Space Force   Missile Systems & Strategic Weapons   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation   Space Defense & Militarization  
SpaceNews.com • Jeff Foust

Firefly targets late-summer debut of Alpha Block 2 as SciTec lands Other Transaction Authority for US space-based missile interc

Firefly Aerospace says it plans to debut an upgraded Alpha rocket version, Alpha Block 2, late this summer amid strong demand. Separately, SciTec—Firefly’s subsidiary—received an OTA from U.S. Space Force Space Systems Command to support the $3.2 billion Space-Based Interceptor program under Golden Dome.

Also: Seeking Alpha, GlobeNewswire and fireflyspace.com
2026-05-04T18:30:33.232070-07:00
Museums   Supply Chain   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation   Commercial Space   Space Defense & Militarization   Policy & Regulation  
Via Satellite • Rachel Jewett

Lockheed Martin Joins Seagate Space and Firefly Aerospace to Develop Sea-Based Launch

By Via Satellite: Johnathon Caldwell, vice president and general manager of Strategic and Missile Defense Systems for Lockheed Martin Space, said in a statement it builds on Lockheed’s “legacy in missile defense, targets and counter‑measures.”.

Also: defence-blog.com, Spaceflight Now and satnews.com
2026-05-04T14:04:28.560841-07:00
Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation   Commercial Space   Space Debris & Traffic Management  
NASA Spaceflight • John Sharp

Launch Preview: three launches — a calm before the storm?

By NASA Spaceflight: Two Falcon 9 launches and a Chang Zheng 7 make up the launch roster for the week commencing Monday, May 4, 2026. SpaceX will use its launches to place a further 48 Starlink satellites into Group 17 of the huge constellation of over 7,000 satellites.

2026-05-04T12:07:53.549383-07:00
Hydrogen   Moon   Space Exploration & Science Missions   Commercial Space   NASA  
SpaceNews.com • Jeff Foust

Interlune wins NASA contract for helium-3 extraction payload

By SpaceNews.com: Interlune, a startup with plans to harvest helium-3 from the moon, has won a NASA contract to develop a payload to test ways to extract it from regolith.

Also: GeekWire and 3 more
2026-05-04T08:03:40.645846-07:00
Satellite   AI   Space Exploration & Science Missions   Commercial Space   Space Policy & International Cooperation   Space Defense & Militarization   Space Debris & Traffic Management  
SpaceNews.com • Jason Rainbow

Pixxel pushes into orbital data centers for faster geospatial intelligence

By SpaceNews.com: Indian hyperspectral imaging startup Pixxel plans to test orbital data center technology on a pathfinder satellite designed to deliver geospatial intelligence directly from space.

2026-05-04T09:57:51.816761-07:00
Satellite   Aerial Firefighting   Europe   Commercial Space   Sustainability & Climate Initiatives  
SpaceNews.com • Emma Gatti

OroraTech deploys wildfire constellation for Greece

By SpaceNews.com: KRAKOW — Four OroraTech satellites that are part of the Hellenic Fire System launched and deployed on May 3, the Munich-based company announced.

2026-05-04T06:50:40.398431-07:00