ArianeGroup   Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation  
European Spaceflight • Andrew Parsonson

ArianeGroup shares details of an upgraded Ariane 6 upper-stage rocket engine test campaign

ArianeGroup has disclosed a previously unannounced test campaign for an upgraded Ariane 6 upper-stage rocket engine. The announcement adds concrete progress markers to the engine’s development trajectory ahead of Ariane 6’s operational readiness and mission ramp-up.

2026-07-09T11:59:12.192966-07:00
Satellite   Project Kuiper   Commercial Space   Space Policy & International Cooperation   Space Debris & Traffic Management  
NEW
Space.com • Mike Wall

SpaceX wants to launch 100,000 Starlink satellites to orbit

By Space.com: SpaceX has applied for approval to operate a 100,000-member megaconstellation of next-gen Starlink satellites in Earth orbit. And each of the new spacecraft will weigh about 4,400 pounds.

Also: Via Satellite
2026-07-09T12:45:17.037586-07:00
Blue Origin   Aviation Safety & Regulation   Space Exploration & Science Missions   Human Spaceflight & Space Stations   Industry Leader Profiles & Interviews  
New York Times • Richard Goldstein

Wally Funk, Who Set an Age Record for Space Travel, Dies at 87

By New York Times: As a young woman in the 1960s, she wasn’t allowed to become a NASA astronaut. She finally realized her long-held dream of flying in space as an octogenarian.

Also: CNN, CBS News and nasawatch.com
2026-07-09T09:59:25.062127-07:00
Satellite  
SpaceNews.com • Debra Werner

Xona unveils program to verify Pulsar-compatible devices

By SpaceNews.com: SAN FRANCISCO – Xona, the Silicon Valley startup establishing Pulsar, a precision positioning, navigation and timing (PNT) constellation, announced a high-profile roster of partners developing compatible equipment.

2026-07-09T11:00:11.955954-07:00
ISS   Satellite   Europe   M&A   Space Exploration & Science Missions   Commercial Space   Space Policy & International Cooperation   Space Defense & Militarization  
SpaceNews.com • Jeff Foust

MDA Space buys French Earth data analytics company CLS

By SpaceNews.com: Canadian company MDA Space is buying a French Earth data analytics company in its second big acquisition in recent weeks, part of a space M&A wave.

Also: Space Intel Report, SpaceQ and betakit.com
2026-07-09T04:29:00.090902-07:00
Satellite   Space Force   Military Aircraft Procurement   Missile Systems & Strategic Weapons   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation   Space Policy & International Cooperation   Space Defense & Militarization   Defense Policy  
SpaceNews.com • Sandra Erwin

Space Force awards Pulse Space $40 million to advance laser power technology

By SpaceNews.com: WASHINGTON — Pulse Space, a startup developing laser technology designed to transmit power and data between spacecraft, said it has won a $40 million contract from the U.S.

Also: Seeking Alpha and 7 more
2026-07-09T06:15:31.858085-07:00
Space Force   Military Aircraft Procurement   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Defense Policy  
SpaceNews.com • Sandra Erwin

Space Force completes procurement reorganization, creating nine acquisition portfolios

By SpaceNews.com: WASHINGTON — The U.S. Space Force has completed the biggest overhaul of its acquisition organization since the service was established, creating nine mission-focused Portfolio Acquisition Executives to oversee the buying, integration and modernization of the military’s space capabilities.

2026-07-09T07:39:47.988355-07:00