Space News

Satellite Space Force Space Defense & Militarization

SpaceNews.com • Sandra Erwin

U.S. Space Force awards K2 Space $22.9 million to demonstrate satellite-to-satellite laser communications

The U.S. Space Force awarded K2 Space a $22.9 million contract to test optical communications terminals that transmit data directly between satellites in orbit. The demonstration will assess laser-based crosslinks, a technology intended to support faster and more resilient space-based data networks.

1 Source

2026-08-01T13:45:34.179880-07:00

Satellite Space Exploration & Science Missions NASA

Ars Technica • Stephen Clark

Engineers Develop Plan to Rescue Satellite Supporting NASA’s Swift Mission

By Ars Technica: We believe that a capture of Swift, an attempted capture of Swift, is very much in the cards.".

1 Source

2026-08-01T11:50:07.523880-07:00

China Satellite Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation

SpaceNews.com • Andrew Jones

China launches secretive TJS-27 pair, orbits next-gen Tianlian relay sat

By SpaceNews.com: China sent a new pair of secretive satellites into a programmatically new orbit Wednesday, while also upgrading its on-orbit communications relay capabilities.

1 Source

2026-08-01T06:49:58.072393-07:00

Satellite Commercial Space Space Policy & International Cooperation

New York Times • Peter Coy

The High-Stakes Battle for Invisible Real Estate in Space

By New York Times: As radio spectrum becomes more valuable, companies like SpaceX are jostling alongside governments to control more of it.

1 Source

2026-08-01T06:11:12.716338-07:00

Satellite Moon Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation Commercial Space

Reuters • Akash Sriram

SpaceX’s First Earnings Call Will Test Investor Focus on Starlink, AI and Lunar Ambitions

By Reuters: Most ⁠retail investors were optimistic about SpaceX's future, but one user questioned whether Musk's own long-term vision made investing worthwhile.

Also: Economic Times

2 Sources

2026-08-01T03:41:11.760376-07:00

Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation Commercial Space

NASA Spaceflight • Ryan Weber

Starbase Pad 1 Retrofits Progress as Block 3 Flights Start

By NASA Spaceflight: While SpaceX has now flown two flights out of the newly designed Pad 2, crews continue to press on with the retrofit of Pad 1. This retrofit will bring the launch pad up to spec with Pad 2, LC-39A, and the still-under-construction SLC-37 pads.

1 Source

2026-07-31T14:20:16.744989-07:00

Satellite Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation Commercial Space

Bloomberg • Arvelisse Bonilla Ramos

2026-07-31T11:13:51.056737-07:00

Satellite Europe Defense Industry & Major Contractors Commercial Space Space Policy & International Cooperation Space Defense & Militarization Airbus Thales

SpaceWatch Global • Joshua Faleti

2026-07-31T01:11:50.912536-07:00

U.S. Space Force awards K2 Space $22.9 million to demonstrate satellite-to-satellite laser communications

Engineers Develop Plan to Rescue Satellite Supporting NASA’s Swift Mission

China launches secretive TJS-27 pair, orbits next-gen Tianlian relay sat

The High-Stakes Battle for Invisible Real Estate in Space

SpaceX’s First Earnings Call Will Test Investor Focus on Starlink, AI and Lunar Ambitions

Starbase Pad 1 Retrofits Progress as Block 3 Flights Start

SpaceX Short Interest Soars Ahead of Big Share Unlock, Earnings

Elon Musk’s Fortune Slumps to Pre-SpaceX IPO Levels After Rout

SpaceX to release first earnings report: What investors are looking for

Thales Alenia Joins OHB Italia-led Consortium to Develop the PRISMA satellite for the Italian Space Agency

Spain commits up to $2.3 billion for national military communications for IRIS²

Leonardo Space reports H1 growth as Airbus-Thales merger advances toward EU antitrust review

Space Force awards K2 Space $22.9 million for laser communications demonstration

Engineers Develop Plan to Rescue Satellite Supporting NASA’s Swift Mission

China launches secretive TJS-27 pair, orbits next-gen Tianlian relay sat

The High-Stakes Battle for Invisible Real Estate in Space

SpaceX’s First Earnings Call Will Test Investor Focus on Starlink, AI and Lunar Ambitions

Starbase Pad 1 Retrofits Progress as Block 3 Flights Start

Blue Origin continues rebuilding LC-36, prepares testing alternatives for New Glenn second stage

Sending repurposed Mars rover to the moon could cost more than $1 billion

Triumph to Tragedy: Columbia’s Silent Warning

Spain Offers €1 Billion in Bid to Host Thirty Meter Telescope

Space Force awards SpaceX $1.6B for 18 Falcon 9 launches under NSSL Phase 3

Spain advances sovereign military satcom with €2 billion IRIS² commitment and SpainSat NG-III contract

ArianeGroup completes wet dress rehearsal of Themis reusable booster demonstrator at Esrange

NASA deal adds Stennis test capacity as Blue Origin rebuilds New Glenn pad after explosion

The day’s aerospace signal, in one email.

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