Space Exploration & Science Missions News

Payload

High activity

U.S. awards Boeing $14.7B Patriot seeker contract as DoD funds Kymeta terminal upgrades and Rheinmetall-Iceye starts German SAR

Boeing’s contract supports plans to triple production of PAC-3 MSE seekers for Patriot interceptors, while the Pentagon is funding Kymeta to add edge computing, software-defined radio and RF sensing to its Osprey u8 terminal. Separately, Rheinmetall-Iceye has begun production of military SAR satellites under a 40-satellite German order.

NASA Spaceflight

High activity

NASA stacks Artemis III SLS booster segments on Mobile Launcher 1

NASA has stacked the center segments of both Space Launch System solid rocket boosters for Artemis III on Mobile Launcher 1. The work advances booster assembly ahead of mating the boosters with the rocket’s core stage, a key step in preparing the vehicle for the mission.

SpaceWatch Global

High activity

Türkiye outlines sovereign space ambitions at IAC 2026, including a 198-satellite LEO network and lunar mission

Day two of the International Astronautical Congress featured Aselsan’s planned 198-satellite low Earth orbit network, Fergani’s navigation constellation, a proposed spaceport in Somalia and Türkiye’s Moon mission. Together, the announcements span satellite infrastructure, navigation, launch access and exploration, presenting a broad national space agenda.

SpaceWatch Global

High activity

At IAC 2026, Türkiye pitches space partnerships, independent access and homegrown satellite capability

Türkiye used the 77th International Astronautical Congress in Antalya to promote its space ambitions and international partnerships. Roketsan is seeking cooperation on launch systems and orbital technologies, while Turkish Aerospace Industries plans to launch its first optical Earth-observation satellite, Hursat-1, in mid-2027; ESA also held high-level meetings with partners.

NASA Spaceflight

High activity

ESA and China’s SMILE mission begins science operations after commissioning

The joint European Space Agency–Chinese Academy of Sciences Solar Wind Magnetosphere Ionosphere Link Explorer has entered scientific operations following its May launch and a multi-month commissioning period. ESA and CAS released the mission’s first images, marking the transition from spacecraft checkout to planned research.

FlightGlobal

UAE unveils probe for its most ambitious asteroid mission

The United Arab Emirates has publicly revealed the probe for its MRB Explorer asteroid mission, describing the project as a significant turning point in the country’s effort to become a leading spacefaring nation. The unveiling marks a prominent step in the UAE’s expanding space ambitions.

SpaceNews.com

High activity

SpaceX IPO Highlights Investor Appetite as Commercial and Defense Space Infrastructure Expands

SpaceX’s reported public offering has drawn exceptional investor attention, while NorthStar Earth & Space has also begun trading after a SPAC merger. The cluster spans commercial orbital infrastructure, including an AI data-center test, alongside the Space Development Agency’s continued deployment of data-transport satellites.

Space.com

High activity

SpaceX Crew-13 reaches ISS in under eight hours, setting a U.S. crewed-spaceflight speed record

A SpaceX Crew Dragon carrying four astronauts from the United States, Canada and Russia docked with the International Space Station less than eight hours after launching from Florida. The rapid transit marked the fastest journey to the ISS by a U.S. spacecraft, according to the reports.