Space News

Satellite Europe Commercial Space

SpaceWatch Global • Torsten Kriening

Planet opens Berlin factory to build Pelican satellites, putting European Earth-observation sovereignty in focus

Planet Labs has opened a Berlin manufacturing facility to expand production of its Pelican Earth-observation satellites, with the first spacecraft built there expected to launch in 2027. The investment strengthens European imaging capacity while highlighting questions around data sovereignty, security and the control of satellite shutters.

2 Sources

2026-09-22T05:56:02.787410-07:00

Satellite Europe ESA Space Policy & International Cooperation

SpaceNews.com • Jeff Foust

ESA awards study contracts for dual-use Earth observation system

By SpaceNews.com: ESA and European Commission awarded contracts to two teams of companies to study architectures for an Earth imaging system for security applications.

Also: SpaceWatch Africa

2 Sources

2026-09-22T05:45:43.812372-07:00

Mars Space Exploration & Science Missions NASA

Payload • Jacqueline Feldscher

TRL11 Will Build Imaging Tech for SR-1 Freedom

By Payload: TRL11 has received a NASA contract to provide imaging systems for the Space Reactor-1 (SR-1) Freedom mission to Mars.

1 Source

2026-09-22T05:35:29.183989-07:00

Europe Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation Commercial Space

NEW

European Spaceflight • Andrew Parsonson

SaxaVord Abandons Shared Launch Rail Plan as HyImpulse Brings Its Own System for SR75 Launch

By European Spaceflight: SaxaVord has abandoned plans for a shared suborbital launch rail, with HyImpulse now set to bring its own system for the launch of its second SR75 rocket.

1 Source

2026-09-22T05:50:57.585654-07:00

Space Policy & International Cooperation NASA

Ars Technica • Stephen Clark

NASA chief: I'm only interested in "good deals" from international partners

By Ars Technica: There was absolutely a time where we were trying to make everyone happy.".

1 Source

2026-09-22T04:20:21.721778-07:00

Satellite Supply Chain Space Defense & Militarization Space Debris & Traffic Management

SpaceWatch Global • Joshua Faleti

Terma to Provide Ground Support Equipment for MDA Space's AURORA Satellites

By SpaceWatch Global: Terma has been selected for MDA Space’s AURORA supply chain, providing ground support equipment for satellite testing and production.

Also: aerospacemanufacturinganddesign.com and defence-industry.eu

3 Sources

2026-09-22T01:15:59.635782-07:00

Supply Chain Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation Commercial Space

Wall Street Journal • Becky Peterson, Micah Maidenberg

A Rocket Supply Crunch Is Making It Harder to Hitch a Ride to Space

By Wall Street Journal: There’s a rush to secure flights as SpaceX winds down its flagship vehicle and rivals try to ramp up.

1 Source

2026-09-21T23:37:01.329732-07:00

Moon Space Policy & International Cooperation

SpaceNews.com • Jeff Foust

Albania signs the Artemis Accords

By SpaceNews.com: Albania is the latest country to sign the Artemis Accords, part of a surge of new signatories ahead of a key meeting next month.

3 Sources

2026-09-21T16:50:31.279790-07:00

Planet opens Berlin factory to build Pelican satellites, putting European Earth-observation sovereignty in focus

ESA awards study contracts for dual-use Earth observation system

TRL11 Will Build Imaging Tech for SR-1 Freedom

SaxaVord Abandons Shared Launch Rail Plan as HyImpulse Brings Its Own System for SR75 Launch

NASA chief: I'm only interested in "good deals" from international partners

Terma to Provide Ground Support Equipment for MDA Space's AURORA Satellites

A Rocket Supply Crunch Is Making It Harder to Hitch a Ride to Space

Albania signs the Artemis Accords

Planet Opens Berlin Satellite Factory as Sovereignty Takes Centre Stage

SaxaVord Abandons Shared Launch Rail Plan as HyImpulse Brings Its Own System for SR75 Launch

ESA awards study contracts for dual-use Earth observation system

TRL11 Will Build Imaging Tech for SR-1 Freedom

NASA chief: I'm only interested in "good deals" from international partners

Terma to Provide Ground Support Equipment for MDA Space's AURORA Satellites

Space Force exploring standby fleet of rapid-response satellites

Katalyst to Demo Space-Based Power Beaming for Pentagon Energy Investment Program

Europe Grapples With Faster Procurement Amid Space Defense Push

HEO raises $25 million to expand satellite imaging capabilities to GEO

SpaceX’s Starship nears first orbital flight as Starfall secures commercial missions for 2028 and 2029

Satellite industry grapples with SpaceX’s planned end of commercial Falcon 9 launches

Ariane 6 turbopump anomaly could limit 2026 launches to one or two flights

Synspective deploys 12th StriX SAR satellite as it expands constellation and adds Japan’s H3 to launch plans

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