Space News

Satellite Space Force Space Defense & Militarization

SpaceNews.com • Paul Maguire

Space Force taps five companies for an open-architecture Space Data Network

The U.S. Space Force selected five companies in August to help develop a next-generation Space Data Network designed to connect commercial satellite systems through standardized interfaces. The architecture aims to improve interoperability while reducing the government’s dependence on any single commercial provider.

1 Source

2026-09-30T06:16:39.340694-07:00

Satellite Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation Commercial Space

NEW

NASA Spaceflight • Ryan Weber

Starship makes orbit, Flight 15 preps in full swing

By NASA Spaceflight: SpaceX made significant strides in the Starship program during Flight 14. Booster 21, despite losing a few engines, still completed its entire flight. Ship 41 reached orbit despite losing a Raptor Vacuum engine on ascent, deployed 26 Starlink V3 satellites, and returned safely to the Pacific Ocean just north of Hawaii.

1 Source

2026-09-30T08:21:21.583289-07:00

Satellite Commercial Space

Payload • Douglas Gorman

Blackswan Space Raises €2.5M Seed to Fund RPO Kit Demo

By Payload: The round comes as Blackswan gears up for its first in-orbit mission of its RPO Kit payload.

Also: SpaceNews.com and tech.eu

3 Sources

2026-09-30T05:35:30.169381-07:00

Satellite Commercial Space Space Policy & International Cooperation

Axios • Thomas Novelly

Exclusive: Astranis lands $468M loan to expand satellite production

By Axios: "In order to lead across the globe, America must lead in space," said EXIM chairman John Jovanovic.

Also: SpaceNews.com and SpaceQ

3 Sources

2026-09-30T04:28:18.799501-07:00

Commercial Space

Payload • Jacqueline Feldscher

Varda Raises $251M Series D

By Payload: Lux Capital and Natural Capital led the round, which valued the company at $1.6B.

Also: SpaceNews.com

2 Sources

2026-09-30T05:05:01.821825-07:00

Satellite Commercial Space

SpaceNews.com • Debra Werner

Sophia Space and Redwire to work together to develop orbital data center infrastructure

By SpaceNews.com: FRANCISCO — Sophia Space and Redwire Corp. announced an agreement Sept. 30 to work together to address development and deployment of scalable, space-based computing infrastructure.

1 Source

2026-09-30T05:06:43.877429-07:00

Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation Commercial Space

Payload • Victoria Woodburn

Exclusive: Hop Aero Raises $11M for Suborbital Point-to-Point Delivery

By Payload: The suborbital point-to-point logistics company announced $11M in funding today following its participation in the summer Y Combinator batch.

1 Source

2026-09-30T05:55:50.720497-07:00

China Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation Commercial Space

SpaceNews.com • Andrew Jones

CAS Space targets early 2027 debut of reusable Lihong-2 suborbital rocket

By SpaceNews.com: Chinese commercial launch firm CAS Space is targeting a first flight of the Lihong-2 suborbital rocket in early 2027, carrying pharmaceutical payloads.

1 Source

2026-09-30T03:56:15.845194-07:00

Space Force taps five companies for an open-architecture Space Data Network

Starship makes orbit, Flight 15 preps in full swing

Blackswan Space Raises €2.5M Seed to Fund RPO Kit Demo

Exclusive: Astranis lands $468M loan to expand satellite production

Varda Raises $251M Series D

Sophia Space and Redwire to work together to develop orbital data center infrastructure

Exclusive: Hop Aero Raises $11M for Suborbital Point-to-Point Delivery

CAS Space targets early 2027 debut of reusable Lihong-2 suborbital rocket

Starship makes orbit, Flight 15 preps in full swing

U.S. Space Force Taps Five Companies for Open-Architecture Space Data Network

Exclusive: Hop Aero Raises $11M for Suborbital Point-to-Point Delivery

Blackswan Space Raises €2.5M Seed to Fund RPO Kit Demo

Sophia Space and Redwire to work together to develop orbital data center infrastructure

Varda Raises $251M Series D

Space Florida and UK Space Agency Launch Joint Space Innovation Funding Call

Blackswan raises $2.9 million seed round for satellite rendezvous technology

ESA announces leaders for studies on crewed European space stations

NASA has a Dragon dilemma, and there appear to be no good answers

SpaceX’s Starship reaches orbit on first orbital flight, deploys 26 Starlink satellites despite engine shutdown

SpaceX’s Starship targets first orbital flight with 26 Starlink V3 satellites

SpaceX’s four-launch week spans Crew-13, NRO mission and satellite rideshare deployments

Pentagon commits billions to accelerate AMRAAM, JDAM Long Range and F-35 production

The day’s aerospace signal, in one email.

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