Space News

China Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation

Space.com • Josh Dinner

China resumes launches with back-to-back Long March missions after Aug. 10 explosion

China’s space program returned to flight on Aug. 16 with back-to-back launches of Long March 12 and Long March 2C rockets, less than a week after a Long March 7A exploded. The missions marked an immediate restart of launch activity following the failure.

1 Source

2026-08-17T13:05:12.673746-07:00

Commercial Space Space Defense & Militarization Space Debris & Traffic Management

Via Satellite • Mark Holmes

Katalyst Space Wins U.S. Defense Innovation Unit Contract

By Via Satellite: Katalyst Space has won a major new contract from the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) as the U.S. Government looks to tap into the latest deorbiting technologies.

1 Source

2026-08-17T13:06:10.304713-07:00

Satellite LEO Commercial Space

Space Intel Report • Peter B. de Selding

Telesat, facing December $1.7B debt payment and bondholder lawsuits, says it's pursuing good-faith negotiations

By Space Intel Report: TUPPER LAKE, NY — Satellite fleet operator Telesat reiterated its intent to pursue negotiations with bondholders who have filed suit to force the company to reverse a 2025 transfer of funds from Telesat to its dedicated Telesat LEO subsidiary.

1 Source

2026-08-17T12:20:28.531790-07:00

Leadership ULA Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation Boeing

SpaceNews.com • Jeff Foust

ULA names Peller as new CEO

By SpaceNews.com: United Launch Alliance has named Mark Peller, a longtime manager and executive at the company, as its new chief executive.

Also: newsroom.ulalaunch.com, Seeking Alpha and orlandosentinel.com

4 Sources

2026-08-17T09:55:41.148732-07:00

Satellite Space Defense & Militarization Space Debris & Traffic Management

Payload • Victoria Woodburn

DIU, SDA Select Winners for Deorbit-as-a-Service Designs

By Payload: The SDA and DIU selected three companies to develop designs for scalable satellite capabilities including rendezvous, capture, and deorbit.

Also: marketforecast.com

2 Sources

2026-08-17T06:05:02.557370-07:00

Commercial Space

Bloomberg • Benjamin Stupples

Family Offices Amass $3.8 Billion SpaceX Bet in Boost for Musk

By Bloomberg: Investment firms for ultra-wealthy individuals from the Americas, Europe and the Middle East have built up billions of dollars of exposure to SpaceX, highlighting their ability to muscle in on sought-after business opportunities.

1 Source

2026-08-17T04:36:06.504204-07:00

Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation Commercial Space

SpaceNews.com • Jeff Foust

SEOPS adds second Waymaker rideshare mission

By SpaceNews.com: Launch services provider SEOPS has added a second dedicated rideshare mission after seeing high demand for one announced less than three months ago.

Also: Payload

2 Sources

2026-08-17T05:15:40.918392-07:00

China Satellite Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation Asia-Pacific (APAC)

SpaceNews.com • Andrew Jones

Long March 12 launches despite recent 7A failure, Long March 2C launches satellite for UAE

By SpaceNews.com: China launched a new batch of Guowang megaconstellation satellites over the weekend, following up with a separate launch of a developmental satellite for the UAE.

3 Sources

2026-08-17T03:30:40.719042-07:00

China resumes launches with back-to-back Long March missions after Aug. 10 explosion

Katalyst Space Wins U.S. Defense Innovation Unit Contract

Telesat, facing December $1.7B debt payment and bondholder lawsuits, says it's pursuing good-faith negotiations

ULA names Peller as new CEO

DIU, SDA Select Winners for Deorbit-as-a-Service Designs

Family Offices Amass $3.8 Billion SpaceX Bet in Boost for Musk

SEOPS adds second Waymaker rideshare mission

Long March 12 launches despite recent 7A failure, Long March 2C launches satellite for UAE

Katalyst Space Wins U.S. Defense Innovation Unit Contract

China bounces back from Long March rocket explosion with back-to-back launches (video)

Telesat, facing December $1.7B debt payment and bondholder lawsuits, says it's pursuing good-faith negotiations

ULA names Peller as new CEO

DIU, SDA Select Winners for Deorbit-as-a-Service Designs

SEOPS adds second Waymaker rideshare mission

A rocket crashed into the moon. It was harmless, but the next one might not be.

AST SpaceMobile Secures Regulatory Go-Ahead to Test 800 MHz Satellite Connectivity

Lynk and Omnispace form Elveo Mobile to advance D2D services

Emirates SkyCargo Transports UAE’s First AI Satellite to the United States

Ukraine says Flamingo missiles struck Russia’s Progress rocket center and military airfield

Firefly Aerospace advances medium-lift rocket and Alpha launcher as $1.5B backlog supports growth

Blue Origin plans second Cape Canaveral launch complex for New Glenn 9×4

PIF, Nvidia and Harvard disclose major SpaceX stakes as institutional interest broadens

The day’s aerospace signal, in one email.

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