Space News

Satellite Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation Commercial Space

Space.com • Mike Wall

SpaceX launches three SES O3b mPOWER satellites on Falcon family’s 700th mission

SpaceX launched three SES O3b mPOWER communications satellites on Sept. 13, marking the 700th mission by the Falcon rocket family. The flight adds capacity to SES’s satellite network while underscoring Falcon’s sustained role as a launch provider for commercial communications constellations.

2 Sources

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

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

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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

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

Europe Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation Commercial Space Space Policy & International Cooperation

NASA Spaceflight • Chris Bergin

Europe’s commercial launch sector picking up the pace

By NASA Spaceflight: The European space sector is enjoying a run of advances in September, highlighted by Isar Aerospace reaching orbit on its second Spectrum flight, the United Kingdom publishing a new space strategy, and PLD Space unveiling a larger reusable launcher.

1 Source

2026-09-12T16:05:25.835094-07:00

Saudi Arabia Satellite Middle East Commercial Space

Via Satellite • Rachel Jewett

Stc Group Orders Dedicated Astranis Satellite for Saudi Arabia

By Via Satellite: Saudi Arabia’s top telecommunications provider stc group has ordered a dedicated satellite from Astranis to provide satellite communication services.

2 Sources

2026-09-12T09:34:55.453653-07:00

Satellite North America

SpaceNews.com • Debra Werner

NOAA contract signals sharp increase in commercial weather data purchases

By SpaceNews.com: PARIS – The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration announced significant expansion of its commercial satellite data program with the Sept. 10 award of an indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity contract to 14 companies.

1 Source

2026-09-12T14:10:40.783456-07:00

Mars Blue Origin Space Exploration & Science Missions Commercial Space NASA

Space.com • Mike Wall

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

By Space.com: Rocket Lab has filed a protest against NASA's decision to award Blue Origin a $700 million Mars orbiter contract, saying it's inconsistent with the eligibility rules laid out by Congress.

Also: SpaceNews.com, keeptrack.space and keeptrack.space

4 Sources

2026-09-11T15:14:49.875038-07:00

Europe Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation Commercial Space Space Policy & International Cooperation

European Spaceflight • Andrew Parsonson

First HyPrSpace Baguette One Launch Slips to 2027

By European Spaceflight: HyPrSpace has delayed the inaugural flight of its Baguette One suborbital rocket to 2027, with launch planned from a French military test site.

2 Sources

2026-09-11T22:36:03.859367-07:00

SpaceX launches three SES O3b mPOWER satellites on Falcon family’s 700th mission

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

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

Europe’s commercial launch sector picking up the pace

Stc Group Orders Dedicated Astranis Satellite for Saudi Arabia

NOAA contract signals sharp increase in commercial weather data purchases

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

First HyPrSpace Baguette One Launch Slips to 2027

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

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

Europe’s commercial launch sector picking up the pace

NOAA contract signals sharp increase in commercial weather data purchases

SpaceX To Get Weighting Boost In Nasdaq 100 After Rebalance

SpaceX To Get Weighting Boost In Nasdaq 100 After Rebalance

International Space Summit Highlights the Strength of Europe’s Space Ecosystem

NASA, IBM launch new AI model for studying the moon

Trump is proposing a US Space Academy — if created, it could blur the lines between NASA and the military (op-ed)

EU proposes allocating half of its €131 billion 2028-34 defense and space budget to space

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

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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