Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation   Commercial Space  
Bloomberg • Loren Grush

SpaceX Starship payload shortfall prompts spending surge as company fixes capacity gap

Reporting says SpaceX is grappling with Starship’s inability to carry the promised payload to orbit, even as the program nears a decade-long effort to perfect fully reusable launch. Separate reporting puts Starship investment at more than $15 billion amid a push to close performance gaps.

2026-05-20T07:13:02.742786-07:00
China   Supply Chain   Commercial Space   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact   Export Controls & Trade Compliance  
NEW
SpaceNews.com • Sandra Erwin

Report finds U.S. space supply chains rely heavily on Chinese manufacturing

By SpaceNews.com: WASHINGTON — A new report from supply-chain intelligence firm Altana quantifies the extent to which the U.S. commercial space industry remains dependent on components sourced from Chinese suppliers.

2026-05-20T07:12:54.171971-07:00
Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation   Space Exploration & Science Missions   Commercial Space   NASA  
NEW
SpaceNews.com • Jason Rainbow

Starfighters turns Texas facility toward microgravity flight testing

By SpaceNews.com: Starfighters Space, which is developing F-104 supersonic jets for satellite air-launch, is turning its Texas facility into a staging ground for microgravity flight testing in response to NASA’s call for information on commercial parabolic capabilities.

Also: Business Wire and Business Wire
2026-05-20T07:22:40.272787-07:00
China   Space Exploration & Science Missions   Space Policy & International Cooperation   Policy & Regulation   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact   NASA  
Payload • Elizabeth Howell

NASA-Funded Research May Create Chinese Security Risk, Report Says

By Payload: NASA has potentially funded or supported hundreds of scientific collaborations since 2015 that might involve Chinese researchers, a new Congressional report says.

2026-05-20T05:06:08.341331-07:00
China   Moon   Space Exploration & Science Missions   Human Spaceflight & Space Stations   Space Policy & International Cooperation   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact  
SpaceNews.com • Jeff Foust

Isaacman expects Chinese crewed mission around the moon in 2027

By SpaceNews.com: The head of NASA says he expects China to perform a crewed flight around the moon in 2027, ratcheting up perceptions of a space race with China.

Also: Aerospace America and Space Policy Online
2026-05-20T02:40:49.949952-07:00
Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation   Commercial Space  
SpaceWatch Global • Joshua Faleti

Southern Launch Welcomes Fourth Varda Capsule back to Earth at the Koonibba Test Range

By SpaceWatch Global: Southern Launch has announced the safe reentry and return of of Varda Space Industries’ W-6 capsule to the Koonibba Test Range, demonstrating the company's position as a global leader for orbital re-entry services.

Also: asdnews.com
2026-05-20T01:09:10.577730-07:00