Space News

ArianeGroup ESA Moon Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation Space Exploration & Science Missions

European Spaceflight • Andrew Parsonson

ESA plans Ariane 6 adaptations for nuclear-powered Argonaut lunar missions

ESA is planning modifications to Ariane 6 to support future Argonaut lunar missions carrying radioisotope power systems. The adaptations would enable the launcher to accommodate missions with nuclear power sources, linking Europe’s heavy-lift launch capability to longer-duration lunar exploration objectives.

1 Source

2026-08-24T07:35:06.173944-07:00

Satellite Commercial Space

SpaceNews.com • Jason Rainbow

Kepler starts commercial optical data relay service

By SpaceNews.com: Kepler Communications announced the start of commercial in-orbit optical data relay services Aug. 24, marking the smallsat operator’s expansion beyond the IoT connectivity business it began more than a decade ago.

1 Source

2026-08-24T07:36:46.824351-07:00

Satellite Commercial Space

SpaceNews.com • Jeff Foust

Beyond Reach Technologies unveils line of large deployable solar arrays

By SpaceNews.com: A startup has developed large deployable structures that could enable small satellites to generate large amounts of power.

Also: Payload

2 Sources

2026-08-24T06:25:44.522004-07:00

AI M&A Commercial Space

SpaceNews.com • Konstantinos Trantopoulos

SpaceX Reportedly Acquires xAI in Record $1.25 Trillion Deal

By SpaceNews.com: uary, SpaceX acquired xAI in an all-stock deal valuing the combined business at $1.25 trillion, the largest merger on record.

1 Source

2026-08-24T04:40:47.919985-07:00

Satellite Space Defense & Militarization

SpaceNews.com • Jason Rainbow

Kongsberg NanoAvionics more than doubles flagship satellite bus mass

By SpaceNews.com: Kongsberg NanoAvionics has unveiled a 500-kilogram version of its flagship MP42D satellite bus, more than doubling its previous maximum mass to support more demanding defense and intelligence missions.

1 Source

2026-08-24T05:52:17.181150-07:00

Satellite Commercial Space

SpaceNews.com • Jeff Foust

Star Catcher signs power-beaming deal with Aethero

By SpaceNews.com: Star Catcher Industries, a company developing power-beaming technology for satellites, has signed a power distribution agreement with Aethero.

1 Source

2026-08-24T06:25:43.423615-07:00

Satellite Supply Chain Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation Commercial Space Space Defense & Militarization

SpaceWatch Global • Joshua Faleti

2026-08-24T02:52:34.282259-07:00

Satellite

SpaceNews.com • Debra Werner

Veoware demonstrates mini control moment gyros on Planet Pelican

By SpaceNews.com: SALT LAKE CITY – Veoware successfully demonstrated its mini control moment gyroscopes (miniCMGs) for the first time aboard a Planet Pelican Earth-observation satellite.

1 Source

2026-08-24T05:52:19.215938-07:00

ESA plans Ariane 6 adaptations for nuclear-powered Argonaut lunar missions

Kepler starts commercial optical data relay service

Beyond Reach Technologies unveils line of large deployable solar arrays

SpaceX Reportedly Acquires xAI in Record $1.25 Trillion Deal

Kongsberg NanoAvionics more than doubles flagship satellite bus mass

Star Catcher signs power-beaming deal with Aethero

Synspective Sets 31 August Launch for 11th 'StriX' Constellation Satellite on Rocket Lab Electron

Soyuz Rocket Launches Military Satellite From Plesetsk

Startups look to add electronic-threat detection to maneuverable spacecraft

Veoware demonstrates mini control moment gyros on Planet Pelican

Kepler starts commercial optical data relay service

ESA to Adapt Ariane 6 for Nuclear-Powered Argonaut Missions

Beyond Reach Technologies unveils line of large deployable solar arrays

Star Catcher signs power-beaming deal with Aethero

Veoware demonstrates mini control moment gyros on Planet Pelican

Kongsberg NanoAvionics more than doubles flagship satellite bus mass

MTG-I2 Launch Sends Ariane 6 to Geostationary Orbit for the First Time

What the U.S. National Space Transportation Policy Means for the Rest of the World

Portal Space Systems Books 2028 Falcon 9 Launch for First 'Supernova' Spacecraft Mission

NASA's Roman telescope nears launch, reaches final integration and rehearsal milestones

White House sets 2030 target for U.S. to support more than 1,000 annual launches and reentries

China postpones Chang’e-7 lunar south-pole mission hours before launch

Artemis II crew to receive Congressional Space Medal of Honor from Trump on Aug. 28

SpaceX test-fires Starship ahead of its first orbital flight

The day’s aerospace signal, in one email.

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