Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation   Space Exploration & Science Missions   Commercial Space   NASA  
NASA • Leejay Lockhart

NASA selects Rocket Lab’s Electron to launch PolSIR and TSIS-2 under three 2027 scientific missions

NASA has awarded Rocket Lab launch services for the PolSIR and TSIS-2 science missions, using Electron rockets from Launch Complex 1 in Mahia, New Zealand. The two missions are planned across three Electron launches scheduled for Q1 2027 to meet time-sensitive science requirements.

Also: Seeking Alpha and 3 more
2026-06-25T13:47:47.624199-07:00
China   Space Debris & Traffic Management  
Breaking Defense • Theresa Hitchens

China dumping more rocket bodies in space, endangering low Earth orbit satellites: Report

By Breaking Defense: Three Chinese rocket bodies have exploded over the last four years, creating dangerous debris that "will linger for decades to centuries, potentially colliding with other space objects," LeoLabs study author Darren McKnight told Breaking Defense.

2026-06-25T13:56:05.299208-07:00
Supply Chain   Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation   Commercial Space  
Reuters • Joey Roulette

SpaceX plans to build 'Starpipe' natural gas pipeline to fuel Starship rockets

By Reuters: SpaceX plans to begin next month building an eight‑mile (13-km) natural gas pipeline called "Starpipe" to its Texas launch facilities, according to county filings, as Elon ​Musk’s company seeks to ramp up launches of its next‑generation Starship rocket.

Also: Seeking Alpha and newsable.asianetnews.com
2026-06-25T12:25:02.555736-07:00
Satellite   Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation   Commercial Space  
SpaceNews.com • Debra Werner, Emma Gatti

Small satellite operators confront a bottleneck to space access

By SpaceNews.com: For years, small satellite manufacturers have built their business plans around the idea that SpaceX could launch their payload to space. Through its Falcon 9 Transporter and Bandwagon rideshare missions, SpaceX offered frequent, reliable and inexpensive transportation to sun-synchronous and mid-inclination orbits.

2026-06-25T09:11:27.788949-07:00