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SpaceNews.com • Andrew Jones

China lofts 18 LEO internet satellites on Long March‑8 and adds five more on modified Long March‑6A

China conducted two Long March launches this week, placing 18 Internet communications satellites into orbit from Hainan on a Long March‑8 and a further five satellites — the 21st GuoWang group — on a modified Long March‑6A from Taiyuan. The flights advance deployments for the Thousand Sails and GuoWang megaconstellations.

2026-04-09T07:32:22.318213-07:00

Payload

State of launch 2026: cadence and deadline constraints are picking winners and losers

2026-04-09T05:56:32.105490-07:00

European Spaceflight

ESA paid €82 million for Sentinel‑1D launch on Ariane 6 (Ariane 62) in November 2025

2026-04-08T23:06:13.969842-07:00

Reuters

Artemis II returns after lunar flyby; Orion set for Pacific splashdown off San Diego

2026-04-08T15:12:04.671164-07:00

News Timeline

Space.com

Tiny worms set for April 10 ISS launch to probe spaceflight adaptation A cohort of microscopic worms is scheduled to launch to the International Space Station on April 10 to study how they survive and adapt in microgravity and space conditions. Scientists say analyzing those adaptations will help identify biological mechanisms that could be used to protect astronauts on long‑duration missions.

2026-04-09T12:01:35.588041-07:00

Tiny worms set for April 10 ISS launch to probe spaceflight adaptation

FlightGlobal

Viasat outlines multi‑orbit IFEC roadmap with Amara launch as AIX 2026 convenes in Hamburg Viasat has outlined a multi‑orbit inflight connectivity roadmap anchored by the upcoming Amara launch, and will present its strategy at Aircraft Interiors Expo (AIX) 2026 in Hamburg, April 14–16 — the show’s 25th anniversary as the global aircraft cabin marketplace to airline and OEM customers.

2026-04-09T10:51:57.775856-07:00

Viasat outlines multi‑orbit IFEC roadmap with Amara launch as AIX 2026 convenes in Hamburg

SpaceNews.com

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China lofts 18 LEO internet satellites on Long March‑8 and adds five more on modified Long March‑6A China conducted two Long March launches this week, placing 18 Internet communications satellites into orbit from Hainan on a Long March‑8 and a further five satellites — the 21st GuoWang group — on a modified Long March‑6A from Taiyuan. The flights advance deployments for the Thousand Sails and GuoWang megaconstellations.

2026-04-09T07:32:22.318213-07:00

China lofts 18 LEO internet satellites on Long March‑8 and adds five more on modified Long March‑6A

Payload

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State of launch 2026: cadence and deadline constraints are picking winners and losers Launch capacity and schedule constraints are creating decisive capability gates in 2026. Customers tied to firm deadlines — exemplified by Pentagon programs with Golden Dome‑style milestones — risk losing eligibility if providers cannot meet timing. Launch cadence and assured access are becoming as critical as capability or cost.

2026-04-09T05:56:32.105490-07:00

State of launch 2026: cadence and deadline constraints are picking winners and losers

European Spaceflight

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ESA paid €82 million for Sentinel‑1D launch on Ariane 6 (Ariane 62) in November 2025 ESA disclosed it paid €82 million to launch the Sentinel‑1D Earth observation satellite aboard an Ariane 6 two‑booster (Ariane 62) vehicle in November 2025. The agency released the figure publicly as the officially reported launch procurement cost for the mission.

2026-04-08T23:06:13.969842-07:00

ESA paid €82 million for Sentinel‑1D launch on Ariane 6 (Ariane 62) in November 2025

Reuters

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Artemis II returns after lunar flyby; Orion set for Pacific splashdown off San Diego Artemis II's four-person crew is returning to Earth after a historic lunar flyby, carrying more than 175 GB of mission data. Orion is targeting Pacific splashdown off San Diego on Friday, April 10, after astronauts tested spacesuits and manual piloting — a key step toward resuming crewed lunar landings.

2026-04-08T15:12:04.671164-07:00

Artemis II returns after lunar flyby; Orion set for Pacific splashdown off San Diego

Ars Technica

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NASA nears Artemis III orbit decision as it readies third SLS core-stage rollout NASA is finalizing Artemis III mission decisions — notably the spacecraft’s initial lunar orbit and overall mission profile — even as Orion continues flight operations. The agency has opened public registration to watch the rollout of the third SLS core stage as hardware and timelines are finalized.

2026-04-08T08:40:27.976695-07:00

NASA nears Artemis III orbit decision as it readies third SLS core-stage rollout

NASA Spaceflight

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SpaceX continues refinements at Starbase Pad 2 ahead of Booster 19 return SpaceX is carrying out targeted refinements at its Starbase Pad 2 as teams prepare for the return of Booster 19. Work focuses on pad systems, commissioning and ground checks to ready the second Starbase pad for the booster’s upcoming return to operations.

2026-04-08T05:38:23.695094-07:00

SpaceX continues refinements at Starbase Pad 2 ahead of Booster 19 return

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Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation News

China lofts 18 LEO internet satellites on Long March‑8 and adds five more on modified Long March‑6A

State of launch 2026: cadence and deadline constraints are picking winners and losers

ESA paid €82 million for Sentinel‑1D launch on Ariane 6 (Ariane 62) in November 2025

Artemis II returns after lunar flyby; Orion set for Pacific splashdown off San Diego

News Timeline