Space News

Moon Space Exploration & Science Missions Commercial Space

Payload • Douglas Gorman

Zeno Power books first lunar nuclear mission with Firefly for MoonNET 2028

Zeno Power has signed an agreement with Firefly Aerospace to fly a radioisotope heating unit on a Firefly mission to the MoonNET 2028. The mission will mark Zeno’s first nuclear deployment and adds a space-power payload to Firefly’s lunar transportation plans.

Also: SpaceNews.com and GeekWire

3 Sources

2026-08-19T05:05:03.503384-07:00

Satellite Intuitive Machines M&A Commercial Space

NEW

Space Intel Report • Peter B. de Selding

Intuitive Machines purchase of Maxar looks a lot better with 3-satellite order and orbital data center potential

By Space Intel Report: TUPPER LAKE, NY — It’s too early to say whether Intuitive Machines’ $853.3-million purchase of large-satellite builder Maxar Space Systems was a good deal.

1 Source

2026-08-19T06:05:46.773901-07:00

Commercial Space Space Policy & International Cooperation

SpaceWatch Global • Joshua Faleti

Space Forge Partners with Texas A&M to Expand Advanced Semiconductor Materials Capacity in the U.S.

By SpaceWatch Global: Space Forge has signed a master research agreement with The Texas A&M University System, establishing a framework for research collaboration.

1 Source

2026-08-19T03:13:51.438758-07:00

Europe Defense Industry & Major Contractors

Reuters • Mirko Miorelli

As Europe rearms, Italy's fragmented space sector faces a scale test

By Reuters: Italy's fragmented space industry is facing growing pressure to consolidate as defence and government customers increasingly favour larger suppliers capable of handling complex programmes.

1 Source

2026-08-18T22:20:19.207084-07:00

China Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation Commercial Space

Space.com • Mike Wall

Touchdown! Private Chinese rocket aces landing on 2nd-ever flight (video)

By Space.com: The Beijing-based company LandSpace landed its Zhuque-3 rocket this evening (Aug. 18), notching a huge milestone for commercial Chinese spaceflight.

NASA Spaceflight

Zhuque-3 Completes Second Flight with Successful First-Stage Landing

SpaceNews.com

China’s Landspace recovers booster with second orbital launch of Zhuque-3 rocket

Also: Bloomberg, english.kyodonews.net and Economic Times

6 Sources

2026-08-18T18:33:08.518584-07:00

Moon Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation Space Exploration & Science Missions Commercial Space Space Policy & International Cooperation Space Debris & Traffic Management NASA

Associated Press • Marcia Dunn

Before-and-after NASA images show crater carved by a SpaceX rocket that slammed into the moon

By Associated Press: A NASA spacecraft circling the moon is providing the sharpest views yet of the crater carved by a crashing SpaceX rocket.

AeroTime

SpaceX Falcon 9 stage carved 60-foot crater into the Moon, NASA images show

Associated Press

New images show moon crater carved by SpaceX rocket

Also: CBS News, CNN, NBC News and 8 more

24 Sources

2026-08-18T14:51:11.763780-07:00

Satellite AI Cybersecurity (Cyber Threats & Protection)

Associated Press • Konstantin Toropin

AI-assisted tool helped secure satellite communication system after 2022 Russian hacking

By Associated Press: The cybersecurity company Atalanta says it has released “Argo” — a product that includes the technology that was crucial in securing a satellite communications network after a Russian hacking attack.

3 Sources

2026-08-18T14:51:09.697477-07:00

ISS Europe Human Spaceflight & Space Stations NASA

Space.com • Robert Z. Pearlman

NASA astronaut and 1st female French spacewalker remove failed ISS antenna but run out of time for replacement

By Space.com: NASA astronaut Anil Menon and first female French spacewalker Sophie Adenot removed a failed antenna but ran out of time to install its replacement at the International Space Station, Aug.

Also: Spaceflight Now

2 Sources

2026-08-18T12:45:41.606417-07:00

Zeno Power books first lunar nuclear mission with Firefly for MoonNET 2028

Intuitive Machines purchase of Maxar looks a lot better with 3-satellite order and orbital data center potential

Space Forge Partners with Texas A&M to Expand Advanced Semiconductor Materials Capacity in the U.S.

As Europe rearms, Italy's fragmented space sector faces a scale test

Touchdown! Private Chinese rocket aces landing on 2nd-ever flight (video)

Zhuque-3 Completes Second Flight with Successful First-Stage Landing

China’s Landspace recovers booster with second orbital launch of Zhuque-3 rocket

Before-and-after NASA images show crater carved by a SpaceX rocket that slammed into the moon

SpaceX Falcon 9 stage carved 60-foot crater into the Moon, NASA images show

New images show moon crater carved by SpaceX rocket

AI-assisted tool helped secure satellite communication system after 2022 Russian hacking

NASA astronaut and 1st female French spacewalker remove failed ISS antenna but run out of time for replacement

Intuitive Machines purchase of Maxar looks a lot better with 3-satellite order and orbital data center potential

Zeno Power Books its First Nuclear Mission to the Moon

Space Forge Partners with Texas A&M to Expand Advanced Semiconductor Materials Capacity in the U.S.

As Europe rearms, Italy's fragmented space sector faces a scale test

Touchdown! Private Chinese rocket aces landing on 2nd-ever flight (video)

Before-and-after NASA images show crater carved by a SpaceX rocket that slammed into the moon

Vietnam’s VinSpace Plans to Launch Tech Demonstration on 2027 SpaceX Rideshare Mission

SpaceX Recovers Starship After 24-Day Ocean Voyage, Reaches Christmas Island

How NASA Engineers Are Keeping the Voyagers Alive

Spire forecasts 50% rev growth this yr, raises European profile w/ German manufacturing & Schaeffler, Diehl partnerships

Firefly Aerospace advances medium-lift rocket and Alpha launcher as $1.5B backlog supports growth

SpaceX Plans Three Starlink Launches as China Schedules Reusable-Booster Test and Chang’e 7 Lunar Mission

Satellite connectivity buildout advances with Globalstar deployment, IRIS² milestone, Viasat- Rocket Lab contract and ReOrbit R&

United Launch Alliance Names Mark Peller CEO as Vulcan Faces Program Challenges

The day’s aerospace signal, in one email.

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