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DefenseNews.com • Aaron Mehta

Lockheed Martin selected to develop UK’s first domestic commercial spaceport at Melness, Scotland

The UK has picked Lockheed Martin to help develop its first domestic commercial spaceport in Melness, Scotland. The effort is framed as potential future support for U.S. military satellite launches, as governments seek reliable routes to orbit.

2026-04-22T14:34:54.280650-07:00

Space.com

Rocket Lab Electron to launch JAXA “Kakushin Rising” mission, deploying 8 Japanese satellites including origami-fold antenna

2026-04-22T10:06:44.189999-07:00

European Spaceflight

ATMOS Space Cargo raises €25.7M Series A for PHOENIX 2 return capsules and first regular Earth-return operations

2026-04-22T02:36:19.921147-07:00

SpaceNews.com

Northrop Grumman records $71M charge after Vulcan solid rocket booster anomaly, delaying ULA launch cadence

2026-04-21T19:42:41.118114-07:00

News Timeline

DefenseNews.com

Lockheed Martin selected to develop UK’s first domestic commercial spaceport at Melness, Scotland The UK has picked Lockheed Martin to help develop its first domestic commercial spaceport in Melness, Scotland. The effort is framed as potential future support for U.S. military satellite launches, as governments seek reliable routes to orbit.

2026-04-22T14:34:54.280650-07:00

Lockheed Martin selected to develop UK’s first domestic commercial spaceport at Melness, Scotland

Space.com

Rocket Lab Electron to launch JAXA “Kakushin Rising” mission, deploying 8 Japanese satellites including origami-fold antenna Rocket Lab is set to launch its second Electron/JAXA dedicated mission, “Kakushin Rising,” delivering eight Japanese satellites into orbit. The payload set includes a spacecraft featuring an origami-folded antenna, as part of JAXA’s Innovative Satellite Technology Demonstration Program.

2026-04-22T10:06:44.189999-07:00

Rocket Lab Electron to launch JAXA “Kakushin Rising” mission, deploying 8 Japanese satellites including origami-fold antenna

European Spaceflight

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ATMOS Space Cargo raises €25.7M Series A for PHOENIX 2 return capsules and first regular Earth-return operations German-French startup ATMOS Space Cargo secured a €25.7 million Series A to fund three PHOENIX 2 return capsules and begin routine Earth-return missions. The company positions the effort as a dual-use architecture—commercial, institutional and defense-capable—supporting the next phase of its larger PHOENIX 3 programme.

2026-04-22T02:36:19.921147-07:00

ATMOS Space Cargo raises €25.7M Series A for PHOENIX 2 return capsules and first regular Earth-return operations

SpaceWatch Global

Dawn Aerospace targets reusable spaceplanes and in-orbit refueling by 2028 to extend satellite mission lifetimes Dawn Aerospace says it is advancing reusable spaceplane technology and is planning an in-orbit refueling capability by 2028. The goal is to enable more flexible satellite operations—specifically extending mission lifetimes—supported by a near-term plan for deploying 44 satellites.

2026-04-22T01:20:34.567331-07:00

Dawn Aerospace targets reusable spaceplanes and in-orbit refueling by 2028 to extend satellite mission lifetimes

SpaceNews.com

Northrop Grumman records $71M charge after Vulcan solid rocket booster anomaly, delaying ULA launch cadence Northrop Grumman disclosed a $71 million fiscal first-quarter charge tied to an anomaly involving a Vulcan Centaur solid rocket booster, resulting in ULA grounding the vehicle. Vulcan manifest timelines are now paused pending resolution of the issue, while the company reported its first-quarter 2026 financial results.

2026-04-21T19:42:41.118114-07:00

Northrop Grumman records $71M charge after Vulcan solid rocket booster anomaly, delaying ULA launch cadence

Universe Today

China unveils first reusable rocket propulsion module using 5-meter-wide composite structure China announced the unveiling of its first reusable five-meter-wide composite propulsion module for a next-generation reusable rocket. The press-release update signals continued industrial scaling of composite propulsion hardware as Beijing works to narrow the reusability gap versus the U.S.

2026-04-21T07:50:03.635505-07:00

China unveils first reusable rocket propulsion module using 5-meter-wide composite structure

AeroTime

China conducts liquid-hydrogen propulsion in-flight test—signals growing confidence in cryogenic powertrains A Chinese firm has reportedly completed a successful in-flight test of liquid hydrogen propulsion. The coverage focuses on what is publicly known so far, placing the effort in the broader context of China’s rapid experimentation with hydrogen-powered aerospace systems and potential scalability for future vehicles.

2026-04-21T04:47:39.319658-07:00

China conducts liquid-hydrogen propulsion in-flight test—signals growing confidence in cryogenic powertrains

CNBC

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SpaceX IPO plans embed Elon Musk and insiders’ super-voting control as valuation targets near $75B raising at a $1.75T implied l SpaceX’s IPO filing reviewed by Reuters indicates Elon Musk and a small insider group will hold super-voting shares that outweigh other investors, prompting governance questions alongside the company’s plan to float late June. SpaceX also plans three days of closed-door analyst meetings at Starbase and seeks roughly $75B. with a $1.75T valuation target.

2026-04-21T03:44:19.179828-07:00

SpaceX IPO plans embed Elon Musk and insiders’ super-voting control as valuation targets near $75B raising at a $1.75T implied l

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Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation News

Lockheed Martin selected to develop UK’s first domestic commercial spaceport at Melness, Scotland

Rocket Lab Electron to launch JAXA “Kakushin Rising” mission, deploying 8 Japanese satellites including origami-fold antenna

ATMOS Space Cargo raises €25.7M Series A for PHOENIX 2 return capsules and first regular Earth-return operations

Northrop Grumman records $71M charge after Vulcan solid rocket booster anomaly, delaying ULA launch cadence

News Timeline