Commercial Space News

SpaceNews.com

Think tank warns Europe’s orbital computing gap is widening as U.S. and China accelerate space-based data centers

Europe risks becoming dependent on foreign orbital computing infrastructure as U.S. companies and China’s government-led programs advance space-based data centers, the European Space Policy Institute warns. The widening gap underscores Europe’s strategic and industrial exposure in a potentially important segment of future space infrastructure.

Spaceflight Now

SpaceX launches 3 AST SpaceMobile BlueBird satellites on Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral

SpaceNews.com

Neuraspace raises $18 million to expand sovereign space awareness and defense capabilities

Portuguese space traffic management startup Neuraspace has secured approximately $18 million in fresh funding to expand European space domain awareness and defense capabilities. The investment will support the company’s growth as demand increases for sovereign tools to monitor and manage activity in orbit.

SpaceNews.com

Voyager seeks more flexibility in NASA’s commercial space station requirements for Starlab

Voyager Technologies remains optimistic about Starlab’s prospects but is seeking changes to NASA’s commercial space station request for proposals. The company wants certain requirements relaxed, highlighting the tension between NASA’s program objectives and industry’s ability to deliver commercially viable orbital infrastructure.

Space.com

High activity

SpaceX to launch three AST SpaceMobile BlueBird direct-to-cell satellites on Aug. 5

SpaceX is scheduled to launch three of AST SpaceMobile’s large BlueBird satellites early Wednesday, Aug. 5. The mission will expand AST SpaceMobile’s planned direct-to-cell satellite constellation, with the launch available for live viewing.

Via Satellite

Endeavor Optical Networks emerges from stealth with plans for an optical MEO data-transfer network

Startup Endeavor Optical Networks has emerged from stealth with plans to build an optical satellite network in medium Earth orbit for space-based data transfer. The company’s announcement adds a new entrant to the developing market for high-capacity intersatellite and space-based communications infrastructure.

SpaceNews.com

NOAA extends $3 million contract to evaluate Spire’s hyperspectral microwave sounder data

NOAA will continue evaluating data from Spire Global’s Hyperspectral Microwave Sounder under a $3 million contract extension announced Aug. 4. The agreement extends the agency’s assessment of Spire’s commercial data for potential use in NOAA’s meteorological and environmental observation activities.

NASA Spaceflight

High activity

SpaceX recovers intact Ship 40 as Ship 41 begins testing ahead of potential Flight 14

SpaceX is recovering Ship 40 from the Indian Ocean after its soft landing on Flight 13, while Ship 41 moves toward engine testing at Massey’s. Teams are also advancing Pad 2 work, with a potential Flight 14 targeted as early as late August.