Space News

Mars China Space Exploration & Science Missions

SpaceNews.com • Andrew Jones

China to Select Tianwen-3 Mars Sample-Return Landing Site by Year-End

China is narrowing candidate landing sites for Tianwen-3, its Mars sample-return mission, and plans to select a final location before the end of 2026. Hardware development is advancing as the mission targets samples that could help determine whether Mars once hosted—or still preserves—evidence of life.

1 Source

2026-09-04T13:06:32.698111-07:00

Blue Origin Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation Commercial Space

NEW

NASA Spaceflight • Alejandro Alcantarilla Romera, Chris Bergin

Blue Origin expands test and launch sites across the Cape

By NASA Spaceflight: Blue Origin is expanding its Kennedy Space Center and Cape Canaveral footprint on multiple fronts, from a new Merritt Island test site and Rocket Park production buildings to the rebuild of Launch Complex 36 and early work on nearby processing facilities.

1 Source

2026-09-04T13:50:26.896017-07:00

Event Europe Commercial Space Space Policy & International Cooperation

politico.eu • Giorgio Leali, Laura Kayali, Mathieu Pollet

France Downplays SpaceX and Blue Origin’s Decision to Skip Controversial Macron-Organized Space Summit

By politico.eu: Next week’s Paris meeting has more going against it than a Trump-organized shun.

Also: Politico

2 Sources

2026-09-04T11:35:11.232655-07:00

Satellite Commercial Space

Via Satellite • Rachel Jewett

Planet’s Sovereign Wins Drive Nearly 60% Revenue Growth in Q2

By Via Satellite: Planet grew revenue by nearly 60% year-over-year in the second quarter of 2026 and narrowed its net loss as the satellite imagery company sees growing momentum with sovereign deals for governments around the world.

Also: Space Intel Report

2 Sources

2026-09-04T11:33:17.647061-07:00

Satellite Europe ESA Commercial Space Airbus

Via Satellite • Rachel Jewett

ST Engineering iDirect Demonstrates 5G NR-NTN User Equipment Modem

By Via Satellite: ST Engineering iDirect reports it has demonstrated a pilot version of a multi-waveform 5G New Radio Non-Terrestrial Network (NR-NTN) user equipment modem.

Also: Satellite Evolution, marketforecast.com and mrobusinesstoday.com

4 Sources

2026-09-04T11:33:17.793269-07:00

China Satellite Space Defense & Militarization Space Debris & Traffic Management

SpaceNews.com • Andrew Jones

Chinese reconnaissance satellite breaks up in rare retrograde orbit

By SpaceNews.com: Chinese satellite Yaogan-50 (02) which launched into an unusual orbit early this year has suffered an apparent fragmentation event, generating a field of debris.

1 Source

2026-09-04T10:05:42.435941-07:00

Satellite Cybersecurity (Cyber Threats & Protection)

Via Satellite • Mark Holmes

Sparkle and Hellas Sat Demonstrate Quantum Satellite Connection

By Via Satellite: Hellas Sat and Sparkle have worked together to achieve a quantum-safe satellite connection between Greece and Cyprus. The two companies had already implemented quantum-safe protection on a terrestrial connection between two data centers in Greece.

1 Source

2026-09-04T10:53:15.555986-07:00

Satellite Space Defense & Militarization Workforce & Skills Development

DefenseNews.com • Michael Scanlon

Space industry lacks workers needed to rebuild satellites lost in war, report says

By DefenseNews.com: The U.S. does not have enough engineers, technicians and assemblers to rebuild military space assets destroyed in a war with China or Russia, per RAND.

Also: AirForceTimes and Military Times

3 Sources

2026-09-04T07:05:31.877112-07:00

China to Select Tianwen-3 Mars Sample-Return Landing Site by Year-End

Blue Origin expands test and launch sites across the Cape

France Downplays SpaceX and Blue Origin’s Decision to Skip Controversial Macron-Organized Space Summit

Planet’s Sovereign Wins Drive Nearly 60% Revenue Growth in Q2

ST Engineering iDirect Demonstrates 5G NR-NTN User Equipment Modem

Chinese reconnaissance satellite breaks up in rare retrograde orbit

Sparkle and Hellas Sat Demonstrate Quantum Satellite Connection

Space industry lacks workers needed to rebuild satellites lost in war, report says

Blue Origin expands test and launch sites across the Cape

China narrows Tianwen-3 Mars sample return landing site selection, seeking traces of life

France Downplays SpaceX and Blue Origin’s Decision to Skip Controversial Macron-Organized Space Summit

ST Engineering iDirect Demonstrates 5G NR-NTN User Equipment Modem

Planet’s Sovereign Wins Drive Nearly 60% Revenue Growth in Q2

Sparkle and Hellas Sat Demonstrate Quantum Satellite Connection

Isar Aerospace Calls Off 4 September Spectrum Launch Attempt

The Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope Project at the Intersection of Science and Politics

Private spacecraft reaches NASA’s Swift Observatory in attempted rescue mission

SpaceX targets Sept. 15 for next Starship flight amid investor focus on share unlock

Beijing and Washington prepare for military conflict extending into space

Boeing delivers final three satellites for SES’ 13-satellite O3b mPOWER constellation

Astroscale selects Isar Aerospace to launch ADRAS-J2 orbital-debris removal mission

HyImpulse Adds More Than €50 Million to Series A to Scale Hybrid-Propulsion Launch Services

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