Space News

Europe Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation Commercial Space

SpaceWatch Global • Torsten Kriening

Isar Aerospace launches second Spectrum rocket from Norway on first payload mission

Isar Aerospace launched the second flight of its Spectrum launch vehicle from Andøya, Norway, marking the startup’s first mission carrying payloads. The flight represents a further test of the company’s orbital launch system and Norway’s emerging role in European space access.

4 Sources

2026-09-05T04:50:21.177517-07:00

Blue Origin Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation Commercial Space

NASA Spaceflight • Alejandro Alcantarilla Romera, Chris Bergin

Blue Origin expands test and launch sites across the Cape

By NASA Spaceflight: Blue Origin is expanding its Kennedy Space Center and Cape Canaveral footprint on multiple fronts, from a new Merritt Island test site and Rocket Park production buildings to the rebuild of Launch Complex 36 and early work on nearby processing facilities.

1 Source

2026-09-04T13:50:26.896017-07:00

Mars China Space Exploration & Science Missions

SpaceNews.com • Andrew Jones

China narrows Tianwen-3 Mars sample return landing site selection, seeking traces of life

By SpaceNews.com: China will select a final landing site for its Tianwen-3 Mars sample return before the end of the year, while progress on mission hardware continues.

1 Source

2026-09-04T13:06:32.698111-07:00

Event Europe Commercial Space Space Policy & International Cooperation

politico.eu • Giorgio Leali, Laura Kayali, Mathieu Pollet

France Downplays SpaceX and Blue Origin’s Decision to Skip Controversial Macron-Organized Space Summit

By politico.eu: Next week’s Paris meeting has more going against it than a Trump-organized shun.

Also: Politico

2 Sources

2026-09-04T11:35:11.232655-07:00

Satellite Commercial Space

Via Satellite • Rachel Jewett

Planet’s Sovereign Wins Drive Nearly 60% Revenue Growth in Q2

By Via Satellite: Planet grew revenue by nearly 60% year-over-year in the second quarter of 2026 and narrowed its net loss as the satellite imagery company sees growing momentum with sovereign deals for governments around the world.

Also: Space Intel Report

2 Sources

2026-09-04T11:33:17.647061-07:00

Satellite Space Defense & Militarization Workforce & Skills Development

DefenseNews.com • Michael Scanlon

Space industry lacks workers needed to rebuild satellites lost in war, report says

By DefenseNews.com: The U.S. does not have enough engineers, technicians and assemblers to rebuild military space assets destroyed in a war with China or Russia, per RAND.

Also: AirForceTimes and Military Times

3 Sources

2026-09-04T07:05:31.877112-07:00

Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation Commercial Space

European Spaceflight • Andrew Parsonson

Isar Aerospace Calls Off 4 September Spectrum Launch Attempt

By European Spaceflight: Isar Aerospace appears to have scrubbed a planned 4 September launch attempt hours after launch-related road closures went into effect.

1 Source

2026-09-04T06:50:10.433560-07:00

Satellite Europe ESA Commercial Space Airbus

Via Satellite • Rachel Jewett

ST Engineering iDirect Demonstrates 5G NR-NTN User Equipment Modem

By Via Satellite: ST Engineering iDirect reports it has demonstrated a pilot version of a multi-waveform 5G New Radio Non-Terrestrial Network (NR-NTN) user equipment modem.

Also: Satellite Evolution, marketforecast.com and mrobusinesstoday.com

4 Sources

2026-09-04T11:33:17.793269-07:00

Isar Aerospace launches second Spectrum rocket from Norway on first payload mission

Blue Origin expands test and launch sites across the Cape

China narrows Tianwen-3 Mars sample return landing site selection, seeking traces of life

France Downplays SpaceX and Blue Origin’s Decision to Skip Controversial Macron-Organized Space Summit

Planet’s Sovereign Wins Drive Nearly 60% Revenue Growth in Q2

Space industry lacks workers needed to rebuild satellites lost in war, report says

Isar Aerospace Calls Off 4 September Spectrum Launch Attempt

ST Engineering iDirect Demonstrates 5G NR-NTN User Equipment Modem

BREAKING: Isar Aerospace Launches Spectrum Flight 2 Today, First Mission With Payloads

Blue Origin expands test and launch sites across the Cape

China narrows Tianwen-3 Mars sample return landing site selection, seeking traces of life

France Downplays SpaceX and Blue Origin’s Decision to Skip Controversial Macron-Organized Space Summit

ST Engineering iDirect Demonstrates 5G NR-NTN User Equipment Modem

Planet’s Sovereign Wins Drive Nearly 60% Revenue Growth in Q2

Chinese reconnaissance satellite breaks up in rare retrograde orbit

Private spacecraft reaches NASA’s Swift Observatory in attempted rescue mission

The Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope Project at the Intersection of Science and Politics

Sparkle and Hellas Sat Demonstrate Quantum Satellite Connection

Satellite activity spans ISRO’s EOS-05 launch, SES’s final O3b mPOWER spacecraft and Europe’s lunar rover mission

Boeing delivers final three satellites for SES’ 13-satellite O3b mPOWER constellation

BepiColombo begins final approach to Mercury after eight-year, 10-billion-kilometer journey

India targets first successful geosynchronous Earth-imaging satellite launch

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