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Associated Press • Marcia Dunn

NASA-tested radiation vest could reduce lunar astronauts’ exposure during severe solar storms

A study suggests a protective vest tested on a manikin during NASA’s first Artemis mission could substantially reduce lunar astronauts’ radiation exposure during severe solar storms. The result points to a potentially practical layer of protection for crewed lunar operations, where solar particle events remain a major hazard.

Also: Space.com and ScienceNews

3 Sources

2026-08-12T11:05:54.848324-07:00

Satellite LEO Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation Commercial Space

Space Intel Report • Peter B. de Selding

AST SpaceMobile: Beta D2D commercial service in US should start this year for half-day coverage, continuous service in 2027

By Space Intel Report: LA PLATA, Maryland— Satellite direct-to-device (D2D) startup AST SpaceMobile, which has 13 satellites in low Earth orbit, said it expects to reach its goal of 45 satellites by early next year and has booked 10 missions on two launch-service providers to reach that goal.

1 Source

2026-08-12T10:35:15.466447-07:00

Airports Airport Infrastructure & Air Traffic Management Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation Commercial Space Policy & Regulation

Skift • Tasmin Lockwood

These 13 Environmental Laws Could be Waived to Speed Up Airport-to-Spaceport Conversions

By Skift: Dozens of airports sit on land, runways, and remote buffer zones that could be turned into spaceports — and the FAA just proposed waiving 13 environmental laws to help them do so.

1 Source

2026-08-12T09:36:30.250355-07:00

Satellite Europe Space Policy & International Cooperation Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact

politico.eu • Milena Wälde

Poland Reignites Dispute With Musk Over Exclusion From Starlink Roaming Zone

By politico.eu: The company has not explained why Warsaw was carved out of a 30-country roaming zone.

2 Sources

2026-08-12T09:05:16.955763-07:00

China Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation Commercial Space

SpaceNews.com • Andrew Jones

China’s iSpace raises first batch of series E funding for reusable rocketry

By SpaceNews.com: Chinese reusable launch vehicle maker has secured a first batch of series E funding, months after a huge D++ round, with fundraising still ongoing.

2 Sources

2026-08-12T06:15:41.076212-07:00

Defense Industry & Major Contractors Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation Commercial Space

Payload • Victoria Woodburn

Firefly Aerospace Reports Record Quarter Backed by Launch and Defense Announcements

By Payload: Firefly Aerospace ($FLY) posted its first-ever $100M+ quarter on Tuesday, backed by a fresh slate of launch and defense announcements.

1 Source

2026-08-12T05:21:04.614403-07:00

Satellite Commercial Space

Space Intel Report • Peter B. de Selding

Satellogic Reports Positive Operating Income and EBITDA, Projects Continued Profitability

By Space Intel Report: LA PLATA, Maryland — Satellite geospatial imagery provider Satellogic Inc., confirming what it said would be its turnaround year, reported its first quarter of positive operating income and adjusted EBITDA and said the performance would continue for the rest of the year and into 2027.

2 Sources

2026-08-12T06:35:04.325645-07:00

Satellite Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation Commercial Space

Space.com • Josh Dinner

SpaceX wraps Starlink double header day with the launch of 24 Starlink satellites from California

By Space.com: SpaceX launched 24 more of its Starlink global internet satellite constellation to orbit from California on Aug. 11, wrapping the second Starlink launch of the day.

1 Source

2026-08-12T04:51:51.499428-07:00

NASA-tested radiation vest could reduce lunar astronauts’ exposure during severe solar storms

AST SpaceMobile: Beta D2D commercial service in US should start this year for half-day coverage, continuous service in 2027

These 13 Environmental Laws Could be Waived to Speed Up Airport-to-Spaceport Conversions

Poland Reignites Dispute With Musk Over Exclusion From Starlink Roaming Zone

China’s iSpace raises first batch of series E funding for reusable rocketry

Firefly Aerospace Reports Record Quarter Backed by Launch and Defense Announcements

Satellogic Reports Positive Operating Income and EBITDA, Projects Continued Profitability

SpaceX wraps Starlink double header day with the launch of 24 Starlink satellites from California

Radiation vest tested on NASA moonshot can cut astronauts' exposure in solar storms, study suggests

AST SpaceMobile: Beta D2D commercial service in US should start this year for half-day coverage, continuous service in 2027

These 13 Environmental Laws Could be Waived to Speed Up Airport-to-Spaceport Conversions

Poland Reignites Dispute With Musk Over Exclusion From Starlink Roaming Zone

Satellogic Reports Positive Operating Income and EBITDA, Projects Continued Profitability

China’s iSpace raises first batch of series E funding for reusable rocketry

#SpaceWatchGL Analysis: India’s Space Industry Push Pays Off With Successful Launch

Firefly increases vehicle production even as launches lag

SpaceX could make $500 billion in 2028, Elon Musk says (video)

Norway wealth fund posts record $184 billion profit in first half of 2026

Rocket Lab’s Neutron debut faces schedule risk as company unveils GHOST deployable launch system

Long March 7A fails shortly after liftoff during communications-satellite launch

Vietnam’s VinSpace signs SpaceX launch deal for first satellites in 2027

SpaceX shares rebound after $7.8 billion Q2 revenue beat as satellite and Starship ambitions raise commercial-space stakes

The day’s aerospace signal, in one email.

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