News

SpaceNews.com • Andrew Jones

China’s Qingzhou prototype cargo spacecraft completes orbital rendezvous and proximity tests

China has conducted rendezvous and proximity operations tests involving a Qingzhou prototype cargo spacecraft and a satellite, validating step-by-step capabilities needed for low-cost orbital infrastructure. The on-orbit demonstrations mark another milestone toward autonomous operations for cargo services in space.

2026-04-17T10:14:43.420209-07:00

investors.rocketlabcorp.com

Rocket Lab expands electric propulsion for satellites with high-volume electric thruster and new Gauss thruster push

2026-04-16T13:00:46.067125-07:00

Space Intel Report

NorthStar Earth & Space to go public via SPAC Viking Acquisition Corp

2026-04-17T06:03:53.843037-07:00

Space.com

Golden Spike teams with Honeybee Robotics to build unmanned lunar sample-collection rovers

2026-04-17T01:52:46.857071-07:00

News Timeline

SpaceNews.com

Col. Tim Trimailo details Space Force’s “commercial first” approach in shaping space capabilities In an interview, Col. Tim Trimailo discusses how the Space Force is putting its “commercial first” strategy into practice—leveraging the commercial space sector to accelerate delivery of space capabilities and manage modernization needs. The discussion frames how Space Force leadership evaluates what to buy, how to integrate, and how to scale outcomes.

2026-04-17T17:42:41.533122-07:00

Col. Tim Trimailo details Space Force’s “commercial first” approach in shaping space capabilities

SpaceNews.com

China’s Qingzhou prototype cargo spacecraft completes orbital rendezvous and proximity tests China has conducted rendezvous and proximity operations tests involving a Qingzhou prototype cargo spacecraft and a satellite, validating step-by-step capabilities needed for low-cost orbital infrastructure. The on-orbit demonstrations mark another milestone toward autonomous operations for cargo services in space.

2026-04-17T10:14:43.420209-07:00

China’s Qingzhou prototype cargo spacecraft completes orbital rendezvous and proximity tests

Space Intel Report

NorthStar Earth & Space to go public via SPAC Viking Acquisition Corp Space-based space situational awareness provider NorthStar Earth & Space of Canada plans to become publicly traded through a SPAC transaction with Viking Acquisition Corp. The move adds a new public-market path for SSA capacity as demand for orbital awareness and tracking data continues to grow.

2026-04-17T06:03:53.843037-07:00

NorthStar Earth & Space to go public via SPAC Viking Acquisition Corp

Space.com

Golden Spike teams with Honeybee Robotics to build unmanned lunar sample-collection rovers Golden Spike says it has partnered with Honeybee Robotics to design unmanned rovers for scientific sample collection tied to its planned commercial lunar missions. The approach targets how automated surface systems gather and return lunar materials as part of a broader commercial exploration strategy.

2026-04-17T01:52:46.857071-07:00

Golden Spike teams with Honeybee Robotics to build unmanned lunar sample-collection rovers

SpaceWatch Global

Astroscale’s ISSA-J1: world-first commercial multi-orbit satellite inspection mission targeting 2027 rendezvous Astroscale Japan has unveiled its ISSA-J1 mission, planned for launch in 2027. The commercial first will inspect two retired satellites located in different orbits, demonstrating multi-orbit proximity operations as the company pushes space sustainability into a scalable service model.

2026-04-17T01:22:18.226332-07:00

Astroscale’s ISSA-J1: world-first commercial multi-orbit satellite inspection mission targeting 2027 rendezvous

SpaceWatch Global

ESA and Portugal back Rocket Factory Augsburg’s RFA ONE microlauncher with further milestone support Rocket Factory Augsburg (RFA) says it has secured additional support from the European Space Agency and Portugal for its RFA ONE microlauncher. The announcement follows continued test activity for the launcher, as the company pursues lower-cost, frequent access to low-Earth orbit for small satellites.

2026-04-16T23:27:39.842071-07:00

ESA and Portugal back Rocket Factory Augsburg’s RFA ONE microlauncher with further milestone support

SpaceWatch Global

Rocket Factory Augsburg inaugurates Swedish test site to advance RFA ONE maiden flight Rocket Factory Augsburg (RFA) inaugurated a new test site in Sweden, a key step toward its RFA ONE maiden flight targeted for 2022. The move signals acceleration of the German micro-launcher’s ground-test and launch-prep activities in the Nordic launch ecosystem.

2026-04-16T23:27:39.538078-07:00

Rocket Factory Augsburg inaugurates Swedish test site to advance RFA ONE maiden flight

SpaceNews.com

Commercial LEO space-station developers push back on NASA’s “market not yet emerged” assessment Executives from three commercial space-station developers argued at the Space Symposium that the low-Earth-orbit (LEO) market is real and they can be ready by 2030, when the International Space Station is scheduled for retirement. Their remarks directly counter NASA’s claim that a commercial station market has yet to develop.

2026-04-16T19:32:32.780706-07:00

Commercial LEO space-station developers push back on NASA’s “market not yet emerged” assessment

Menu

Commercial Space News

China’s Qingzhou prototype cargo spacecraft completes orbital rendezvous and proximity tests

Rocket Lab expands electric propulsion for satellites with high-volume electric thruster and new Gauss thruster push

NorthStar Earth & Space to go public via SPAC Viking Acquisition Corp

Golden Spike teams with Honeybee Robotics to build unmanned lunar sample-collection rovers

News Timeline