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SpaceNews.com • Andrew Parsonson

Vega clears readiness review for April return to flight

Avio’s Vega rocket has passed a readiness review, paving the way for a return to flight in April. The update signals readiness progress following earlier Vega C/Avio production and subsystem issues that drove schedule reassessments.

2026-04-10T21:13:16.995290-07:00

Via Satellite

BryceTech: SpaceX captured ~50% of global launch activity in 2025 as the market pivots to smallsats

2026-04-10T12:53:22.530933-07:00

The Atlantic

Artemis II: 10-day lunar flyby yields iconic Earth–Moon imagery as mission reaches 400,000 km-plus distance

2026-04-10T08:01:15.152536-07:00

SpaceNews.com

Chang’e-7 arrives at Wenchang spaceport for 2H 2026 lunar south-pole mission preparations

2026-04-10T05:07:24.499216-07:00

News Timeline

SpaceNews.com

Vega clears readiness review for April return to flight Avio’s Vega rocket has passed a readiness review, paving the way for a return to flight in April. The update signals readiness progress following earlier Vega C/Avio production and subsystem issues that drove schedule reassessments.

2026-04-10T21:13:16.995290-07:00

Vega clears readiness review for April return to flight

Via Satellite

BryceTech: SpaceX captured ~50% of global launch activity in 2025 as the market pivots to smallsats BryceTech’s 2025 Year in Review shows launch demand increasingly concentrated in small satellites, alongside SpaceX’s continued dominance—accounting for about half of launches in 2025. The findings reinforce a market shift toward frequent, lower-cost access to orbit and intensifying competitive pressure on non-vertically integrated providers.

2026-04-10T12:53:22.530933-07:00

BryceTech: SpaceX captured ~50% of global launch activity in 2025 as the market pivots to smallsats

Via Satellite

Amazon Leo (Project Kuiper) exits beta, targets mid-2026 commercial satellite internet launch Amazon says its rebranded LEO broadband service, Amazon Leo (formerly Project Kuiper), entered enterprise beta on April 8 and is aiming to go live by mid-2026. CEO Andy Jassy frames the service as “on the verge” of going live, supported by three terminal tiers and 22 new rocket contracts.

2026-04-10T11:18:12.475052-07:00

Amazon Leo (Project Kuiper) exits beta, targets mid-2026 commercial satellite internet launch

The Atlantic

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Artemis II: 10-day lunar flyby yields iconic Earth–Moon imagery as mission reaches 400,000 km-plus distance NASA’s Artemis II crew completed a 10-day hybrid free-return lunar flyby, traveling more than 400,000 km from Earth and sharing imagery that captures the Moon and Earth in the same frame as both are partially illuminated by the Sun. Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hansen flew the mission as part of the first return to the Moon since Apollo.

2026-04-10T08:01:15.152536-07:00

Artemis II: 10-day lunar flyby yields iconic Earth–Moon imagery as mission reaches 400,000 km-plus distance

SpaceNews.com

Chang’e-7 arrives at Wenchang spaceport for 2H 2026 lunar south-pole mission preparations China’s multi-element Chang’e-7 lunar spacecraft has arrived at Wenchang spaceport ahead of launch preparations for a planned second-half-of-2026 liftoff. The milestone sets the stage for China’s south-pole exploration campaign and the next step in its expanding lunar program.

2026-04-10T05:07:24.499216-07:00

Chang’e-7 arrives at Wenchang spaceport for 2H 2026 lunar south-pole mission preparations

Space.com

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Artemis 2 Orion concludes mission with April 10 Pacific splashdown; full landing-day schedule NASA’s Artemis 2 Orion capsule is set to splash down in the Pacific on April 10, ending the crewed lunar flyby. The landing-day plan, including timing for recovery, provides the latest operational confirmation for SLS/Orion mission readiness.

2026-04-10T03:18:23.763660-07:00

Artemis 2 Orion concludes mission with April 10 Pacific splashdown; full landing-day schedule

Space.com

Tiny worms set for April 10 ISS launch to probe spaceflight adaptation A cohort of microscopic worms is scheduled to launch to the International Space Station on April 10 to study how they survive and adapt in microgravity and space conditions. Scientists say analyzing those adaptations will help identify biological mechanisms that could be used to protect astronauts on long‑duration missions.

2026-04-09T12:01:35.588041-07:00

Tiny worms set for April 10 ISS launch to probe spaceflight adaptation

FlightGlobal

Viasat outlines multi‑orbit IFEC roadmap with Amara launch as AIX 2026 convenes in Hamburg Viasat has outlined a multi‑orbit inflight connectivity roadmap anchored by the upcoming Amara launch, and will present its strategy at Aircraft Interiors Expo (AIX) 2026 in Hamburg, April 14–16 — the show’s 25th anniversary as the global aircraft cabin marketplace to airline and OEM customers.

2026-04-09T10:51:57.775856-07:00

Viasat outlines multi‑orbit IFEC roadmap with Amara launch as AIX 2026 convenes in Hamburg

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Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation News

Vega clears readiness review for April return to flight

BryceTech: SpaceX captured ~50% of global launch activity in 2025 as the market pivots to smallsats

Artemis II: 10-day lunar flyby yields iconic Earth–Moon imagery as mission reaches 400,000 km-plus distance

Chang’e-7 arrives at Wenchang spaceport for 2H 2026 lunar south-pole mission preparations

News Timeline