Space News

Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation Commercial Space

NASA Spaceflight • Chris Bergin, Martijn Luinstra

Firefly Aerospace advances medium-lift rocket and Alpha launcher as $1.5B backlog supports growth

Firefly Aerospace is developing a next-generation medium-lift rocket while refining its operational Alpha smallsat launcher, targeting both commercial and government markets. The company’s reported $1.5 billion backlog and 95% of 2026 revenue booked support its growth outlook, although cash burn and valuation remain material risks.

Also: Seeking Alpha

2 Sources

2026-08-16T09:32:22.016587-07:00

Moon Space Exploration & Science Missions NASA

Space.com • Elizabeth Howell

NASA funds spherical 'Aerobots' that could explore the caves of Saturn's moon Titan

By Space.com: An early-stage grant is offering a look at spherical 'Aerobots' that could zoom around the caves of Titan, in a demo mission similar to Mars Ingenuity.

1 Source

2026-08-16T08:05:07.009695-07:00

Space Exploration & Science Missions Human Spaceflight & Space Stations NASA

Space.com • Leonard David

Artemis II pilot thanks NASA for letting him fly Orion by hand: 'I'm still blown away by that trust'

By Space.com: The Artemis II crew thanked NASA and its contractors in front of a crowd of over 8,000 on on Aug. 3, 2026 at Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Colorado.

2 Sources

2026-08-16T06:05:05.936344-07:00

LEO Space Exploration & Science Missions Commercial Space

The Hill • Mark R. Whittington

SpaceMD to Use Starfall for Space-Pharmaceuticals Manufacturing Mission

By The Hill: SpaceMD’s use of Starfall represents a leap forward toward treatments for everything from cancer to Alzheimer’s disease being created in low Earth orbit.

1 Source

2026-08-16T07:28:42.190800-07:00

Satellite Defense Industry & Major Contractors Space Defense & Militarization Space Debris & Traffic Management

SpaceNews.com • Sandra Erwin

U.S. defense agencies tap three companies for satellite disposal study

By SpaceNews.com: WASHINGTON — Three companies have been selected to study options for providing satellite deorbiting services to the U.S. government as the Pentagon explores whether disposal of aging spacecraft can be purchased from commercial operators rather than handled through a dedicated government capability.

1 Source

2026-08-16T04:10:37.326689-07:00

China Moon Space Exploration & Science Missions Space Policy & International Cooperation

Space.com • Andrew Jones

China’s New Moon Map Signals Ambitions for Space Leadership

By Space.com: New chronology, data about the moon's far side and a homegrown cartographic standard signal China's ambitions for how the solar system gets mapped.

1 Source

2026-08-16T03:05:23.403048-07:00

Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation

Space.com • Mike Wall

New record! SpaceX launches 2 Falcon 9 rockets just 38 minutes apart (video)

By Space.com: SpaceX launched two of its Falcon 9 rockets just 38 minutes apart on Saturday evening (Aug. 15), setting a new spaceflight record.

3 Sources

2026-08-15T20:00:36.196382-07:00

Moon Space Exploration & Science Missions Commercial Space NASA

SpaceNews.com • Jeff Foust

Lunar orbiter among upcoming NASA CLPS task orders

By SpaceNews.com: NASA plans to award three more lunar missions this year through a commercial services program, including an orbiter that would replace LRO.

1 Source

2026-08-15T17:06:13.055030-07:00

Firefly Aerospace advances medium-lift rocket and Alpha launcher as $1.5B backlog supports growth

NASA funds spherical 'Aerobots' that could explore the caves of Saturn's moon Titan

Artemis II pilot thanks NASA for letting him fly Orion by hand: 'I'm still blown away by that trust'

SpaceMD to Use Starfall for Space-Pharmaceuticals Manufacturing Mission

U.S. defense agencies tap three companies for satellite disposal study

China’s New Moon Map Signals Ambitions for Space Leadership

New record! SpaceX launches 2 Falcon 9 rockets just 38 minutes apart (video)

Lunar orbiter among upcoming NASA CLPS task orders

Firefly Advances Next-Generation Medium-Lift Rocket as Alpha Launcher Development Progresses

NASA funds spherical 'Aerobots' that could explore the caves of Saturn's moon Titan

SpaceMD to Use Starfall for Space-Pharmaceuticals Manufacturing Mission

Artemis II pilot thanks NASA for letting him fly Orion by hand: 'I'm still blown away by that trust'

U.S. defense agencies tap three companies for satellite disposal study

China’s New Moon Map Signals Ambitions for Space Leadership

Blue Origin overviews plan for dual pad ops at Cape Canaveral

Zelenskyy Claims Ukraine Struck Russian Space Facility in Samara

Alphabet's SpaceX bet grows 100-fold over a decade to $94 billion

Harvard Endowment Discloses $2.2 Billion SpaceX Stake

Ukraine says Flamingo missiles struck Russia’s Progress rocket center and military airfield

SpaceX completes $60 billion Cursor acquisition as Alphabet’s stake rises to $94 billion

Elon Musk discloses 48.4% SpaceX stake, controlling more than 82% of voting power

India Selects Pixxel-Led Consortium for First Privately Operated Earth-Observation Constellation

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