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• Andrew Jones
Chinese commercial launch company Landspace plans to refly the first stage of its Zhuque-3 rocket within six months of its historic successful vertical landing on Aug. 18. The timeline signals an effort to rapidly demonstrate reusable launch operations and shorten turnaround between missions.
Commercial Space
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York Space Systems said a sudden shift in U.S. government contracting policy for space hardware, compounded by a supply-chain disruption, drove a 32% reduction in its projected 2026 revenue. The company said delayed contracts—not lost business—will support a rebound in 2027.
Japanese propulsion startup Letara has closed a ¥2.6 billion ($16 million) pre-Series A funding round to advance development of its low-cost hybrid rocket engine technology. The financing gives Letara additional capital to mature an alternative propulsion approach for launch-vehicle applications.
High activity
Chinese commercial launch company Landspace plans to refly the first stage of its Zhuque-3 rocket within six months of its historic successful vertical landing on Aug. 18. The timeline signals an effort to rapidly demonstrate reusable launch operations and shorten turnaround between missions.
High activity
Elon Musk is promoting Starlink’s satellite internet for underserved rural communities in India, where the service remains stalled over security concerns, while Ukrainian officials seek approval to use Starlink-equipped drones against Russian ballistic-missile launchers. The developments highlight the service’s commercial ambitions and military sensitivities.
California startup Elve has qualified its 100-watt millimeter-wave Traveling Wave Tube Amplifier platform for spaceflight, advancing a high-frequency communications component from development toward use in spacecraft and satellite systems. The qualification marks a program milestone for the company’s space-focused amplifier technology.
High activity
President Trump’s new National Space Transportation Policy calls for government support to scale U.S. launch and reentry activity to 1,000 missions annually by 2030. The policy arrives as SpaceX reaches 100 launches in 2026, Starlink approaches 11,000 operational satellites and Globalstar advances its LEO replenishment.
SpaceX and AST SpaceMobile are reportedly interested in acquiring Grain Management’s spectrum for direct-to-phone satellite services, while Muon Space raised $250 million at a $1.5 billion valuation. Muon plans to scale production to 500 satellites annually by 2027 and expand defense, NASA and NOAA work.
Phantom Space has named Worth Wray chief operating officer, assigning him responsibility for day-to-day operations, efficiency, capital formation and business-process expansion. The appointment comes as the company works to increase production and establish a more consistent launch cadence.
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