Space News

Satellite Commercial Space Space Policy & International Cooperation

Axios • Thomas Novelly

Astranis secures $468 million EXIM loan to expand satellite production

Astranis has secured a $468 million loan from the U.S. Export-Import Bank to expand satellite production, according to an exclusive report. EXIM Chairman John Jovanovic framed the financing as part of a broader effort to strengthen U.S. leadership in space.

1 Source

2026-09-30T04:28:18.799501-07:00

China Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation Commercial Space

SpaceNews.com • Andrew Jones

CAS Space targets early 2027 debut of reusable Lihong-2 suborbital rocket

By SpaceNews.com: Chinese commercial launch firm CAS Space is targeting a first flight of the Lihong-2 suborbital rocket in early 2027, carrying pharmaceutical payloads.

1 Source

2026-09-30T03:56:15.845194-07:00

Satellite Europe Commercial Space

SpaceNews.com • Jason Rainbow

Blackswan raises $2.9 million seed round for satellite rendezvous technology

By SpaceNews.com: Lithuania’s Blackswan Space has raised around $2.9 million to support the development of its rendezvous & proximity operations payload, which Orbit Fab plans to use for Europe’s first in-space refueling demo in 2028.

1 Source

2026-09-30T01:21:10.643155-07:00

Europe North America Commercial Space Space Policy & International Cooperation

SpaceWatch Global • Joshua Faleti

Space Florida and UK Space Agency Launch Joint Space Innovation Funding Call

By SpaceWatch Global: Space Florida and the UK Space Agency launched a joint funding call for collaborative space R&D projects between Florida and UK companies.

1 Source

2026-09-30T01:56:35.792858-07:00

Human Spaceflight & Space Stations Commercial Space NASA

Ars Technica • Eric Berger

NASA has a Dragon dilemma, and there appear to be no good answers

By Ars Technica: So is SpaceX just being selfish or what?.

1 Source

2026-09-29T11:35:59.509944-07:00

Satellite Commercial Space Space Debris & Traffic Management NASA

Space Intel Report • Peter B. de Selding

NASA: Satellite industry practices for battery passivation to prevent orbital debris are confused and insufficient

By Space Intel Report: LA PLATA, Maryland — A NASA workshop with industry on preventing satellite batteries from exploding and creating orbital debris concluded that commercial industry, whose satellite buses NASA now regularly uses, uses techniques that fell short of NASA recommendations.

1 Source

2026-09-29T11:35:40.417910-07:00

Europe LEO ESA Human Spaceflight & Space Stations Airbus

SpaceNews.com • Andrew Parsonson

ESA announces leaders for studies on crewed European space stations

By SpaceNews.com: BURG – The European Space Agency has selected consortia led by Airbus Defence and Space and OHB to carry out parallel studies for a future European-led space station in low Earth orbit.

Also: European Spaceflight and douglasmmessier.substack.com

4 Sources

2026-09-29T10:23:28.855644-07:00

ISS Satellite Aircraft Finance & Leasing Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation Human Spaceflight & Space Stations Commercial Space Space Defense & Militarization Asia-Pacific (APAC)

SpaceNews.com • Jason Rainbow

Space Network lines up $150 million in pre-orders for decentralized satellite network

By SpaceNews.com: Space Network has secured a $50 million binding pre-order from a renewable energy infrastructure developer in the Philippines for capacity from its planned network of independently owned broadband satellites, the startup announced Sept.

NASA Spaceflight

Launch Preview: Crew-13 to head to ISS, Falcon Heavy mission for the NRO

SpaceQ

SpaceX Transporter-18 to carry three Canadian satellites

Also: Euronews and indianstartupnews.com

5 Sources

2026-09-29T06:23:49.480696-07:00

Astranis secures $468 million EXIM loan to expand satellite production

CAS Space targets early 2027 debut of reusable Lihong-2 suborbital rocket

Blackswan raises $2.9 million seed round for satellite rendezvous technology

Space Florida and UK Space Agency Launch Joint Space Innovation Funding Call

NASA has a Dragon dilemma, and there appear to be no good answers

NASA: Satellite industry practices for battery passivation to prevent orbital debris are confused and insufficient

ESA announces leaders for studies on crewed European space stations

Space Network lines up $150 million in pre-orders for decentralized satellite network

Launch Preview: Crew-13 to head to ISS, Falcon Heavy mission for the NRO

SpaceX Transporter-18 to carry three Canadian satellites

Exclusive: Astranis lands $468M loan to expand satellite production

CAS Space targets early 2027 debut of reusable Lihong-2 suborbital rocket

Space Florida and UK Space Agency Launch Joint Space Innovation Funding Call

Blackswan raises $2.9 million seed round for satellite rendezvous technology

NASA has a Dragon dilemma, and there appear to be no good answers

NASA: Satellite industry practices for battery passivation to prevent orbital debris are confused and insufficient

Electric-pump propulsion emerges as new front in China's commercial launch sector

CNES Publishes Call for New Rocket Launch Tracking Turrets for French Guiana

Terran Orbital Names Jamin Brown Chief Operating Officer

Artemis Accords To Meet on Lunar Debris, Emerging Space Help

SpaceX’s Starship reaches orbit on first orbital flight, deploys 26 Starlink satellites despite engine shutdown

SpaceX’s Starship targets first orbital flight with 26 Starlink V3 satellites

Pentagon commits billions to accelerate AMRAAM, JDAM Long Range and F-35 production

SpaceX targets Starship’s first orbital launch with Starlink V3 satellites

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