Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation   NASA  
Ars Technica • Eric Berger

NASA says thermal-protection research has seen limited investment for decades, underscoring reusability and heat-shield challeng

Despite recent breakthroughs, the path to frequent, rapid reuse—such as SpaceX’s Starship approach—remains constrained by re-entry/thermal protection gaps. NASA indicates thermal protection research has not received substantial investment for decades, raising questions about the technical depth behind next-generation reusability timelines.

2026-07-27T11:38:07.089625-07:00
Museums   Satellite   Space Policy & International Cooperation   Space Defense & Militarization  
NEW
Space Intel Report • Peter B. de Selding

Indra Group: Space division is on track to reach $455M in revenue this year

By Space Intel Report: TUPPER LAKE, NY — Indra Group of Spain said its space division, which since January has included satellite fleet operator Hispasat and military satcom service provider Hisdesat, remains on track to reach 400 million euros $455 million) in revenue this year despite a 6% decline in revenue in the three months ending.

2026-07-27T13:06:40.601887-07:00
Space Force   Military Aircraft Procurement   Missile Systems & Strategic Weapons   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation   Space Defense & Militarization  
Wall Street Journal • Adriano Marchese

Rocket Lab Wins Record $266 Million U.S. Space Force Contract

By Wall Street Journal: Rocket Lab RKLB received a $266 million U.S. Space Force contract, its largest agreement to date, for up to 18 suborbital launches that will support missile defense capabilities.

Also: Defense Daily
2026-07-27T10:21:33.727045-07:00
FCC   Satellite   Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation   Commercial Space   Space Policy & International Cooperation   Space Defense & Militarization   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact  
SpaceNews.com • Jeff Foust

Amazon files application for direct-to-device satellite constellation

By SpaceNews.com: Amazon filed plans with the FCC for a constellation of more than 5,100 satellites that would provide direct-to-device services using Globalstar spectrum.

Also: CNBC, Space Intel Report, Reuters, Bloomberg, CBS News, TechCrunch, Seeking Alpha, The Verge, Economic Times and 8 more
2026-07-27T05:06:36.442142-07:00
Space Exploration & Science Missions   NASA  
Universe Today • Andy Tomaswick

How NASA Plans to Build the Habitable Worlds Observatory

By Universe Today: We’ve been covering the journey of the Habitable Worlds Observatory for some time now. Over the past few years, it's gone from a proposal to a relatively fleshed-out plan for how and what the next Great Observatory should do—in this case, look at and characterize potentially habitable exoplanets.

2026-07-27T09:36:45.852099-07:00