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SpaceNews.com • Andrew Jones

LandSpace’s improved Zhuque-2E Y5 enters service as China expands Qianfan constellation launches

LandSpace successfully flew the Zhuque-2E Y5 carrier rocket on a return-to-flight following upgrades, while a new batch of satellites was lofted into orbit for China’s Qianfan megaconstellation from multiple launch sites and centers. The launches underscore rapid iteration in private-sector Chinese launch vehicles and constellation buildout.

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

Space.com

Lasers used to study incoming space debris’s atmospheric impact

2026-05-13T08:39:11.333761-07:00

Space.com

SpaceX stacks, fuels and runs full wet dress rehearsal for Starship V3 Super Heavy as Booster 19 eyes a May test flight

2026-05-12T03:58:49.180951-07:00

SpaceNews.com

ESA and JAXA lock in joint Apophis close-flyby mission for 2029

2026-05-10T10:47:18.759164-07:00

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LandSpace’s improved Zhuque-2E Y5 enters service as China expands Qianfan constellation launches LandSpace successfully flew the Zhuque-2E Y5 carrier rocket on a return-to-flight following upgrades, while a new batch of satellites was lofted into orbit for China’s Qianfan megaconstellation from multiple launch sites and centers. The launches underscore rapid iteration in private-sector Chinese launch vehicles and constellation buildout.

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

LandSpace’s improved Zhuque-2E Y5 enters service as China expands Qianfan constellation launches

Ars Technica

US launches nuclear-in-orbit wargame to model how an LEO detonation could degrade orbit for up to a year U.S. officials say a simulated nuclear detonation in low Earth orbit could render portions of orbit “useless” for as long as a year, shaping degraded-operations scenarios for commanders. The new military wargame series tests consequences for space operations and decision-making under nuclear-induced orbital disruption.

2026-05-13T12:13:16.645141-07:00

US launches nuclear-in-orbit wargame to model how an LEO detonation could degrade orbit for up to a year

Space.com

Lasers used to study incoming space debris’s atmospheric impact Scientists are applying a new laser-based technique to observe incoming space debris and evaluate how it affects Earth’s atmosphere. The approach aims to improve understanding of debris-related “space junk air pollution” mechanisms rather than relying solely on orbital tracking and ground observations.

2026-05-13T08:39:11.333761-07:00

Lasers used to study incoming space debris’s atmospheric impact

Space.com

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SpaceX stacks, fuels and runs full wet dress rehearsal for Starship V3 Super Heavy as Booster 19 eyes a May test flight SpaceX has stacked and fueled a new Starship V3 configuration for the first time, including a full wet dress rehearsal of Ship 39 and Booster 19 on Starbase’s Pad 2. Separate reporting says all 33 Super Heavy engines were fired on the pad, with an anticipated first V3 flight in mid-May (May 15 or as soon as May 19).

2026-05-12T03:58:49.180951-07:00

SpaceX stacks, fuels and runs full wet dress rehearsal for Starship V3 Super Heavy as Booster 19 eyes a May test flight

SpaceNews.com

ESA and JAXA lock in joint Apophis close-flyby mission for 2029 ESA and JAXA have finalized an agreement to collaborate on a mission to study the Apophis asteroid during its close Earth flyby in 2029. The partnership formalizes international cooperation on near-Earth asteroid characterization around a high-profile encounter timeline.

2026-05-10T10:47:18.759164-07:00

ESA and JAXA lock in joint Apophis close-flyby mission for 2029

SpaceNews.com

Odin Space to open first U.S. office in Los Angeles to scale sub-centimeter orbital debris mapping British startup Odin Space plans to establish its first U.S. office in Los Angeles on May 7. The company focuses on mapping and analyzing sub-centimeter orbital debris—an increasingly critical capability as low Earth orbit congestion and conjunction risk rise.

2026-05-07T06:06:06.015254-07:00

Odin Space to open first U.S. office in Los Angeles to scale sub-centimeter orbital debris mapping

Via Satellite

Verizon expands satellite fleet for “satellite-everywhere” disaster-response failover Verizon is expanding its satellite fleet to support a “satellite-everywhere” approach for disaster response, moving toward a satellite-enabled failover strategy. A Verizon representative told Via Satellite that the expansion is designed to improve resilience when terrestrial networks are disrupted.

2026-05-06T13:46:09.767886-07:00

Verizon expands satellite fleet for “satellite-everywhere” disaster-response failover

Space.com

Close-proximity maneuvering: two Russian satellites reportedly pass within 10 feet (3 meters) in orbit Reporting says two Russian satellites recently came within about 10 feet (3 meters) of each other, highlighting advanced on-orbit maneuvering and proximity operations capabilities. The episode adds to a broader pattern of deliberate close-range behavior in space—raising both operational and safety questions.

2026-05-06T11:42:26.818665-07:00

Close-proximity maneuvering: two Russian satellites reportedly pass within 10 feet (3 meters) in orbit

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Space Debris & Traffic Management News

LandSpace’s improved Zhuque-2E Y5 enters service as China expands Qianfan constellation launches

Lasers used to study incoming space debris’s atmospheric impact

SpaceX stacks, fuels and runs full wet dress rehearsal for Starship V3 Super Heavy as Booster 19 eyes a May test flight

ESA and JAXA lock in joint Apophis close-flyby mission for 2029

News Timeline