Event   Europe   Space Exploration & Science Missions   Human Spaceflight & Space Stations   Space Policy & International Cooperation  
SpaceNews.com • Jeff Foust

Ireland and Malta become Artemis Accords signatories, adding to the growing Artemis partner framework after Artemis II

Ireland signed the Artemis Accords on May 4, joining the agreement as its 66th participating country, with U.S. officials and NASA welcoming the pledge to peaceful space exploration. Malta also signed the Accords the same day, reflecting a broader European surge of new partner subscriptions following Artemis 2.

Also: state.gov
2026-05-05T04:26:49.100609-07:00
Blue Origin   AI   Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation   Space Exploration & Science Missions   Human Spaceflight & Space Stations  
Space.com • Andrew Jones

NASA wants to land astronauts on the moon in 2028. Will SpaceX's Starship or Blue Origin's Blue Moon lander be ready in time?

By Space.com: After Artemis 2, NASA's moon return hinges on two unproven commercial landers, each of which faces major technical and timeline challenges.

Also: Scientific American and spacewar.com
2026-05-05T03:51:16.136752-07:00
Satellite   Europe   Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation   Space Defense & Militarization   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact  
SpaceWatch Global • Joshua Faleti

Planet Launches Three High-Resolution Pelican Satellites Including one for the Swedish Armed Forces

By SpaceWatch Global: Planet Labs has launched three new Pelican satellites, one of which is the first satellite to orbit for the Swedish Armed Forces (SwAF).

2026-05-05T02:07:18.245195-07:00
eVTOL   Viasat   Satellite   AI   Cybersecurity (Cyber Threats & Protection)  
Aviation Week • Bill Carey

L2 Aviation To Support AAM Satcom Installs

By Aviation Week: Viasat has announced that avionics engineering house L2 Aviation has joined its Velaris service offering for sat connectivity with AAM and eVTOLs.

2026-05-04T18:10:21.267681-07:00
Europe   LEO   Space Exploration & Science Missions   Human Spaceflight & Space Stations   Commercial Space  
SpaceWatch Global • Guest Author

#SpaceWatchGL Opinion: From Microgravity Research to Market: Why Germany Holds a Unique Position in the Emerging LEO Economy

By SpaceWatch Global: Germany has quietly built one of the most comprehensive microgravity ecosystems worldwide. It is not a vision, nor a future ambition. It is already operational.

2026-05-05T02:28:21.240624-07:00
Space Force   Missile Systems & Strategic Weapons   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation   Commercial Space   Space Defense & Militarization  
SpaceNews.com • Jeff Foust

Firefly plans late summer launch of first Alpha Block 2 rocket

By SpaceNews.com: Firefly Aerospace plans to debut the upgraded version of its Alpha rocket late this summer as it sees strong demand for the vehicle.

Also: Seeking Alpha, GlobeNewswire and fireflyspace.com
2026-05-04T18:30:33.232070-07:00
Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation   Commercial Space   Space Debris & Traffic Management  
NASA Spaceflight • John Sharp

Launch Preview: three launches — a calm before the storm?

By NASA Spaceflight: Two Falcon 9 launches and a Chang Zheng 7 make up the launch roster for the week commencing Monday, May 4, 2026. SpaceX will use its launches to place a further 48 Starlink satellites into Group 17 of the huge constellation of over 7,000 satellites.

2026-05-04T12:07:53.549383-07:00