Space News

Satellite Aircraft Finance & Leasing Commercial Space

Payload • Victoria Woodburn

Sophia Space and SLI Set Terms for $300 Million Satellite-Leasing Deal

Orbital compute startup Sophia Space and space asset leasing company SLI have agreed terms for a $300 million asset-financing transaction. The deal points to continued use of structured financing to support satellite-based infrastructure and emerging commercial space business models.

Also: SpaceNews.com and GeekWire

3 Sources

2026-09-13T21:05:05.406034-07:00

Space Policy & International Cooperation Workforce & Skills Development NASA

SpaceNews.com • Jeff Foust

NASA offers details about, and defends, proposed space academy

By SpaceNews.com: NASA has disclosed new details about a proposal to create a national space academy as the agency’s administrator defends the concept against criticism.

1 Source

2026-09-13T21:05:50.682421-07:00

Satellite Europe LEO Commercial Space Space Policy & International Cooperation

Runway Girl • Mary Kirby

Eutelsat inks key agreements for OneWeb replenishment, IRIS² buildout

By Runway Girl: Eutelsat used the occasion of the International Space Summit in Paris to announce several key agreements that will ensure it can both replenish and expand its existing OneWeb Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite network, and support the LEO portion of Europe’s forthcoming sovereign IRIS² multi-orbit constellation.

1 Source

2026-09-13T17:49:47.173551-07:00

Satellite ESA Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation Space Exploration & Science Missions

NASA Spaceflight • Justin Davenport

Vega C set to launch the ESA Sentinel-3C and FLEX missions from Kourou

By NASA Spaceflight: Avio S.p.A., the Italian prime contractor, launch service provider, and launch operator for the Vega C light satellite launcher, is poised to fly the VV30 mission with the European Space Agency’s Sentinel-3C and FLEX spacecraft riding aboard a single Vega C rocket from the ELV launch pad at Kourou, French Guiana.

1 Source

2026-09-13T15:50:30.016040-07:00

Satellite Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation Commercial Space

Space.com • Mike Wall

SpaceX launches 3 telecom satellites to orbit on 700th Falcon mission of all time (video)

By Space.com: SpaceX lofted three of SES's O3b mPOWER communications satellites to orbit today (Sept. 13), on the 700th mission to date for the Falcon rocket family.

Also: Runway Girl and satnews.com

3 Sources

2026-09-13T14:49:52.527723-07:00

Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation Commercial Space

European Spaceflight • Andrew Parsonson

Sirius Space Fires Complete STAR-1 Rocket Engine for the First Time

By European Spaceflight: Sirius Space has completed the first hot-fire test of its fully integrated STAR-1 rocket engine ahead of a 2027 demonstration flight.

1 Source

2026-09-13T04:05:20.098507-07:00

Europe Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation Commercial Space Space Policy & International Cooperation

NASA Spaceflight • Chris Bergin

Europe’s commercial launch sector picking up the pace

By NASA Spaceflight: The European space sector is enjoying a run of advances in September, highlighted by Isar Aerospace reaching orbit on its second Spectrum flight, the United Kingdom publishing a new space strategy, and PLD Space unveiling a larger reusable launcher.

1 Source

2026-09-12T16:05:25.835094-07:00

Saudi Arabia Satellite Middle East Commercial Space

Via Satellite • Rachel Jewett

Stc Group Orders Dedicated Astranis Satellite for Saudi Arabia

By Via Satellite: Saudi Arabia’s top telecommunications provider stc group has ordered a dedicated satellite from Astranis to provide satellite communication services.

2 Sources

2026-09-12T09:34:55.453653-07:00

Sophia Space and SLI Set Terms for $300 Million Satellite-Leasing Deal

NASA offers details about, and defends, proposed space academy

Eutelsat inks key agreements for OneWeb replenishment, IRIS² buildout

Vega C set to launch the ESA Sentinel-3C and FLEX missions from Kourou

SpaceX launches 3 telecom satellites to orbit on 700th Falcon mission of all time (video)

Sirius Space Fires Complete STAR-1 Rocket Engine for the First Time

Europe’s commercial launch sector picking up the pace

Stc Group Orders Dedicated Astranis Satellite for Saudi Arabia

NASA offers details about, and defends, proposed space academy

Sophia Space, SLI Set Terms for $300M Satellite Leasing Deal

Eutelsat inks key agreements for OneWeb replenishment, IRIS² buildout

Vega C set to launch the ESA Sentinel-3C and FLEX missions from Kourou

SpaceX launches 3 telecom satellites to orbit on 700th Falcon mission of all time (video)

Sirius Space Fires Complete STAR-1 Rocket Engine for the First Time

Rocket Lab protests NASA's decision to award Blue Origin $700 million Mars orbiter contract

NOAA contract signals sharp increase in commercial weather data purchases

First HyPrSpace Baguette One Launch Slips to 2027

SpaceX To Get Weighting Boost In Nasdaq 100 After Rebalance

EU proposes allocating half of its €131 billion 2028-34 defense and space budget to space

Rocket Lab protests NASA’s $700 million Mars orbiter award to Blue Origin

Europe’s commercial launch sector accelerates with Isar, PLD Space advances and a new UK strategy

ULA prepares to resume Vulcan launches as financial pressure raises ownership questions

The day’s aerospace signal, in one email.

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