News

SpaceNews.com • Andrew Jones

LandSpace’s improved Zhuque-2E Y5 debuts on China launches; Qianfan adds a new batch of constellation satellites

LandSpace launched the upgraded Zhuque-2E Y5 into orbit on China’s Dongfeng commercial space pilot zone, positioning the vehicle for a higher-capability commercial manifest. Separately, China lofted another satellite group for the Qianfan megaconstellation, extending the constellation’s ongoing replenishment cadence.

2026-05-14T03:09:16.277854-07:00

European Spaceflight

ESA opens €16M Boost! sounding-rocket call to fly five experiments in 2027-28

2026-05-14T02:37:04.116348-07:00

SpaceNews.com

Northrop Grumman’s LR-450 targets GPS-denied navigation for mid-size satellites

2026-05-13T07:26:11.975612-07:00

Payload

LEAP Launch’s Bullfrog completes first suborbital flight; pathway opened for up to four more missions in 2026 and a Bighorn upgr

2026-05-13T06:47:12.366579-07:00

News Timeline

SpaceNews.com

❗️

LandSpace’s improved Zhuque-2E Y5 debuts on China launches; Qianfan adds a new batch of constellation satellites LandSpace launched the upgraded Zhuque-2E Y5 into orbit on China’s Dongfeng commercial space pilot zone, positioning the vehicle for a higher-capability commercial manifest. Separately, China lofted another satellite group for the Qianfan megaconstellation, extending the constellation’s ongoing replenishment cadence.

2026-05-14T03:09:16.277854-07:00

LandSpace’s improved Zhuque-2E Y5 debuts on China launches; Qianfan adds a new batch of constellation satellites

European Spaceflight

ESA opens €16M Boost! sounding-rocket call to fly five experiments in 2027-28 ESA has reopened a €16 million call under its Boost! programme to support one or more European sounding-rocket mission campaigns carrying five experiments in 2027 or 2028. The initiative is designed to spur European companies developing and operating space-transport services.

2026-05-14T02:37:04.116348-07:00

ESA opens €16M Boost! sounding-rocket call to fly five experiments in 2027-28

SpaceWatch Global

Anduril picks Rocket Lab’s HASTE for multiple hypersonic test launches in a $30M award Anduril Industries has selected Rocket Lab to conduct multiple hypersonic test flights using Rocket Lab’s HASTE launch vehicle, in a deal valued at $30 million. The move expands Anduril’s test-launch execution for hypersonic experimentation and reinforces Rocket Lab’s role in high-cadence hypersonic programs.

2026-05-14T00:30:59.143326-07:00

Anduril picks Rocket Lab’s HASTE for multiple hypersonic test launches in a $30M award

AeroTime

Google in talks with SpaceX to launch “Project Suncatcher” tests for space-based AI data centers Reports say Google and SpaceX are in discussions to launch orbital AI data centers, advancing “Project Suncatcher” as a route to space-hosted compute. The effort would position SpaceX as a preferred launch partner for on-orbit testing that could reshape AI infrastructure requirements and architectures.

2026-05-13T13:57:47.751602-07:00

Google in talks with SpaceX to launch “Project Suncatcher” tests for space-based AI data centers

SpaceNews.com

❗️

Northrop Grumman’s LR-450 targets GPS-denied navigation for mid-size satellites Northrop Grumman is rolling out the LR-450, a compact inertial positioning and navigation system derived from James Webb Space Telescope guidance technologies. The LR-450 is designed to provide continuous, precise spacecraft tracking and orientation even when external satellite signals are unavailable, addressing weakened navigation coverage beyond Earth orbit.

2026-05-13T07:26:11.975612-07:00

Northrop Grumman’s LR-450 targets GPS-denied navigation for mid-size satellites

Payload

❗️

LEAP Launch’s Bullfrog completes first suborbital flight; pathway opened for up to four more missions in 2026 and a Bighorn upgr CO-based LEAP Launch successfully flew its Bullfrog suborbital launch vehicle, a first major milestone that enables up to four additional flights this year. The demonstration also advances the company’s roadmap toward a 2028 first flight of its upgraded orbital launcher, Bighorn.

2026-05-13T06:47:12.366579-07:00

LEAP Launch’s Bullfrog completes first suborbital flight; pathway opened for up to four more missions in 2026 and a Bighorn upgr

SpaceNews.com

FCC greenlights SpaceX’s EchoStar spectrum purchase for US direct-to-device—ties approval to $2.4B escrow amid upper C-band tran The FCC has approved SpaceX’s acquisition of EchoStar spectrum to expand U.S. direct-to-device services, contingent on a $2.4 billion escrow arrangement linked to disputes over EchoStar’s abandoned terrestrial 5G buildout. Separately, the FCC’s FCC 26-26 report formalizes a broader shift to spectrum sharing and mandates auctions of remaining Upper C-band by mid-2027.

2026-05-12T16:35:38.746696-07:00

FCC greenlights SpaceX’s EchoStar spectrum purchase for US direct-to-device—ties approval to $2.4B escrow amid upper C-band tran

Space.com

❗️

SpaceX targets May 19 for IFT-12 using redesigned Starship V3/“biggest” Super Heavy launch at Starbase’s Launch Pad 2 SpaceX says it is targeting May 19 for the 12th Starship Integrated Flight Test (IFT-12), following a successful integrated tanking test on Monday. Reporting tied to the campaign frames May 19 as the maiden flight of the redesigned Starship V3, with next steps geared toward a major follow-on Starship Super Heavy test launch in late May.

2026-05-12T16:06:20.743251-07:00

SpaceX targets May 19 for IFT-12 using redesigned Starship V3/“biggest” Super Heavy launch at Starbase’s Launch Pad 2

Menu

Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation News

LandSpace’s improved Zhuque-2E Y5 debuts on China launches; Qianfan adds a new batch of constellation satellites

ESA opens €16M Boost! sounding-rocket call to fly five experiments in 2027-28

Northrop Grumman’s LR-450 targets GPS-denied navigation for mid-size satellites

LEAP Launch’s Bullfrog completes first suborbital flight; pathway opened for up to four more missions in 2026 and a Bighorn upgr

News Timeline