Space Force Supply Chain Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation Commercial Space Space Defense & Militarization

DefenseNews.com • Michael Peck

U.S. Air Force eyes converting decommissioned offshore oil rigs into sea-based rocket recovery stations for Space Force and comm

The U.S. Air Force outlined a plan to repurpose retired offshore oil platforms into sea-based Recovery Stations to support booster recovery for the U.S. Space Force and private launch providers. The concept would expand maritime recovery options beyond fixed range infrastructure and reduce dependence on land-based recovery assets.

Also: AirForceTimes, news.ssbcrack.com and Military Times

2026-05-18T08:53:46.937333-07:00

Europe ESA Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation Space Exploration & Science Missions

NEW

Space Intel Report • Peter B. de Selding

ESA, CNES sign off on three-year, $1.16-billion investment in Europe's Guiana Space Center spaceport

By Space Intel Report: LA PLATA, Maryland — The European Space Agency (ESA) and the French space agency, CNES, have signed a three-year commitment to maintain and upgrade Europe’s equatorial Guiana Space Center spaceport with a combined investment of 1 billion euros ($1.16 billion).

2026-05-18T10:23:53.882356-07:00

Europe Space Exploration & Science Missions Human Spaceflight & Space Stations

European Spaceflight • Andrew Parsonson

French Spacesuit Prototype Delivered to the International Space Station

By European Spaceflight: The French space agency’s EuroSuit prototype has been delivered to the ISS, where it will be tested by ESA astronaut Sophie Adenot.

2026-05-18T08:12:34.150739-07:00

Airport Infrastructure & Air Traffic Management Space Policy & International Cooperation Space Debris & Traffic Management Policy & Regulation

SpaceNews.com • Jeff Foust

House bill restores funding for TraCSS

By SpaceNews.com: A House appropriations bill would reverse plans by the administration to stop development of a civil space traffic management system.

2026-05-18T05:10:27.472105-07:00

Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation Commercial Space Space Debris & Traffic Management

SpaceNews.com • Commercial Space Federation

New CSF Report Sees Up To 7,000+ Satellites Launched Annually By Mid 2030's, Highlights The Challenges With US Launch Infrastructure

By SpaceNews.com: WASHINGTON, D.C., May 18, 2026 — The Commercial Space Federation (CSF), in partnership with Rational Futures (RF), announced the release of SCRUBBED: America’s Launch Capacity Challenge , a data-driven assessment of potential U.S.

2026-05-18T05:10:27.640159-07:00

Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation Space Exploration & Science Missions Commercial Space

Ars Technica • Eric Berger

The US space enterprise is desperately waiting for Starship—will it finally deliver?

By Ars Technica: This is such a wild ride. The highs are high. The lows are low.".

2026-05-18T04:09:33.740356-07:00

Satellite Space Policy & International Cooperation

Payload • Douglas Gorman

U-Space Selects Skynopy to Support Multiple Missions

By Payload: U-Space tapped Skynopy to provide ground services for two sats already in LEO, and partnered on an ESA PUSH effort to expand X-band comms.

2026-05-18T05:40:07.250951-07:00

Satellite

SpaceNews.com • Jason Rainbow

Tomorrow.io adds $35 million to DeepSky funding round

By SpaceNews.com: Weather intelligence provider Tomorrow.io has added $35 million to its latest funding round, bringing the total to $210 million to accelerate development of a next-generation constellation for gathering atmospheric data.

2026-05-18T05:10:27.816158-07:00

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