S. Space Force has awarded the first batch of prototype contracts for the space-based interceptors (SBI) element of the Golden Dome, but details are scarce.

The U.S. Space Force expects to award contracts for space-based midcourse interceptors in February.

Voyager Technologies is continuing its acquisition spree with a U.S. propulsion focus, announcing Nov. 20 it is buying Estes Energetics.

The U.S. Space Force is finalizing an outline of its ideal force structure to serve as a basis for budgets and planning.

Charter plans to launch in February or March.

York Space Systems, a mass satellite manufacturer, says it is applying to become a publicly traded company on the New York Stock Exchange.

The second of three new Viasat broadband satellites lifted off from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida, late Nov. 13.

Firefly Aerospace intends to make a second attempt to launch the seventh mission of its Alpha rocket by early next calendar year.

Rocket Lab’s solid third quarter results were overshadowed by its announcement that the first launch of its Neutron rocket will be pushed from late 2025 into 2026.

Rheinmetall forecasts an immediate need for 40 satellites. The production line is now being built up.

SES says the U.S. government shutdown has delayed some contract awards and could push them into next year, denting the satellite service provider’s Q3 earnings.

Established space companies are looking to open a new chapter to retain relevancy.

Intuitive Machines Inc. will acquire Lanteris Space Systems, previously known as Maxar Space Systems, from Advent International LLC.

Arianespace launched the Sentinel-1D environmental monitoring satellite.

South Korea placed its fifth military Earth observation satellite into orbit, completing a constellation that provides the country with EO and SAR capability.

Founded in 2002, Five Axis is known for a proprietary portfolio that includes expertise in highly engineered products for launch vehicle engine applications.

Europe is gearing up for the launch of its next C-band environmental monitoring satellite with a growing sense of urgency to get Sentinel-1D operational.

With ambitions to become the “LAX of spaceports,” Vandenberg SFB is preparing for a new launch era.

Trump’s Golden Dome is driving calls for a new layer in the Pentagon’s future on-orbit architecture.

Iridium has paused a share buyback program and is considering acquisitions as it looks to adjust to deals.

Satellite bus manufacturer Apex is funding and organizing a space-based interceptor technology demonstration within the next year.

The U.S. Space Force has released a draft request for proposals for new satellites under the RG-XX program, an Oct. 21 notice says.

With a new facility online and $1 billion in valuation, the young startup says it is poised to build satellite buses for generations to come.

Duncan Aviation seeks a launch customer for an STC project to replace obsolescent flight data recorders on Hawker-series business jets.

Firefly Aerospace will pay $855 million to acquire defense technology company SciTec, the Texas-based startup said on Oct 5.

The U.S. Space Force’s next neighborhood watchdog spacecraft could be the first operational system capable of on-orbit refueling.

Intuitive Machines (IM), Inc., a space technology and services company, has announced the completion of its acquisition of KinetX Inc.

U.S. Space Force Maj. Gen. Stephen Purdy made waves when he disclosed that he wants refuelable space situational awareness satellites.

The U.S. Space Force has accepted the Advanced Tracking and Launch Analysis System (ATLAS) for operational use.

A NASA inspector general's audit raises safety and performance concerns about the agency's more than five-decade-old spacesuits.

Recent appointments, promotions and honors in the aviation and aerospace industry.

Future U.S. Space Force program solicitations may include one or two extra spacecraft to serve as on-orbit testbeds or aggressor trainers.

The U.S. Space Force wants its next-generation space situational awareness satellites to have a refueling capability.

Spacecraft developer Quantum Space has acquired the “propulsion assets” of Phase Four.

The U.S. Space Force on Sept. 18 released a request for prototype proposals for space-based interceptors, with responses due Oct. 2.

Voyager Technologies, which focuses on space tech and defense, has become the latest company to turn to an acquisition to bolster its optical comms credentials.

The U.S. is “pushing hard” to maintain control in the space domain, Air Force Secretary Troy Meink said Sept. 22.

Anduril Industries and Impulse Space plan to conduct a high-precision rendezvous and proximity operations (RPO) mission in 2026, the companies announced Sept. 16.

Capella Space parent IonQ has signed an agreement with the U.S. Department of Energy to work on developing and deploying quantum technologies in space.

Space access and satellite provider Rocket Lab is looking to raise $750 million gross from a share sale, according to a securities filing.

HawkEye 360 is gearing up to start deploying a new generation of its electronic intelligence spacecraft that should slash production costs.

Satellite bus manufacturer Apex has raised $200 million in a Series D funding round and reached a $1 billion valuation, the company said on Sept. 12.

With its first Tranche 1 launch complete, the Space Development Agency has begun deploying a regional mesh network to enhance data relay from low Earth orbit.

Space startups and tech companies are banding together to demonstrate their products with national security missions in mind.

South Korea is preparing to launch two new military jet engine development programs next year.

Aspiring space station operator Vast plans to launch its Haven-1 demo station next year.

SpaceX says it has struck an agreement with EchoStar to acquire the rights to 50 MHz of S-band spectrum to support expansion of Starlink direct-to-cell service.

NASA has selected four crewmembers for its second 378-day simulation of living and working on the surface of Mars.

A distinctive new launch complex on the Virginia shore heralds Rocket Lab’s medium-class rocket.

Satellite operator Viasat announced a fivefold increase in capacity of its JetXP connectivity service for business aviation across the eastern U.S.

Saudi Arabian start-up carrier Riyadh Air says that its first 787-9 has left Boeing’s assembly line in Charleston, South Carolina.