Space News

Space Exploration & Science Missions Human Spaceflight & Space Stations NASA

Ars Technica • Eric Berger

Independent Safety Officials Say Orion Heat Shield Performed Well Despite Earlier Criticism

Independent safety officials found that NASA’s Orion spacecraft heat shield performed well, despite earlier criticism of its behavior during testing or flight. The assessment also praised changes made by NASA leadership, providing support for the agency’s approach to addressing concerns surrounding the crewed exploration vehicle.

1 Source

2026-09-01T07:50:07.955513-07:00

Commercial Space

Payload • Douglas Gorman

Exclusive: Helogen Plans Two In-Orbit Manufacturing Missions in October

By Payload: Helogen today announced two upcoming missions of its HEL-IOS biomaterials manufacturing platform, both scheduled to launch in October.

1 Source

2026-09-01T06:05:13.371720-07:00

Satellite Europe Aircraft Finance & Leasing Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation Commercial Space

Reuters

Spain's PLD Space adds $125 million to its latest funding round

By Reuters: Aerospace engineering firm PLD Space said on Tuesday it had extended its equity funding round by €108 million ($125 million), bringing the round's total to €288 million.

European Spaceflight

PLD Space Adds €108 million to Series C Funding Round

aviationnews.eu

Airbus U030 Flexrotor VTOL Drone Deploys for European Maritime Border and Coastal Surveillance Operations

Also: SpaceNews.com, FlightGlobal, AeroTime, Aviation Week, SpaceWatch Africa, India Defense News, Economic Times and 4 more

14 Sources

2026-09-01T02:20:38.813412-07:00

Supply Chain Aircraft Manufacturing (OEMs) Commercial Space

CNBC • Liz Napolitano

One aerospace stock got hit by a SpaceX announcement. Two analysts say buy the dip

By CNBC: A slump in Howmet Aerospace after SpaceX said it would bring turbine-blade production in-house presents a buying opportunity, two Wall Street banks say.

Also: Aviation Week

2 Sources

2026-09-01T06:06:23.536460-07:00

Space Exploration & Science Missions Commercial Space

Payload • Victoria Woodburn

Fermi Explorer Wants to Reach Another Star for $15M

By Payload: The Starcloud cofounders announced the Fermi Explorer mission, launching humanity’s first mission to Alpha Centauri by 2029, on a $15M budget.

2 Sources

2026-09-01T05:06:12.597278-07:00

Satellite Commercial Space

SpaceNews.com • Sandra Erwin

Quindar to manage ground operations for Quantum Space’s maneuverable spacecraft

By SpaceNews.com: Illustration by Quindar and Quantum Space WASHINGTON — Quindar, a Denver-based startup that develops satellite ground software, said Sept.

1 Source

2026-09-01T05:10:44.566835-07:00

Mars Space Exploration & Science Missions NASA

Ars Technica • Stephen Clark

NASA’s Mars Program Faces Cost and Capability Questions Without New Landers or Rovers

By Ars Technica: NASA's cost estimate for SR-1 Freedom is $2.1 billion, but that doesn't include the helicopters.

1 Source

2026-09-01T04:05:25.227696-07:00

Moon Space Exploration & Science Missions Space Policy & International Cooperation NASA

NASA • Elizabeth Shaw

Independent Safety Officials Say Orion Heat Shield Performed Well Despite Earlier Criticism

Exclusive: Helogen Plans Two In-Orbit Manufacturing Missions in October

Spain's PLD Space adds $125 million to its latest funding round

PLD Space Adds €108 million to Series C Funding Round

Airbus U030 Flexrotor VTOL Drone Deploys for European Maritime Border and Coastal Surveillance Operations

One aerospace stock got hit by a SpaceX announcement. Two analysts say buy the dip

Fermi Explorer Wants to Reach Another Star for $15M

Quindar to manage ground operations for Quantum Space’s maneuverable spacecraft

NASA’s Mars Program Faces Cost and Capability Questions Without New Landers or Rovers

NASA Welcomes Türkiye as Newest Artemis Accords Signatory

Turkey signs the Artemis Accords

Türkiye Joins Artemis Accords as 71st Signatory

Independent Safety Officials Find Orion Heat Shield Performed Well Despite Earlier Criticism

One aerospace stock got hit by a SpaceX announcement. Two analysts say buy the dip

Exclusive: Helogen Plans Two In-Orbit Manufacturing Missions in October

Quindar to manage ground operations for Quantum Space’s maneuverable spacecraft

Fermi Explorer Wants to Reach Another Star for $15M

NASA’s Mars Program Faces Cost and Capability Questions Without New Landers or Rovers

Galactic Energy’s Pallas-1 rocket reaches orbit on debut launch

MaiaSpace Completes Upper-Stage Validation of its 'Maia' Launcher ahead of its 2027 Orbital Debut

Watch 2 astronauts take 6th-ever all-female spacewalk today

Launch Preview: Array of international launches planned this week

SES awards OHB nearly €1 billion to build 18 MEO satellites for Europe’s IRIS² secure communications constellation

NASA launches $4.3 billion Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope to study dark energy, dark matter and exoplanets

SLS production accelerates as Artemis III hardware advances and four vehicles enter production

Trump signs order to establish U.S. Space Academy for NASA, Space Force and commercial industry

The day’s aerospace signal, in one email.

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What's next for Roman Space Telescope? Here's how NASA's flagship observatory will open up the universe

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