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European Spaceflight • Andrew Parsonson

CNES opens tender to replace MaiaSpace as operator of new multi‑user launch facility in French Guiana

CNES has launched a procurement to replace MaiaSpace as operator of its new multi‑user commercial launch facility in French Guiana. The agency is soliciting candidates to assume operational responsibilities at the site and prepare it for multi‑user operations ahead of planned commercial launch activity.

2026-02-03T09:54:33.269817-08:00

NASA Spaceflight

SpaceX rolls Booster 19 to Masseys for cryogenic proof testing after Booster 18 pressure‑test failure

2026-02-03T08:35:17.261447-08:00

New York Times

SpaceX buys xAI to form $1.25T rocket-and-AI group ahead of planned June 2026 IPO

2026-02-03T05:35:35.133579-08:00

SpaceNews.com

SpaceX grounds Falcon 9 after second-stage anomaly on Vandenberg Starlink launch

2026-02-03T04:57:20.572579-08:00

News Timeline

European Spaceflight

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CNES opens tender to replace MaiaSpace as operator of new multi‑user launch facility in French Guiana CNES has launched a procurement to replace MaiaSpace as operator of its new multi‑user commercial launch facility in French Guiana. The agency is soliciting candidates to assume operational responsibilities at the site and prepare it for multi‑user operations ahead of planned commercial launch activity.

2026-02-03T09:54:33.269817-08:00

CNES opens tender to replace MaiaSpace as operator of new multi‑user launch facility in French Guiana

NASA Spaceflight

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SpaceX rolls Booster 19 to Masseys for cryogenic proof testing after Booster 18 pressure‑test failure After Booster 18's pressure‑proof test failure, SpaceX moved Booster 19 to Masseys to begin cryogenic proof testing. The step advances the Starship V3 ground‑test sequence as teams validate structural and propellant systems ahead of future integrated flight milestones.

2026-02-03T08:35:17.261447-08:00

SpaceX rolls Booster 19 to Masseys for cryogenic proof testing after Booster 18 pressure‑test failure

AeroTime

NASA funds SpaceWorks and Stratolaunch studies to make hypersonic flight testing routine and affordable NASA has awarded studies to SpaceWorks and Stratolaunch designed to cut the cost of hypersonic flight testing and make test flights routine and repeatable. The work will explore approaches to lower per-test expense and increase cadence for experimental hypersonic vehicles.

2026-02-03T05:38:03.298441-08:00

NASA funds SpaceWorks and Stratolaunch studies to make hypersonic flight testing routine and affordable

New York Times

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SpaceX buys xAI to form $1.25T rocket-and-AI group ahead of planned June 2026 IPO Elon Musk is combining SpaceX and xAI into a single company valued at about $1.25 trillion, with a planned June 2026 IPO intended to raise at least $50 billion. The deal links launch, Starlink connectivity and AI ambitions but has prompted investor pushback and national-security and regulatory scrutiny.

2026-02-03T05:35:35.133579-08:00

SpaceX buys xAI to form $1.25T rocket-and-AI group ahead of planned June 2026 IPO

CNBC

Markets eye possible xAI–SpaceX merger, Palantir earnings among five key market movers Investors opened the day parsing reports of merger talks between xAI and SpaceX—moves that could align launch, Starlink connectivity and AI assets—alongside Palantir’s earnings and other market catalysts. The Morning Squawk summary lists five items poised to influence trading and sector flows.

2026-02-03T05:27:39.811844-08:00

Markets eye possible xAI–SpaceX merger, Palantir earnings among five key market movers

Payload

HawkEye 360 signs five‑year deal with Hale for space‑weather and atmospheric‑density forecasts HawkEye 360 has signed a five‑year agreement with Hale to incorporate the firm's space‑weather forecasts and atmospheric‑density predictions into its satellite deployment planning. The service will inform constellation insertion timing, drag modelling and operational decision‑making across its low‑Earth orbit operations for upcoming missions.

2026-02-03T05:02:40.079916-08:00

HawkEye 360 signs five‑year deal with Hale for space‑weather and atmospheric‑density forecasts

SpaceNews.com

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SpaceX grounds Falcon 9 after second-stage anomaly on Vandenberg Starlink launch SpaceX paused Falcon 9 flights after a second-stage off-nominal condition during deorbit following a Vandenberg Starlink launch that deployed 25 satellites. The stage vented remaining fuel as designed; teams will review telemetry to determine root cause and corrective actions before returning the fleet to flight.

2026-02-03T04:57:20.572579-08:00

SpaceX grounds Falcon 9 after second-stage anomaly on Vandenberg Starlink launch

SpaceWatch Global

Israel Space Week draws global delegations; ISU spotlights next‑generation space education Israel Space Week, held 26–29 January 2026, was a major success, engaging communities across Israel and hosting international delegates from government, industry and academia. The International Space University used the forum to showcase workforce and education initiatives aimed at training the next generation of space professionals.

2026-02-03T03:34:48.845216-08:00

Israel Space Week draws global delegations; ISU spotlights next‑generation space education

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Commercial Space News

CNES opens tender to replace MaiaSpace as operator of new multi‑user launch facility in French Guiana

SpaceX rolls Booster 19 to Masseys for cryogenic proof testing after Booster 18 pressure‑test failure

SpaceX buys xAI to form $1.25T rocket-and-AI group ahead of planned June 2026 IPO

SpaceX grounds Falcon 9 after second-stage anomaly on Vandenberg Starlink launch

News Timeline