CNBC
• Liz Napolitano
SpaceX stock rose 6% during a closely watched post-IPO test, even as more than 900 million shares became eligible for sale. Q2 results showed 92% revenue growth, Starlink gains and surging AI sales, but a projected $25 billion cash burn and heavy capital spending continue to weigh on valuation.
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The private LINK spacecraft, launched last month on a mission to save a NASA space telescope, has itself encountered trouble. Engineering teams report progress as they work to recover the spacecraft, adding a second layer of operational risk to an already complex in-space rescue effort.
Chinese commercial launch company Landspace is preparing for its second attempt to catch an orbital rocket, with liftoff and the recovery maneuver targeted for Aug. 10. The test will put both the company’s launch architecture and its recovery approach under scrutiny.
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SpaceX stock rose 6% during a closely watched post-IPO test, even as more than 900 million shares became eligible for sale. Q2 results showed 92% revenue growth, Starlink gains and surging AI sales, but a projected $25 billion cash burn and heavy capital spending continue to weigh on valuation.
Redwire subsidiary SpaceMD will fly up to 32 mini-labs aboard a future SpaceX Starfall mission, marking the reentry vehicle’s first dedicated mission. The agreement expands Redwire’s role in commercial microgravity research and establishes an initial payload commitment for Starfall’s planned operations.
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The European Commission and the Spacerise industrial consortium have agreed to expand IRIS² by 66 low-Earth-orbit satellites as Europe advances an autonomous secure-connectivity network. Indra’s satellite operator Hispasat will serve as primary contractor on a services project valued at more than €1.6 billion.
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AST SpaceMobile has launched BlueBird 11, 12 and 13 into low Earth orbit, adding three satellites to its planned space-based cellular broadband constellation. The deployment expands the company’s network presence across Europe as it continues scaling direct-to-device connectivity from orbit.
The European Commission’s new €5 billion Scaleup Europe fund has completed its first investment in ICEYE, marking the initiative’s debut financing commitment and directing capital toward the satellite company as Europe seeks to support the growth of high-potential technology businesses.
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OHB SE says Ariane 6 could lose German, European government and commercial launch business unless political authorities quickly approve a sharp expansion of capacity at Europe’s spaceport. The German space hardware provider argues that investment must come first if Europe is to capture growing demand and keep work within its space industry.
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