Space News

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Space.com • Josh Dinner

SpaceX completes record-duration static fire of Starship’s Super Heavy Booster 20 ahead of Flight 13

SpaceX has finished a record-length static fire of Super Heavy Booster 20, igniting 33 Raptor 3 engines for 20–25 seconds. The booster is now expected to roll back and then proceed to the pad to join Ship 40 for Starship Flight 13, with launch activity targeted for the following weeks.

NASA Spaceflight • Ryan Weber

Booster 20 completes record duration Static Fire

cosmicchroniclesnews.com • Evelyn Janeidy Arevalo

SpaceX Conducts Record-Length Static Fire Test of Super Heavy Booster Ahead of Starship Flight 13

6 Sources

2026-07-10T09:30:42.950979-07:00

Satellite Middle East

Via Satellite • Rachel Jewett

Space42 and Skylo Test D2D Test on Thuraya-4

By Via Satellite: Space42 and Skylo conducted direct-to-device (D2D) testing on the Thuraya-4 satellite, successfully demonstrating both SMS and SOS messaging.

2 Sources

2026-07-10T11:30:14.440376-07:00

FCC Satellite Commercial Space Space Policy & International Cooperation Policy & Regulation

Via Satellite • Rachel Jewett

FCC Approves Reflect Orbital Demo Satellite to Test Redirecting Sunlight

By Via Satellite: The FCC approved a Reflect Orbital demonstration satellite that will test a solar reflector designed to reflect sunlight back to Earth.

Also: SpaceNews.com

2 Sources

2026-07-10T11:30:22.051254-07:00

LEO Human Spaceflight & Space Stations Commercial Space Space Policy & International Cooperation NASA

Ars Technica • Eric Berger

NASA sure seems to be asking an awful lot of private space stations

By Ars Technica: Industry finally knows what NASA is asking of them.".

1 Source

2026-07-10T08:30:39.371153-07:00

Satellite AI Middle East Export Controls & Trade Compliance

Bloomberg • Ian King, Maggie Eastland

US Eases Export Curbs on UAE, Opening Door for AI Chip Sales

By Bloomberg: The Trump administration plans to ease export restrictions on the United Arab Emirates, clearing the way for the Gulf state to buy a broad range of advanced technologies including semiconductors needed to boost its artificial intelligence ambitions.

2 Sources

2026-07-10T09:47:18.211984-07:00

Satellite LEO Sustainability & Climate Initiatives

Via Satellite • Mark Holmes

Ovzon’s GEO Connectivity and Terminals Complete Arctic Tests

By Via Satellite: Ovzon has completed a number of trials in the Arctic as the company looks to prove its technology in arctic environments.

1 Source

2026-07-10T11:30:15.234355-07:00

Event China Commercial Space Space Policy & International Cooperation Policy & Regulation

SpaceNews.com • Andrew Jones

China unveils members of state-backed commercial space consortium

By SpaceNews.com: A Chinese government body has published a national commercial space consortium membership list, offering a rare indication of which companies the state considers established players.

1 Source

2026-07-10T10:28:55.743298-07:00

Satellite AI Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation Commercial Space

Reuters • Akash Sriram

SpaceX's near-term AI payoff seen tethered to Earth, not outer space

By Reuters: Elon Musk may have pitched a future where space powers AI, but Wall Street analysts say SpaceX's near-term value remains firmly tethered to Earth, where it ‌is building out the infrastructure underpinning the AI boom.