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Chinese startup raises ~$14M to build commercial space situational awareness constellation for tracking orbital objects

A Beijing-based startup has secured about $14 million in funding to develop a satellite constellation focused on tracking orbital objects. The investment signals continued growth in China’s space situational awareness (SSA) sector as commercial providers expand SSA capabilities.

2026-07-28T18:28:20.088627-07:00
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Associated Press

High activity

Swift reboost/rescue mission hits attitude-control trouble: Link reaction-wheel failures and thruster issues

Katalyst Space Technologies’ private Link satellite—launched nearly a month ago to reboost and stabilize NASA’s Swift Observatory—has encountered attitude control problems. Preliminary results indicate two of Link’s three reaction wheels are not operable, and thruster problems have pushed the spacecraft into an uncontrollable spin that is disrupting communications.

2026-07-28T14:41:42.119420-07:00
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Impulse Space unveils Electra: first electric propulsion system for long-duration missions

Impulse Space has detailed its first electric propulsion system, Electra, designed to support long-duration operations in space. The company positioned the system as a stepping stone for extended mission lifetimes, aligning propulsion capability with next-phase spacecraft operations.

2026-07-28T12:59:27.753101-07:00
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Viasat discloses $291.4M in satellite construction payments due by 2031 and $509.8M in future capacity lease commitments

Viasat said in its 2026 annual report that, as of March 31, it had $291.4 million in satellite construction payments due over the next five years (through 2031). It also reported $509.8 million in future commitments to purchase satellite capacity from third-party fleet operators.

2026-07-28T11:17:18.680889-07:00
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NASA Spaceflight

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SpaceX Starship Flight 13 shows Ship 40 reentry/water impact survivability as Booster Block 3 remains in refinement

Starship Flight 13 demonstrated that Ship 40 can complete its mission and return intact, surviving water impact without destruction. SpaceX said the booster is still a work in progress, as it continues refining the clean-sheet Block 3 design for subsequent flights.

2026-07-28T10:41:59.241200-07:00
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China signals an offshore satellite-launch push while SpaceX expands Starlink cadence after Starship test activity

China is pursuing sea-based satellite launches, aiming to narrow the US orbital gap and broaden commercial launch options, according to a July 28, 2026 roundup. The competitive push lands as SpaceX executed a Starship flight test and continues deploying Starlink via Falcon 9—most recently lifting 24 satellites from Vandenberg on July 25.

2026-07-28T08:11:28.873571-07:00
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Bloomberg

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SpaceX and Tesla turmoil: market cap rout ahead of August 6 lock-up expiration

SpaceX’s shares fell again as investors priced in a major supply event: an Aug. 6 lock-up expiration releasing up to 911.5 million shares, far larger than the current public float. The selloff has wiped more than $1 trillion in market value and deepened Elon Musk’s wealth decline amid Tesla/SpaceX financial turbulence.

2026-07-28T06:57:04.971216-07:00
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Amazon files with the FCC to launch a direct-to-device LEO constellation of more than 5,000 satellites

Amazon has filed a request with the Federal Communications Commission to operate a direct-to-device network in low Earth orbit, targeting a constellation sized at more than 5,000 satellites. The filing signals Amazon’s entry into the direct-to-device satellite communications race and escalates competitive pressure in LEO broadband.

2026-07-28T06:47:04.117930-07:00
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