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CNBC • Leslie Picker, Morgan Brennan

SpaceX IPO set for a record $1.75tn valuation, with Mars-linked control provisions and shifting investor exit mechanics

SpaceX’s IPO is moving toward a potential next-month debut at an expected ~$1.75tn valuation, with investors weighing governance trade-offs including weak shareholder rights and a Mars-linked pay/control deal for Elon Musk. The filing reportedly also changes how investors can buy, structure acquisitions/SPACs, and exit holdings, as Blue Origin considers external fundraising.

2026-05-14T13:54:43.782572-07:00

SpaceNews.com

Cowboy Space files FCC plans for up to 20,000 LEO “Stampede” satellites, backed by $275M funding push and Seattle hub hiring

2026-05-14T15:06:34.545853-07:00

SpaceNews.com

China steps up Qianfan growth with improved Zhuque-2E Y5 return-to-flight and fresh Long March 6A satellite group

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

News Timeline

Universe Today

Artemis III: NASA’s next crewed Moon mission must prove mission architecture and systems readiness after Artemis II Artemis III is positioned as the pivotal step that must succeed before NASA can return humans to the lunar surface. The cluster looks back at Artemis II’s crewed, around-the-Moon mission as the latest global benchmark for deep-space human operations—and a proof point for what Artemis III has to de-risk next.

2026-05-15T00:10:25.542881-07:00

Artemis III: NASA’s next crewed Moon mission must prove mission architecture and systems readiness after Artemis II

SpaceNews.com

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Cowboy Space files FCC plans for up to 20,000 LEO “Stampede” satellites, backed by $275M funding push and Seattle hub hiring Cowboy Space has filed with the FCC for an orbital data-center constellation it calls “Stampede,” targeting up to 20,000 satellites for on-orbit compute services. The filing follows a $275 million fundraise aimed at developing rockets with upper stages designed to carry the computing payloads, alongside a planned Seattle-based expansion.

2026-05-14T15:06:34.545853-07:00

Cowboy Space files FCC plans for up to 20,000 LEO “Stampede” satellites, backed by $275M funding push and Seattle hub hiring

CNBC

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SpaceX IPO set for a record $1.75tn valuation, with Mars-linked control provisions and shifting investor exit mechanics SpaceX’s IPO is moving toward a potential next-month debut at an expected ~$1.75tn valuation, with investors weighing governance trade-offs including weak shareholder rights and a Mars-linked pay/control deal for Elon Musk. The filing reportedly also changes how investors can buy, structure acquisitions/SPACs, and exit holdings, as Blue Origin considers external fundraising.

2026-05-14T13:54:43.782572-07:00

SpaceX IPO set for a record $1.75tn valuation, with Mars-linked control provisions and shifting investor exit mechanics

SpaceNews.com

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China steps up Qianfan growth with improved Zhuque-2E Y5 return-to-flight and fresh Long March 6A satellite group LandSpace returned the upgraded Zhuque-2E (Y5) carrier rocket to flight after an inert customized test load, proving new systems during an orbital demonstration. Separately, China lofted a new batch of satellites for the Qianfan megaconstellation, underscoring accelerating commercial constellation deployment via both LandSpace’s vehicles and Long March 6A launches from Taiyuan.

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

China steps up Qianfan growth with improved Zhuque-2E Y5 return-to-flight and fresh Long March 6A satellite group

European Spaceflight

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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

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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

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Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation News

SpaceX IPO set for a record $1.75tn valuation, with Mars-linked control provisions and shifting investor exit mechanics

Cowboy Space files FCC plans for up to 20,000 LEO “Stampede” satellites, backed by $275M funding push and Seattle hub hiring

China steps up Qianfan growth with improved Zhuque-2E Y5 return-to-flight and fresh Long March 6A satellite group

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

News Timeline