Aviation Safety & Regulation   Space Exploration & Science Missions   Human Spaceflight & Space Stations   Industry Leader Profiles & Interviews  
New York Times • Richard Goldstein

Wally Funk, Mercury-era aviation pioneer who ultimately flew to space at age 82, dies at 87

Wally Funk, a North Texas aviation pioneer selected in 1961 for NASA’s Mercury 13 program, has died at 87. Unable to fly as a NASA astronaut in the 1960s, she later realized her spaceflight dream as an octogenarian, setting a record for age in space travel.

Also: Washington Post, CBS News and nasawatch.com
2026-07-09T09:59:25.062127-07:00
Satellite  
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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   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
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
Satellite   Space Defense & Militarization   Sustainability & Climate Initiatives   Defense Policy  
Breaking Defense • Theresa Hitchens

Why DoD, Silicon Valley now are betting on solar power beaming sats

By Breaking Defense: "Space Operational Energy is a growing focus for us. We hope to host industry days and create avenues for collaboration with industry partners in the near future," an Air Force spokesperson told Breaking Defense.

2026-07-09T07:04:54.572921-07:00
Satellite   Space Force   Missile Systems & Strategic Weapons   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation   Space Defense & Militarization  
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, GeekWire and 4 more
2026-07-09T06:15:31.858085-07:00