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SpaceNews.com • Andrew Jones

China launches twin Long March missions to expand GuoWang and Thousand Sails megaconstellations

China launched two Long March missions this week — a Long March‑8 from Hainan carrying 18 communications satellites for the Thousand Sails project, and a modified Long March‑6A from Taiyuan that delivered five satellites as the 21st group for the state‑backed GuoWang low‑Earth‑orbit internet constellation.

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

SpaceNews.com

China launches twin Long March missions to expand GuoWang and Thousand Sails megaconstellations China launched two Long March missions this week — a Long March‑8 from Hainan carrying 18 communications satellites for the Thousand Sails project, and a modified Long March‑6A from Taiyuan that delivered five satellites as the 21st group for the state‑backed GuoWang low‑Earth‑orbit internet constellation.

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

China launches twin Long March missions to expand GuoWang and Thousand Sails megaconstellations

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

Reuters

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SpaceX targets $1.75tn valuation, plans ~£60bn ($75bn) IPO with up to 30% retail allocation SpaceX is preparing an IPO that targets a roughly £1.4tn ($1.75tn) valuation and plans to raise about £60bn (~$75bn), with retail investors potentially allocated up to 30%—a proposal that would rank the company among the world’s largest public firms and far exceed prior private-market levels.

2026-04-08T02:11:10.331452-07:00

SpaceX targets $1.75tn valuation, plans ~£60bn ($75bn) IPO with up to 30% retail allocation

Sky News

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Artemis II begins return to Earth after historic lunar flyby as Orion executes first return burn Following a historic lunar flyby on April 6, NASA's Artemis II entered its return phase on Flight Day 7 as the Orion spacecraft Integrity executed a 15‑second return correction burn at 8:03 p.m. EDT. The crew report high spirits and NASA says Orion is "performing spectacularly" despite a lingering waste‑tank evacuation issue.

2026-04-07T15:07:43.862320-07:00

Artemis II begins return to Earth after historic lunar flyby as Orion executes first return burn

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Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation News

China launches twin Long March missions to expand GuoWang and Thousand Sails megaconstellations

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