Space News

Mars China Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation Space Exploration & Science Missions

Space.com • Leonard David

China advances Tianwen-3 Mars sample return toward 2028 launch and 2031 Earth return

China is progressing development of the Tianwen-3 Mars sample-return mission, targeting dual Long March 5 launches in 2028 and the return of Martian dirt and rock to Earth in 2031. Sampling hardware and both spacecraft are reportedly under construction ahead of the ambitious campaign.

2 Sources

2026-09-09T03:05:35.605486-07:00

Satellite AI Middle East Commercial Space

Space Intel Report • Peter B. de Selding

Loft Orbital, Marlan Space to build 50-satellite AI-enabled imaging constellation with $1B from Royal Group of Abu Dhabi

By Space Intel Report: PARIS — Satellite builder Loft Orbital and UAE-based Marlan Space announced a billion-dollar investment by Royal Group of Abu Dhabi into a 50-satellite constellation using AI to deliver optical and radar imaging products to Europe and the United Arab Emirates.

3 Sources

2026-09-09T02:50:36.804852-07:00

Satellite Commercial Space

Payload • Douglas Gorman

Eutelsat Taps Infinite Orbits for GEO Life Extension Mission

By Payload: Eutelsat announced an agreement today tasking the Infinite Orbits with increasing the life span of at least one of its GEO sats.

Also: SpaceNews.com and exterrajsc.com

3 Sources

2026-09-09T02:06:51.046487-07:00

Aerial Firefighting Europe Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation Commercial Space Sustainability & Climate Initiatives

TechCrunch • Anna Heim

The Exploration Company nabs $450 million to challenge SpaceX

By TechCrunch: The Exploration Company (TEC) has raised $450 million to build reusable spacecraft, in what it describes as “the largest-ever Series C by a European space company.”.

Also: SpaceWatch Global

5 Sources

2026-09-08T14:15:18.284918-07:00

Event Europe Space Policy & International Cooperation

SpaceNews.com • Jeff Foust

International Space Summit to highlight European and global space issues

By SpaceNews.com: A high-level conference organized by the French government on space seeks international consensus on key issue and to bolster Europe’s space efforts.

1 Source

2026-09-09T01:36:11.092260-07:00

Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation Space Defense & Militarization

SpaceNews.com • Sandra Erwin

National security launch forecast surges as new rockets struggle to break SpaceX's grip

By SpaceNews.com: WASHINGTON — The Pentagon has more than doubled the number of national security launch services it expects to procure, from 151 in its 2022 baseline to 337 under its latest estimate, as the U.S.

1 Source

2026-09-08T18:00:38.910501-07:00

Space Exploration & Science Missions

Universe Today • Matthew Williams

Japan's Hayabusa2 Achieves First-Ever Laser Ranging Experiment with an Asteroid

By Universe Today: On Sunday July 5th, 2026, the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) achieved the first-ever successful laser ranging experiment while making a flyby of an asteroid.

1 Source

2026-09-08T16:16:16.687979-07:00

FCC Satellite Commercial Space Space Policy & International Cooperation Policy & Regulation

SpaceNews.com • Jason Rainbow

FCC to draw line under constellation environmental review exemption

By SpaceNews.com: The FCC is poised to cement its longstanding practice of excluding constellations from environmental reviews, amid an unprecedented wave of proposals covering more than a million orbital data centers.

1 Source

2026-09-08T13:55:50.108734-07:00

China advances Tianwen-3 Mars sample return toward 2028 launch and 2031 Earth return

Loft Orbital, Marlan Space to build 50-satellite AI-enabled imaging constellation with $1B from Royal Group of Abu Dhabi

Eutelsat Taps Infinite Orbits for GEO Life Extension Mission

The Exploration Company nabs $450 million to challenge SpaceX

International Space Summit to highlight European and global space issues

National security launch forecast surges as new rockets struggle to break SpaceX's grip

Japan's Hayabusa2 Achieves First-Ever Laser Ranging Experiment with an Asteroid

FCC to draw line under constellation environmental review exemption

China Says Tianwen 3 Mars Sample-Return Mission Remains on Track for 2028 Launch

Loft Orbital, Marlan Space to build 50-satellite AI-enabled imaging constellation with $1B from Royal Group of Abu Dhabi

Eutelsat Taps Infinite Orbits for GEO Life Extension Mission

International Space Summit to highlight European and global space issues

The Exploration Company nabs $450 million to challenge SpaceX

National security launch forecast surges as new rockets struggle to break SpaceX's grip

Pixxel Targets US Growth, New Sensing Tech With $100M Raise

Isar Aerospace Achieves First Commercial Launch from Europe

AT&T Business Expands Work with Amazon Leo for Resilient Connectivity

ESA opens call for plant to produce radioisotope spacecraft heaters in Europe

Artemis III SLS stacking advances as Orion results validate trajectory fix

Stoke Space raises $1 billion to scale its fully reusable Nova rocket

SpaceX advances Starbase infrastructure as Flight 14 hardware moves toward the pad

MTG-I2 completes Meteosat Third Generation constellation as India’s EOS-05 begins ascent to geostationary orbit

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