Space News

ArianeGroup Europe Military Aircraft Procurement Defense Industry & Major Contractors Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation

Space Intel Report • Peter B. de Selding

Avio revenue rises 17.5% as defense solid-rocket work drives two-thirds of new backlog

Avio reported a 17.5% revenue increase and a 7.3% rise in adjusted EBITDA for the six months ended June 30. Two-thirds of its newly added backlog came from solid rocket motors for defense applications, while the company said additional funding is needed to increase Ariane 6 and Vega launch cadence.

1 Source

2026-09-13T23:20:52.721406-07:00

Satellite Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation Commercial Space

NEW

SpaceNews.com • Debra Werner

BlackSky shares first-light imagery from fifth Gen3 satellite

By SpaceNews.com: ARIS — BlackSky Technology announced Sept. 14 that it collected and processed first light imagery from its fifth Gen3 satellite in less than 20 hours after liftoff on a Rocket Lab Electron rocket.

1 Source

2026-09-13T23:25:41.512365-07:00

Satellite Aircraft Finance & Leasing Commercial Space

Payload • Victoria Woodburn

Sophia Space, SLI Set Terms for $300M Satellite Leasing Deal

By Payload: Orbital compute startup Sophia Space and space asset leasing company SLI have set terms for a $300M asset-financing deal.

SpaceNews.com

Apex to set up US D2D satellite manufacturing facility for Elveo Mobile

SpaceNews.com

Sophia Space and SLI agree on $300 million financing for 10-satellite edge-computing constellation

Also: Space Intel Report and GeekWire

5 Sources

2026-09-13T21:05:05.406034-07:00

Space Policy & International Cooperation Workforce & Skills Development NASA

SpaceNews.com • Jeff Foust

NASA offers details about, and defends, proposed space academy

By SpaceNews.com: NASA has disclosed new details about a proposal to create a national space academy as the agency’s administrator defends the concept against criticism.

1 Source

2026-09-13T21:05:50.682421-07:00

Satellite ESA Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation Space Exploration & Science Missions

NASA Spaceflight • Justin Davenport

Vega C set to launch the ESA Sentinel-3C and FLEX missions from Kourou

By NASA Spaceflight: Avio S.p.A., the Italian prime contractor, launch service provider, and launch operator for the Vega C light satellite launcher, is poised to fly the VV30 mission with the European Space Agency’s Sentinel-3C and FLEX spacecraft riding aboard a single Vega C rocket from the ELV launch pad at Kourou, French Guiana.

1 Source

2026-09-13T15:50:30.016040-07:00

Satellite Europe LEO Commercial Space Space Policy & International Cooperation

Runway Girl • Mary Kirby

Eutelsat inks key agreements for OneWeb replenishment, IRIS² buildout

By Runway Girl: Eutelsat used the occasion of the International Space Summit in Paris to announce several key agreements that will ensure it can both replenish and expand its existing OneWeb Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite network, and support the LEO portion of Europe’s forthcoming sovereign IRIS² multi-orbit constellation.

1 Source

2026-09-13T17:49:47.173551-07:00

Satellite Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation Commercial Space

Space.com • Mike Wall

SpaceX launches 3 telecom satellites to orbit on 700th Falcon mission of all time (video)

By Space.com: SpaceX lofted three of SES's O3b mPOWER communications satellites to orbit today (Sept. 13), on the 700th mission to date for the Falcon rocket family.

Also: Runway Girl and satnews.com

3 Sources

2026-09-13T14:49:52.527723-07:00

Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation Commercial Space

European Spaceflight • Andrew Parsonson

Sirius Space Fires Complete STAR-1 Rocket Engine for the First Time

By European Spaceflight: Sirius Space has completed the first hot-fire test of its fully integrated STAR-1 rocket engine ahead of a 2027 demonstration flight.

1 Source

2026-09-13T04:05:20.098507-07:00

Avio revenue rises 17.5% as defense solid-rocket work drives two-thirds of new backlog

BlackSky shares first-light imagery from fifth Gen3 satellite

Sophia Space, SLI Set Terms for $300M Satellite Leasing Deal

Apex to set up US D2D satellite manufacturing facility for Elveo Mobile

Sophia Space and SLI agree on $300 million financing for 10-satellite edge-computing constellation

NASA offers details about, and defends, proposed space academy

Vega C set to launch the ESA Sentinel-3C and FLEX missions from Kourou

Eutelsat inks key agreements for OneWeb replenishment, IRIS² buildout

SpaceX launches 3 telecom satellites to orbit on 700th Falcon mission of all time (video)

Sirius Space Fires Complete STAR-1 Rocket Engine for the First Time

BlackSky shares first-light imagery from fifth Gen3 satellite

Avio reports strong growth but seeks more funding to increase Ariane 6 and Vega launch cadence

NASA offers details about, and defends, proposed space academy

Sophia Space, SLI Set Terms for $300M Satellite Leasing Deal

Eutelsat inks key agreements for OneWeb replenishment, IRIS² buildout

Vega C set to launch the ESA Sentinel-3C and FLEX missions from Kourou

Europe’s commercial launch sector picking up the pace

Stc Group Orders Dedicated Astranis Satellite for Saudi Arabia

Rocket Lab protests NASA's decision to award Blue Origin $700 million Mars orbiter contract

NOAA contract signals sharp increase in commercial weather data purchases

Rocket Lab protests NASA’s $700 million Mars orbiter award to Blue Origin

Europe’s commercial launch sector accelerates with Isar, PLD Space advances and a new UK strategy

ULA prepares to resume Vulcan launches as financial pressure raises ownership questions

Poland launches process to develop a domestic Starlink-like satellite system

The day’s aerospace signal, in one email.

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