Commercial Space Industry (New Space) News

Spaceflight Now • Will Robinson-Smith

SpaceX Starship Upper Stage Destroyed in Texas Static-Fire Explosion

SpaceX’s next Starship upper stage exploded in a static-fire test at its South Texas Starbase on June 18, destroying the prototype and prompting company engineers to investigate the “major anomaly.” While all personnel were safe, the accident stalls progress toward the 10th flight attempt.

2025-06-18T23:23:08.167767-07:00

Wall Street Journal

SpaceX Starship prototype destroyed in static-fire test

2025-06-20T02:39:32.840458-07:00

Reuters

France’s Armed Forces and ESA Back Dassault’s VORTEX Reusable Spaceplane Demonstrator

2025-06-20T11:27:47.554987-07:00

Spaceflight Now

Firefly Aerospace to Launch Ocula Commercial Lunar Imaging Service in 2026

2025-06-18T06:07:10.181698-07:00

Commercial Space Industry (New Space) News Timeline

Runway Girl

Switzerland Innovation Park Zurich Designated Space Florida’s European Hub Space Florida and Switzerland Innovation Park Zurich have signed an MoU to establish the Zurich site as the agency’s European hub, bolstering collaboration between Florida’s aerospace ecosystem and European space companies. The partnership aims to streamline investment, technology transfer and regulatory engagement across the continent.

2025-06-22T07:11:25.744626-07:00

Switzerland Innovation Park Zurich Designated Space Florida’s European Hub

European Spaceflight

HyPrSpace Secures DGA Agreement to Launch Baguette One from Mainland France French launch startup HyPrSpace has signed an agreement with the Direction Générale de l’Armement to conduct suborbital flights of its Baguette One demonstrator from a mainland launch site. The deal marks a strategic milestone in France’s drive to build sovereign launch capabilities.

2025-06-22T05:31:24.536415-07:00

HyPrSpace Secures DGA Agreement to Launch Baguette One from Mainland France

SpaceNews.com

Airbus Signals Progress in Space Unit Turnaround Amid Merger Talks Airbus executives say they’re making significant headway in reversing losses and operational issues in the company’s space business unit, even as the OEM explores a three-way merger with two strategic partners. Leadership aims to solidify capabilities and market position through consolidation.

2025-06-21T12:43:39.409455-07:00

Airbus Signals Progress in Space Unit Turnaround Amid Merger Talks

Reuters

❗️

France’s Armed Forces and ESA Back Dassault’s VORTEX Reusable Spaceplane Demonstrator Dassault Aviation this week clinched dual endorsements for its VORTEX reusable spaceplane: France’s Ministry of the Armed Forces signed an agreement to back the demonstrator, while the European Space Agency formalised a Letter of Intent to collaborate on low-Earth orbit and orbital vehicle technologies.

2025-06-20T11:27:47.554987-07:00

France’s Armed Forces and ESA Back Dassault’s VORTEX Reusable Spaceplane Demonstrator

pmnewsnigeria.com

Owolabi Salis Begins Blue Origin Desert Camp Training Ahead of Suborbital Flight as First Nigerian Astronaut Chief Owolabi Salis, a U.S.-based lawyer and politician, has commenced training at Blue Origin’s desert camp in West Texas ahead of the New Shepard NS-33 suborbital flight scheduled for June 21, 2025. He is set to become the first Nigerian to journey into space.

2025-06-20T07:19:08.287842-07:00

Owolabi Salis Begins Blue Origin Desert Camp Training Ahead of Suborbital Flight as First Nigerian Astronaut

gouvernement.lu

Blue Origin picks Luxembourg for European office, signs space cooperation intent Blue Origin has chosen Luxembourg as the site for its European office, signing a declaration of intent with Minister Lex Delles to collaborate on space initiatives. The new office will serve as the company’s regional hub for partnerships, regulatory engagement and support of future European space activities.

2025-06-20T07:17:11.537548-07:00

Blue Origin picks Luxembourg for European office, signs space cooperation intent

themoscowtimes.com

Russia Plans First Rassvet Satellite Internet Launch to Challenge Starlink Roscosmos head Dmitry Bakanov said the agency will send 16 Bureau 1440-built Rassvet low-Earth orbit satellites by year-end to offer global broadband connectivity akin to Starlink, marking Russia’s strategic push into the satellite internet market amid rising geopolitical competition.

2025-06-20T07:16:39.811097-07:00

Russia Plans First Rassvet Satellite Internet Launch to Challenge Starlink

DefenseNews.com

France backs €1.6 billion Eutelsat capital raise to bolster OneWeb against Starlink France will inject €700 million into Eutelsat and support a €1.6 billion capital raise, boosting shares 14% as President Macron seeks to shore up Europe’s satellite independence and accelerate OneWeb’s LEO rollout to challenge SpaceX’s Starlink.

2025-06-20T05:51:45.150791-07:00

France backs €1.6 billion Eutelsat capital raise to bolster OneWeb against Starlink

Create a free account to see more recent Commercial Space Industry (New Space) stories.