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Spaceflight Now • Will Robinson-Smith

SpaceX to launch COSMO‑SkyMed Second Generation tonight — first mission of 2026

SpaceX will launch the COSMO‑SkyMed Second Generation mission at 9:09 p.m. ET tonight (Jan. 2). The liftoff is SpaceX's first orbital mission of 2026, offering live viewing for stakeholders tracking satellite deployments and early‑year launch cadence and operational planning.

2026-01-02T13:18:16.050212-08:00

CNBC

SpaceX IPO Set for 2026 Could Be Largest Ever as Investors Rally

2026-01-02T10:15:18.651001-08:00

Space.com

Return to the Moon in 2026: Artemis II and a crowded commercial lunar year

2026-01-02T09:07:54.883664-08:00

Payload

2025's Top VC Space Funding Rounds — the year of nine‑figure deals

2026-01-02T06:06:07.511102-08:00

News Timeline

Spaceflight Now

SpaceX to launch COSMO‑SkyMed Second Generation tonight — first mission of 2026 SpaceX will launch the COSMO‑SkyMed Second Generation mission at 9:09 p.m. ET tonight (Jan. 2). The liftoff is SpaceX's first orbital mission of 2026, offering live viewing for stakeholders tracking satellite deployments and early‑year launch cadence and operational planning.

2026-01-02T13:18:16.050212-08:00

SpaceX to launch COSMO‑SkyMed Second Generation tonight — first mission of 2026

CNBC

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SpaceX IPO Set for 2026 Could Be Largest Ever as Investors Rally SpaceX is planning an initial public offering in 2026 that could become the largest ever, as investors rally and throw their weight behind the company ahead of the listing. The development marks a major shift toward public-market financing for one of the world’s most valuable private space firms.

2026-01-02T10:15:18.651001-08:00

SpaceX IPO Set for 2026 Could Be Largest Ever as Investors Rally

Space.com

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Return to the Moon in 2026: Artemis II and a crowded commercial lunar year NASA’s Artemis II will return humans to the Moon in 2026, kick‑starting a year crowded with national and commercial lunar activity — including accelerated Chinese launch plans and heightened SpaceX involvement — that will reshape procurement, launch cadence and industrial priorities across the space sector.

2026-01-02T09:07:54.883664-08:00

Return to the Moon in 2026: Artemis II and a crowded commercial lunar year

mynews13.com

SpaceX set to launch Starlink 6-88 — Florida’s first liftoff of 2026 SpaceX is set to launch the Starlink 6-88 mission, which will be Florida’s first orbital liftoff of 2026. The flight, slated as the opening Space Coast launch of the year, continues SpaceX’s cadence of regular Starlink deployments to expand and replenish its broadband constellation.

2026-01-02T08:30:48.148907-08:00

SpaceX set to launch Starlink 6-88 — Florida’s first liftoff of 2026

European Spaceflight

Europe's 2026 launch manifest: Ariane 6, Vega C, Spectrum, MaiaSpace and PLD Space Miura 5 A comprehensive rundown of Europe’s 2026 launch manifest, detailing planned flights for Ariane 6 and Vega C alongside commercial newcomers Isar Aerospace’s Spectrum, MaiaSpace and PLD Space’s Miura 5. The overview compiles launch dates, mission roles and operator status across national and private programmes.

2026-01-02T07:07:54.021157-08:00

Europe's 2026 launch manifest: Ariane 6, Vega C, Spectrum, MaiaSpace and PLD Space Miura 5

Payload

2025's Top VC Space Funding Rounds — the year of nine‑figure deals Venture capital in 2025 produced multiple nine‑figure financings in commercial space, directing large-scale capital into launch, satellite and downstream startups. This roundup identifies the biggest VC rounds of the year — a period defined by $100m+ investments that reshaped funding concentration in new space.

2026-01-02T06:06:07.511102-08:00

2025's Top VC Space Funding Rounds — the year of nine‑figure deals

Via Satellite

Space Force awards VOX Space $35M for three dedicated LauncherOne missions The U.S. Space Force has awarded Virgin Orbit subsidiary VOX Space a $35 million contract to conduct three dedicated launches using the air-launched LauncherOne vehicle. The award secures dedicated small‑sat access for national‑security missions under the Space Force’s procurement plan.

2026-01-02T05:01:46.103048-08:00

Space Force awards VOX Space $35M for three dedicated LauncherOne missions

European Spaceflight

ESA approves development of Denmark’s first lunar mission; launch targeted for 2029 The European Space Agency has approved development of Denmark’s first mission to the Moon, allowing the programme to proceed under ESA oversight and enter initial development activities. ESA and Danish authorities currently target the mission’s launch for 2029, marking Denmark’s first planned lunar flight.

2026-01-02T00:25:51.299307-08:00

ESA approves development of Denmark’s first lunar mission; launch targeted for 2029

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Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation News

SpaceX to launch COSMO‑SkyMed Second Generation tonight — first mission of 2026

SpaceX IPO Set for 2026 Could Be Largest Ever as Investors Rally

Return to the Moon in 2026: Artemis II and a crowded commercial lunar year

2025's Top VC Space Funding Rounds — the year of nine‑figure deals

News Timeline