Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation Space Exploration & Science Missions Human Spaceflight & Space Stations Commercial Space Sustainability & Climate Initiatives

Payload • Victoria Woodburn

Dawn Aerospace closes $25M Series B to accelerate reusable Aurora spaceplane and in-space refueling demo

New Zealand–Dutch startup Dawn Aerospace has secured a US$25 million Series B to speed development of its Aurora reusable spaceplane and related eco-focused propulsion systems for nanosatellites. The funding also backs an in-space refueling demonstration, lifting the company to a US$195 million (NZ$335 million) valuation.

satnews.com

Reusable Logistics: Dawn Aerospace Secures $25M Series B for Spaceplane and Orbital Refueling Systems

rnz.co.nz • Anan Zaki

Dawn Aerospace rockets to $335m valuation after latest raise

2026-06-16T15:32:40.480468-07:00

Satellite ArianeGroup LEO Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation Commercial Space

Ars Technica • Eric Berger

Among the large new rockets Amazon was counting on, only Europe has delivered

By Ars Technica: As for Arianespace, they have definitely stepped up.".

Space.com

Watch European rocket launch record-breaking mission for Amazon on June 17

Via Satellite

Arianespace Readies Record Mission for Amazon Leo

2026-06-16T14:18:44.502212-07:00

Event Europe Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation

European Spaceflight • Andrew Parsonson

Arianespace CEO Says Strike Will Not Affect Ariane 6 Launch

By European Spaceflight: A strike that saw entrances to the Guiana Space Centre blockaded ended on 16 June, with Arianespace saying its Ariane 6 launch remains on track.

2026-06-16T11:36:20.122431-07:00

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

Space Intel Report • Peter B. de Selding

French government, industry on how to react to Germany's decision to throttle up space spending

By Space Intel Report: PARIS — The steep and sudden increase in German space spending, especially military space, was always going to be complicated for France.

2026-06-16T10:26:00.281696-07:00

AI M&A Commercial Space

Reuters • Aditya Soni, Deborah Mary Sophia

SpaceX locks in $60 billion Cursor deal to close gap with rivals in AI coding race

By Reuters: Elon Musk's SpaceX is buying the startup behind the popular AI coding agent Cursor, Anysphere, for $60 billion in an all-stock deal to boost its presence in the lucrative enterprise AI tools market.

Bloomberg

SpaceX Pounces on $60 Billion Cursor Takeover Days After IPO

CNBC

SpaceX to acquire the AI coding startup Cursor for $60 billion

Also: Ars Technica, Wall Street Journal, New York Times, Associated Press, CBS News, CNA, Los Angeles Times, The Independent, Fortune, Seeking Alpha, The Guardian, ANI News Agency and 19 more

2026-06-16T03:50:52.645607-07:00

Satellite Commercial Space

SpaceNews.com • Jeff Foust

Katalyst Space raises $12 million for GEO servicing demo mission

By SpaceNews.com: Satellite servicing startup Katalyst Space Technologies has raised $12 million for a geosynchronous orbit demonstration mission.

2026-06-16T08:49:24.118794-07:00

Satellite M&A Commercial Space

satnews.com

Monetizing the Airwaves: EchoStar’s Massive Spectrum Offloads to SpaceX and AT&T Fuel Satellite Sector Rally

By satnews.com: The global satellite and telecommunications sectors experienced a major wave of market momentum as EchoStar Corporation finalized a massive structural shift.

CNBC

EchoStar is worth at least $161 a share because of SpaceX stake, says analyst

2026-06-16T07:31:39.121835-07:00

China Space Exploration & Science Missions

SpaceNews.com • Andrew Jones

Tianwen-2 makes series of burns on approach to asteroid, according to radio tracking

By SpaceNews.com: China’s Tianwen-2 spacecraft has carried out a series of small propulsive maneuvers following a main burn June 7, setting up an asteroid rendezvous in July.

2026-06-16T03:39:24.811197-07:00

More in Space