Hypersonic   Space Exploration & Science Missions   Commercial Space  
SpaceNews.com • Jeff Foust

Varda Space Industries completes May 18 reentry mission as CEO maps space-based medicine path to manufacturing

Varda Space Industries says it completed its latest reentry mission on May 18, continuing to back both pharmaceutical research payload work and hypersonic testing. In a fireside chat at ASCEND, CEO Bruey outlined a strategy to move space-based medicine from “research novelty” toward manufacturing at scale.

Also: Aerospace America
2026-05-21T15:26:08.039956-07:00
Space Force   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact   Defense Policy  
SpaceNews.com • Sandra Erwin

Space Force on path to double active-duty force by 2030

By SpaceNews.com: WASHINGTON — The U.S. Space Force plans to add 2,800 active-duty personnel and 2,000 civilian employees in fiscal year 2027 as it looks to nearly double the size of the service by the end of the decade, the service’s top officer told lawmakers this week.

2026-05-21T14:39:51.555638-07:00
SpaceNews.com • Sandra Erwin

Space Force eyes 2027 demonstrations of in-space refueling and satellite servicing

By SpaceNews.com: WASHINGTON — The U.S. Space Force is preparing to launch multiple spacecraft to geostationary orbit in 2027 for two separate in-space services demonstrations: one to test satellite refueling and another to test whether a servicing vehicle can dock with and maneuver another spacecraft.

Also: Aviation Week and Via Satellite
2026-05-20T17:11:06.660970-07:00
Satellite   AI   LEO   Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation   Commercial Space  
CNBC • Annie Palmer, Lora Kolodny

SpaceX is heavily reliant on Starlink for growth and profit as it marches toward Nasdaq listing

By CNBC: SpaceX's IPO prospectus underscores the importance of Starlink to the company's operations.

Also: CBC, Seeking Alpha, Fortune, Financial Times and 7 more
2026-05-21T07:31:02.113895-07:00
Satellite   Europe   ESA   Space Policy & International Cooperation   Space Defense & Militarization   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact  
Space Intel Report • Peter B. de Selding

Spain boosts investment in sovereign satcom alongside Europe's Iris2, says Ukraine dependence on Starlink is 'servitude'

By Space Intel Report: LA PLATA, Maryland — Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez said his government is creating a fund dedicated to building a secure satellite communications network that would be compatible with Europe’s Iris2 multi-orbit constellation but focused on Spanish military requirements.

2026-05-21T08:56:36.695648-07:00