Universe Today
• David Dickinson
Universe Today
• David Dickinson
Today In Space
Last Updated: Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2025, 12:10 PM PST
2025-12-17T12:10:52.455876-08:00 2025-12-17T12:10:52.455876-08:00 (2025-12-17T12:10:52.455876-08:00)
SpaceNews.com
• Jason Rainbow
Lux Aeterna to attempt first reusable-satellite recovery at Koonibba after 2027 SpaceX rideshare
By SpaceNews.com: Denver-based Lux Aeterna announced plans Dec. 17 to land its debut reusable satellite at the Koonibba Test Range in South Australia, shortly after launching on a SpaceX rideshare mission in early 2027.
Blue Origin
Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation
Human Spaceflight & Space Stations
Commercial Space
NEW
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Space.com
• Mike Wall
Watch Blue Origin launch 1st wheelchair user to space on Dec. 18
By Space.com: Michi Benthaus and her five crewmates are scheduled to lift off on Thursday (Dec. 18) at 9:30 a.m. ET.
SpaceQ
• Marc Boucher
Mission Control awarded contract for iSPI+ instrument on Canada's Lunar Utility Rover
By SpaceQ: Mission Control was awarded up to $2 million by the Canadian Space Agency to provide its iSPI+ infrared sensing system for Canada's Lunar Utility Rover.
Europe
Defense Budgets & Spending
Defense Industry & Major Contractors
Space Policy & International Cooperation
Space Defense & Militarization
Policy & Regulation
Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact
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SpaceNews.com
• Robert Brüll
Germany’s First National Space Strategy: Wins, Shortfalls and What It Means for Industry
By SpaceNews.com: What Germany got right (and wrong) in its first ever space strategy.
SpaceNews.com
• Jeff Foust
Max Space unveils plan for commercial space station designed to launch on a single Falcon 9
By SpaceNews.com: Max Space, a startup developing expandable module technologies, plans to build a commercial space station that could launch on a single Falcon 9 rocket.
Also:
Leonard David
Space.com
• Andrew Jones
Vast Solicits Microgravity Research Proposals for Its Commercial Space Station
By Space.com: "The opportunity to expand access to microgravity research upon the world's first commercial space station is historic.".
Satellite
ArianeGroup
Europe
ESA
Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation
Space Policy & International Cooperation
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ESA
• European Space Agency
Galileo L14 liftoff on Ariane 6
By ESA: On 17 December, two new Galileo satellites lifted off from Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana aboard an Ariane 6 rocket. This marked the 14th launch for Europe’s satellite navigation operational satellite programme, reinforcing Europe’s resilience and autonomy.
SpaceNews.com
