Space News

Mars Space Exploration & Science Missions NASA

Ars Technica • Stephen Clark

NASA’s $2.1B SR-1 Freedom Estimate Excludes Helicopters as Mars Program Faces Capability Questions

NASA estimates the SR-1 Freedom Mars mission will cost $2.1 billion, but that figure does not include helicopters. The program also faces questions about its capabilities in the absence of new landers or rovers, raising uncertainty around the scope of planned Mars exploration.

1 Source

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

Space Exploration & Science Missions Commercial Space

NEW

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.

1 Source

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

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

SpaceNews.com

PLD Space raises an additional $125 million

Also: AeroTime, SpaceWatch Africa, Economic Times and 3 more

9 Sources

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

Satellite Commercial Space

NEW

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

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

NASA • Elizabeth Shaw

NASA Welcomes Türkiye as Newest Artemis Accords Signatory

By NASA: Turkish Minister of Industry and Technology, Mehmet Fatih Kacır, 3rd from left, signs the Artemis Accords for the Republic of Türkiye as NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman, left, U.S.

SpaceNews.com

Turkey signs the Artemis Accords

SpaceWatch Global

Türkiye Joins Artemis Accords as 71st Signatory

5 Sources

2026-08-31T15:13:14.843241-07:00

China Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation Commercial Space

SpaceNews.com • Andrew Jones

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

By SpaceNews.com: Chinese commercial launch company Galactic Energy successfully launched its first Pallas-1 rocket late Monday, with future flights to attempt first stage recovery.

2 Sources

2026-09-01T01:40:38.835381-07:00

Europe Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation Commercial Space

SpaceWatch Global • Joshua Faleti

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

By SpaceWatch Global: MaiaSpace completes a further upper-stage validation campaign for its Maia launcher, marking another step toward its orbital debut in 2027.

1 Source

2026-09-01T02:32:44.641162-07:00

ISS Europe Human Spaceflight & Space Stations NASA

Space.com • Mike Wall

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

By Space.com: NASA astronaut Jessica Meir and France's Sophie Adenot will conduct the sixth all-female spacewalk outside the International Space Station today (Sept.

1 Source

2026-08-31T21:20:25.623880-07:00

NASA’s $2.1B SR-1 Freedom Estimate Excludes Helicopters as Mars Program Faces Capability Questions

Fermi Explorer Wants to Reach Another Star for $15M

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

PLD Space Adds €108 million to Series C Funding Round

PLD Space raises an additional $125 million

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

NASA Welcomes Türkiye as Newest Artemis Accords Signatory

Turkey signs the Artemis Accords

Türkiye Joins Artemis Accords as 71st Signatory

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

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

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

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

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

Launch Preview: Array of international launches planned this week

NorthStar to Lead ESA Consortium on Uncontrolled Reentry

Trump launches plan to create US Space Academy led by NASA

Von der Leyen set to deliver major speech on Europe’s space policy

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

ESA commits €543.6 million to three startups in first European Launcher Challenge contracts

SpaceX test-fires all 33 Super Heavy engines ahead of Starship’s first orbital attempt

The day’s aerospace signal, in one email.

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