Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation News

Universe Today • David Dickinson

FCC approves first test launch for Reflect Orbital’s Eärendil-1 satellite

The US Federal Communications Commission has approved the first test launch of Reflect Orbital’s Eärendil-1 satellite, the initial step toward the company’s planned Reflect Orbital space reflector constellation. The approval clears the path for test-lifespan deployment under FCC authorization.

1 Source

2026-07-17T04:51:29.219067-07:00

Via Satellite

AST SpaceMobile pushes Direct-to-Device commercial launch to early 2027; raises $1B via share sale and flags potential vertical

2 Sources

2026-07-16T13:50:47.084854-07:00

Via Satellite

Space Development Agency restarts Falcon 9 launch campaign, placing 21 data-transport satellites into low Earth orbit

8 Sources

2026-07-16T09:14:01.263011-07:00

European Spaceflight

ESA selects Ariane 6 for HENON CubeSat launch to demonstrate future solar storm monitoring

3 Sources

2026-07-16T08:16:12.287228-07:00

Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation News Timeline

Universe Today

1 source

FCC approves first test launch for Reflect Orbital’s Eärendil-1 satellite The US Federal Communications Commission has approved the first test launch of Reflect Orbital’s Eärendil-1 satellite, the initial step toward the company’s planned Reflect Orbital space reflector constellation. The approval clears the path for test-lifespan deployment under FCC authorization.

2026-07-17T04:51:29.219067-07:00

FCC approves first test launch for Reflect Orbital’s Eärendil-1 satellite

Via Satellite

2 sources

AST SpaceMobile pushes Direct-to-Device commercial launch to early 2027; raises $1B via share sale and flags potential vertical AST SpaceMobile has rescheduled its commercial Direct-to-Device (D2D) service launch to early 2027, moving it from a prior late-2026 timeline. The company also launched a share sale to raise $1 billion and said it may consider vertical integration in its launch efforts.

2026-07-16T13:50:47.084854-07:00

AST SpaceMobile pushes Direct-to-Device commercial launch to early 2027; raises $1B via share sale and flags potential vertical

Via Satellite

8 sources

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Space Development Agency restarts Falcon 9 launch campaign, placing 21 data-transport satellites into low Earth orbit SpaceX launched 21 satellites for the Space Development Agency (SDA) aboard a Falcon 9 on July 16, resuming the Pentagon’s first operational low-Earth-orbit military data network after a months-long pause. SDA cited software and hardware issues discovered on in-orbit units and delayed launches to address known problems.

2026-07-16T09:14:01.263011-07:00

Space Development Agency restarts Falcon 9 launch campaign, placing 21 data-transport satellites into low Earth orbit

SpaceNews.com

2 sources

DIU seeks commercial proposals for space-based power-beaming demonstration within two years The Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) is soliciting commercial proposals for space-based “utility” power solutions—producing electricity in space and beaming it to spacecraft and, potentially, from orbit to Earth. DIU aims for a demonstration within two years and an operationally relevant transition by the end of the decade.

2026-07-16T08:44:48.269276-07:00

DIU seeks commercial proposals for space-based power-beaming demonstration within two years

European Spaceflight

3 sources

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ESA selects Ariane 6 for HENON CubeSat launch to demonstrate future solar storm monitoring ESA has chosen Ariane 6 to launch its HENON CubeSat mission, aimed at demonstrating a future capability to monitor solar storms. The launch will carry a deep-space smallsat payload designed to validate space-weather observation concepts.

2026-07-16T08:16:12.287228-07:00

ESA selects Ariane 6 for HENON CubeSat launch to demonstrate future solar storm monitoring

Space.com

4 sources

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SpaceX Starship Flight 13: launches 21 Tranche 1 Transport Layer satellites for U.S. military and deploys first Starlink V3 SpaceX carried out a Starship Flight 13 mission launching 21 U.S. military “Tranche 1 Transport Layer” satellites from California and said it would deploy the first Starlink V3 satellites for the first time. The mission also comes as SpaceX approaches 10,839 working satellites across its Starlink fleet.

2026-07-16T03:17:02.860166-07:00

SpaceX Starship Flight 13: launches 21 Tranche 1 Transport Layer satellites for U.S. military and deploys first Starlink V3

Space.com

None source

SpaceX will launch Starship, the world's largest rocket, on critical Flight 13 test today. Here's what to expect.

2026-07-16T03:17:02.860166-07:00

SpaceX will launch Starship, t

Inflight Online

1 source

Atlas V completes Amazon Leo’s final mission as constellation grows to 396 satellites Amazon’s Project Leo constellation expanded to 396 satellites following a 29-satellite Atlas V launch, which marked the completion of Atlas V’s final Leo mission. The deployment sequence is positioned to transition toward Vulcan-powered high-rate rollout and initial service operations.

2026-07-16T02:46:41.654651-07:00

Atlas V completes Amazon Leo’s final mission as constellation grows to 396 satellites

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