Space News

Satellite Intuitive Machines M&A Commercial Space

Space Intel Report • Peter B. de Selding

Intuitive Machines’ $853.3 million Maxar deal gains credibility from three-satellite order and orbital data-center potential

Intuitive Machines’ $853.3 million acquisition of Maxar Space Systems remains unproven, but a three-satellite order and potential orbital data-center applications strengthen the strategic rationale. The transaction gives Intuitive Machines exposure to large-satellite manufacturing while adding possible growth beyond its existing space businesses.

2 Sources

2026-08-19T06:05:46.773901-07:00

Satellite Supply Chain Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation Commercial Space

SpaceNews.com • Doug Anderson, Steve Jordan Tomaszewski

The space industry’s next challenge: supply chain resilience

By SpaceNews.com: America’s space economy is scaling faster than its industrial base can support.

1 Source

2026-08-19T06:15:40.657959-07:00

Moon Space Exploration & Science Missions Commercial Space NASA

Payload • Douglas Gorman

Zeno Power Books its First Nuclear Mission to the Moon

By Payload: Zeno Power signed an agreement with Firefly Aerospace to send a radioisotope heating unit on a Firefly mission launching to the MoonNET 2028.

Also: SpaceNews.com, GeekWire and cosmiclog.com

4 Sources

2026-08-19T05:05:03.503384-07:00

Commercial Space Space Policy & International Cooperation

SpaceWatch Global • Joshua Faleti

Space Forge Partners with Texas A&M to Expand Advanced Semiconductor Materials Capacity in the U.S.

By SpaceWatch Global: Space Forge has signed a master research agreement with The Texas A&M University System, establishing a framework for research collaboration.

1 Source

2026-08-19T03:13:51.438758-07:00

China Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation Commercial Space

Space.com • Mike Wall

Touchdown! Private Chinese rocket aces landing on 2nd-ever flight (video)

By Space.com: The Beijing-based company LandSpace landed its Zhuque-3 rocket this evening (Aug. 18), notching a huge milestone for commercial Chinese spaceflight.

NASA Spaceflight

Zhuque-3 Completes Second Flight with Successful First-Stage Landing

SpaceNews.com

China’s Landspace recovers booster with second orbital launch of Zhuque-3 rocket

Also: Bloomberg, english.kyodonews.net and Economic Times

6 Sources

2026-08-18T18:33:08.518584-07:00

Europe Defense Industry & Major Contractors

Reuters • Mirko Miorelli

As Europe rearms, Italy's fragmented space sector faces a scale test

By Reuters: Italy's fragmented space industry is facing growing pressure to consolidate as defence and government customers increasingly favour larger suppliers capable of handling complex programmes.

1 Source

2026-08-18T22:20:19.207084-07:00

Moon Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation Space Exploration & Science Missions Commercial Space Space Policy & International Cooperation Space Debris & Traffic Management NASA

Associated Press • Marcia Dunn

Before-and-after NASA images show crater carved by a SpaceX rocket that slammed into the moon

By Associated Press: A NASA spacecraft circling the moon is providing the sharpest views yet of the crater carved by a crashing SpaceX rocket.

AeroTime

SpaceX Falcon 9 stage carved 60-foot crater into the Moon, NASA images show

Associated Press

New images show moon crater carved by SpaceX rocket

Also: The Independent, CBS News, CNN, Economic Times, Washington Post, NBC News and 8 more

29 Sources

2026-08-18T14:51:11.763780-07:00

Satellite AI Cybersecurity (Cyber Threats & Protection)

Associated Press • Konstantin Toropin

AI-assisted tool helped secure satellite communication system after 2022 Russian hacking

By Associated Press: The cybersecurity company Atalanta says it has released “Argo” — a product that includes the technology that was crucial in securing a satellite communications network after a Russian hacking attack.

3 Sources

2026-08-18T14:51:09.697477-07:00

Intuitive Machines’ $853.3 million Maxar deal gains credibility from three-satellite order and orbital data-center potential

The space industry’s next challenge: supply chain resilience

Zeno Power Books its First Nuclear Mission to the Moon

Space Forge Partners with Texas A&M to Expand Advanced Semiconductor Materials Capacity in the U.S.

Touchdown! Private Chinese rocket aces landing on 2nd-ever flight (video)

Zhuque-3 Completes Second Flight with Successful First-Stage Landing

China’s Landspace recovers booster with second orbital launch of Zhuque-3 rocket

As Europe rearms, Italy's fragmented space sector faces a scale test

Before-and-after NASA images show crater carved by a SpaceX rocket that slammed into the moon

SpaceX Falcon 9 stage carved 60-foot crater into the Moon, NASA images show

New images show moon crater carved by SpaceX rocket

AI-assisted tool helped secure satellite communication system after 2022 Russian hacking

The space industry’s next challenge: supply chain resilience

Intuitive Machines purchase of Maxar looks a lot better with 3-satellite order and orbital data center potential

Zeno Power Books its First Nuclear Mission to the Moon

Space Forge Partners with Texas A&M to Expand Advanced Semiconductor Materials Capacity in the U.S.

As Europe rearms, Italy's fragmented space sector faces a scale test

Touchdown! Private Chinese rocket aces landing on 2nd-ever flight (video)

NASA astronaut and 1st female French spacewalker remove failed ISS antenna but run out of time for replacement

SpaceX Recovers Starship After 24-Day Ocean Voyage, Reaches Christmas Island

How NASA Engineers Are Keeping the Voyagers Alive

Spire forecasts 50% rev growth this yr, raises European profile w/ German manufacturing & Schaeffler, Diehl partnerships

Firefly Aerospace advances medium-lift rocket and Alpha launcher as $1.5B backlog supports growth

SpaceX Plans Three Starlink Launches as China Schedules Reusable-Booster Test and Chang’e 7 Lunar Mission

Satellite connectivity buildout advances with Globalstar deployment, IRIS² milestone, Viasat- Rocket Lab contract and ReOrbit R&

United Launch Alliance Names Mark Peller CEO as Vulcan Faces Program Challenges

The day’s aerospace signal, in one email.

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