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Zenk Space secures 180 million yuan ($26M) for Zhihang-1 debut orbital launch in June

China’s Zenk Space has raised 180 million yuan (about $26 million) ahead of the planned June debut of its Zhihang-1 kerolox rocket, the company’s first attempt to reach orbit. The funding underpins the lead-up to the mission launch window as Zenk moves from development toward inaugural flight.

2026-05-17T19:41:10.645260-07:00

SpaceNews.com

Virgin Galactic reiterates year-end timeline for next-generation suborbital commercial service

2026-05-15T04:52:15.132433-07:00

Space Intel Report

Spire Global posts Q1 2026 results; forecasts debt-free operating improvement with adjusted EBITDA break-even by Q1 2027 and pos

2026-05-15T12:45:22.489364-07:00

SpaceNews.com

Cowboy Space files with FCC for up to 20,000 LEO “orbital data centers” as it raises $275M

2026-05-14T15:06:34.545853-07:00

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Zenk Space secures 180 million yuan ($26M) for Zhihang-1 debut orbital launch in June China’s Zenk Space has raised 180 million yuan (about $26 million) ahead of the planned June debut of its Zhihang-1 kerolox rocket, the company’s first attempt to reach orbit. The funding underpins the lead-up to the mission launch window as Zenk moves from development toward inaugural flight.

2026-05-17T19:41:10.645260-07:00

Zenk Space secures 180 million yuan ($26M) for Zhihang-1 debut orbital launch in June

AeroTime

Australian consortium to use AI-driven design and rapid manufacturing for Optimus Viper spacecraft Space Machines Company (Aust.), UTS, AMRF and Fordyno are partnering to develop AI-driven spacecraft design and rapid manufacturing for the Optimus Viper vehicle. The collaboration focuses on accelerating how spacecraft are engineered and produced, aligning academic and industrial capabilities to speed development cycles.

2026-05-15T18:09:41.062988-07:00

Australian consortium to use AI-driven design and rapid manufacturing for Optimus Viper spacecraft

Space Intel Report

Spire Global posts Q1 2026 results; forecasts debt-free operating improvement with adjusted EBITDA break-even by Q1 2027 and pos Spire Global reported its quarter ended March 31, 2026 and reaffirmed a path to adjusted EBITDA break-even by Q1 2027, followed by positive operating cash flow in 2027. The outlook starts with a 13% increase in Q1 revenue and projects revenue growth of ~50% for the year, positioning the company as debt-free.

2026-05-15T12:45:22.489364-07:00

Spire Global posts Q1 2026 results; forecasts debt-free operating improvement with adjusted EBITDA break-even by Q1 2027 and pos

SpaceNews.com

Virgin Galactic reiterates year-end timeline for next-generation suborbital commercial service Virgin Galactic says it remains on track—technically and financially—to begin commercial flights of its next-generation suborbital spaceplane by the end of 2026. The company’s latest reaffirmation frames year-end service as a near-term milestone for revenue operations.

2026-05-15T04:52:15.132433-07:00

Virgin Galactic reiterates year-end timeline for next-generation suborbital commercial service

SpaceNews.com

MinoSpace IPO application accepted as Chinese satellite maker seeks $736M to scale constellation plans Chinese satellite manufacturer MinoSpace says its IPO application has been accepted, seeking $736 million to fund constellation and product expansion. The filing signals continued capital-market momentum for domestic space players looking to scale satellite capacity and offerings.

2026-05-15T02:13:39.943895-07:00

MinoSpace IPO application accepted as Chinese satellite maker seeks $736M to scale constellation plans

SpaceWatch Global

MBS to Acquire 20% of Berlin Space Technologies, Backing Germany’s First SME-led, Fully Integrated Space Ecosystem MBS plans to acquire a 20% stake in Berlin Space Technologies (BST), positioning the deal as the launchpad for Germany’s first SME-led, fully integrated space ecosystem. The move signals direct corporate backing for a consolidation-style model across the value chain under a smaller-company-led platform.

2026-05-14T23:44:43.768310-07:00

MBS to Acquire 20% of Berlin Space Technologies, Backing Germany’s First SME-led, Fully Integrated Space Ecosystem

Payload

European space startups press for “infrastructure” financing as private capital at scale stays scarce Europe’s space economy is expanding, but the cluster highlights a persistent capital bottleneck: private funding at scale remains difficult to access for growth-stage startups. Founders are increasingly pitching “infrastructure” finance as the path to bridge from early traction to durable, scalable space-business operations.

2026-05-14T23:44:43.341259-07:00

European space startups press for “infrastructure” financing as private capital at scale stays scarce

SpaceNews.com

❗️

Cowboy Space files with FCC for up to 20,000 LEO “orbital data centers” as it raises $275M Cowboy Space—backed by a $275M round led by Index Ventures—has filed FCC plans for a “Stampede” constellation of up to 20,000 satellites intended to serve as an orbital data-center network. The company’s rockets would host compute in upper stages, targeting an “AI in orbit” architecture.

2026-05-14T15:06:34.545853-07:00

Cowboy Space files with FCC for up to 20,000 LEO “orbital data centers” as it raises $275M

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Commercial Space News

Zenk Space secures 180 million yuan ($26M) for Zhihang-1 debut orbital launch in June

Virgin Galactic reiterates year-end timeline for next-generation suborbital commercial service

Spire Global posts Q1 2026 results; forecasts debt-free operating improvement with adjusted EBITDA break-even by Q1 2027 and pos

Cowboy Space files with FCC for up to 20,000 LEO “orbital data centers” as it raises $275M

News Timeline