Space News

Satellite Africa Commercial Space

SpaceWatch Global • Joshua Faleti

Airtel Africa Launches Commercial Starlink Direct-to-Device Service in the DRC

Airtel Africa and Starlink have launched commercial satellite-to-mobile operations in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The service expands direct-to-device connectivity in the African market, linking compatible mobile devices to satellite infrastructure without relying solely on conventional terrestrial networks.

1 Source

2026-08-18T01:53:14.447961-07:00

Satellite Defense Industry & Major Contractors Commercial Space Space Defense & Militarization

SpaceNews.com • Sandra Erwin

NRO Moves HawkEye 360 Satellite RF Intelligence Into Operational Use

By SpaceNews.com: WASHINGTON — The National Reconnaissance Office has awarded HawkEye 360 a new contract to provide commercial radio-frequency intelligence, moving the company from a multiyear evaluation program into operational support for U.S.

1 Source

2026-08-18T02:15:37.146400-07:00

Satellite Europe Commercial Space Policy & Regulation

European Spaceflight • Andrew Parsonson

SpaceX Reverses Starlink Roaming Decision for Polish Customers

By European Spaceflight: Starlink has reversed a decision to restrict roaming for Polish customers. The dispute included an official threatening to reconsider $50 million in annual payments.

1 Source

2026-08-18T01:05:09.868159-07:00

Europe Space Policy & International Cooperation Space Defense & Militarization Defense Policy

SpaceWatch Global • K.-P. Ludwig

Europe’s Orbital Future: Technological Sovereignty vs. Military Interoperability

By SpaceWatch Global: SPRIND and SWE 2040 reveal competing visions for Europe in space: technological sovereignty on one side, military interoperability on the other.

1 Source

2026-08-18T01:21:40.761055-07:00

Europe ESA Human Spaceflight & Space Stations

Space.com • Mike Wall

ESA Astronaut Sophie Adenot Set to Become First French Woman to Conduct Spacewalk

By Space.com: On Aug. 18, European Space Agency astronaut Sophie Adenot will become the first French woman ever to perform a spacewalk, and you can watch the historic action live.

Also: Economic Times and lemonde.fr

3 Sources

2026-08-17T21:20:10.264488-07:00

Space Force Space Defense & Militarization Defense Policy

Wall Street Journal • Shelby Holliday

How Space Force Is Fighting Wars Today–and Preparing for the Future

By Wall Street Journal: The U.S. Space Force uses space to fight wars on Earth. Now, it’s preparing for a future in which wars could be fought in space. WSJ’s Shelby Holliday spoke with Gen.

1 Source

2026-08-17T21:06:14.326359-07:00

China Satellite Moon Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation Space Exploration & Science Missions Commercial Space

NASA Spaceflight • Justin Davenport

Launch Preview: Chang’e 7 headlines week of Chinese and Starlink launches

By NASA Spaceflight: After last week’s Chang Zheng 7A launch failure, China returns to action with the high-profile Chang’e 7 robotic lunar mission and the second test flight of the ZhuQue-3 partially reusable launcher.

3 Sources

2026-08-17T15:33:00.556627-07:00

Mars Satellite AI Helicopter LEO Moon Space Exploration & Science Missions NASA

Universe Today • Matthew Williams

NASA's SkyFall Mars Helicopters Will Feature a Revolutionary Antenna Design

By Universe Today: Engineers developed a unique fabric-based design for a ground-penetrating radar that will be a key instrument on NASA’s SkyFall Mars helicopters. The hardware will enable the SkyFall mission’s trio of planetary rotorcraft to use ground-penetrating radar to study the Martian subsurface.

NASA

NASA Challenge Tests Wheel Designs for Moon Base Mobility

smallsatnews.com

NASA Demonstrates GPS-Free Autonomous Spacecraft Navigation System on Starling Swarm

5 Sources

2026-08-17T14:06:14.972512-07:00

Airtel Africa Launches Commercial Starlink Direct-to-Device Service in the DRC

NRO Moves HawkEye 360 Satellite RF Intelligence Into Operational Use

SpaceX Reverses Starlink Roaming Decision for Polish Customers

Europe’s Orbital Future: Technological Sovereignty vs. Military Interoperability

ESA Astronaut Sophie Adenot Set to Become First French Woman to Conduct Spacewalk

How Space Force Is Fighting Wars Today–and Preparing for the Future

Launch Preview: Chang’e 7 headlines week of Chinese and Starlink launches

NASA's SkyFall Mars Helicopters Will Feature a Revolutionary Antenna Design

NASA Challenge Tests Wheel Designs for Moon Base Mobility

NASA Demonstrates GPS-Free Autonomous Spacecraft Navigation System on Starling Swarm

NRO Moves HawkEye 360 Satellite RF Intelligence Into Operational Use

Airtel Africa Launches Commercial Starlink Direct-to-Device Service in the DRC

Europe’s Orbital Future: Technological Sovereignty vs. Military Interoperability

SpaceX Reverses Starlink Roaming Decision for Polish Customers

ESA Astronaut Sophie Adenot Set to Become First French Woman to Conduct Spacewalk

How Space Force Is Fighting Wars Today–and Preparing for the Future

New EU sanctions target leaders of Russia’s space industry

HEO to use Planet satellites for non-Earth imaging

China bounces back from Long March rocket explosion with back-to-back launches (video)

Katalyst Space Wins U.S. Defense Innovation Unit Contract

Ukraine says Flamingo missiles struck Russia’s Progress rocket center and military airfield

Firefly Aerospace advances medium-lift rocket and Alpha launcher as $1.5B backlog supports growth

Blue Origin plans second Cape Canaveral launch complex for New Glenn 9×4

Emirates SkyCargo Moves UAE’s First AI Satellite From Dubai to Los Angeles

The day’s aerospace signal, in one email.

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