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Space Intel Report • Peter B de Selding

Arianespace targets 7–8 Ariane 6 launches in 2026 as Block 2 upgrade collides with EU, German and Amazon LEO schedules

Arianespace is aiming for seven to eight Ariane 6 launches in 2026 while planning a Block 2 upgrade, and must balance mission slots for European government customers and Amazon's Kuiper LEO commitments. The schedule pressure reflects competing national and commercial launch demands as Ariane 6 moves toward routine operations.

2026-03-26T14:18:39.026750-07:00

SpaceNews.com

China launches Siwei Gaojing‑2 pair and GNSS‑augmentation satellites, expanding SuperView and CentiSpace

2026-03-26T13:22:22.517776-07:00

Spaceflight Now

SpaceX to launch Starlink 17-17 from West Coast; window opens 4:03 p.m. PDT March 26

2026-03-26T09:56:12.964116-07:00

SpaceWatch Global

Portugal pushes to become Europe’s gateway to space — Inês d'Ávila at Munich Space Summit 2026

2026-03-26T05:58:40.945709-07:00

News Timeline

Space Intel Report

Arianespace targets 7–8 Ariane 6 launches in 2026 as Block 2 upgrade collides with EU, German and Amazon LEO schedules Arianespace is aiming for seven to eight Ariane 6 launches in 2026 while planning a Block 2 upgrade, and must balance mission slots for European government customers and Amazon's Kuiper LEO commitments. The schedule pressure reflects competing national and commercial launch demands as Ariane 6 moves toward routine operations.

2026-03-26T14:18:39.026750-07:00

Arianespace targets 7–8 Ariane 6 launches in 2026 as Block 2 upgrade collides with EU, German and Amazon LEO schedules

SpaceNews.com

China launches Siwei Gaojing‑2 pair and GNSS‑augmentation satellites, expanding SuperView and CentiSpace On March 26 China launched a pair of satellites — Siwei Gaojing‑2 05 and 06 — aboard a modified Long March‑2D with a new 4.2‑metre fairing from Taiyuan, inserting radar‑mapping and GNSS‑augmentation payloads into low Earth orbit to expand SuperView and CentiSpace.

2026-03-26T13:22:22.517776-07:00

China launches Siwei Gaojing‑2 pair and GNSS‑augmentation satellites, expanding SuperView and CentiSpace

Spaceflight Now

SpaceX to launch Starlink 17-17 from West Coast; window opens 4:03 p.m. PDT March 26 SpaceX will launch a Falcon 9 from the U.S. West Coast to deploy another batch of Starlink satellites on the Starlink 17-17 mission during a launch window opening at 4:03 p.m. PDT (2303 UTC) on March 26. The flight was originally scheduled for March 24.

2026-03-26T09:56:12.964116-07:00

SpaceX to launch Starlink 17-17 from West Coast; window opens 4:03 p.m. PDT March 26

SpaceWatch Global

Portugal pushes to become Europe’s gateway to space — Inês d'Ávila at Munich Space Summit 2026 At the Munich Space Summit 2026, Portugal Space Agency's Inês d'Ávila described Portugal's rapid push to become a European gateway to space, highlighting the Azores spaceport, Europe’s first re‑entry licensing steps, and targeted partnerships to attract launch, recovery and downstream commercial activity.

2026-03-26T05:58:40.945709-07:00

Portugal pushes to become Europe’s gateway to space — Inês d'Ávila at Munich Space Summit 2026

SpaceNews.com

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Space Force explores alternatives as ULA's Vulcan faces possible months‑long grounding The U.S. Space Force is evaluating alternative launch options after United Launch Alliance's Vulcan Centaur could be grounded for months while investigators probe a recent anomaly. The potential pause threatens launch schedules, may force mission reassignments or delays, and pressures remaining providers and range capacity.

2026-03-25T16:22:23.195082-07:00

Space Force explores alternatives as ULA's Vulcan faces possible months‑long grounding

Reuters

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SpaceX IPO rush leaves secondary‑market buyers unsure they actually own shares Investors rushing to buy SpaceX ahead of a potential IPO have supercharged an opaque secondary market where SPVs, intermediaries and complex vehicles complicate ownership verification. Buyers face elevated fraud risk and legal uncertainty, with some investors unable to confirm they hold any actual SpaceX stock despite large allocations.

2026-03-25T11:10:07.092934-07:00

SpaceX IPO rush leaves secondary‑market buyers unsure they actually own shares

Universe Today

Russia relaunches from repaired Baikonur pad after November collapse Russia has returned to orbit from the Baikonur pad that structurally collapsed last November, completing repairs and launching a fresh cargo mission. The flight restores a key ground capability, but Moscow's space programme still faces reputational and operational questions about its long-term recovery.

2026-03-25T10:09:40.696531-07:00

Russia relaunches from repaired Baikonur pad after November collapse

Space.com

Rocket launch under Northern Lights could be first orbital flight from European soil A small orbital rocket launched beneath the Northern Lights could become the first vehicle to reach orbit from European soil. The attempt, if successful, would mark a milestone for continental launch capability and the emerging commercial launch ecosystem in Europe.

2026-03-25T08:06:01.364777-07:00

Rocket launch under Northern Lights could be first orbital flight from European soil

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Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation News

Arianespace targets 7–8 Ariane 6 launches in 2026 as Block 2 upgrade collides with EU, German and Amazon LEO schedules

China launches Siwei Gaojing‑2 pair and GNSS‑augmentation satellites, expanding SuperView and CentiSpace

SpaceX to launch Starlink 17-17 from West Coast; window opens 4:03 p.m. PDT March 26

Portugal pushes to become Europe’s gateway to space — Inês d'Ávila at Munich Space Summit 2026

News Timeline