Space News

Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation Commercial Space

European Spaceflight • Andrew Parsonson

Sirius Space completes first hot-fire test of integrated STAR-1 engine ahead of 2027 demonstration flight

Sirius Space has completed the first hot-fire test of its fully integrated STAR-1 rocket engine, marking a development milestone ahead of a planned 2027 demonstration flight. The test advances the company’s commercial launch vehicle program toward an in-flight demonstration.

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

Satellite North America

SpaceNews.com • Debra Werner

NOAA contract signals sharp increase in commercial weather data purchases

By SpaceNews.com: PARIS – The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration announced significant expansion of its commercial satellite data program with the Sept. 10 award of an indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity contract to 14 companies.

1 Source

2026-09-12T14:10:40.783456-07:00

Commercial Space

Bloomberg • Isabelle Lee

SpaceX To Get Weighting Boost In Nasdaq 100 After Rebalance

By Bloomberg: SpaceX is set to get a larger weighting in the Nasdaq 100 later this month, a change that could trigger billions of dollars of buying by passive funds tied to the benchmark.

2 Sources

2026-09-12T11:20:03.743272-07:00

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

Mars Blue Origin Space Exploration & Science Missions Commercial Space NASA

Space.com • Mike Wall

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

By Space.com: Rocket Lab has filed a protest against NASA's decision to award Blue Origin a $700 million Mars orbiter contract, saying it's inconsistent with the eligibility rules laid out by Congress.

Also: SpaceNews.com, keeptrack.space and keeptrack.space

4 Sources

2026-09-11T15:14:49.875038-07:00

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

European Spaceflight • Andrew Parsonson

First HyPrSpace Baguette One Launch Slips to 2027

By European Spaceflight: HyPrSpace has delayed the inaugural flight of its Baguette One suborbital rocket to 2027, with launch planned from a French military test site.

2 Sources

2026-09-11T22:36:03.859367-07:00

AI Moon Space Exploration & Science Missions NASA

Space.com • Julian Dossett

NASA, IBM launch new AI model for studying the moon

By Space.com: NASA and IBM have developed an AI model to help sift through the mountains of data the agency has gathered about the moon.

1 Source

2026-09-12T03:05:03.588225-07:00

Sirius Space completes first hot-fire test of integrated STAR-1 engine ahead of 2027 demonstration flight

Europe’s commercial launch sector picking up the pace

NOAA contract signals sharp increase in commercial weather data purchases

SpaceX To Get Weighting Boost In Nasdaq 100 After Rebalance

Stc Group Orders Dedicated Astranis Satellite for Saudi Arabia

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

First HyPrSpace Baguette One Launch Slips to 2027

NASA, IBM launch new AI model for studying the moon

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

Europe’s commercial launch sector picking up the pace

NOAA contract signals sharp increase in commercial weather data purchases

SpaceX To Get Weighting Boost In Nasdaq 100 After Rebalance

Stc Group Orders Dedicated Astranis Satellite for Saudi Arabia

Trump is proposing a US Space Academy — if created, it could blur the lines between NASA and the military (op-ed)

Trump is proposing a US Space Academy — if created, it could blur the lines between NASA and the military (op-ed)

Roman telescope deploys solar array and communication systems, powers on Coronagraph Instrument

International Space Summit Highlights the Strength of Europe’s Space Ecosystem

Polish prime minister: Poland to develop its own Starlink

NASA’s Roman Space Telescope deploys solar array and communications systems after Falcon Heavy launch

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

York Space Systems to build Tomorrow.io’s $187 million DeepSky weather constellation

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