Aviation, Defense and Space Industry News by Hype

space Satellite M&A Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation Commercial Space

Via Satellite • Mark Holmes

Rocket Lab to Acquire Iridium in a Major Satellite-Sector Expansion

Rocket Lab announced an agreement on June 29 to acquire Iridium, a move that would significantly broaden the launch company’s position in the satellite sector. Analysts are assessing how the transaction could accelerate Rocket Lab’s strategy to build a next-generation space company.

1 Source

2026-08-20T13:35:57.499118-07:00

aviation Antitrust Codeshare North America Policy & Regulation Airlines Delta Air Lines

NEW

Reuters • David Shepardson

Delta, Aeromexico win US court battle to keep joint venture

By Reuters: A U.S. appeals court overturned on Thursday the Trump administration's September 2025 order that sought to force Delta Air Lines and Aeromexico to ‌unwind a joint venture.

1 Source

2026-08-20T14:50:33.765521-07:00

defense Space Force Defense Industry & Major Contractors Space Defense & Militarization

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SpaceNews.com • Sandra Erwin

SpaceWERX selects 11 firms to scale technologies for military space

By SpaceNews.com: WASHINGTON — SpaceWERX, the Space Force’s innovation arm, selected 11 companies for a new round of public-private funding agreements aimed at moving space technologies from prototypes toward operational use.

1 Source

2026-08-20T14:55:40.358001-07:00

space ArianeGroup Europe Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation

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Ars Technica • Eric Berger

Europe cancels planned upgrades for Ariane 6 rocket

By Ars Technica: Arianespace hasn’t publicly disclosed the cost for an Ariane 6 launch.

1 Source

2026-08-20T14:50:02.232696-07:00

space Satellite LEO Aircraft Manufacturing (OEMs)

Via Satellite • Mark Holmes

Sypris Electronics Wins Manufacturing Deal to Support LEO Constellation

By Via Satellite: Sypris Electronics has won a major new contract to support an unnamed Low-Earth Orbit (LEO) constellation. The company manufacture power processing units for an unnamed, next-generation satellite constellation.

Also: Seeking Alpha

2 Sources

2026-08-20T14:06:57.193478-07:00

space Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation Commercial Space

Space.com • Mike Wall

SpaceX will try for 1st Starship tower catch 'in a few months,' Elon Musk says

By Space.com: SpaceX will likely try to make the first-ever catch of its Starship upper stage a few months from now, according to Elon Musk. He had earlier flagged late August as a potential date for the milestone.

1 Source

2026-08-20T13:32:33.743972-07:00

space Leadership Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation Commercial Space

Via Satellite • Rachel Jewett

Phantom Space Names Worth Wray as COO

By Via Satellite: Phantom Space has appointed Worth Wray as chief operating officer with responsibility for day-to-day operations, operational efficiency, capital formation, and scaling business processes, as the company works to ramp up production and establish launch cadence.

1 Source

2026-08-20T13:35:59.382562-07:00