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SpaceNews.com • Jason Rainbow

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

CNBC

SpaceX IPO set for a record $1.75tn valuation, with Mars-linked control provisions and shifting investor exit mechanics

2026-05-14T13:54:43.782572-07:00

Universe Today

Artemis III: NASA’s next crewed Moon mission must prove mission architecture and systems readiness after Artemis II

2026-05-15T00:10:25.542881-07:00

SpaceNews.com

China steps up Qianfan growth with improved Zhuque-2E Y5 return-to-flight and fresh Long March 6A satellite group

2026-05-14T03:09:16.277854-07:00

News Timeline

Space Intel Report

Avio reports Q1 earnings surge on space and defense propulsion growth; CEO urges Europe to fund current launch systems Avio SpA said revenue rose 19% and EBITDA rose 30% for the three months ended March 31, driven by continued growth in both its space business and tactical defense propulsion hardware. The CEO also argued Europe should invest in today’s rocket capacity rather than delaying with long-startup cycles.

2026-05-15T07:52:56.927246-07:00

Avio reports Q1 earnings surge on space and defense propulsion growth; CEO urges Europe to fund current launch systems

Universe Today

Artemis III: NASA’s next crewed Moon mission must prove mission architecture and systems readiness after Artemis II Artemis III is positioned as the pivotal step that must succeed before NASA can return humans to the lunar surface. The cluster looks back at Artemis II’s crewed, around-the-Moon mission as the latest global benchmark for deep-space human operations—and a proof point for what Artemis III has to de-risk next.

2026-05-15T00:10:25.542881-07:00

Artemis III: NASA’s next crewed Moon mission must prove mission architecture and systems readiness after Artemis II

SpaceNews.com

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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

CNBC

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SpaceX IPO set for a record $1.75tn valuation, with Mars-linked control provisions and shifting investor exit mechanics SpaceX’s IPO is moving toward a potential next-month debut at an expected ~$1.75tn valuation, with investors weighing governance trade-offs including weak shareholder rights and a Mars-linked pay/control deal for Elon Musk. The filing reportedly also changes how investors can buy, structure acquisitions/SPACs, and exit holdings, as Blue Origin considers external fundraising.

2026-05-14T13:54:43.782572-07:00

SpaceX IPO set for a record $1.75tn valuation, with Mars-linked control provisions and shifting investor exit mechanics

SpaceNews.com

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China steps up Qianfan growth with improved Zhuque-2E Y5 return-to-flight and fresh Long March 6A satellite group LandSpace returned the upgraded Zhuque-2E (Y5) carrier rocket to flight after an inert customized test load, proving new systems during an orbital demonstration. Separately, China lofted a new batch of satellites for the Qianfan megaconstellation, underscoring accelerating commercial constellation deployment via both LandSpace’s vehicles and Long March 6A launches from Taiyuan.

2026-05-14T03:09:16.277854-07:00

China steps up Qianfan growth with improved Zhuque-2E Y5 return-to-flight and fresh Long March 6A satellite group

European Spaceflight

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ESA opens €16M Boost! sounding-rocket call to fly five experiments in 2027-28 ESA has reopened a €16 million call under its Boost! programme to support one or more European sounding-rocket mission campaigns carrying five experiments in 2027 or 2028. The initiative is designed to spur European companies developing and operating space-transport services.

2026-05-14T02:37:04.116348-07:00

ESA opens €16M Boost! sounding-rocket call to fly five experiments in 2027-28

SpaceWatch Global

Anduril picks Rocket Lab’s HASTE for multiple hypersonic test launches in a $30M award Anduril Industries has selected Rocket Lab to conduct multiple hypersonic test flights using Rocket Lab’s HASTE launch vehicle, in a deal valued at $30 million. The move expands Anduril’s test-launch execution for hypersonic experimentation and reinforces Rocket Lab’s role in high-cadence hypersonic programs.

2026-05-14T00:30:59.143326-07:00

Anduril picks Rocket Lab’s HASTE for multiple hypersonic test launches in a $30M award

AeroTime

Google in talks with SpaceX to launch “Project Suncatcher” tests for space-based AI data centers Reports say Google and SpaceX are in discussions to launch orbital AI data centers, advancing “Project Suncatcher” as a route to space-hosted compute. The effort would position SpaceX as a preferred launch partner for on-orbit testing that could reshape AI infrastructure requirements and architectures.

2026-05-13T13:57:47.751602-07:00

Google in talks with SpaceX to launch “Project Suncatcher” tests for space-based AI data centers

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Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation News

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

SpaceX IPO set for a record $1.75tn valuation, with Mars-linked control provisions and shifting investor exit mechanics

Artemis III: NASA’s next crewed Moon mission must prove mission architecture and systems readiness after Artemis II

China steps up Qianfan growth with improved Zhuque-2E Y5 return-to-flight and fresh Long March 6A satellite group

News Timeline