Space News

Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation Commercial Space

European Spaceflight • Andrew Parsonson

MaiaSpace drops suborbital test plan; targets inaugural orbital launch attempt in 2H 2027

MaiaSpace has abandoned plans for a suborbital test flight and will instead pursue an inaugural orbital launch attempt in the second half of 2027. The change indicates a shift in how the company plans to validate its launch pathway ahead of its first orbital mission.

1 Source

2026-07-29T07:46:48.551805-07:00

Satellite Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation Commercial Space

NEW

Bloomberg • Sana Pashankar

SpaceX Customers Are Bracing for the Falcon Rocket Phaseout

By Bloomberg: Satellite operators have long relied on hitching rides on SpaceX’s workhorse rocket.

1 Source

2026-07-29T07:36:01.990756-07:00

Satellite Middle East Commercial Space Asia-Pacific (APAC)

NEW

SpaceNews.com

LatConnect 60 Accelerates SWIRSAT Constellation Growth Anchored in Western Australia with Expansion into Malaysia and UAE

By SpaceNews.com: PERTH, Western Australia — LatConnect 60 (LC60) is executing on a multi-geography industrial plan to accelerate its SWIRSAT constellation, anchoring core technology development and payload manufacturing in Western Australia while expanding its manufacturing presence in Malaysia and the United Arab Emirates as additional locations for broader spacecraft production.

1 Source

2026-07-29T08:00:40.966124-07:00

Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation Space Exploration & Science Missions Commercial Space

Payload • Douglas Gorman

Outlier Space Raises $7.3M to Build New Zealand’s First Reentry Vehicle

By Payload: Outlier Space announced a $7.35M round to develop its microgravity research and return vehicle, scheduled to fly its debut mission in 2028.

3 Sources

2026-07-29T06:00:10.913168-07:00

Moon Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation Space Exploration & Science Missions Commercial Space

SpaceNews.com • Jeff Foust

H3 to launch next ispace lunar lander mission

By SpaceNews.com: Japanese lunar lander developer ispace has selected the H3 to launch its next mission in 2028, creating Japan’s first private lunar transportation system.

1 Source

2026-07-29T05:12:08.847867-07:00

Space Policy & International Cooperation Space Defense & Militarization Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact Defense Policy

Space Intel Report • Peter B. de Selding

NATO Q&A on July summit decision on HALO mega-constellation

By Space Intel Report: TUPPER LAKE, NY — The 32-nation NATO alliance announced multiple new joint space technology initiatives at its July 7 summit in Ankara, including HALO, the Hybrid Alliance Layered Operations in space.

1 Source

2026-07-29T04:23:42.659919-07:00

Satellite ESA Space Policy & International Cooperation Space Defense & Militarization Cybersecurity (Cyber Threats & Protection)

SpaceWatch Global • Joshua Faleti

ESA Commissions Optical Ground Station in Luxembourg to Advance Quantum-Enabled Ultra-Secure Satellite Communications

By SpaceWatch Global: ESA has commissioned a new optical ground station in Windhof, Luxembourg, to help test an ultra-secure, international communications network.

Also: Payload and exterrajsc.com

3 Sources

2026-07-29T01:03:39.775942-07:00

Satellite Commercial Space Space Policy & International Cooperation

SpaceWatch Global • Guest Author

#SpaceWatchGL Inside EO – The Missing Layer Part 3: The Road to Scale

By SpaceWatch Global: Karolina Sarna explores how commercial Earth Observation markets are beginning to form, what signals to watch, and who may shape the industry's next phase of growth.

1 Source

2026-07-29T01:13:33.462060-07:00

MaiaSpace drops suborbital test plan; targets inaugural orbital launch attempt in 2H 2027

SpaceX Customers Are Bracing for the Falcon Rocket Phaseout

LatConnect 60 Accelerates SWIRSAT Constellation Growth Anchored in Western Australia with Expansion into Malaysia and UAE

Outlier Space Raises $7.3M to Build New Zealand’s First Reentry Vehicle

H3 to launch next ispace lunar lander mission

NATO Q&A on July summit decision on HALO mega-constellation

ESA Commissions Optical Ground Station in Luxembourg to Advance Quantum-Enabled Ultra-Secure Satellite Communications

#SpaceWatchGL Inside EO – The Missing Layer Part 3: The Road to Scale

LatConnect 60 Accelerates SWIRSAT Constellation Growth Anchored in Western Australia with Expansion into Malaysia and UAE

MaiaSpace Ditches Suborbital Test Flight Plans

SpaceX Customers Are Bracing for the Falcon Rocket Phaseout

Outlier Space Raises $7.3M to Build New Zealand’s First Reentry Vehicle

H3 to launch next ispace lunar lander mission

NATO Q&A on July summit decision on HALO mega-constellation

Boeing still working with NASA to schedule next Starliner flight

Chinese startup raises funds for space situational awareness constellation, joining commercial SSA rush

ESA opens call to repurpose Gateway communications module

Private mission to rescue NASA's aging telescope runs into its own trouble

Amazon asks FCC approval for up to 5,105 direct-to-device satellites, leveraging Globalstar assets post-$11.6B acquisition

European “SpaceX rival” The Exploration Company in talks for a $300M raise, targeting $2B+ valuation

ESA awards ispace-EUROPE execution contract for MAGPIE lunar polar ice exploration mission phase

Rocket Lab lands record $266M U.S. Space Force award for up to 18 suborbital launches

The day’s aerospace signal, in one email.

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