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Space Exploration & Science Missions   Commercial Space   NASA  
New York Times • Kenneth Chang

NASA and Katalyst abandon rescue of aging Swift space telescope after spacecraft suffers irredeemable in-orbit failures

NASA and Katalyst Space Technologies have called off an attempt to raise the orbit of NASA’s Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory after persistent attitude-control problems disabled the rescue spacecraft. The aging telescope, which studies powerful cosmic explosions, is now expected to reenter the atmosphere and disintegrate later this year.

orlandosentinel.com • Hunter Robertson, Katalyst Space, Kieran Wilson

Rescue mission is called off for NASA’s aging Swift space telescope

Also: CNA, The Independent and mynorthwest.com
2026-08-19T13:21:09.555648-07:00
Satellite   Space Exploration & Science Missions   Human Spaceflight & Space Stations   Commercial Space   Space Debris & Traffic Management   NASA  
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SpaceNews.com • Jeff Foust

Katalyst Space and NASA abandon plans for Swift reboost

By SpaceNews.com: Katalyst Space and NASA have called off plans to use the company’s Link spacecraft to raise the orbit of the agency’s Swift gamma-ray observatory.

Also: Via Satellite, Space.com, Reuters, Aerospace America, douglasmmessier.substack.com, Space Policy Online, NBC News, CNN, The Independent and CBS News
2026-08-19T12:40:44.639330-07:00
China   Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation   Commercial Space   Space Defense & Militarization  
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Ars Technica • Stephen Clark

Another Chinese Company Successfully Lands a Reusable Rocket Booster

By Ars Technica: We will put the booster back into service for another flight as soon as possible.".

2026-08-19T11:49:53.544687-07:00
Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation   Commercial Space  
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NASA Spaceflight • Eleanor Day

Stoke Space conducts second stage fit checks, completes first stage engines ahead of Nova debut

By NASA Spaceflight: While Starship is grabbing headlines, another fully reusable vehicle is advancing towards a potential 2026 debut. Nova, developed by Stoke Space, is a medium-lift vehicle that has reached several key milestones for its maiden launch over the last few weeks, including vehicle mating.

2026-08-19T14:05:16.563332-07:00
AI   M&A   Commercial Space  
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Bloomberg • Edward Ludlow, Natasha Mascarenhas, Rebecca Torrence

SpaceX Attempted to Acquire AI Coding Startup Cognition

By Bloomberg: SpaceX approached artificial intelligence coding startup Cognition AI Inc. about a potential acquisition, according to people familiar with the matter, in what would have been its second large takeover in recent months to gain ground in the AI race.

Also: Seeking Alpha and Yahoo Finance
2026-08-19T12:21:16.436963-07:00