NASA Spaceflight
• Martin Smith
China’s Wenchang Space Launch Site marked its 50th launch at the end of July, even as it suffered a third launch failure this week. The setbacks come alongside expanding activity across China’s launch sites, including deployments of AI-enabled and in-space computing satellites and preparations for a lunar south pole mission.
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China’s Wenchang Space Launch Site marked its 50th launch at the end of July, even as it suffered a third launch failure this week. The setbacks come alongside expanding activity across China’s launch sites, including deployments of AI-enabled and in-space computing satellites and preparations for a lunar south pole mission.
AST SpaceMobile says it expects to expand its low Earth orbit constellation from 13 to 45 satellites by early next year, supporting beta direct-to-device service in the U.S. this year with roughly half-day coverage. Continuous service is targeted for 2027, with 10 missions booked across two launch providers.
Starlink has excluded Poland from a 30-country roaming zone without explaining why, reviving tensions between Warsaw and Elon Musk. The decision carries added sensitivity because Ukraine relies on more than 50,000 Starlink terminals for its defense, most of them financed by Poland.
Satellite geospatial imagery provider Satellogic reported its first quarter with positive operating income and adjusted EBITDA, describing the result as confirmation of its turnaround year. The company said it expects the improved performance to continue through the remainder of the year and into 2027.
DARPA is seeking unconstrained concepts to defeat increasingly capable air defenses and make hypersonic cruise missiles affordable to manufacture at scale. In parallel, Lockheed Martin is investing in a Modular Payload Delivery System intended to adapt existing hypersonic missile bodies for offensive and defensive missions, alongside multi-orbit warning and communications capabilities.
SpaceX launched 24 additional Starlink satellites from California on Aug. 11, completing the company’s second Starlink mission of the day. The flight adds to the company’s global internet constellation and underscores the operational tempo supporting continued deployment of Starlink’s space-based network.
Lt. Col. Rick Zellman, deputy commander of US Space Command, identified directed-energy weapons, cyberattacks and strikes on communications hubs as potential means of disabling large satellite constellations. His remarks underscore both the vulnerability of space-based networks and the emerging military interest in laser systems.
Thaicom says its Airbus-built Thaicom 10 satellite will not enter service until the first half of 2029, citing launch availability. The further delay comes as the operator prepares to relocate customers ahead of Thaicom 4’s retirement and manages production delays affecting Astranis-built Thaicom 9.
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