Space Exploration & Science Missions News

SpaceNews.com • Jeff Foust

ESA selects Airbus Defence and Space to begin work on Aeolus-2 wind-monitoring satellite

The European Space Agency has selected Airbus Defence and Space to start work on Aeolus-2, the successor wind-monitoring satellite. The decision moves the program into the early development phase, setting the groundwork for continuity of space-based wind observations.

1 Source

2026-07-05T08:28:56.291134-07:00

Reuters

NASA launches (and briefly holds) orbital-rescue mission to raise the Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory’s orbit before reentry

35 Sources

2026-07-03T02:00:40.584972-07:00

SpaceNews.com

SpaceX IPO fallout: Starship reuse optimism collides with post-listing slump as short sellers pile in

17 Sources

2026-07-01T04:16:37.527166-07:00

AeroTime

NASA awards Moon Base Phase One lander and lunar science delivery contracts, targeting monthly landings with updated lander desi

20 Sources

2026-07-01T03:44:59.807551-07:00

Space Exploration & Science Missions News Timeline

SpaceNews.com

1 source

ESA selects Airbus Defence and Space to begin work on Aeolus-2 wind-monitoring satellite The European Space Agency has selected Airbus Defence and Space to start work on Aeolus-2, the successor wind-monitoring satellite. The decision moves the program into the early development phase, setting the groundwork for continuity of space-based wind observations.

2026-07-05T08:28:56.291134-07:00

ESA selects Airbus Defence and Space to begin work on Aeolus-2 wind-monitoring satellite

Reuters

35 sources

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NASA launches (and briefly holds) orbital-rescue mission to raise the Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory’s orbit before reentry NASA has launched a robotic LINK spacecraft to rendezvous with the aging Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory and boost it into a higher orbit ahead of a dangerous atmospheric reentry risk. The mission was executed by a U.S.-China–era tech supplier effort led by Arizona startup Katalyst after a last-minute launch issue delayed takeoff.

2026-07-03T02:00:40.584972-07:00

NASA launches (and briefly holds) orbital-rescue mission to raise the Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory’s orbit before reentry

Bloomberg

1 source

Roscosmos chief outlines high-stakes plan to restore Russia’s space program—after early missteps in efforts to catch SpaceX Russia’s space program leader has set an ambitious mandate to return Roscosmos to prominence and narrow the gap with SpaceX, but the effort has stumbled at the outset. The plan underscores how leadership priorities are being shaped by competitive pressure in the commercial launch and space services race.

2026-07-02T14:15:32.166451-07:00

Roscosmos chief outlines high-stakes plan to restore Russia’s space program—after early missteps in efforts to catch SpaceX

SpaceNews.com

1 source

Verde Technologies pivots perovskite solar from rooftops to space power for orbital data centers Verde Technologies says it is turning perovskite-based thin-film solar panels toward space commercialization, shifting away from a rooftop-first plan. The company is pitching the technology as an enabler for orbital data centers and other large constellation power needs.

2026-07-02T12:54:45.958109-07:00

Verde Technologies pivots perovskite solar from rooftops to space power for orbital data centers

SpaceNews.com

1 source

BGK and 3TS Capital Partners invest ~35 million zloty in Sybilla Technologies to expand into the U.S. Poland’s state-owned bank BGK and European venture capital firm 3TS Capital Partners have unveiled an investment of around 35 million zloty (about $10 million) in space tech startup Sybilla Technologies. The funding is aimed at enabling the company’s entry into the U.S. market.

2026-07-02T10:59:01.862950-07:00

BGK and 3TS Capital Partners invest ~35 million zloty in Sybilla Technologies to expand into the U.S.

Space.com

5 sources

ULA confirms Atlas V launch of 29 Amazon Leo satellites, completing another Leo broadband deployment from Florida United Launch Alliance deployed 29 Amazon Leo low-Earth-orbit broadband satellites on a July 2 launch from Florida, with ULA confirming the satellites’ insertion into orbit. The mission adds another batch to Amazon’s constellation deployment cadence using the Atlas V launcher.

2026-07-01T13:29:56.313042-07:00

ULA confirms Atlas V launch of 29 Amazon Leo satellites, completing another Leo broadband deployment from Florida

Payload

1 source

Lunar Forge proposes using lunar regolith to build low-cost fission-reactor infrastructure on the Moon Lunar Forge says its concept is to cut the cost of establishing surface fission power by using lunar regolith to form most of the reactor support and shielding structure. The approach targets a major reduction in the infrastructure required to house and protect a reactor core using locally available materials.

2026-07-01T05:51:07.565753-07:00

Lunar Forge proposes using lunar regolith to build low-cost fission-reactor infrastructure on the Moon

SpaceNews.com

17 sources

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SpaceX IPO fallout: Starship reuse optimism collides with post-listing slump as short sellers pile in SpaceX’s record-setting IPO has quickly turned volatile—peaking on its third day and down roughly 15% since—while short sellers now hold nearly a third of tradable shares, with paper losses approaching three-quarters of a billion dollars. The filing also points to asteroid mining as a long-term upside, as a Delaware judge moves a private-share dispute to arbitration.

2026-07-01T04:16:37.527166-07:00

SpaceX IPO fallout: Starship reuse optimism collides with post-listing slump as short sellers pile in

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