Space News

Mars Space Exploration & Science Missions NASA

Payload • Jacqueline Feldscher

TRL11 to Provide Imaging Systems for NASA-Contracted SR-1 Freedom Mars Mission

TRL11 has secured a NASA contract to develop imaging systems for Space Reactor-1’s SR-1 Freedom mission to Mars. The award positions the company to supply mission-critical imaging technology for a nuclear-powered—or space reactor-enabled—Mars exploration effort.

1 Source

2026-09-22T05:35:29.183989-07:00

Satellite Europe ESA Space Policy & International Cooperation

NEW

SpaceNews.com • Jeff Foust

ESA awards study contracts for dual-use Earth observation system

By SpaceNews.com: ESA and European Commission awarded contracts to two teams of companies to study architectures for an Earth imaging system for security applications.

1 Source

2026-09-22T05:45:43.812372-07:00

Europe Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation Commercial Space

NEW

European Spaceflight • Andrew Parsonson

SaxaVord Scrapped Launch Rail Plans, Forcing HyImpulse to Bring Its Own

By European Spaceflight: SaxaVord has abandoned plans for a shared suborbital launch rail, with HyImpulse now set to bring its own system for the launch of its second SR75 rocket.

1 Source

2026-09-22T05:50:57.585654-07:00

Space Policy & International Cooperation NASA

Ars Technica • Stephen Clark

NASA chief: I'm only interested in "good deals" from international partners

By Ars Technica: There was absolutely a time where we were trying to make everyone happy.".

1 Source

2026-09-22T04:20:21.721778-07:00

Satellite Supply Chain Space Defense & Militarization Space Debris & Traffic Management

SpaceWatch Global • Joshua Faleti

Terma to Provide Ground Support Equipment for MDA Space's AURORA Satellites

By SpaceWatch Global: Terma has been selected for MDA Space’s AURORA supply chain, providing ground support equipment for satellite testing and production.

Also: aerospacemanufacturinganddesign.com and defence-industry.eu

3 Sources

2026-09-22T01:15:59.635782-07:00

Supply Chain Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation Commercial Space

Wall Street Journal • Becky Peterson, Micah Maidenberg

A Rocket Supply Crunch Is Making It Harder to Hitch a Ride to Space

By Wall Street Journal: There’s a rush to secure flights as SpaceX winds down its flagship vehicle and rivals try to ramp up.

1 Source

2026-09-21T23:37:01.329732-07:00

Moon Space Policy & International Cooperation

SpaceNews.com • Jeff Foust

Albania signs the Artemis Accords

By SpaceNews.com: Albania is the latest country to sign the Artemis Accords, part of a surge of new signatories ahead of a key meeting next month.

3 Sources

2026-09-21T16:50:31.279790-07:00

Satellite Space Force Space Defense & Militarization

SpaceNews.com • Sandra Erwin

Space Force exploring standby fleet of rapid-response satellites

By SpaceNews.com: WASHINGTON — The U.S. Space Force is looking for satellites that could be kept on standby, launched on short notice and sent to approach and inspect spacecraft in orbit.

1 Source

2026-09-21T15:45:44.570768-07:00

TRL11 to Provide Imaging Systems for NASA-Contracted SR-1 Freedom Mars Mission

ESA awards study contracts for dual-use Earth observation system

SaxaVord Scrapped Launch Rail Plans, Forcing HyImpulse to Bring Its Own

NASA chief: I'm only interested in "good deals" from international partners

Terma to Provide Ground Support Equipment for MDA Space's AURORA Satellites

A Rocket Supply Crunch Is Making It Harder to Hitch a Ride to Space

Albania signs the Artemis Accords

Space Force exploring standby fleet of rapid-response satellites

SaxaVord Scrapped Launch Rail Plans, Forcing HyImpulse to Bring Its Own

ESA awards study contracts for dual-use Earth observation system

TRL11 Will Build Imaging Tech for SR-1 Freedom

NASA chief: I'm only interested in "good deals" from international partners

Terma to Provide Ground Support Equipment for MDA Space's AURORA Satellites

A Rocket Supply Crunch Is Making It Harder to Hitch a Ride to Space

Katalyst to Demo Space-Based Power Beaming for Pentagon Energy Investment Program

Europe Grapples With Faster Procurement Amid Space Defense Push

HEO raises $25 million to expand satellite imaging capabilities to GEO

Aerospacelab Reaches Profitability Ahead of $2.75 Billion Iris2 Contract

SpaceX’s Starship nears first orbital flight as Starfall secures commercial missions for 2028 and 2029

Satellite industry grapples with SpaceX’s planned end of commercial Falcon 9 launches

Ariane 6 turbopump anomaly could limit 2026 launches to one or two flights

Synspective deploys 12th StriX SAR satellite as it expands constellation and adds Japan’s H3 to launch plans

The day’s aerospace signal, in one email.

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