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Reuters

SpaceX pivots to Moon-first strategy: Musk prioritises self‑sustaining lunar city, delays Mars

Elon Musk said SpaceX is shifting its primary human‑settlement focus from Mars to building a "self‑growing", self‑sustaining city on the Moon, arguing lunar development offers faster launch cadence and feasibility with a sub‑10‑year timeline. Mars ambitions are being paused while resources concentrate on rapid lunar settlement.

2026-02-08T15:59:33.293582-08:00

NASA Spaceflight

SpaceX Starbase approved to nearly double launch‑site footprint

2026-02-07T11:59:02.501994-08:00

Reuters

China launches Shenlong reusable spaceplane on fourth secretive orbital mission

2026-02-07T02:48:44.258329-08:00

Reuters

SpaceX pauses 2026 Mars push to prioritise a 2027 uncrewed lunar landing

2026-02-06T16:13:39.939476-08:00

News Timeline

Reuters

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SpaceX pivots to Moon-first strategy: Musk prioritises self‑sustaining lunar city, delays Mars Elon Musk said SpaceX is shifting its primary human‑settlement focus from Mars to building a "self‑growing", self‑sustaining city on the Moon, arguing lunar development offers faster launch cadence and feasibility with a sub‑10‑year timeline. Mars ambitions are being paused while resources concentrate on rapid lunar settlement.

2026-02-08T15:59:33.293582-08:00

SpaceX pivots to Moon-first strategy: Musk prioritises self‑sustaining lunar city, delays Mars

SpaceNews.com

SpaceX IPO could drive investor interest across public-space sector An investor in two space companies that listed in the past year said a forthcoming SpaceX IPO could reignite investor appetite for commercial space. The listing may unlock fresh capital flows into satellite and launch firms, lifting valuations and liquidity for public and pre‑IPO peers.

2026-02-07T12:47:21.171500-08:00

SpaceX IPO could drive investor interest across public-space sector

NASA Spaceflight

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SpaceX Starbase approved to nearly double launch‑site footprint Regulators have approved SpaceX’s plan to nearly double the footprint of its Starbase launch site, clearing space for expanded ground infrastructure and operational activity. The decision arrives as the company pushes to conduct Flight 12 from the Texas complex, advancing Starship test operations.

2026-02-07T11:59:02.501994-08:00

SpaceX Starbase approved to nearly double launch‑site footprint

Reuters

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China launches Shenlong reusable spaceplane on fourth secretive orbital mission China launched the Shenlong reusable spaceplane for a fourth secretive orbital mission, lifting off from Jiuquan on a Long March booster. Beijing kept tight control over mission details as observers again compared the program to the U.S. X-37B, underscoring advancing reusable on‑orbit capability.

2026-02-07T02:48:44.258329-08:00

China launches Shenlong reusable spaceplane on fourth secretive orbital mission

Spaceflight Now

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SpaceX returns Falcon 9 to flight with Starlink 17‑33; 25 satellites lift to a >9,600-strong constellation SpaceX launched a Falcon 9 on a return-to-flight mission after a brief stand‑down, carrying the Starlink 17‑33 payload of 25 broadband satellites into low Earth orbit. The flight expands SpaceX's megaconstellation, pushing its operational fleet past 9,600 satellites as deployment continues.

2026-02-07T00:33:51.287105-08:00

SpaceX returns Falcon 9 to flight with Starlink 17‑33; 25 satellites lift to a >9,600-strong constellation

Reuters

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SpaceX pauses 2026 Mars push to prioritise a 2027 uncrewed lunar landing SpaceX has shelved plans for 2026 Mars missions to concentrate on an uncrewed lunar landing now targeted for March 2027, a move attributed to NASA pressure and rising competition from Blue Origin while the company pursues a major xAI merger and a possible IPO.

2026-02-06T16:13:39.939476-08:00

SpaceX pauses 2026 Mars push to prioritise a 2027 uncrewed lunar landing

Spaceflight Now

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SpaceX moves Dragon flights from KSC LC‑39A to Cape Canaveral SLC‑40 as 39A is repurposed for Starship SpaceX is moving all planned Dragon launches from NASA’s historic Launch Complex 39A to Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, and has begun physical modifications at LC‑39A — including erection of a Leibherr LR13000 crane Feb. 4 — as the pad is repurposed for Starship.

2026-02-06T13:28:55.259770-08:00

SpaceX moves Dragon flights from KSC LC‑39A to Cape Canaveral SLC‑40 as 39A is repurposed for Starship

Via Satellite

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Blue Origin targets satellite constellations with TeraWave as analysts assess competitive positioning Blue Origin is entering the satellite constellation market with a new offering, TeraWave, marking one of the year's biggest strategic pivots. Analysts are assessing its competitive positioning against established constellation operators and suppliers as the company expands beyond launch into spacecraft and services.

2026-02-06T11:40:17.967884-08:00

Blue Origin targets satellite constellations with TeraWave as analysts assess competitive positioning

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Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation News

SpaceX pivots to Moon-first strategy: Musk prioritises self‑sustaining lunar city, delays Mars

SpaceX Starbase approved to nearly double launch‑site footprint

China launches Shenlong reusable spaceplane on fourth secretive orbital mission

SpaceX pauses 2026 Mars push to prioritise a 2027 uncrewed lunar landing

News Timeline