China   Space Exploration & Science Missions   Commercial Space   Space Policy & International Cooperation   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact  
Space.com • Sharmila Kuthunur

US–China moon rivalry sparks private-sector scramble to build the lunar economy

As Washington and Beijing accelerate national lunar programs, private firms are racing to build the commercial infrastructure—landers, habitats, resource extraction and cislunar logistics—that will determine market positions and access on the Moon. The competition increasingly blurs civil, commercial and strategic lines for operators and suppliers.

2026-02-08T03:08:20.471850-08:00
Satellite   Space Force   AI   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Commercial Space   Space Defense & Militarization  
SpaceNews.com • Sandra Erwin

Space Force awards $54.5 million contract to Starfish Space for GEO servicing vehicle

By SpaceNews.com: Space Force awards $54.5 million contract to Starfish Space for GEO servicing vehicle U.S. Space Force awards $54.5 million contract to Starfish Space for GEO servicing vehicle.

Also: Defense Daily, cosmiclog.com and Defense Daily
2026-02-07T08:07:20.728950-08:00
China   Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation   Space Exploration & Science Missions   Space Defense & Militarization  
Reuters

China launches reusable experimental spacecraft aboard Long March-2F from Jiuquan — fourth flight since 2020

By Reuters: China successfully launched into orbit a reusable experimental spacecraft aboard a Long March-2F carrier rocket from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in the country's northwest on Saturday, state news agency Xinhua reported.

Also: SpaceNews.com, interestingengineering.com and 5 more
2026-02-07T02:48:44.258329-08:00
M&A   Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation   Space Exploration & Science Missions   Commercial Space   NASA  
Reuters

WSJ: SpaceX to prioritize 2027 Moon landing, push back Mars plans

By Reuters: Elon Musk's SpaceX told investors it will prioritize going to the moon first and attempt a trip to Mars at a later time, the Wall Street Journal reported on Friday, citing sources.

Also: webpronews.com, Times of India and tass.com
2026-02-06T16:13:39.939476-08:00
Satellite   Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation   Commercial Space   Space Debris & Traffic Management  
Spaceflight Now • Will Robinson-Smith

SpaceX launches return to flight Falcon 9 mission following brief stand down

By Spaceflight Now: ![](http://spaceflightnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/20260207_Starlink_G17_33_Launch.jpg) Update 5:02 p.m. EST (2202 UTC): SpaceX confirms deployment of the 25 Starlink satellites.

Also: SpaceNews.com and Space.com
2026-02-07T00:33:51.287105-08:00
Space Force   Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation   NASA  
Spaceflight Now • Will Robinson-Smith

SpaceX moves Dragon launches from LC‑39A to SLC‑40 as LC‑39A is repurposed for Starship

By Spaceflight Now: ![](http://spaceflightnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/20260206_LC-39A.jpeg) It’s the end of an era as SpaceX transitions all of its planned Dragon flights from Launch Complex 39A (LC-39A) at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center to Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.

2026-02-06T13:28:55.259770-08:00