Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation News

SpaceNews.com • Jeff Foust

Amazon seeks FCC approval for up to 5,105 direct-to-device satellites, leveraging Globalstar assets post-$11.6B acquisition

Amazon’s Leo unit has filed with the FCC for authority to launch a direct-to-device constellation of up to 5,105 satellites in five orbital shells between 510 and 580 km. Amazon says it will pursue Globalstar’s next-generation constellation after completing its roughly $11.6 billion acquisition, positioning the network to deliver direct voice and data connectivity to smartphones.

13 Sources

2026-07-27T05:06:36.442142-07:00

SpaceNews.com

US military boosts space testing and LEO support: Space Force backs Rocket Lab Alaska suborbital missions, while EW and LEO rela

6 Sources

2026-07-27T04:10:19.153796-07:00

SpaceNews.com

Blue Origin to test New Glenn upper stages at NASA Stennis Space Center

1 Source

2026-07-27T04:10:19.467774-07:00

Payload

SpaceX completes Starship Flight 13 with first intact Starship water landing

3 Sources

2026-07-26T18:36:46.983428-07:00

Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation News Timeline

Wall Street Journal

2 sources

Rocket Lab lands record $266M U.S. Space Force deal for up to 18 suborbital launches supporting missile defense Rocket Lab has won a $266 million multi-launch contract with the U.S. Space Force—its largest agreement to date—for up to 18 suborbital launches. The missions are intended to support missile defense capabilities, underscoring Rocket Lab’s expanding role in space-mission architectures tied to national security requirements.

2026-07-27T10:21:33.727045-07:00

Rocket Lab lands record $266M U.S. Space Force deal for up to 18 suborbital launches supporting missile defense

SpaceNews.com

13 sources

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Amazon seeks FCC approval for up to 5,105 direct-to-device satellites, leveraging Globalstar assets post-$11.6B acquisition Amazon’s Leo unit has filed with the FCC for authority to launch a direct-to-device constellation of up to 5,105 satellites in five orbital shells between 510 and 580 km. Amazon says it will pursue Globalstar’s next-generation constellation after completing its roughly $11.6 billion acquisition, positioning the network to deliver direct voice and data connectivity to smartphones.

2026-07-27T05:06:36.442142-07:00

Amazon seeks FCC approval for up to 5,105 direct-to-device satellites, leveraging Globalstar assets post-$11.6B acquisition

SpaceNews.com

1 source

Blue Origin to test New Glenn upper stages at NASA Stennis Space Center Blue Origin says it will use NASA’s Stennis Space Center to test New Glenn upper stages as it rebuilds its Cape Canaveral launch complex. The move shifts part of New Glenn’s development and validation work to Stennis infrastructure while Blue Origin continues ground-site recovery and integration planning.

2026-07-27T04:10:19.467774-07:00

Blue Origin to test New Glenn upper stages at NASA Stennis Space Center

SpaceNews.com

6 sources

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US military boosts space testing and LEO support: Space Force backs Rocket Lab Alaska suborbital missions, while EW and LEO rela The U.S. Space Force awarded Rocket Lab a $266 million multi-launch contract covering 12 suborbital missions, with an option for up to six more, launching from Kodiak, Alaska no earlier than late 2026. In parallel, the military tested the maritime Hammer of the Gods electronic warfare system and SES agreed to provide continuous, low-latency LEO relay services for the Starlab space station.

2026-07-27T04:10:19.153796-07:00

US military boosts space testing and LEO support: Space Force backs Rocket Lab Alaska suborbital missions, while EW and LEO rela

Payload

3 sources

SpaceX completes Starship Flight 13 with first intact Starship water landing SpaceX flew the 13th Starship test flight, culminating in the first time an intact Starship was put in the water. The milestone follows earlier flight attempts as SpaceX works through iterative Starship test objectives toward reusable operations.

2026-07-26T18:36:46.983428-07:00

SpaceX completes Starship Flight 13 with first intact Starship water landing

SpaceNews.com

1 source

ULA parents guarantee loan as Vulcan grounding drives financial strain United Launch Alliance’s corporate parents have provided a guaranteed loan to help the company address “financial challenges” tied to the ongoing Vulcan grounding. The support is intended to bridge the period of constrained launch activity and associated cost pressures.

2026-07-24T13:42:43.928716-07:00

ULA parents guarantee loan as Vulcan grounding drives financial strain

NASA

5 sources

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NASA to support Blue Origin New Glenn second-stage hot-fire testing at Stennis B-2 NASA and Blue Origin have finalized plans for second-stage hot-fire tests of New Glenn on the B-2 position of the Thad Cochran Test Stand at NASA’s Stennis Space Center in Mississippi. The testing is intended to progress New Glenn’s development alongside Artemis-related objectives.

2026-07-24T09:13:44.097651-07:00

NASA to support Blue Origin New Glenn second-stage hot-fire testing at Stennis B-2

Ars Technica

1 source

Relativity Space to build second rocket factory near Cape Canaveral, Florida Relativity Space says it plans to construct a second rocket manufacturing facility near Cape Canaveral, Florida. The announcement signals additional production capacity to support its launch operations and future cadence from the Space Coast.

2026-07-24T07:35:40.504782-07:00

Relativity Space to build second rocket factory near Cape Canaveral, Florida

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