Space News

Satellite

SpaceWatch Global • Guest Author

Why Earth-Observation Applications Rarely Become Critical Infrastructure

Earth-observation systems often produce valuable satellite data without becoming operationally indispensable. The analysis argues that the limiting factor is not improved imagery or analytics, but institutional authority: organizations must be willing to trust models—and accept that those models can sometimes be wrong—before applications can support critical infrastructure.

1 Source

2026-08-06T01:14:09.775658-07:00

ISS Human Spaceflight & Space Stations Space Policy & International Cooperation NASA

SpaceNews.com • Jeff Foust

NASA and Roscosmos continue seat barter agreement

By SpaceNews.com: NASA and Roscosmos have agreed to continue exchanging seats between Soyuz and Crew Dragon spacecraft, but that does not yet extend to Starliner.

1 Source

2026-08-05T19:40:35.732696-07:00

Blue Origin Aviation Safety & Regulation Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation Commercial Space

Reuters • Joey Roulette

Blue Origin zeroes in on rocket engine issue as source of New Glenn explosion

By Reuters: A massive explosion of Blue Origin's centerpiece New Glenn rocket in May was triggered by an issue with one of the rocket's seven BE-4 engines, the company's CEO ‌said on Wednesday, as it races to return the vehicle to flight later this year.

Also: SpaceNews.com and CNA

3 Sources

2026-08-05T12:32:05.793370-07:00

Europe Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation

European Spaceflight • Andrew Parsonson

CNES Sets 2028 Target for Hot-Fire Test of New High-Thrust Rocket Engine

By European Spaceflight: CNES is targeting 2028 for an initial hot-fire test of a subscale prototype of a future reusable high-thrust rocket engine.

1 Source

2026-08-05T11:59:13.460433-07:00

Viasat Satellite Commercial Space

Space Intel Report • Peter B. de Selding

Viasat: We haven't abandoned Equatys D2D constellation with Space42, it's still in our plans; satellite financing is next step

By Space Intel Report: TUPPER LAKE, NY — Viasat Inc. still intends to pursue its Equatys direct-to-device (D2D) mobile satellite service joint venture with UAE-based Space42 with a constellation of satellites that could be co-owned by other parties, Viasat Chief Executive Mark Dankberg said.

Also: Via Satellite

2 Sources

2026-08-05T11:44:43.898389-07:00

CNBC • Lora Kolodny

SpaceX ramps up Tesla Megapack purchases in Q2 to power its AI data centers

By CNBC: SpaceX is using Tesla's big Megapack backup batteries to help power its Colossus AI data centers in Greater Memphis.

1 Source

2026-08-05T14:44:51.941746-07:00

ULA Aircraft Finance & Leasing Defense Industry & Major Contractors Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation Boeing

Bloomberg • Emily Graffeo

Boeing-Lockheed Rocket Joint Venture Taps Private Bond Market

By Bloomberg: Boeing Co. and Lockheed Martin Corp.’s rocket joint venture plans to sell bonds in the private market to refinance debt.

1 Source

2026-08-05T10:59:31.280351-07:00

Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation Commercial Space

Bloomberg • Loren Grush

Elon Musk Thinks Key Starship Rocket Problem Is Fixed

By Bloomberg: The massive rocket should be launching daily by next year, he says in first earnings call since IPO Expand SpaceX signage during the company’s initial public offering at the Nasdaq MarketSite in New York on June 12.

3 Sources

2026-08-05T07:31:44.524782-07:00

Why Earth-Observation Applications Rarely Become Critical Infrastructure

NASA and Roscosmos continue seat barter agreement

Blue Origin zeroes in on rocket engine issue as source of New Glenn explosion

CNES Sets 2028 Target for Hot-Fire Test of New High-Thrust Rocket Engine

Viasat: We haven't abandoned Equatys D2D constellation with Space42, it's still in our plans; satellite financing is next step

SpaceX ramps up Tesla Megapack purchases in Q2 to power its AI data centers

Boeing-Lockheed Rocket Joint Venture Taps Private Bond Market

Elon Musk Thinks Key Starship Rocket Problem Is Fixed

Why Earth-Observation Applications Struggle to Become Critical Infrastructure

NASA and Roscosmos continue seat barter agreement

SpaceX ramps up Tesla Megapack purchases in Q2 to power its AI data centers

Blue Origin zeroes in on rocket engine issue as source of New Glenn explosion

CNES Sets 2028 Target for Hot-Fire Test of New High-Thrust Rocket Engine

Viasat: We haven't abandoned Equatys D2D constellation with Space42, it's still in our plans; satellite financing is next step

Intuitive Machines Completes Acquisition of Goonhilly Earth Station and COMSAT, Positioning itself as a Vertically-Integrated Prime

Satellite manufacturing thrives in California despite cost and regulatory pressures

LiveEO Secures German Space Agency Grant to Build a Multimodal 'Vision Foundation' AI Model for Earth Observation

The Kriening 10: Questions About Europe’s Space Strategy and Accountability

SpaceX’s first public earnings report puts Starlink growth, launch capacity and a potential Tesla merger in focus

SpaceX faces first earnings test as insider lockups expire and short interest reaches $23.6 billion

Canada awards Telesat and MDA Space up to $2.3B for Arctic military satellite network

SpaceX recovers intact Ship 40 as Ship 41 begins testing ahead of potential Flight 14

The day’s aerospace signal, in one email.

More in Space

SpaceX posts loss in first report as a public company but less than expected

Neuraspace raises $18 million to expand sovereign space awareness

Rocketdyne reemerges as standalone space company

Think tank warns Europe’s orbital compute gap is widening

SpaceX launches 3 AST SpaceMobile BlueBird satellites on Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral

While SpaceX recovers Ship 40, Ship 41 prepares for testing ahead of Flight 14

SpaceX to Launch Three AST SpaceMobile BlueBird Direct-to-Cell Satellites on Aug. 5

Voyager seeks relaxed requirements in NASA commercial space station RFP