Space News

Defense Industry & Major Contractors Commercial Space Space Defense & Militarization

SpaceNews.com • Sandra Erwin

U.S. Air Force awards Antares $161 million to develop nuclear reactor for spacecraft

The Department of the Air Force has awarded nuclear microreactor startup Antares a $161 million contract to develop and demonstrate a nuclear reactor for spacecraft. The award advances U.S. efforts to mature space-based nuclear power for future missions.

1 Source

2026-09-14T02:22:34.928644-07:00

Satellite Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation Commercial Space

NEW

SpaceNews.com • Jeff Foust

Exolaunch secures additional rideshare launches

By SpaceNews.com: Launch services provider Exolaunch said Sept. 14 it secured capacity for rideshare payloads on two launches, including a flight on a Japanese rocket.

1 Source

2026-09-14T03:06:40.691075-07:00

Europe Space Policy & International Cooperation

SpaceNews.com • Jeff Foust

Europe uses space summit to advocate for greater autonomy

By SpaceNews.com: European officials used an international space conference to bolster the continent’s own space capabilities as they push for greater autonomy.

1 Source

2026-09-14T01:45:41.979720-07:00

Satellite LEO Commercial Space

SpaceWatch Global • Guest Author

#SpaceWatchGL Opinion: LEO economics are decided in the chipset, not the launch bay

By SpaceWatch Global: Why custom silicon and common terminal architectures could determine the economics of LEO networks, from Starlink to Europe’s IRIS² constellation.

1 Source

2026-09-14T01:22:12.340847-07:00

Satellite Commercial Space

SpaceWatch Global • Joshua Faleti

NOAA Selects 14 Companies for New Commercial Environmental Data Supply Framework

By SpaceWatch Global: NOAA selects 14 providers in a new framework to expand satellite data use for U.S. weather forecasting and space-weather monitoring.

1 Source

2026-09-14T01:15:03.150593-07:00

Satellite Asia-Pacific (APAC)

SpaceWatch Global • Joshua Faleti

SWISSto12 and Mitsubishi Electric Expand Japan Partnership With MoU and Antenna Contract

By SpaceWatch Global: SWISSto12 and Mitsubishi Electric will explore advanced payload and RF opportunities in Japan, alongside a new phased-array antenna contract.

1 Source

2026-09-14T01:54:59.645938-07:00

Satellite Commercial Space

SpaceNews.com • Debra Werner

Startups seek to demonstrate 3D printing in vacuum of space

By SpaceNews.com: PARIS – Poland’s Orbital Matter and Dcubed of Germany are conducting on-orbit demonstrations of 3D printing in cubesats, a step toward creating solar arrays with additively manufactured booms.

1 Source

2026-09-14T00:36:55.826689-07:00

Satellite Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation Commercial Space

SpaceNews.com • Debra Werner

BlackSky shares first-light imagery from fifth Gen3 satellite

By SpaceNews.com: ARIS — BlackSky Technology announced Sept. 14 that it collected and processed first light imagery from its fifth Gen3 satellite in less than 20 hours after liftoff on a Rocket Lab Electron rocket.

3 Sources

2026-09-13T23:25:41.512365-07:00

U.S. Air Force awards Antares $161 million to develop nuclear reactor for spacecraft

Exolaunch secures additional rideshare launches

Europe uses space summit to advocate for greater autonomy

#SpaceWatchGL Opinion: LEO economics are decided in the chipset, not the launch bay

NOAA Selects 14 Companies for New Commercial Environmental Data Supply Framework

SWISSto12 and Mitsubishi Electric Expand Japan Partnership With MoU and Antenna Contract

Startups seek to demonstrate 3D printing in vacuum of space

BlackSky shares first-light imagery from fifth Gen3 satellite

Exolaunch secures additional rideshare launches

U.S. Air Force awards Antares $161 million to advance nuclear reactor for space

SWISSto12 and Mitsubishi Electric Expand Japan Partnership With MoU and Antenna Contract

Europe uses space summit to advocate for greater autonomy

#SpaceWatchGL Opinion: LEO economics are decided in the chipset, not the launch bay

NOAA Selects 14 Companies for New Commercial Environmental Data Supply Framework

Avio reports strong growth but seeks more funding to increase Ariane 6 and Vega launch cadence

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

NASA offers details about, and defends, proposed space academy

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

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

Poland launches process to develop a domestic Starlink-like satellite system

The day’s aerospace signal, in one email.

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