Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation News

Via Satellite • Mark Holmes

Beyond Gravity signs major Ariane Group contract to cement European launch supply-chain role

Beyond Gravity has signed one of the largest contracts in its history with Ariane Group, strengthening its position as a key player in Europe’s launch supply chain. The deal is framed as “gamechanging,” signaling expanded responsibility and visibility within Ariane Group’s industrial base.

1 Source

2026-07-08T13:00:37.220795-07:00

Breaking Defense

Space Force adds two startups to SSC’s National Security Space Launch Phase 3 Lane 1 qualified launch-provider pool

1 Source

2026-07-08T11:46:10.763126-07:00

European Spaceflight

Loft Orbital signs multi-launch agreement with MaiaSpace; first 2028 flight planned

1 Source

2026-07-08T10:39:49.658448-07:00

CNBC

Blue Origin seeks $10B in first external funding round at $130B pre-money valuation

16 Sources

2026-07-08T05:45:56.159359-07:00

Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation News Timeline

Via Satellite

1 source

Beyond Gravity signs major Ariane Group contract to cement European launch supply-chain role Beyond Gravity has signed one of the largest contracts in its history with Ariane Group, strengthening its position as a key player in Europe’s launch supply chain. The deal is framed as “gamechanging,” signaling expanded responsibility and visibility within Ariane Group’s industrial base.

2026-07-08T13:00:37.220795-07:00

Beyond Gravity signs major Ariane Group contract to cement European launch supply-chain role

Breaking Defense

1 source

Space Force adds two startups to SSC’s National Security Space Launch Phase 3 Lane 1 qualified launch-provider pool The U.S. Space Force’s Space Systems Command has added two startups to its National Security Space Launch Phase 3 Lane 1 program, bringing the qualified pool of launch providers to seven. The update expands participation in SSC’s small, medium launch-provider lane for national security missions.

2026-07-08T11:46:10.763126-07:00

Space Force adds two startups to SSC’s National Security Space Launch Phase 3 Lane 1 qualified launch-provider pool

European Spaceflight

1 source

Loft Orbital signs multi-launch agreement with MaiaSpace; first 2028 flight planned Loft Orbital has signed a multi-launch agreement with MaiaSpace, an ArianeGroup subsidiary. The announcement shared limited program details, but said the first flight is expected in 2028, setting a near-term timeline for Loft’s launch campaign using MaiaSpace rockets.

2026-07-08T10:39:49.658448-07:00

Loft Orbital signs multi-launch agreement with MaiaSpace; first 2028 flight planned

Via Satellite

3 sources

U.S. Space Force adds Impulse Space and Relativity Space to NSSL Phase 3 Lane 1 roster, expanding program eligibility to seven The U.S. Space Force awarded NSSL Phase 3, Lane 1 contracts to Air Force Impulse Space Inc. and Relativity Federal Inc. under FA8811-26-D-B001 and FA8811-26-D-B002, bringing the eligible launch-provider field to seven. The awards are part of the Space Force’s broader $5.6B NSSL program.

2026-07-08T10:30:02.971248-07:00

U.S. Space Force adds Impulse Space and Relativity Space to NSSL Phase 3 Lane 1 roster, expanding program eligibility to seven

Space Intel Report

1 source

Thaicom pushes Astranis-built Thaicom 9 launch to March 2027 after power-system anomaly on a shared SpaceX micro-GEO satellite Thaicom says its Thaicom 9 satellite—previously scheduled for launch in 2024—has been delayed to March 2027 following a power system anomaly identified on one of the four other Astranis Space Technologies micro-GEO satellites that were sharing a SpaceX launch. The issue drives a multi-satellite schedule slip for the cluster.

2026-07-08T06:45:20.224531-07:00

Thaicom pushes Astranis-built Thaicom 9 launch to March 2027 after power-system anomaly on a shared SpaceX micro-GEO satellite

CNBC

16 sources

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Blue Origin seeks $10B in first external funding round at $130B pre-money valuation Blue Origin is preparing its first major fundraising effort with external investors, targeting a $10 billion round that would value the company at about $130 billion pre-money, according to reporting by The New York Times’ DealBook. The round reportedly includes Coatue Asset Management, with Jeff Bezos and other large investors also participating.

2026-07-08T05:45:56.159359-07:00

Blue Origin seeks $10B in first external funding round at $130B pre-money valuation

AeroTime

7 sources

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Venus Aerospace raises $91M Series B to scale rotating detonation rocket engine (RDRE) production for DoD and commercial mission Houston-based Venus Aerospace said it raised $91 million in a Series B round to expand development and production of its rotating detonation rocket engine (RDRE). The company plans to transition RDRE designs from testing toward production across multiple DoD and commercial space applications.

2026-07-08T04:16:41.493994-07:00

Venus Aerospace raises $91M Series B to scale rotating detonation rocket engine (RDRE) production for DoD and commercial mission

SpaceNews.com

2 sources

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New Glenn launch pad damage spotlights U.S. government options to ease strained spaceport capacity after Blue Origin mishap A May 28 explosion of Blue Origin’s New Glenn at Cape Canaveral’s Launch Complex 36 destroyed the rocket and severely damaged the launch pad. The incident has shifted attention to how federal authorities can address strained spaceport infrastructure capacity and recovery timelines.

2026-07-08T04:14:53.168865-07:00

New Glenn launch pad damage spotlights U.S. government options to ease strained spaceport capacity after Blue Origin mishap

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