Space News

Satellite Europe Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation Commercial Space

SpaceWatch Global • Torsten Kriening

Planet Labs Opens Berlin Factory, Plans First German-Built Satellite Launch for 2027

Planet Labs is expanding European Earth-observation production with a new Berlin facility for Pelican satellites and plans to launch its first German-built spacecraft on a German-built rocket in early 2027. The move highlights Europe’s push for greater space sovereignty, even as launch providers continue contracting with SpaceX.

Bloomberg • Michael Nienaber

Planet Labs’ First German-Made Satellite to Launch in Early 2027

aerospaceglobalnews.com • Jay Menon

China launches four rockets in 45 hours to accelerate mega-constellation buildout

5 Sources

2026-09-22T05:56:02.787410-07:00

Europe Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation Commercial Space

European Spaceflight • Andrew Parsonson

SaxaVord Abandons Shared Launch Rail Plan as HyImpulse Brings Its Own System for SR75 Launch

By European Spaceflight: SaxaVord has abandoned plans for a shared suborbital launch rail, with HyImpulse now set to bring its own system for the launch of its second SR75 rocket.

1 Source

2026-09-22T05:50:57.585654-07:00

Event Satellite Commercial Space Industry Leader Profiles & Interviews

SpaceWatch Global • Torsten Kriening

WSBW 2026 - Fredrik Gustavsson of SWISSto12 on Profitable Growth and 3D-Printed Payloads

By SpaceWatch Global: Welcome to your go-to source for all things space-related. Our editorial team is dedicated to bringing you the latest news and insights from the space industry.

1 Source

2026-09-22T06:22:24.243412-07:00

Satellite Europe ESA Space Policy & International Cooperation

SpaceNews.com • Jeff Foust

ESA awards study contracts for dual-use Earth observation system

By SpaceNews.com: ESA and European Commission awarded contracts to two teams of companies to study architectures for an Earth imaging system for security applications.

Also: SpaceWatch Africa, SpaceWatch Africa and satelliteprome.com

4 Sources

2026-09-22T05:45:43.812372-07:00

Mars Space Exploration & Science Missions NASA

Payload • Jacqueline Feldscher

TRL11 Will Build Imaging Tech for SR-1 Freedom

By Payload: TRL11 has received a NASA contract to provide imaging systems for the Space Reactor-1 (SR-1) Freedom mission to Mars.

Also: TechCrunch

2 Sources

2026-09-22T05:35:29.183989-07:00

Space Policy & International Cooperation NASA

Ars Technica • Stephen Clark

NASA chief: I'm only interested in "good deals" from international partners

By Ars Technica: There was absolutely a time where we were trying to make everyone happy.".

1 Source

2026-09-22T04:20:21.721778-07:00

Supply Chain Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation Commercial Space

Wall Street Journal • Becky Peterson, Micah Maidenberg

A Rocket Supply Crunch Is Making It Harder to Hitch a Ride to Space

By Wall Street Journal: There is a rush to secure flights as SpaceX winds down its flagship vehicle and rivals try to ramp up.

1 Source

2026-09-21T23:37:01.329732-07:00

Satellite Supply Chain Space Defense & Militarization Space Debris & Traffic Management

SpaceWatch Global • Joshua Faleti

Terma to Provide Ground Support Equipment for MDA Space's AURORA Satellites

By SpaceWatch Global: Terma has been selected for MDA Space’s AURORA supply chain, providing ground support equipment for satellite testing and production.

Also: aerospacemanufacturinganddesign.com and defence-industry.eu

3 Sources

2026-09-22T01:15:59.635782-07:00

Planet Labs Opens Berlin Factory, Plans First German-Built Satellite Launch for 2027

Planet Labs’ First German-Made Satellite to Launch in Early 2027

China launches four rockets in 45 hours to accelerate mega-constellation buildout

SaxaVord Abandons Shared Launch Rail Plan as HyImpulse Brings Its Own System for SR75 Launch

WSBW 2026 - Fredrik Gustavsson of SWISSto12 on Profitable Growth and 3D-Printed Payloads

ESA awards study contracts for dual-use Earth observation system

TRL11 Will Build Imaging Tech for SR-1 Freedom

NASA chief: I'm only interested in "good deals" from international partners

A Rocket Supply Crunch Is Making It Harder to Hitch a Ride to Space

Terma to Provide Ground Support Equipment for MDA Space's AURORA Satellites

WSBW 2026 - Fredrik Gustavsson of SWISSto12 on Profitable Growth and 3D-Printed Payloads

Planet Opens Berlin Satellite Factory as Sovereignty Takes Centre Stage

SaxaVord Abandons Shared Launch Rail Plan as HyImpulse Brings Its Own System for SR75 Launch

ESA awards study contracts for dual-use Earth observation system

TRL11 Will Build Imaging Tech for SR-1 Freedom

NASA chief: I'm only interested in "good deals" from international partners

Albania signs the Artemis Accords

Space Force exploring standby fleet of rapid-response satellites

Katalyst to Demo Space-Based Power Beaming for Pentagon Energy Investment Program

Europe Grapples With Faster Procurement Amid Space Defense Push

SpaceX’s Starship nears first orbital flight as Starfall secures commercial missions for 2028 and 2029

Satellite industry grapples with SpaceX’s planned end of commercial Falcon 9 launches

Ariane 6 turbopump anomaly could limit 2026 launches to one or two flights

Synspective deploys 12th StriX SAR satellite as it expands constellation and adds Japan’s H3 to launch plans

The day’s aerospace signal, in one email.

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