Commercial Space News

NASA Spaceflight

High activity

Blue Origin expands test, production and launch infrastructure across Cape Canaveral

Blue Origin is broadening its Kennedy Space Center and Cape Canaveral footprint with a new Merritt Island test site, Rocket Park production buildings, the rebuild of Launch Complex 36 and early work on nearby processing facilities, reinforcing its long-term launch and manufacturing presence in Florida.

politico.eu

High activity

France downplays SpaceX and Blue Origin absence from Macron-organized Paris space summit

France is minimizing the significance of SpaceX and Blue Origin skipping next week’s Paris space summit, an event organized by President Emmanuel Macron. The gathering faces broader headwinds as Europe seeks to strengthen its space position amid intense competition from U.S. commercial providers.

Via Satellite

ST Engineering iDirect Demonstrates INT3000 Multi-Waveform 5G NR-NTN Modem

ST Engineering iDirect demonstrated a pilot version of its INT3000 multi-waveform 5G New Radio Non-Terrestrial Network user equipment modem at the European Space Agency’s 5G NTN Forum. The company says the technology provides a foundation for extending its satellite networking capabilities into the broader 5G ecosystem.

Via Satellite

Planet’s Sovereign Contracts Drive Nearly 60% Q2 Revenue Growth

Planet’s revenue increased nearly 60% year over year in the second quarter of 2026, while the satellite-imagery company narrowed its net loss. The results point to growing momentum in sovereign agreements with governments worldwide and continued demand for commercial Earth-observation services.

CNBC

SpaceX targets Sept. 15 Starship flight as investors weigh Sept. 9 share unlock

SpaceX is targeting Sept. 15 for its next Starship flight, placing the launch ahead of a Sept. 9 share unlock that is drawing investor attention. The timing also revives scrutiny of the stock’s summer post-IPO air pocket and the company’s valuation.

Associated Press

Private spacecraft reaches NASA’s Swift Observatory in attempted rescue mission

A private spacecraft came within nine miles of NASA’s Swift Observatory, an aging mission described as doomed, and captured images during an attempt to assess or enable a rescue. The close approach marks a rare effort to intervene with an operational scientific spacecraft in distress.

European Spaceflight

High activity

Isar Aerospace Scrubs Planned Sept. 4 Spectrum Launch Attempt

Isar Aerospace appears to have called off a planned Sept. 4 launch attempt for its Spectrum rocket, shortly after launch-related road closures took effect. The development marks another change to the timing of the company’s commercial launch effort, though no reason for the apparent scrub was provided.

Payload

China’s Commercial Rocket Startups Race to Orbit as Shanghai Listing Rules Raise the Stakes

A Shanghai listing rule has made orbital flight a prerequisite for commercial space companies seeking public-market access, prompting China’s rocket startups to accelerate launches. The policy is linking capital-market eligibility directly to demonstrated launch capability and reshaping competition across the country’s emerging commercial space sector.