SpaceNews.com
• Jeff Foust
Astrolab will fly its first lunar rover later this year with four NASA payloads, marking another step in NASA’s push to mature robotic surface capabilities ahead of sustained lunar operations. The package underscores how mission-specific payload integration is being built into early rover flight plans.
Space Intel Report
• Peter B. de Selding
By Space Intel Report: LA PLATA, Maryland — The European Space Agency (ESA) and the French space agency, CNES, have signed a three-year commitment to maintain and upgrade Europe’s equatorial Guiana Space Center spaceport with a combined investment of 1 billion euros ($1.16 billion).
NASA Spaceflight
• Ryan Weber
By NASA Spaceflight: The first stage of Starship, the Super Heavy booster, has already undergone many changes during its development. This most recent design change, from Block 1/2 boosters to Block 3, is by far the biggest leap.
DefenseNews.com
• Michael Peck
By DefenseNews.com: An Air Force plan calls for old oil platforms to become Sea-based Recovery Stations for the U.S. Space Force and private spaceflight companies.
European Spaceflight
• Andrew Parsonson
By European Spaceflight: The French space agency’s EuroSuit prototype has been delivered to the ISS, where it will be tested by ESA astronaut Sophie Adenot.
SpaceNews.com
• Jeff Foust
By SpaceNews.com: A House appropriations bill would reverse plans by the administration to stop development of a civil space traffic management system.
SpaceNews.com
• Commercial Space Federation
By SpaceNews.com: WASHINGTON, D.C., May 18, 2026 — The Commercial Space Federation (CSF), in partnership with Rational Futures (RF), announced the release of SCRUBBED: America’s Launch Capacity Challenge , a data-driven assessment of potential U.S.
Ars Technica
• Eric Berger
By Ars Technica: This is such a wild ride. The highs are high. The lows are low.".
Space Intel Report
• Peter B. de Selding
