Europe   ESA   Defense Budgets & Spending   Space Policy & International Cooperation   Space Defense & Militarization   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact   Defense Policy  
SpaceWatch Global • Torsten Kriening

ESA 2026 Space Economy Report: 53% of government space spending tied to defence as Europe weighs “shareholder vs customer” polic

An #SpaceWatchGL Opinion piece cites ESA’s 2026 Space Economy Report, estimating that 53% of government space spending goes to defence. Torsten Kriening argues Europe must decide whether it prioritizes a “shareholder” approach or a “customer” approach to shape future European space capability and demand.

2026-07-21T01:08:50.456627-07:00
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.

2026-07-21T00:37:17.888871-07:00
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
Event   China   Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation   Space Exploration & Science Missions   Commercial Space   Space Defense & Militarization  
Space.com • Mike Wall

Twice in a row: SpaceX rocket aborts launch at last second again (video)

By Space.com: SpaceX suffered its second last-second abort in a row this morning (July 20), this time during an attempted Falcon 9 launch of Starlink broadband satellites.

Also: keeptrack.space and 3 more
2026-07-20T09:22:15.943442-07:00