Space News

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

SpaceNews.com • Jeff Foust

Redwire subsidiary signs agreement for dedicated SpaceX Starfall microgravity research mission

A Redwire subsidiary focused on space biotechnology and pharmaceuticals has agreed to fly dedicated microgravity research payloads aboard SpaceX’s Starfall reentry vehicle. The mission will provide a purpose-built platform for biotech and pharmaceutical experiments in the space environment.

1 Source

2026-08-06T07:20:39.640365-07:00

Satellite Commercial Space

NEW

Space Intel Report • Peter B. de Selding

Arbitration panel rules for Spire in dispute with NorthStar Earth & Space; NorthStar says it's still owed 4 replacement satellites

By Space Intel Report: TUPPER LAKE, NY — Satellite-based space situational awareness service provide NorthStar Earth & Space has lost its two-year arbitration against Spire Global alleging under-performance of four Spire-built NorthStar satellites and awarded Spire about $12.4 million in counterclaims against NorthStar.

1 Source

2026-08-06T07:15:44.155574-07:00

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

SpaceNews.com • Jeff Foust

Rocket Lab launches 8th iQPS satellite

By SpaceNews.com: Rocket Lab launched a Japanese radar-imaging satellite Aug. 6, more than a month after the previous launch attempt was aborted.

SpaceWatch Africa

China's Smart Dragon-3 rocket successfully launches 2 satellites from sea

SpaceWatch Africa

Rymansat Project & Alba Orbital Sign launch agreement for Japan’s first PocketQube, RSP-P00

5 Sources

2026-08-06T04:25:36.266768-07:00

Moon Space Exploration & Science Missions Commercial Space

SpaceNews.com • Kris Martins

Three companies building the tech to grow crops on the moon

By SpaceNews.com: Rockets, rovers and landers have dominated the attention of the commercial space industry as the United States focuses on sending humans back to the moon, but a handful of companies are focusing on a critical next step: feeding them once they’re there.

1 Source

2026-08-06T05:15:09.059397-07:00

China Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation Commercial Space

SpaceNews.com • Andrew Jones

Chinese launch startup Orienspace targets IPO, secures funding for reusable Gravity-2 rocket

By SpaceNews.com: Commercial launch company Orienspace has kicked off preparations for an IPO coaching process while closing a funding round for accelerating its reusable Gravity-2 rocket.

2 Sources

2026-08-06T03:52:23.575603-07:00

Satellite Middle East Leadership Commercial Space

SpaceWatch Global • Joshua Faleti

ICEYE Draws Scaleup Europe Fund's First Cheque as Gulf Footprint Deepens

By SpaceWatch Global: EQT's Scaleup Europe Fund makes its first investment, co-leading ICEYE's €1 billion Series F, as the SAR operator appoints a CEO for its UAE business.

1 Source

2026-08-06T02:11:48.160122-07:00

Satellite

SpaceWatch Global • Guest Author

Why Earth-Observation Applications Struggle to Become Critical Infrastructure

By SpaceWatch Global: Why do so few Earth Observation applications become critical infrastructure? This analysis argues that the missing ingredient is not better satellite data, but the institutional authority to trust a model that can be wrong.

1 Source

2026-08-06T01:14:09.775658-07:00

ISS Human Spaceflight & Space Stations Space Policy & International Cooperation NASA

SpaceNews.com • Jeff Foust

NASA and Roscosmos continue seat barter agreement

By SpaceNews.com: NASA and Roscosmos have agreed to continue exchanging seats between Soyuz and Crew Dragon spacecraft, but that does not yet extend to Starliner.

1 Source

2026-08-05T19:40:35.732696-07:00

Redwire subsidiary signs agreement for dedicated SpaceX Starfall microgravity research mission

Arbitration panel rules for Spire in dispute with NorthStar Earth & Space; NorthStar says it's still owed 4 replacement satellites

Rocket Lab launches 8th iQPS satellite

China's Smart Dragon-3 rocket successfully launches 2 satellites from sea

Rymansat Project & Alba Orbital Sign launch agreement for Japan’s first PocketQube, RSP-P00

Three companies building the tech to grow crops on the moon

Chinese launch startup Orienspace targets IPO, secures funding for reusable Gravity-2 rocket

ICEYE Draws Scaleup Europe Fund's First Cheque as Gulf Footprint Deepens

Why Earth-Observation Applications Struggle to Become Critical Infrastructure

NASA and Roscosmos continue seat barter agreement

Redwire to fly dedicated Starfall mission for microgravity research

Arbitration panel rules for Spire in dispute with NorthStar Earth & Space; NorthStar says it's still owed 4 replacement satellites

Three companies building the tech to grow crops on the moon

Rocket Lab launches 8th iQPS satellite

Chinese launch startup Orienspace targets IPO, secures funding for reusable Gravity-2 rocket

ICEYE Draws Scaleup Europe Fund's First Cheque as Gulf Footprint Deepens

SpaceX ramps up Tesla Megapack purchases in Q2 to power its AI data centers

Blue Origin zeroes in on rocket engine issue as source of New Glenn explosion

CNES Sets 2028 Target for Hot-Fire Test of New High-Thrust Rocket Engine

Viasat: We haven't abandoned Equatys D2D constellation with Space42, it's still in our plans; satellite financing is next step

SpaceX’s first public earnings report puts Starlink growth, launch capacity and a potential Tesla merger in focus

Canada awards Telesat and MDA Space up to $2.3B for Arctic military satellite network

SpaceX recovers intact Ship 40 as Ship 41 begins testing ahead of potential Flight 14

ArianeGroup Keeps MaiaSpace Operating Despite Negative Equity

The day’s aerospace signal, in one email.

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