Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation   Human Spaceflight & Space Stations   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact  
NASA Spaceflight • Haygen Warren

Soyuz-5 makes maiden test flight from Baikonur as Russia accelerates a new medium-lift launcher to replace Zenit

Russia conducted the first flight of its homegrown Soyuz-5 from Baikonur, using a dummy payload on a suborbital demonstration mission. Roscosmos leadership highlighted the carrier’s precision to near-Earth orbit delivery and a stated capacity of 17 tons, as the program aims to replace the Ukrainian-built Zenit amid security pressures around the cosmodrome.

Also: Space.com and tass.com
2026-04-30T15:04:20.219619-07:00
Satellite   Space Force   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Space Defense & Militarization  
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SpaceNews.com • Sandra Erwin

Northrop Grumman delivers sensor for missile-warning satellite as Pentagon cancels program

By SpaceNews.com: WASHINGTON — Northrop Grumman said it has taken delivery of a missile-warning sensor for a U.S. Space Force satellite program that the Pentagon is now proposing to cancel, highlighting the tension between legacy space acquisitions and a shift toward newer architectures.

2026-04-30T16:24:46.828695-07:00
Satellite   Europe   M&A   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Space Defense & Militarization  
Space Intel Report • Peter B. de Selding

Indra Group: Acquisition of Hispasat, Hisdesat swells Q1 results; Europe's Iris2 'is real;' Startical air traffic constellation uncertain

By Space Intel Report: LA PLATA, Maryland — Indra Group’s acquisition of satellite fleet operator Hispasat and military satellite service provider Hisdesat transformed Indra’s space business in both volume and profitability and prepare an expanded space portfolio, Chief Executive José Vicente de los Mozos said.

2026-04-30T11:31:54.215043-07:00