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Space.com • Andrew Jones

Japan’s MMX mission to Mars’ moon Phobos reaches launch pad ahead of 2031 sample return

JAXA’s Martian Moons eXploration (MMX) has arrived at the launch pad for its Phobos sample-return mission. The complex endeavor targets return of Phobos material to Earth in 2031, aiming to clarify the origins of Mars’ two small moons, Phobos and Deimos.

2026-04-23T06:06:00.960977-07:00

Payload

Astrobotic conducts NASA Marshall hot-fire tests of Chakram engine prototype for lunar lander power

2026-04-23T05:20:30.703779-07:00

European Spaceflight

The Exploration Company signs MoU with OCCAM Space to develop clampband separation system for Nyx capsule

2026-04-23T04:06:44.828915-07:00

Skies Magazine

Canada introduces the Canadian Space Launch Act to regulate sovereign launch and re-entry from Canadian territory

2026-04-22T06:20:29.478346-07:00

News Timeline

Space.com

Japan’s MMX mission to Mars’ moon Phobos reaches launch pad ahead of 2031 sample return JAXA’s Martian Moons eXploration (MMX) has arrived at the launch pad for its Phobos sample-return mission. The complex endeavor targets return of Phobos material to Earth in 2031, aiming to clarify the origins of Mars’ two small moons, Phobos and Deimos.

2026-04-23T06:06:00.960977-07:00

Japan’s MMX mission to Mars’ moon Phobos reaches launch pad ahead of 2031 sample return

Payload

Astrobotic conducts NASA Marshall hot-fire tests of Chakram engine prototype for lunar lander power Astrobotic tested one of its two Chakram engine prototypes with a continuous 300-second hot-fire at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama. The run is part of a broader prototype test campaign intended to validate power-plant performance for future Moon missions.

2026-04-23T05:20:30.703779-07:00

Astrobotic conducts NASA Marshall hot-fire tests of Chakram engine prototype for lunar lander power

European Spaceflight

The Exploration Company signs MoU with OCCAM Space to develop clampband separation system for Nyx capsule The Exploration Company has signed an MoU with OCCAM Space to develop a clampband separation system for its Nyx capsule. The agreement centers on the capsule separation mechanism—an enabling subsystem for safe separation and spacecraft mission operations.

2026-04-23T04:06:44.828915-07:00

The Exploration Company signs MoU with OCCAM Space to develop clampband separation system for Nyx capsule

Lockheed Martin

Lockheed Martin Q1 2026 results: flat sales, profit pressure, aeronautics hit by F-16/C-130 issues as missile-defense growth off Lockheed Martin reported flat Q1 2026 sales and lower earnings, missing estimates on revenue, margins, and cash flow (cash from operations $220M; free cash flow -$291M) while reaffirming its 2026 outlook. The company cited F-16 and C-130 program issues weighing on aeronautics, even as missile-defense growth and a $25M Fortem deal supported backlog.

2026-04-23T03:35:01.360735-07:00

Lockheed Martin Q1 2026 results: flat sales, profit pressure, aeronautics hit by F-16/C-130 issues as missile-defense growth off

The Economist

Anduril, Palantir and SpaceX emerge as “neo-primes” reshaping how the US wages war as Iran war refines requirements An opinion piece argues the Trump administration is aligning with a “neo-prime” circle—Anduril, Palantir and SpaceX—to change US force employment. It frames the Iran war as a pressure test that is reshaping defense-tech priorities, operational concepts and the balance between autonomy/AI and space-enabled capabilities.

2026-04-23T00:06:11.258886-07:00

Anduril, Palantir and SpaceX emerge as “neo-primes” reshaping how the US wages war as Iran war refines requirements

Spaceflight Now

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SpaceX targets Vandenberg Falcon 9 launch of 25 Starlink satellites on a high-cadence 40th Starlink mission of the year SpaceX is scheduled to launch its 40th Starlink mission of 2026 when a Falcon 9 lifts off from Vandenberg Space Force Base carrying 25 Starlink satellites. The flight continues the company’s sustained pace of Starlink deployment using Falcon 9 from the California launch site.

2026-04-22T17:23:44.726301-07:00

SpaceX targets Vandenberg Falcon 9 launch of 25 Starlink satellites on a high-cadence 40th Starlink mission of the year

DefenseNews.com

Lockheed Martin selected to develop UK’s first domestic commercial spaceport at Melness, Scotland The UK has picked Lockheed Martin to help develop its first domestic commercial spaceport in Melness, Scotland. The effort is framed as potential future support for U.S. military satellite launches, as governments seek reliable routes to orbit.

2026-04-22T14:34:54.280650-07:00

Lockheed Martin selected to develop UK’s first domestic commercial spaceport at Melness, Scotland

Space.com

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Rocket Lab Electron to launch JAXA “Kakushin Rising” mission, deploying 8 Japanese satellites including origami-fold antenna Rocket Lab is set to launch its second Electron/JAXA dedicated mission, “Kakushin Rising,” delivering eight Japanese satellites into orbit. The payload set includes a spacecraft featuring an origami-folded antenna, as part of JAXA’s Innovative Satellite Technology Demonstration Program.

2026-04-22T10:06:44.189999-07:00

Rocket Lab Electron to launch JAXA “Kakushin Rising” mission, deploying 8 Japanese satellites including origami-fold antenna

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Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation News

Japan’s MMX mission to Mars’ moon Phobos reaches launch pad ahead of 2031 sample return

Astrobotic conducts NASA Marshall hot-fire tests of Chakram engine prototype for lunar lander power

The Exploration Company signs MoU with OCCAM Space to develop clampband separation system for Nyx capsule

Canada introduces the Canadian Space Launch Act to regulate sovereign launch and re-entry from Canadian territory

News Timeline