Satellite   AI   ESA   Commercial Space  
Payload • Douglas Gorman

ESA selects Edge Aerospace to develop orbital data-center architectures and use-case road map

The European Space Agency has selected Edge Aerospace under an agreement to develop an orbital data-center architecture and a supporting use-case roadmap. The study is aimed at clarifying how on-orbit compute/data-center concepts could be packaged into credible, deployable services.

2026-05-05T05:51:38.709244-07:00
Event   Europe   Space Exploration & Science Missions   Human Spaceflight & Space Stations   Space Policy & International Cooperation  
SpaceNews.com • Jeff Foust

Ireland and Malta sign the Artemis Accords

By SpaceNews.com: Two European countries signed the Artemis Accords May 4 as part of a surge of countries joining in the wake of the Artemis 2 mission.

Also: state.gov
2026-05-05T04:26:49.100609-07:00
Blue Origin   AI   Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation   Space Exploration & Science Missions   Human Spaceflight & Space Stations  
Space.com • Andrew Jones

NASA wants to land astronauts on the moon in 2028. Will SpaceX's Starship or Blue Origin's Blue Moon lander be ready in time?

By Space.com: After Artemis 2, NASA's moon return hinges on two unproven commercial landers, each of which faces major technical and timeline challenges.

Also: Scientific American and spacewar.com
2026-05-05T03:51:16.136752-07:00
Satellite   Europe   Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation   Space Defense & Militarization   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact  
SpaceWatch Global • Joshua Faleti

Planet Launches Three High-Resolution Pelican Satellites Including one for the Swedish Armed Forces

By SpaceWatch Global: Planet Labs has launched three new Pelican satellites, one of which is the first satellite to orbit for the Swedish Armed Forces (SwAF).

2026-05-05T02:07:18.245195-07:00
eVTOL   Viasat   Satellite   AI   Cybersecurity (Cyber Threats & Protection)  
Aviation Week • Bill Carey

L2 Aviation To Support AAM Satcom Installs

By Aviation Week: Viasat has announced that avionics engineering house L2 Aviation has joined its Velaris service offering for sat connectivity with AAM and eVTOLs.

2026-05-04T18:10:21.267681-07:00
Europe   LEO   Space Exploration & Science Missions   Human Spaceflight & Space Stations   Commercial Space  
SpaceWatch Global • Guest Author

#SpaceWatchGL Opinion: From Microgravity Research to Market: Why Germany Holds a Unique Position in the Emerging LEO Economy

By SpaceWatch Global: Germany has quietly built one of the most comprehensive microgravity ecosystems worldwide. It is not a vision, nor a future ambition. It is already operational.

2026-05-05T02:28:21.240624-07:00
Space Force   Missile Systems & Strategic Weapons   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation   Commercial Space   Space Defense & Militarization  
SpaceNews.com • Jeff Foust

Firefly plans late summer launch of first Alpha Block 2 rocket

By SpaceNews.com: Firefly Aerospace plans to debut the upgraded version of its Alpha rocket late this summer as it sees strong demand for the vehicle.

Also: Seeking Alpha, GlobeNewswire and fireflyspace.com
2026-05-04T18:30:33.232070-07:00