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SpaceNews.com • Andrew Jones

ESA–China SMILE mission slips into its launch phase May 19 to map the shape of Earth’s magnetosphere

ESA and China’s SMILE spacecraft is scheduled to launch May 19 after about a decade of preparation. The mission aims to deliver a “wide and unique” view of how solar wind streams and bursts of radiation from the Sun reshape Earth’s invisible magnetic shield—after an extensive pre-launch journey.

2026-05-15T11:15:23.779720-07:00

SpaceNews.com

MinoSpace IPO application accepted as Chinese satellite maker seeks $736M to scale constellation plans

2026-05-15T02:13:39.943895-07:00

SpaceNews.com

Cowboy Space files with FCC for up to 20,000 LEO “orbital data centers” as it raises $275M

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

CNBC

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

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

News Timeline

SpaceNews.com

ESA–China SMILE mission slips into its launch phase May 19 to map the shape of Earth’s magnetosphere ESA and China’s SMILE spacecraft is scheduled to launch May 19 after about a decade of preparation. The mission aims to deliver a “wide and unique” view of how solar wind streams and bursts of radiation from the Sun reshape Earth’s invisible magnetic shield—after an extensive pre-launch journey.

2026-05-15T11:15:23.779720-07:00

ESA–China SMILE mission slips into its launch phase May 19 to map the shape of Earth’s magnetosphere

SpaceWatch Global

GEOINT 2026 and Europe’s GEOINT “plumbing” gap: integration, governance and trustworthy agentic AI SpaceWatchGL analysis frames GEOINT 2026 as a mission driven by integration and “trustworthy agentic AI,” shifting the focus from data collection bottlenecks to governance and system interoperability. The piece argues Europe—specifically Germany and the BMVg—risks falling behind on the underlying infrastructure and operational “plumbing” required to deliver GEOINT at scale.

2026-05-15T04:11:09.934718-07:00

GEOINT 2026 and Europe’s GEOINT “plumbing” gap: integration, governance and trustworthy agentic AI

SpaceNews.com

MinoSpace IPO application accepted as Chinese satellite maker seeks $736M to scale constellation plans Chinese satellite manufacturer MinoSpace says its IPO application has been accepted, seeking $736 million to fund constellation and product expansion. The filing signals continued capital-market momentum for domestic space players looking to scale satellite capacity and offerings.

2026-05-15T02:13:39.943895-07:00

MinoSpace IPO application accepted as Chinese satellite maker seeks $736M to scale constellation plans

SpaceWatch Global

AGO’s McMullan warns GEOINT agencies face an “existential” pace-and-relevance test as Australia pushes maritime domain awareness In a GEOINT 2026 keynote, AGO Director Kathryn McMullan said GEOINT agencies are confronting an existential test of pace and relevance. She framed Australia’s strategic “paradox” through maritime domain awareness priorities and highlighted partnerships spanning Five Eyes and extending to Japan.

2026-05-15T01:23:42.652946-07:00

AGO’s McMullan warns GEOINT agencies face an “existential” pace-and-relevance test as Australia pushes maritime domain awareness

SpaceNews.com

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Cowboy Space files with FCC for up to 20,000 LEO “orbital data centers” as it raises $275M Cowboy Space—backed by a $275M round led by Index Ventures—has filed FCC plans for a “Stampede” constellation of up to 20,000 satellites intended to serve as an orbital data-center network. The company’s rockets would host compute in upper stages, targeting an “AI in orbit” architecture.

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

Cowboy Space files with FCC for up to 20,000 LEO “orbital data centers” as it raises $275M

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

Intuitive Machines to acquire UK deep-space communications operator Goonhilly Earth Station Intuitive Machines has entered a definitive agreement to purchase Goonhilly Earth Station Ltd, the UK provider of lunar and deep-space communications, with the deal subject to regulatory approval. The acquisition is positioned to expand Intuitive’s integrated space-to-Earth network, boosting deep-space capacity for communications and PNT services.

2026-05-14T13:23:28.353289-07:00

Intuitive Machines to acquire UK deep-space communications operator Goonhilly Earth Station

SpaceWatch Global

Opinion: Planetary defense at the 41st Space Symposium signals a shift into the US “commercial supremacy” architecture At the 41st Space Symposium, planetary defense and multilateral space-policy discussions appeared to be moving toward the US commercial-supremacy framework, reflecting a broader effort to align security missions with commercial space architectures. The takeaway: planetary defense is increasingly being treated as an ecosystem problem, not a stand-alone capability.

2026-05-14T02:47:28.299086-07:00

Opinion: Planetary defense at the 41st Space Symposium signals a shift into the US “commercial supremacy” architecture

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Space Policy & International Cooperation News

ESA–China SMILE mission slips into its launch phase May 19 to map the shape of Earth’s magnetosphere

MinoSpace IPO application accepted as Chinese satellite maker seeks $736M to scale constellation plans

Cowboy Space files with FCC for up to 20,000 LEO “orbital data centers” as it raises $275M

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

News Timeline