Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation Commercial Space

SpaceNews.com • Jeff Foust

Varda's W-15 reentry lands in Australia, completes end-to-end demo of in-house spacecraft

Varda Space Industries' W-15 reentry capsule landed in Australia on Jan. 29, completing an end-to-end demonstration of the company's new in-house spacecraft design. The flight validated recovery and return systems ahead of planned dual-capsule operations on SpaceX Transporter rideshares and supports the company's push into commercial orbital payload-return services.

2026-01-31T15:25:02.985255-08:00

Satellite AI Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation Commercial Space Space Policy & International Cooperation Space Debris & Traffic Management Policy & Regulation

SpaceNews.com • Jeff Foust

SpaceX seeks FCC approval for million-satellite 'orbital data center' constellation

By SpaceNews.com: SpaceX is seeking FCC approval for a satellite constellation of unprecedented scale intended to function as an orbital data center.

cosmiclog.com

SpaceX wants to launch a million data center satellites

GeekWire

SpaceX seeks go-ahead from the FCC to put up to a million data center satellites in orbit

Also: Reuters, TechCrunch, newspaceeconomy.ca, webpronews.com and The Verge

2026-01-31T05:30:03.260205-08:00

China Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation Commercial Space

Space.com • Andrew Jones

Chinese space‑tourism startup targets 2028 for first crewed suborbital flight, signs actor Johnny Huang as passenger

By Space.com: Actor Johnny Huang Jingyu has booked a seat to suborbital space.

2026-01-31T08:03:46.321734-08:00

China Satellite Africa Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation Commercial Space Space Policy & International Cooperation

SpaceNews.com • Andrew Jones

China launches AlSat-3B for Algeria, further launches delayed ahead of key human spaceflight test

By SpaceNews.com: China launches AlSat-3B for Algeria, further launches delayed ahead of key human spaceflight test China launched a satellite for Algeria late Friday, as signs mount that multiple missions have been delayed amid preparations for a key human spaceflight test.

aa.com.tr

China launches remote sensing satellite for Algeria

News.CN

China launches Algerian remote‑sensing satellite from Jiuquan; Xi and Algerian president exchange congratulations

2026-01-31T02:18:59.333418-08:00

Satellite ESA Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation Space Debris & Traffic Management

Space.com • Leonard David

What actually happens to a spacecraft during its fiery last moments? Here's why ESA wants to find out

By Space.com: "Understanding how different materials behave as they burn up could help engineers design satellites that fully disintegrate, leaving nothing behind in orbit or in the atmosphere.".

2026-01-31T03:08:44.178137-08:00

Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation Space Exploration & Science Missions Human Spaceflight & Space Stations Commercial Space Space Policy & International Cooperation NASA

TechCrunch • Sean O'Kane

Blue Origin pauses space‑tourism flights to prioritize lunar program

By TechCrunch: The company is trying to take advantage of President Donald Trump's desire to return astronauts to the lunar surface by the end of his term.

New York Times

Blue Origin Pauses New Shepard Space-Tourism Flights for Two Years to Prioritize NASA Moon Contracts

CNBC

Blue Origin shutters New Shepard rocket program to focus on moon lander development

Also: SpaceNews.com, Space Daily, houstonchronicle.com, Space.com, Space Explored, NPR, newspaceeconomy.ca, GeekWire, news.bgov.com, douglasmmessier.substack.com and 3 more

2026-01-30T13:14:20.773079-08:00

ISS Commercial Space NASA

NASA • Jennifer M Dooren

NASA Selects Axiom Space for Fifth Private Mission to Space Station

By NASA: NASA and Axiom Space have signed an order for the fifth private astronaut mission to the International Space Station, targeted to launch no earlier than.

Also: SpaceNews.com, tass.com and miragenews.com

2026-01-30T16:05:33.618918-08:00

Airport Infrastructure & Air Traffic Management Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation Commercial Space Policy & Regulation NASA