Satellite   LEO   Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation   Commercial Space   Space Debris & Traffic Management  
Spaceflight Now • Will Robinson-Smith

SpaceX targets a Falcon 9 launch from Vandenberg to add ~two dozen Starlink V2 Mini satellites after a mission abort

SpaceX is preparing to attempt again to launch a Starlink mission from Vandenberg Space Force Base using a Falcon 9, with plans to place another ~two dozen Starlink V2 Mini broadband satellites into low Earth orbit. The effort follows an earlier launch attempt that ended in an abort.

2026-07-21T03:57:11.989739-07:00
Satellite   Europe   Space Exploration & Science Missions   Space Policy & International Cooperation   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact  
SpaceNews.com • Jason Rainbow

IHI explores Kuva hyperspectral satellites for Japan’s multi-sensor constellation

By SpaceNews.com: Japan’s IHI is considering adding next-generation hyperspectral satellites from Finnish startup Kuva Space to its planned 100-strong, multi-sensor sovereign Earth observation constellation.

Also: Satellite Evolution
2026-07-21T00:37:17.888871-07:00
Europe   ESA   Defense Budgets & Spending   Space Policy & International Cooperation   Space Defense & Militarization   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact   Defense Policy  
SpaceWatch Global • Torsten Kriening

#SpaceWatchGL Opinion - The Space Economy Now Wears a Uniform. Is Europe Ready?

By SpaceWatch Global: ESA's 2026 Space Economy Report shows 53% of government space spending goes to defence. Torsten Kriening on why Europe must choose: shareholder or customer.

2026-07-21T01:08:50.456627-07:00
Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation   Commercial Space  
NASA Spaceflight • Chris Bergin, Martijn Luinstra

Making Progress: Relativity’s Terran R, Rocket Lab’s Neutron, and PLD Space’s Miura 5

By NASA Spaceflight: While the focus of late has been on Starship’s test program, three companies developing new orbital rockets — Relativity Space, Rocket Lab, and PLD Space — announced key testing milestones for vehicles targeted for debut flights later in 2026.

2026-07-20T12:23:11.172032-07:00