Space News

Mars Helicopter Space Exploration & Science Missions NASA

SpaceNews.com • Jeff Foust

NASA and AeroVironment advance SkyFall helicopter development for a late-2028 Mars mission

NASA and AeroVironment are moving forward with development of a helicopter fleet intended for deployment to Mars at the end of 2028. The SkyFall effort would extend rotorcraft operations beyond Ingenuity, positioning aerial mobility as a potential tool for future planetary exploration.

1 Source

2026-08-29T15:51:35.462581-07:00

Satellite Space Exploration & Science Missions Commercial Space NASA

Universe Today • Matthew Williams

NASA Announces Next Steps for Swift Rescue Mission

By Universe Today: Due to an ongoing commercial spacecraft attitude control issue, NASA and Katalyst Space announced Wednesday the LINK spacecraft will attempt to conduct rendezvous and proximity operations with NASA’s Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory to demonstrate key capabilities for the future of space exploration.

1 Source

2026-08-29T15:32:30.844533-07:00

Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation Commercial Space

Space.com • Mike Wall

SpaceX test-fires Starship Super Heavy booster ahead of critical Flight 14 (video)

By Space.com: SpaceX fired up all 33 engines of its Super Heavy booster to gear up for the next Starship test flight, which will mark the first time the vehicle goes orbital.

1 Source

2026-08-29T07:05:52.581797-07:00

Europe ESA Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation Commercial Space

NASA Spaceflight • Chris Bergin, Martijn Luinstra

ESA awards first European Launcher Challenge contracts

By NASA Spaceflight: The European Space Agency has signed the first contracts under its European Launcher Challenge, committing €543.6 million to three European rocket startups as it tries to broaden the continent’s launch options beyond Ariane 6 and Vega-C.

1 Source

2026-08-29T04:13:13.133921-07:00

Satellite Supply Chain Europe Commercial Space Airbus

Air Data News • Ricardo Meier

Airbus Considers Sale of U.S. Small-Satellite Business as OneWeb Production Moves to France

By Air Data News: Airbus is considering the sale of its US small-satellite manufacturing business as the European aerospace group reorganizes its space activities and moves production of the next generation of OneWeb satellites to France.

Seeking Alpha

Airbus seeking sale of its U.S. space unit (EADSF:OTCMKTS)

5 Sources

2026-08-29T01:53:02.766457-07:00

Space Force Human Spaceflight & Space Stations Commercial Space Space Policy & International Cooperation Workforce & Skills Development Defense Policy NASA

Bloomberg • Jeff Mason

Trump Begins Process to Establish U.S. Space Academy for NASA and Military Missions

By Bloomberg: President Donald Trump began the process of creating a “US space academy,” in a move he said would help bolster military and civilian missions to space.

Aero-News

White House Policy Sets Goal Of Supporting 1,000 Rocket Launches A Year by 2030

aviationnews.eu

Trump Signs Order to Create U.S. Space Academy Modeled After West Point

Also: Wall Street Journal, Space Policy Online, Space.com, Washington Post, NASA, SpaceNews.com, ANI News Agency, notus.org, Task & Purpose, Stars and Stripes, CBS News, CNA and 6 more

23 Sources

2026-08-28T10:36:41.337426-07:00

North America Moon Space Exploration & Science Missions Human Spaceflight & Space Stations NASA

Space.com • Mike Wall

2026-08-28T05:05:13.278902-07:00

Europe M&A Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation Commercial Space

European Spaceflight • Andrew Parsonson

Orbex’s Sutherland Spaceport Assets Sold to Scottish Development Agency

By European Spaceflight: HIE has bought the assets of Sutherland Spaceport Ltd following Orbex’s collapse. The future of the site is not yet known.

1 Source

2026-08-28T07:35:12.202484-07:00

NASA and AeroVironment advance SkyFall helicopter development for a late-2028 Mars mission

NASA Announces Next Steps for Swift Rescue Mission

SpaceX test-fires Starship Super Heavy booster ahead of critical Flight 14 (video)

ESA awards first European Launcher Challenge contracts

Airbus Considers Sale of U.S. Small-Satellite Business as OneWeb Production Moves to France

Airbus seeking sale of its U.S. space unit (EADSF:OTCMKTS)

Trump Begins Process to Establish U.S. Space Academy for NASA and Military Missions

White House Policy Sets Goal Of Supporting 1,000 Rocket Launches A Year by 2030

Trump Signs Order to Create U.S. Space Academy Modeled After West Point

President Trump gives Artemis II moon astronauts the Congressional Space Medal of Honor

Artemis II astronauts receive nation’s highest space honor for their successful moonshot

President Honors NASA’s Artemis II Crew with Highest US Space Award

Orbex’s Sutherland Spaceport Assets Sold to Scottish Development Agency

NASA and AeroVironment advance work on SkyFall Mars helicopters

NASA Announces Next Steps for Swift Rescue Mission

SpaceX test-fires Starship Super Heavy booster ahead of critical Flight 14 (video)

ESA awards first European Launcher Challenge contracts

Airbus Considers Sale of U.S. Small-Satellite Business as OneWeb Production Moves to France

India’s InspeCity Raises $10.5M in Pre-Series A round

LandSpace’s Zhuque-3 Rocket Explodes During First Landing Attempt

Isar Aerospace secures 200 million euros from European Space Agency

Astroscale Prioritizes First-Mover Advantage in Satellite Servicing Over Near-Term Profitability

Exolaunch to Deploy 68 Payloads Across SpaceX’s Transporter-18 and Bandwagon-5 Missions

Trump signs order to establish U.S. Space Academy for military, NASA and commercial workforce

ESA awards €543.6 million European Launcher Challenge contracts to Isar, PLD Space and RFA

MTG-I2 and NASA’s Roman Space Telescope enter final launch preparations for late-August liftoffs

Artemis II Crew Receives Congressional Space Medal of Honor for Historic Lunar Flyby

The day’s aerospace signal, in one email.

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