Space News

Europe ESA Space Exploration & Science Missions

European Spaceflight • Andrew Parsonson

ESA’s Draco reentry mission passes critical design review ahead of 2027 launch

The European Space Agency’s Draco reentry mission has completed its Critical Design Review, a major program milestone that authorizes the transition to manufacturing and testing. The mission remains scheduled for launch in 2027, advancing ESA’s work on controlled atmospheric reentry and spacecraft recovery technologies.

1 Source

2026-08-25T03:50:12.731781-07:00

Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation Commercial Space

SpaceWatch Global • Joshua Faleti

MaiaSpace adds RIDE! to Commercial Ecosystem ahead of its Launcher's Maiden Mission

By SpaceWatch Global: MaiaSpace partners with RIDE! to potentially enable compatible secondary payloads to fly alongside MaiaSpace's primary mission payloads.

1 Source

2026-08-25T02:13:22.305767-07:00

Satellite North America Commercial Space

SpaceWatch Global • Joshua Faleti

Leaf Space Completes Ground Station Install at Spaceport Nova Scotia

By SpaceWatch Global: Leaf Space has extended its global ground station network to Canada with the completion of a ground station at Spaceport Nova Scotia.

1 Source

2026-08-25T02:13:22.215917-07:00

China Satellite Commercial Space Space Policy & International Cooperation

SpaceWatch Global • Christophe Bosquillon

China Advances Orbital Data Centers as Europe Debates Its Space-Compute Strategy

By SpaceWatch Global: Christophe Bosquillon examines China’s rapid push into orbital data centres, ESPI’s warning for Europe and the growing strategic importance of space compute.

1 Source

2026-08-25T01:20:23.274300-07:00

Satellite Commercial Space

Payload • Jacqueline Feldscher

Exclusive: OrbitAID to Launch RPO Demo in 2027

By Payload: “Most RPO demonstrations to date have qualified a single piece of the sequence, either far-range inspection or close-approach maneuvering, in isolation,” he said.

1 Source

2026-08-24T22:05:09.008375-07:00

ISS Human Spaceflight & Space Stations NASA

Space.com • Mike Wall

Watch 2 astronauts replace failed ISS antenna during spacewalk today

By Space.com: NASA astronaut Anil Menon and France's Sophie Adenot will conduct a spacewalk today (Aug. 25) to replace a space-to-ground-antenna on the International Space Station.

1 Source

2026-08-24T21:05:29.513934-07:00

Satellite Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation Space Defense & Militarization

Associated Press

Russia launches military satellite aboard Soyuz-2.1b rocket

By Associated Press: Add AP News as your preferred source to see more of our stories on Google.

1 Source

2026-08-24T18:20:44.553755-07:00

Defense Industry & Major Contractors Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation Commercial Space Space Policy & International Cooperation

Reuters • Courtney Rozen

Trump bought shares in Elon Musk's SpaceX in June, financial disclosure shows

By Reuters: U.S. President Donald Trump invested as much as $50,000 in Elon Musk's SpaceX in June, according to a public financial disclosure, giving him a financial stake in a ‌major government contractor run by his former adviser.

Also: Yahoo Finance, TechCrunch and CNA

4 Sources

2026-08-24T12:05:49.008793-07:00

ESA’s Draco reentry mission passes critical design review ahead of 2027 launch

MaiaSpace adds RIDE! to Commercial Ecosystem ahead of its Launcher's Maiden Mission

Leaf Space Completes Ground Station Install at Spaceport Nova Scotia

China Advances Orbital Data Centers as Europe Debates Its Space-Compute Strategy

Exclusive: OrbitAID to Launch RPO Demo in 2027

Watch 2 astronauts replace failed ISS antenna during spacewalk today

Russia launches military satellite aboard Soyuz-2.1b rocket

Trump bought shares in Elon Musk's SpaceX in June, financial disclosure shows

ESA’s Draco Reentry Mission Clears Its Critical Design Review

Leaf Space Completes Ground Station Install at Spaceport Nova Scotia

MaiaSpace adds RIDE! to Commercial Ecosystem ahead of its Launcher's Maiden Mission

China Advances Orbital Data Centers as Europe Debates Its Space-Compute Strategy

Exclusive: OrbitAID to Launch RPO Demo in 2027

Watch 2 astronauts replace failed ISS antenna during spacewalk today

KSAT Rolls Out Demonstration Campaign for Hybrid RF/Optical Network

Goodbye, Falcon 9: SpaceX planning to retire workhorse launcher when Starship is up and running

Lux Aeterna takes reusable satellite pitch to the Pentagon

SpaceX sets rocket-reuse record on 100th Falcon 9 launch of the year

Small-satellite market moves toward larger, more capable platforms and space-based sensing

China postpones Chang’e-7 lunar south-pole mission hours before launch

LandSpace’s Zhuque-3 Lands First Stage After Second Orbital Flight, Then Topples

NASA’s Roman Space Telescope nears Aug. 30 launch after final integration and rehearsal milestones

The day’s aerospace signal, in one email.

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