Europe   ESA   Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation   Commercial Space  
SpaceWatch Global • SpaceWatch GLOBAL

ESA and Portugal back Rocket Factory Augsburg’s RFA ONE microlauncher with further milestone support

Rocket Factory Augsburg (RFA) says it has secured additional support from the European Space Agency and Portugal for its RFA ONE microlauncher. The announcement follows continued test activity for the launcher, as the company pursues lower-cost, frequent access to low-Earth orbit for small satellites.

Also: NASA Spaceflight and Yahoo Finance
2026-04-16T23:27:39.842071-07:00
Satellite   AI   Space Debris & Traffic Management  
Via Satellite • Ben Ackman

Slingshot Aerospace Releases AI-Powered Analytics Platform for Space Operations

By Via Satellite: Slingshot Aerospace released Portal, an artificial intelligence-based platform for satellite data monitoring and analysis, on Tuesday morning. The software combines Slingshot’s data flows with external sources into its analytics engine, which operators could use to track orbital activity and assess maneuvering options in response to anomalies and threats.

2026-04-16T16:02:57.917275-07:00
Via Satellite • Rachel Jewett

COMSO Targets Expanding Working Capital Fund and Determining CASR Funding

By Via Satellite: COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — With various funding mechanisms in place to take advantage of commercial capabilities, Space Systems Command’s (SSC) Commercial Space Office (COMSO) is looking at expanding the Working Capital Fund to include more capabilities, and planning for how to budget the Commercial Space Augmentation Reserve (CASR).

Also: Via Satellite
2026-04-15T17:14:46.795047-07:00
Satellite   Space Force   Supply Chain   Aircraft Manufacturing (OEMs)   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Commercial Space   Space Defense & Militarization   Boeing  
Reuters

Boeing unveils satellite platform, targets 26 deliveries in 2026

By Reuters: Boeing and its unit Millennium Space Systems are working together to expand production capacity and launch a new satellite platform as they look to fulfill a growing backlog of orders, the aerospace firms said on Thursday.

Also: SpaceNews.com, Aviation Week, CNA, Seeking Alpha, Defense Daily and 4 more
2026-04-16T08:11:24.023214-07:00
Europe   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Space Policy & International Cooperation   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact   Export Controls & Trade Compliance   Thales  
Space Intel Report • Peter B de Selding

Thales Alenia Space: US technology restrictions are a risk, not a showstopper: We continue to spend $100M plus per year in US

By Space Intel Report: LA PLATA, Maryland — European space hardware manufacturer Thales Alenia Space said US technology export regulations….

2026-04-16T12:09:36.323705-07:00